Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine - April 2020

APRIL 2020

UP HILL, DOWN DALE Explore unforgettable landscapes on a seven-site Yorkshire tour

TEST TRIO Skoda, Elddis and Sunlight models rated

PET SHOP Essential kit for your four-legged friends

TARGET PRACTICE Try archery and channel your inner Robin Hood

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Postal address Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA Club contact details For comprehensive contact details, see camc.com/contact

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Welcome to the digital version of the April issue of your Club magazine. Please note that this magazine was completed before the coronavirus outbreak, and as a result we have had to delete some features and adverts that appeared in the printed version of this edition.

But even though this is a reduced issue and we know that it is not possible for you to enjoy touring in your caravan, campervan or motorhome at the moment, we still hope it you gives some great, inspirational ideas for your future adventures.

Please be aware that some information may not be up to date and remember to follow

We still hope it “gives you some great, inspirational ideas for your future adventures

”

Government travel and social distancing advice at all times (see gov.uk for further information).

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Commercial Executive: Steve Walters 01342 779377 steve.walters@camc.com Production Controller: Tara Erroll 01342 779371 tara.erroll@camc.com APRIL 2020

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UP HILL, DOWN DALE

COVER IMAGE:

Explore unforgettable landscapes on a seven-site Yorkshire tour

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TEST TRIO Skoda, Elddis and Sunlight models rated PASS p1 Cover.indd 1

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Editions of your Club magazine – with lots of extra content – are also available via an app on iPhone/iPad and Android tablets and phones.

TOURING: YORKSHIRE SITES AND CLS

Patron: HRH The Prince Philip President: Thomas Coke, 8th Earl of Leicester Chairman: Grenville Chamberlain OBE Director General: Nick Lomas

CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

Digital Advertising Co-ordinator: Vicky Powell 01342 779378 victoria.powell@camc.com

PET SHOP Essential kit for your four-legged friends

TARGET PRACTICE Try archery and channel your inner Robin Hood 05/03/2020 08:17

Yorkshire village of Haworth (David McCulloch/Alamy)

April 2020 3

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SPECIAL MEMBER PICTURES

YOUR PHOTOS

Your most memorable touring moments caught on camera Lake District

TEA COSY The first stop on our latest motorhome tour was Derwentwater in the heart of the Lake District. We found a cosy spot in which to sit down, relax, drink in the view and savour a cream tea. I’m not quite sure what we enjoyed more – the stunning surroundings or the tasty treat. Nearest Club site: Borrowdale.

Jan Brown

West Sussex

MOUNTAIN EXCITEMENT

It’s not every day you get to see a vista as mouthwatering as this – then again it’s not every day you get to embark on a touring adventure in New Zealand. This is the magnificent Mount Cook on the South Island – at 12,218ft, it is the country’s highest peak. (Remember the Club operates escorted motorhome tours of New Zealand.)

Dennis Jones

IN FULL BLOOM

New Zealand 8 April 2020

Situated near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, Birch Trees Farm Certificated Location comes alive with colour in spring and summer thanks to its gorgeous wildflower meadow. What a way to just while away the hours under a blue sky!

Anne Upton www.camc.com

South-West Wales

DOGGIE HEAVEN The forests surrounding the Club’s Sandringham Estate site in north Norfolk are the perfect playground for a pooch. Indeed, I think you can almost see the smile on our dog Pippin’s face if you look closely enough! There’s no need to use the car when all this is right on your doorstep. Wonderful!

Joanne Sharman

FREE PRIZE DRAW

BAY DREAM Wonderful Whitesands Bay in Pembrokeshire is just an easy stroll away from the Club’s St David’s Lleithyr Meadow site.

You might not believe this judging by how devoid of people this sandy scene is, but this photo was taken at the height of last summer. Bliss!

Andrew Walker

Send us a photo and you will automatically be entered into a free monthly draw, giving you the chance to win some fantastic prizes! See camc. com/competitions for full prize draw terms and conditions

Want to see your photo in a future issue? Send your images to camc.com/inspiringadventures or tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using

#inspiringadventures

Norfolk

OLD AND NEW IN THE PEAKS Snap! Two generations ‘collide’ in the Peak District. Our modern-day red and white VW camper came face to face with its 1960s bay windscreen predecessor on a recent Derbyshire tour. Two icons in an iconic landscape!

We love camping at Club sites all year round – no matter what the weather!

Andy and Lindsey Taylor

Peak District

www.camc.com

WALKING WONDERLAND

Devon

DEVON SENT This glorious sunset was captured from the harbour breakwater in Brixham – in the distance is Torquay.

This part of Devon is a favourite of ours, and Hillside Club site makes the perfect base from which to explore the area and make lasting memories.

Ady Fuller

Enjoying a stay at Cayton Village Club site near Scarborough before it was closed for multi-million-pound redevelopment work, we took advantage of its unrivalled location for walking. This photo was taken as we strolled along the cliffs overlooking Cayton Bay. Simply stunning. The site is due to re-open in August.

Darren England North Yorkshire

April 2020 9

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TOURING UK SITES

'This tour was completed before the coronavirus outbreak.

While we know it is not possible for you to get out at the moment, we hope this piece will give you some great ideas for your future adventures. Please be aware that some information may not be up to date and please follow Government travel and social distancing advice at all times (visit gov.uk).'

SHIRE DELIGHTS R Elizabeth Fowler finds Club sites and CLs that are perfectly located for exploring the Yorkshire Dales and beyond

olling hills dotted with wonderful stone barns, dramatic waterfalls where rivers pour over limestone pavements, and verdant, ancient woodland – the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park and its surrounds are ripe for exploration. To fully experience this fantastic area of Britain, you simply need some comfortable bases – and this is where the Club’s sites and Certificated Locations (CLs) come in. My seven-stop tour took in the best of this region, also touching on other beauty hotspots such as the North York Moors.

En route to the pretty town of Hebden Bridge, we drove alongside the Rochdale

24 April 2020

Canal and the River Calder in the steep-sided Calder Valley, the route affording tantalising glimpses of locks, bridges and weirs. On arrival we headed a little south from town and turned into the pretty Club site which shares its name. Bordered by a stream and boasting plenty of trees, this lovely, tranquil location is terraced to offer level pitching, while a warm and friendly welcome is guaranteed.

Not too far away, the beauty spot of Hardcastle Crags, with its wooded valley, streams and waterfalls, gave us a brilliant day of walking. At its heart is Gibson Mill, now a sustainable National Trust visitor centre offering welcome refreshment.

Everyone who was there that day seemed to be enjoying teetering across the

www.camc.com

www.camc.com

Guy Edwardes Photography / Alamy

Wensleydale stretches 25 miles east to west

April 2020 25

TOURING UK SITES

50% OFF

1

MIDWEEK

Hebden Bridge Club site

This lovely little site is a couple of miles outside the town of the same name. The Pennine Way runs nearby.

Pitches: 42 Open: 13 Mar-2 Nov 2020

“

Hardcastle Crags, with its wooded valley, gave us a brilliant day of walking Gibson Mill

”

Member view “We love the peace and quiet and have been coming for years. There are lots of beautiful, small places to visit – Hollingworth Lake or up along the river is lovely.”

John and Margaret Carr

Site view “With a bus stop by the entrance and trains to Halifax and Leeds this is an ideal site for visiting the area and is a short, beautiful drive from Haworth, home of the Brontës.”

R and C North-Slater

Food & drink Hebden Bridge Cruises (dining experiences), Behind the Stubbing Wharf Pub, King Street, Hebden Bridge HX7 6LU Contact: hebdenbridge cruises.com, 07966 808717

Culture East Lancashire Railway SAGREAT VINGS (from Rawtenstall GUIDE Station, Rawtenstall) Contact: eastlancsrailway.org.uk Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun Ogden Water Country Park, Ogden Lane, Halifax HX2 8XZ Contact: ogdenwater.org.uk, 01422 249136

For the family Brontë Parsonage Museum, Church Street, Haworth BD22 8DR Contact: bronte.org.uk, 01535 642323 26 April 2020

DID YOU KNOW? You can book Club site pitches via the UK Sites app, at camc. com/searchandbook or by calling our Advance Booking Service on 01342 327490.

Please call Affiliated Sites following the River Ribble and then (AS) directly

river nearby via the sturdy stepping stones.

After visiting Haworth (home of the legendary Brontë family), we followed a recommendation to carry on to Bingley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Here, we enjoyed an hour of gongoozling (watching activity on the canal) as boats went up and down the famous Bingley Five Rise Locks, and of course took a few pictures. It must be one of the most photographed places in the UK! We left early the next morning to give ourselves plenty of time for the next section of our trip, to Hawes. We enjoyed a magnificent drive through the west of the Yorkshire Dales,

heading down beside Widdale Beck before arriving at the Club site.

Here, ancient, moss-covered stone walls separate the pitching areas that are further divided by trees. The site slopes gently downwards with the high moors providing a dramatic backdrop, positively begging you to get your boots on and go exploring.

There are three magnificent waterfalls in the area to choose from but we opted for Hardraw Force, England’s largest single drop cascade at 100ft tall. Approached along a pretty waterside path, access is via the heritage centre or a coin-operated turnstile. www.camc.com

2

Hawes Club site

Site staff have lots of ideas for places to visit. It is a 10-minute walk into Hawes with its local shops and Tuesday market.

Pitches: 119 Open: 13 Mar 2020-6 Jan 2021

Member view “We visited the Wensleydale Creamery and sampled several cheeses. We’ve done lots of walking and found the pizza restaurant in Hawes good for takeaways.”

Susan and Will Charlton

Site view “The local walks from the site are fantastic, especially the Buttertubs Pass and waterfalls at Hardraw, Aysgarth and Aysgill.”

Lorna and Roger Schofield

Food & drink

Aliy Fowler

Calvert’s Restaurant, Wensleydale Creamery, Gayle Lane, Hawes DL8 3RN Contact: wensleydale.co.uk, 01969 667664

The natural amphitheatre created by the water is quite a sight – we would have loved to walk behind the waterfall but unfortunately this is no longer allowed for safety reasons.

In Hawes, you will find the Dales Countryside Museum, set within the former Victorian railway station. Here, you can see a steam engine and explore its carriages as well as find out about Dales life through the ages. There are numerous treasures on display too, including a Bronze Age spearhead and gold Viking ring.

You can book here for the Little White Bus to the start of the ‘Red Squirrel Trail’. The ride takes just 10 minutes and the driver will drop www.camc.com

you off at the top of a track for a lovely walk to a squirrel-viewing area. Here you have the chance to spot these charming russet-hued creatures who have made their home in the surrounding coniferous woodland – you might also see roe deer and woodland birds, such as siskin and lesser redpoll.

URE IN FOR A TREAT

Having followed the River Ure through lovely Wensleydale, we arrived at our next site, Brookfields Farm CL. This little site reopened last year after refurbishment, offering a spotless toilet building, electric hook-ups and hardstandings.

Culture Fairfield Mill, Garsdale Road, Sedbergh LA10 5LW Contact: fairfieldmill.org, 01539 621958

Outdoor fun Aysgill Force, Hawes DL8 3SF

For the family Outhwaites (ropemakers), Town Foot, Hawes DL8 3NT Contact: ropemakers.co.uk, 01969 667487

April 2020 27

XX February 2020

www.camc.com

TOURING UK SITES

3

Brookfields Farm Certificated Location

This beautifully refurbished site, offering fabulous views of Middleham, re-opened last year.

Free-ranging hens provide eggs for breakfast!

Open: all year Contact: 01969 623123

Member view

”

The hilly and cobbled main street of Haworth

There were splendid heavy horses grazing in the field in front of us and views of Middleham Castle beyond. We enjoyed a delicious omelette supper that evening made from eggs straight from the nest box – you couldn’t have anything fresher.

We indulged ourselves with some superb treats at ‘Inspired Chocolate’ in nearby Leyburn, before heading out for a day at the aforementioned castle. Once the childhood home of Richard III, extensive (now-roofless) remains survive, making Middleham a fascinating fortress to explore. There are lots of secret staircases, narrow passageways and viewing points, and from the illuminating information panels you can relive the castle’s dramatic history.

A few days later we continued east, following the route of the heritage Wensleydale Railway to Leeming Bar, the current end of the line. It was then onwards through Northallerton to Wiske Moor Caravan Park, an easily accessed, level, grass CL with electric points. If you enjoy fishing, www.camc.com

site manager Julie has an arrangement with another site where you can access a lake.

This turned into a bit of a foodie visit, as Langthorne’s Buffalo Farm Shop at Crawford Grange is only a mile away as the crow flies.

Here you can buy buffalo, venison, beef, lamb and other local, fresh produce. It’s not often you see buffalo grazing in an English field!

FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS

While here, we were told we must also try the award-winning Osmotherley Fish & Chips.

This small, unassuming shop in the middle of the village is well worth seeking out.

Agreeably fortified, we drove to Cod Beck Reservoir on the edge of the North York Moors National Park – an idyllic man-made lake surrounded by attractive woodland and moorland – a mile north of Osmotherley. We followed the circular walking trail around the reservoir from the northern car park – at about 1½ miles, it was an easy, pleasant stroll.

Our next stop was the pretty town of Helmsley. It is well worth a visit for its

Site view David McCulloch / Alamy

“

Haworth, home of the legendary Brontë family

“This is a wonderful and very friendly site. There are so many great places to walk to, and I have also found lots of good cycling.”

Rob Trowell

“There are really nice footpath walks to Middleham and the castle.

This is a great place for your dog companion.”

Janet Stirke

Food & drink The Saddle Room, Tupgill Park Stables, Coverham, Leyburn DL8 4TJ Contact: thesaddleroom.co.uk, 01969 640596

Culture Bolton Castle, Nr Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4ET Contact: boltoncastle.co.uk, 01969 623981

Outdoor fun Millgate House & GREAT Garden, 3 Millgate, SAVINGS Richmond DL10 4JN GUIDE Contact: millgatehouse. com, 01748 823571 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

For the family The Forbidden Corner, Tupgill Park Estate, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4TJ Contact: 01969 640638, theforbiddencorner.co.uk

April 2020 29

TOURING UK SITES

4

Wiske Moor Caravan Park

Certificated Location This is a wonderfully open site with plenty of space and electric hook-ups. It has great views across to the Cleveland Hills.

Open: 28 April-8 Oct 2020 Contact: 07493 229328 Sites Directory & Handbook p500

“

Many of the birds in the demonstrations are part of important breeding projects Helmsley Walled Garden

”

Food & drink Tejanos Steak House and Grill, High St, Northallerton DL7 8JZ Contact: tejanos.co.uk, 01609 777770

Culture Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens, Staddlebridge, Northallerton DL6 3JG Contact: english-heritage. org.uk, 01609 883494

Aliy Fowler

Site view “We are six miles from the Cleveland Hills and the lovely Mount Grace Priory.

Northallerton is a traditional market town with a good Wednesday market. For shopping and eating, Barkers family department store is a Northallerton institution with a history that dates back to 1882.”

Julie Corner

commanding castle, beautiful walled garden and picturesque market square.

From here it was on to the nearby Carlton Grange CL via a long, private farm track.

The site is a perfectly level, small grass one, carefully fenced off and sheltered by a line of mature trees. It is a place to find peace and quiet watching the deer, birds and other wildlife. With no busy roads nearby, it is also an excellent spot for children to explore.

DUN ROAMIN

Just south of Helmsley is Duncombe Park, one of Yorkshire’s finest historic houses.

Sitting within the estate, which consists

of 300 acres of woodland and parkland, sits the fascinating National Centre for Birds of Prey. Many of the birds that feature in the spectacular flying demonstrations are part of important breeding projects – to have these magnificent creatures flying over your head (just remember to duck) or landing at your feet is really quite special.

Travelling from Helmsley to Thirsk via Sutton Bank offers up some terrific views – please note that no caravans are allowed on this stretch of the A170 which challenges drivers with steep gradients and hairpin bends. About half way along the road you can turn off to see the huge white horse carved Hebden Bridge is dotted with Victorian housing

Outdoor fun Big Sheep & Little Cow Farm, Aiskew Watermill, Bedale DL8 1AW Contact: bigsheeplittlecow.co.uk, 01677 422125

For the family

30 April 2020

Graham Hardy / Alamy

Head of Steam – Darlington Railway GREAT Museum, Station Road, SAVINGS G UIDE Darlington DL3 6ST Contact: head-of-steam. co.uk, 01325 405060 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

www.camc.com

TOURING UK SITES

Illustration: Louise Turpin

MAP

5

Carlton Grange Certificated Location

You might well spot hedgehogs, wild deer, owls and buzzards at this peaceful site.

Open: all year Contact: 01439 771007 Sites Directory & Handbook p495

Member view “This is a lovely peaceful site in a beautiful area – I do so enjoy listening to and watching all the wildlife around.”

Gerald Cullen

Site view “This is a quiet site with beautiful views and fantastic walks from the site. I am hoping to put in a shower and electric hook-up next year.”

Jessica Welford

32 April 2020

Food & drink Ryeburn of Helmsley (ice cream), Church Farm, Cleveland Way, Helmsley YO62 5AE Contact: ryeburn.com, 01439 770331

Culture

GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE

Castle Howard, Castle Howard Estate, York YO60 7DA Contact: castlehoward.co.uk, 01653 648333 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx Bank, Rievaulx, Helmsley, York YO62 5LB Contact: english-heritage.org.uk, 0370 333 1181

For the family Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17 6UX Contact: flamingoland.co.uk

into the chalk hillside – there is a small car park near it, but really you need to go down into the village of Kilburn for a good view.

Incidentally, Robert Thompson, known as ‘Mouseman’, was born in Kilburn, where he set up a business manufacturing oak furniture, each piece featuring a small carved mouse.

See if you can find one. You’ll need deep pockets if you’re thinking of buying a genuine Mouseman though – a rare vintage dining table could set you back £10,000. Maybe a cheeseboard will have to do!

We’ve stayed at the Club’s Thirsk Racecourse site before. Easy to find and access, it is just so convenient for enjoying this area. A short walk via a pathway takes you into the cobbled centre of Thirsk, where there are some nice, independent shops, decent places to eat and other attractions including World of James Herriot. This is where the famous vet lived, worked and wrote his semi-autobiographical works. To wander through his restored 1940s home and surgery is to travel back to simpler times.

Half an hour’s drive from Thirsk took us to Newby Hall. If you do nothing else, make sure you visit the fabulous Dollshouse exhibition.

Boasting nearly 70 buildings of all shapes, www.camc.com

6

Thirsk Racecourse Club site

This level, well-maintained site sits just on the edge of town with views across the racecourse to the main stand.

Pitches: 59 Open: 13 Mar-27 Oct 2020 Tent camping available here.

Kenneth Wilson, Club member

Member view

Clockwise from top left: evilʼs Arrows hapel of Our Lady of the rag Yorkshire Dales near Hawes Market ell, Boroughbridge Hardcastle Crags Fran Maud, Club member

Credit: Aliy Fowler – unless indicated

“I like history and found Thirsk Museum very interesting. It is perfect being able to explore the old cobbled alleyways and historic buildings in Thirsk directly from the site.”

Sylvia Lockwood

Site view “A five-minute walk and you are at the James Herriot museum. There are lots of good restaurants and local shops.”

Pauline and Guy Dillon-Kelly

Food & drink Dog & Gun Pub, Moor Road, Knayton YO7 4AZ Contact: dogandgunknayton. co.uk, 01845 537368

Culture

sizes, styles and ages this is one of the most important private collections on display anywhere – I would defy anyone not to be enthralled by it.

Our last call was at Knaresborough near Harrogate, a Club site that’s well sheltered by mature trees and also home to the ‘Wanderer Bar & Kitchen’ – a great place for an evening meal or drink. Knaresborough itself is an attractive spa town, full of quirky alleys and charming little shops.

Just half a mile from the site and you are in Nidd Gorge, recently acquired by the Woodland Trust. Here you can savour a stunning walk along the river, through ancient www.camc.com

woodland that clings to the valley walls. Look out for animal sculptures as well as the face of Guy Fawkes carved into a tree.

ALL S WELL

A couple of miles downstream you will find Mother Shipton’s Cave and the Petrifying Well. Mother Shipton was born Ursula Sontheil in 1488. Legend has it that she was raised by her mother, Agatha, in said cave on the banks of the River Nidd before the Abbot of Beverley took pity on them. Ursula grew up to become a famous prophetess, foretelling the likes of the Great Fire of London and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

Newby Hall & Gardens, GREAT SAVINGS Ripon (sat-nav HG4 5AJ) GUIDE Contact: newbyhall.com, 01423 322583 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun Monk Park Farm, Green Lane, Bagby, Thirsk YO27 2AG Contact: monkparkfarm.co.uk, 01845 597730

For the family World of James Herriot, 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk YO7 1PL Contact: worldofjames herriot.com, 01845 524234

April 2020 33

TOURING UK SITES

7

Knaresborough Club site

Aliy Fowler

A sunny, sheltered site that is excellent for city breaks or exploring the Dales and Moors.

Pitches: 79 | Open: all year

Aldborough

Site view “The on-site Wanderer restaurant is very popular, with lots of locals enjoying it as well.

There are nice shops and boating on the River Nidd in Knaresborough.”

Denise and William Gibson

Food & drink Bettys Café Tea Rooms, 1 Parliament Street, Harrogate HG1 2QU Contact: bettys.co.uk, 01423 814070

Culture Royal Pump Room Museum, Crown Place, Harrogate, HG1 2RY Contact: harrogate.gov.uk/ info/20151/royal_pump_room_ museum, 01423 556188

Outdoor fun RHS Garden Harlow Carr, GREAT SAVINGS Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, GUIDE Harrogate HG3 1QB Contact: rhs.org.uk/gardens/ harlow-carr, 01423 565418 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

For the family Stockeld Park, Wetherby Rd, Wetherby LS22 4AN Contact: stockeldpark.co.uk, 01937 586101

34 April 2020

as the Devil’s Arrows. Anywhere else they would be a major tourist attraction!

A quick foray to view the town’s impressive 19th-century ‘Market Well’ followed, and we bought a pie from the nearby Havenhands bakers for our picnic.

From Boroughbridge we took a leisurely stroll following the ‘Roman Ramble’ walk beside the River Ure before reaching Aldborough, where we sat on a circular bench beneath a beautiful old tree and enjoyed the superb pie. That day was typical of our trip – unexpected, fascinating and beautiful.

Cycling | Nidderdale Greenway

Walking | Mother Shipton’s Cave

With the Victorian spa town of Harrogate at one end, the picture-postcard village of Ripley at the other, and the Grade II-listed viaduct in between, this four-mile walk or ride on the National Cycle Network has to be among the most picturesque routes in North Yorkshire.

With thick woodlands, the final mile passes along the River Nidd where, if lucky, you can spot woodpeckers and kingfishers.

Route plan: https://www. sustrans.org.uk/find-aroute-on-the-nationalcycle-network/nidderdalegreenway-harrogate-toripley-cycle-route/

Use the ViewRanger walking app to enjoy an easy one-and-ahalf-hour stroll, taking in the famous tourist attraction where the prophetess was born.

Other highlights include the ruined Knaresborough Castle, overlooking the River Nidd. Following the seven-day free trial, Club members save 12% on a PREMIUM + Ordnance Survey Maps for Great Britain subscription with ViewRanger.

Visit camc.com/viewranger for details.

MEMBER SINCE...

Motorhomer Elizabeth Fowler joined the Club in 1996

www.camc.com

Photos.com

“This is a beautiful site, maintained to a very high standard.

This is our first visit and we have been doing lots of walking.”

Phil and Wendy Baskerville

The Well, meanwhile, is England’s oldest visitor attraction, having been visited by millions of people since 1630. The water here is unusually high in minerals, turning objects to ‘stone’ in a matter of months – you can buy petrified mementos in the gift shop.

On a stroll beside the river, we discovered the tiny medieval Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag carved from the cliff face by John the Mason in 1408. The chapel – thought to have been a shrine for pilgrims – is open to visitors on Sundays during the summer from 2pm to 4pm (to find out more see chapelofourladyofthecrag.btck.co.uk).

We found it to be a gentle, magical place.

Loathe to leave Yorkshire, we turned off the A1 towards Boroughbridge. Just outside the town we found three amazing standing stones. Two are in a ploughed field; the third, which at nearly seven metres tall is the second tallest standing stone in Britain, is partially hidden under trees by the road.

The stones, which date from either the late Neolithic era or early Bronze Age, are known

Dean Smith/Sustrans

Member view

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November 2016 XX

CL SITES UPDATES TOURING CERTIFICATED LOCATIONS

CL SITES

Also see the CL section of the Club website (camc.com) for the most up-to-date details on all CLs. Pitch fees may be subject to variation – check with the CL owner before booking.

NOTE: CL entries are identified by a unique reference/map number in the 2019/20 Sites Directory & Handbook. They are listed here using the same number, unless otherwise shown.

Hythe beach

'We know you are currently unable to travel, but we know many members like to keep their Sites Directory updated with new information. Please follow Government travel and social distancing advice at all times.'

clubfoto/Getty

NEW CLS ENGLAND

DEVON

TOTNES (2m NE) – Pine Ridge Woodland, Mr Steve Fussell, Newton Road, Littlehempston, Totnes TQ9 6LT. 50.451751, -3.662706. 01803 866052; 07743 340119; pineridgewoods.co.uk; pine-ridge@btinternet.com. OAY; 2 acres; dogs; adv bkg req; grass; 16A; max o’fit length – 7.5mtrs; ideal for families; views; wkg fm; dog walk fr site; town & pub in 1m; coarse fishing, golf, watersports and beach in 5m; fr £16 (pitch + all occ).

KENT

HYTHE (7.7m SW) – Shingle Hall Farm, Mr David Russell, St Mary’s Road, St Mary in the Marsh TN29 0BS. 51.015331, 0.951847. 07712 510124; 07971 684216; djr1@live.co.uk. OAY; 1 acre; adults only; dogs; adv bkg req; grass; 16A; fr £15 (pitch + 2 ad).

SCOTLAND

HIGHLANDS

WICK (4m NNW) – North Fork Stables, Mr Alex Banks, Reiss, Wick,

Uwe Weckelmann / EyeEm/Getty

Wick

38 April 2020

Caithness KW1 4UR. 58.483207, -3.141369. 01955 606533; 07775 994905; banksalex@hotmail.com.

OAY; 0.58 acres; dogs; some sloping pitches; hdstdng; 16A; max o’fit length 10m; fr £18 (pitch + all occ).

PERTH & KINROSS

CRIEFF (11m SE) – Islabank, Mr Neill Fenton, Auchterarder PH3 1DR. 56.297933, -3.67421; 01764 663172; 07787 102087; neill@fentontransport. co.uk. OAY; 1 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; peaceful; views; lawned; wkg fm; dog walk fr site; town, shop & pub in 1m; golf in 5m; public trans in 1m; hdstdng; 16A; fr £15 (pitch + 2 ad).

UPDATES

IMPORTANT: Nightly fees may differ from those published in the Directory due to a change of facilities or ownership. It is therefore essential to confirm current fees when enquiring or making a booking.

Not all CLs accompanied by a pub symbol in the Directory are located on the site of a public house – some are near to a pub (up to three miles away), so please check with the owner before visiting. CL reference numbers refer to the Directory.

139 FALMOUTH – Higher Eathorne Farm. New email: jo.clarkson@ icloud.com.

954 SKEGNESS – Nursery Bungalow. New mobile: 07707 831238 (Manager – Mrs Miriam Ellis).

1203 MORPETH – Potland Farm Cottage. Site open Mar-Oct (no longer all year).

1249 WALLINGFORD – Newnham Manor. New contact: Jackie at comeandgo@gmx.co.uk or 07760 356082.

1543 CHICHESTER – 107 First Avenue. New email: Snlowe63@ gmail.com.

1818 SETTLE – Littledale Croft. New tel and email: 07970 728175;

enquiries@littledalecroftcl.co.uk.

2217 POWYS – Pentwyn. New CL name: Pentwyn Cantref.

CLOSURES The following five-pitch CLs are closed and no longer certificated by the Club. This does not affect any other business that a landowner may be operating.

290 WIGTON – David Whitson, Howburn Farm Caravan Site 678 ROMSEY – Mr W J Dovey, Sagres 713 ROSS-ON-WYE – Gillian Bradley, Tump Farm 833 KIRKHAM – Mr & Mrs W Moore, Willow Bridge Farm 1013 ATTLEBOROUGH – Mr D Beales, Mill Farm Fishery 1024 AYLSHAM – Mrs S WallerBarrett, The Willows 1116 NORTH WALSHAM – Mrs D Y Manning, Ebridge Farm 2265 COWBRIDGE – Mr K F L Watkins, Isycoed Farm

Please remember that CLs are privately-owned businesses. If you make a booking and subsequently don’t show up, a 20% loss will be incurred by the CL owner if that pitch cannot be resold. So, if you have to cancel your booking, please give the CL owner as much notice as possible. CL owners have individual cancellation policies so charges may be incurred if you cancel or don’t turn up.

Routes – an important note. Routes provided by autoroutes or satellite navigation systems may include roads unsuitable for vehicles towing trailers or caravans. There may also be specific weight, width or height restrictions.

For caravan-friendly local routes to Club sites, CLs and commercial sites, we would advise using the standard directions published in the Sites Directory & Handbook and on our website. The reference numbers on this page relate to the 2019/20 edition of the Sites Directory & Handbook.

www.camc.com

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Available in 19.5” 21.5” 24” Full HD screen sizes

The new Avtex connected TV series with Freeview Play. Scroll forwards and backwards through the TV guide for 7-day catch up, plus loads more on demand with BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, My5 & UKTV Play. Watch channels only accessible with a connected TV. • • • • • • • •

Full HD connected TV with built-in satellite decoder Tuners DVB-T/ DVBT-2 / DVBS / DVBS2 Freeview HD Freeview Play 7 day forwards and 7 day backwards programme guide AQT one button tuning system (Ideal for touring) On screen battery meter Mains/battery 240v AC/12v/24v DC

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Availability of channels subject to geographic location and coverage. Aerial upgrade may be required. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability. Minimum broadband speed of 2Mbps required for catch up and on demand services. Watching on demand and catch up programmes will count towards any monthly broadband data allowance. 7-day catch up for selected channels.

ACTIVITY BREAKS ARCHERY

'Jonathan tried out archery before the coronavirus outbreak. While we know it is not possible for you to get out at the moment, we hope this piece will give you some great ideas for your future adventures. Please be aware that some information may not be up to date – and please follow Government travel and social distancing advice at all times (visit gov.uk).'

GOING FOR GOLD Jonathan Manning masters the bow-and-arrow basics – but can he hit the bullseye?

42 April 2020

www.camc.com

J

ust one more go… one more arrow… and another… one final attempt… and still the 10-point centre of the target remains unscathed. Archery turns out to be addictive and much more challenging than expected. There are no buffalo, sheriffs’ posses or even Westeros warriors in my line of sight. This isn’t a life or death scenario. Regardless of where my arrows land, no one is going to go hungry or be taken prisoner. And yet I want desperately to hit the elusive centre of the target.

No doubt the characters portrayed in ancient cave paintings, Robin Hood legends and even Game of Thrones felt the same. Mankind with a bow and arrow just looks right.

But firing with accuracy is trickier than it appears. The yellow bullseye looks enormous right up until the moment I draw back the string of the bow, at which point it merges into a kaleidoscope of swirling colours. Somehow, over the course of an hour, my arrows manage to find all the other colours, but not the heart of the target.

I’m on a farm high on a hillside, close to where Cambridgeshire meets Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire. The views are far-reaching, but it’s blowing a gale. And before you ask, it’s far too cold for green tights.

Llewellyn / Alamy

READY, AIM...

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This is High Harthay Outdoor Pursuits, a farm where the likes of ‘airsoft’ (a competitive team shooting sport), clay pigeon shooting and archery are on offer. I’ve opted for the silent activity, which costs £25 for a one-hour session. The target is set up only 15 metres away, but everthing is to scale, so the bullseye is far smaller than the head-sized circle in the centre of Olympic targets (Olympians shoot over a standard 70-metre range!). Every other element is the same – the required stance, the breathing, the technique… and the trudge to gather fired arrows.

My instructor is Midge, broad-shouldered, bearded and patient. He grew up on this farm and we’re shooting between willow trees in its large garden. Each stage of the shooting process is simple – the difficulty lies in putting them together in a seamless, fluid sequence. The closest analogy is a tennis serve: get it right and it’s an ace; muck it up and it’s the start of a double fault.

The shooting stance should be relaxed, feet planted at 90˚ to the target, left shoulder and head directly facing the bullseye. Then, in one smooth movement, the left arm rises and straightens, the right arm pulls back on the bowstring (fingers all below the arrow, not touching it), the bow curves, and then the fingers release the string, sending April 2020 43

ACTIVITY BREAKS ARCHERY

BOOK

ON THE

APP

WHERE TO STAY

Grafham Water Club site is just five miles from High Harthay Farm. For further information, see highharthay.co.uk.

Ringinglow Archery

Alternative archery venues 1. Insight Activities, Dorchester, Dorset

Choose between a host of combat activities from the Middle Ages – including archery, crossbow shooting and axe throwing – at this woodland activity centre.

Info: insightactivities.co.uk Stay at: Crossways Club site

2. Ringinglow Archery, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

On the edge of the Peak District, this farm-based archery centre offers expert tuition for would-be Robin Hoods aged eight and upwards.

Info: ringinglow-archery.co.uk Stay at: Castleton Club site

3. Live for Today, Kendal, Cumbria

Archers can gauge how well their skills have developed with a William Tell-style test at the end of their session. Fortunately, the challenge is to shoot an apple off the head of Susie – the office mannequin!

Info: live-for-today.com Stay at: Kendal Club site

the arrow on its way. My first projectile thumps into the target with impressive force but misses any of the concentric scoring circles. The second misses, too, but Midge is excited.

“That’s good,” he says. “The two arrows are very close, which we call good grouping. Now you just need to alter your aim up and to the right, and you should be there.”

I follow his advice and, sure enough, the arrows start to pierce the colours. But it’s not easy. For a start, there’s reasonable tension in the 64in bow – about 26lb of it (everything seems to operate in imperial measures). True, it’s not a patch on the 80lb in a medieval longbow, but those archers had years of practice before they could draw the string on such a weapon. Midge tells me that archaeologists can identify longbow archers by their skeletons, due to the structure of their shoulders and bone density.

FACE VALUE

Jonathan has another go at hitting that elusive bullseye

“

The arrows fly, their tips nudging closer to the 10-point centre

”

equates to a few centimetres at the target.

One way to achieve greater accuracy, at least in terms of height, is to draw the bowstring back to a ‘mark’ on your face. Midge pulls the bowstring back to the corner of his right eye before releasing it. Slightly taller, I find the corner of my mouth keeps the arrow at the right height on the target. Left or right precision, however, remains a mystery that I blame on the wind.

Without a sight on the bow, there are no crosshairs to line up on the bullseye, and aiming feels a little vague. What’s more, when I go through the initial lift and draw process but delay the release while I try to aim the arrow, my accuracy deteriorates. The effort of maintaining the tension in the bow is such that the point of the arrow seems to veer erratically, undermining the good grouping I initially achieved.

So I return to as fluid an action as I can muster: nock of the arrow tight on the bowstring, arrow on the rest, feet set, left shoulder pointing at the target, head turned, bow hanging loosely between my thumb and forefinger, left arm straight, right arm horizontal in line with the arrow, then release.

And to think some people do this on horseback!

The arrows fly, their tips nudging closer to the 10-point centre, some hitting the target so close to each other that I hope for a Robin Hood-style splice of an arrow. But it doesn’t happen and nor do I land an arrow in the elusive bullseye. After an hour my right arm and shoulder start to tremble with the effort and my accuracy deteriorates.

It’s time to call it quits, but I’d really like to come again. Now I’ve got a grasp on the basics, that 10-point arrow can’t be far away.

I’m using a recurve bow, its elongated S-shape profile maintaining high power in a compact shape. It requires less effort to bend, but I’m conscious that a 1mm difference in direction at the firing point 44

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November 2016 XX

SPECIAL FAMILY HISTORY

RETURN TO PEGASUS BRIDGE Lee Davey continues his journey into his family’s military past – an adventure that began with the restoration of a vintage caravan 46 April 2020

www.camc.com

W

hen my son Charlie and I embarked on a journey towing a restored 1967 Bailey Maestro in order to retrace our family’s footsteps during the build-up to the D-Day campaigns of 1944, we had no inkling of where it would take us. We stayed at campsites close to key locations and actually visited the battlefield, all the while uncovering snippets of fascinating information.

Luck played a major part in our story, with chance conversations uncovering important details and ultimately leading to the discovery of a photograph of Charlie’s great-grandfather – Geoffrey Woodcock – in the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum in Bénouville, Normandy.

I wrote an article on our adventure of discovery for the November 2018 edition of the Club magazine and we returned to the UK with memories to treasure and a line firmly drawn under family events related to the largest seaborne invasion in history. Or so we thought...

Charlie’s great-grandfather was part of 249th Field Company Royal Engineers, which was attached to 6th Airborne Division for the operation to capture Pegasus Bridge. During our research we began chatting to a French chap named Xavier, who has unrivalled knowledge of 249 RE, together with links to the Glider Pilot Regiment Society. He mentioned a project under which various towns and cities that were liberated during the

D-Day campaign would honour those who fought locally by immortalising them on banners throughout the streets. The Mayor’s office in Bénouville got in touch, my wife Helen replied, and we booked a crossing to Normandy last June for the 75th anniversary D-Day commemorations.

Normandy was much busier than when I visited with Charlie, and there were green wartime vehicles everywhere. This time, towing a Bailey Phoenix with a Mercedes Vito, we stuck out like a sore thumb, but we had also brought along a 1944 BSA M20 despatch rider’s motorcycle, which would serve as our transport for the week.

“

Charlie’s greatgrandfather was part of the 249th Field Company Royal Engineers

”

As we gathered for a ride out with 60 other people on period motorcycles – many of which were being ridden by acquaintances I had made in 2014 when taking part in a Guinness World Record attempt to forge the largest parade of military motorcycles since the Second World War – Helen’s face was a picture. Riding en masse through flag-waving crowds is not something to be

Top: Arromanches-les-Bains Above: a plethora of Second World War-era vehicles was on display

Below: Artwork at Arromanches-les-Bains Below: floral tributes at the bridge

Lee’s bike with an original D-Day tank

www.camc.com

April 2020 47

SPECIAL FAMILY HISTORY

“

Having the motorcycle also allowed us to get around despite road closures that brought most of Normandy to a halt

”

Our Bailey Phoenix and the BSA M20

forgotten, especially when your group consists of bikers from Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Malta.

HISTORIC CAFE

The tribute to Geoffrey, 200m from Pegasus Bridge

48 April 2020

Having the motorcycle also allowed us to get around despite road closures that brought most of Normandy to a halt. Larger vehicles were frustrated by a seemingly impregnable ring of roadblocks – but as we were able to perform U-turns with ease, we could zig-zag our way to the famous Café Gondrée on Pegasus Bridge.

The previous year Charlie and I had parked outside the café and found a table without any problems. It was very different this time, with barely a patch of asphalt visible and a long line of customers snaking into the street from the counter. Unsure whether Helen’s grandfather, Geoffrey, had been included in the banners project, we began scouring lampposts. An ITV news crew was also pacing the streets, so we asked if they’d seen a banner matching our description. They couldn’t help – but we did end up on the evening news, much to Helen’s horror!

Mustering as much schoolboy French as I could remember, I asked a group of gendarmes, who pointed to a spot just 200m from Pegasus Bridge, where Geoffrey was

looking down at us from a lofty vantage point.

Just 12 months ago, we knew very little about the parts our families had played in the war, and yet here we were, below a banner erected in Geoffrey’s honour!

Xavier had asked Helen to make a reading at what he said would be a small, informal event conducted by other Glider Pilot Regiment family members. But when we walked across Pegasus Bridge towards the monuments, we were greeted by two marching bands, a large group of people, including armed forces representatives, and a generous sprinkling of dignitaries!

Clutching Geoffrey’s original maroon beret, Helen was guided towards the front, nervously waiting for her turn to talk. Despite her trepidation, she did her grandfather proud, reading an emotional tribute just a short distance from his banner. Back at the campsite, as we tried to make sense of the chain of events, it seemed hard to believe that this amazing journey had come about thanks to a project to restore a 1960s caravan. It’s amazing the adventures a caravan can take you on – in more ways than one.

MEMBER SINCE...

Caravanner Lee Davey joined the Club in 2006

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xxxx xxxx x xxxx x

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November 2016 XX

xx April 2020

TOURING OVERSEAS TRAVEL

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November 2016 XX

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56 February 2020

www.camc.com

CORRESPONDENCE YOUR VIEWS

Letters

Your chance to have your say. The writer of our star letter will receive copies of our three-edition overseas touring guides STAR LETTER

HITTING THE ROAD CONFIDENCE BOOST

Scottish tribute Hello from far away Hamburg – since last summer we are proud members of your Club! It was such a help and joy to find the best campsites touring the south of Scotland.

The night before we became members, we had camped on a site next to Bass Rock. On the last page of the magazine in January 2020, I could admire the photo ‘Under the Rainbow’, which reminds me of my special shot in the beginning of September last year (see above).

Since 1977 we’ve travelled to Scotland almost every year. We know your country better than ours. We intend to come back this summer, if we stay healthy. www.camc.com

Send your letters to Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA. Alternatively, email us at enquiries@camc. com or magazine@camc.com.

My husband will be 80 this year, I am almost 76.

We started together with our three children, all of us in a VW Bus T3 and small tents. We travelled almost everywhere and especially enjoyed the time of single-track roads and, therefore, the remoteness of your great country. We are still so fond of our fifth Bus, still without any conveniences. No electricity, so no light, no warmth. And it’s still fun!

At home it’s cosy – in Scotland we go for storm, clouds and waves. Whisky is gold in our throats and warms our hearts!

We send you fondest greetings from the north of Germany, Gunter and Birgit Kleist, Hamburg

As a complete newcomer to caravanning, I was so pleased to be able to attend the [caravan] course delivered by PV Training [in Wiltshire] last weekend. The course content, and particularly how it was delivered, was absolutely brilliant as well as being thoroughly enjoyable, in spite of the challenging weather on Sunday!

I feel so much more confident now to hook up our new caravan and take off for our first trip in the next couple of weeks. Although I duly completed the course assessment form, I would really appreciate your time to pass back our extended thanks and appreciation to the PV Training team.

Paul Cressey, via email Editor’s note: Glad it went so well Paul – enjoy your travels. To find out about caravan or motorhome training courses please see camc.com/training.

Your opening words in the January magazine couldn‘t have come at a better time. After a year of keeping our caravan on a (non-Club!) seasonal pitch, we found that while it was great to turn up and have everything all set-up and ready, it felt a bit of a safe option and soon became a bit ‘same-old’.

The renewal note for our pitch came and we debated what to do. However, a day or two later a letter from the Caravan and Motorhome Club arrived.

“Congratulations on your 10 year membership,” it said, together with a new sticker for the van. We were instantly reminded of all the fun holidays we’d had with the Club, evenings looking through the Directory, planning and booking new sites and old favourites, together with a few trips where we made a last-minute decision to go away for the weekend, knowing that checking into a Club site we could be confident of a friendly welcome and good facilities.

Our two boys, aged eight and five, had even started to ask if they could return to certain sites. Minehead, Buxton and Chatsworth Park were requested and “anywhere near the beach,” said the youngest.

So, as of next week, our trusty old van will be returning home to have a good wash and a service, ready to hit the open road again in 2020. We’re so glad that we didn’t cancel our membership during our ‘gap year’ and are looking forward to many more trips and memories over the next decade.

Mr and Mrs Wildgoose, via email

Minehead Club site April 2020 59

CORRESPONDENCE YOUR VIEWS

Bourton-on-the-Water

TOURING LOCAL

Gold standards I enjoyed Jane McGowan’s Cotswolds and West Midlands article this month [see March issue]. She did a great job of covering a big sweep of country, from Blenheim to Bridgnorth.

As one Cotswold born and bred, I couldn’t pass on one thing – writing about Woodstock she says “Constructed in part from yellow bricks...”! Are you perchance referring to our beautifully-coloured

warm Cotswold limestone, Jane?

Bricks indeed! But we’ll forgive you because we’re like that round here, and you do go on to say “...for which this area is famed,” so it’s okay, you can come back, and please do.

Tom Bell-Richards, Oxfordshire

Time to compromise With regard to the Star Letter (Letters, February) from Ian Garforth, he makes a very strong point. What to do about it [climate change] is the dilemma we all face, caravanners or not, and it is no easy question to answer. The reality is, as individuals we can’t fix the problem by ourselves, because, short of going back to pre-industrialisation, we will have to rely on technological solutions that are still in development.

The best perhaps we can do, is to question the choices that we make to see what we are comfortable to compromise on while we embrace some of the new technological advances. Would I be happy to use

a micro-caravan towed by a battery car – certainly not. I would consider a plug-in hybrid for instance, and it would be good if the Club could run some reviews on the evolving options, also taking a critical look at their real environmental credentials.

Something we shouldn’t do, though, is to criticise other people’s choices, because we’re all guilty when it comes down to it. I can point at someone who flies to Florida every year for a vacation, but they can point at me for having a heavy towcar. I’d like to do better however, and if the Club can help with that I’d welcome it.

Chris Kaine, via email

MAKING CHANGES Some very good points are made by Ian Garforth (Letters, February) in respect of not being able to carry on as we always have done producing CO2 emissions regardless and I fully support his main views.

As a couple, we stopped flying several years ago when it became clear that environmental damage was very significant and I am very sceptical about the real value of carbon offsetting.

The impact of our hobby can also be significant unless we all look at the way we go about things. For us, driving to a site for a week and then walking, cycling or using public transport, and using ferries to France seems the best we can do – other than not taking 60 April 2020

any holidays, which, let’s face it, isn’t going to happen!

In many ways I am more of an optimist than Ian and I can already see alternatives to gas guzzlers appearing with accelerating rapidity. Two things are changing pretty quickly. The first is that electricity generation by sustainable means is really taking off.

So charging up electrically-powered motorhomes is close.

The second thing, and this is only an interim measure while many internal combustion engines remain on the roads, is that fuel companies are working hard to produce fuels that will include high percentages of bio-fuel.

Martin Weeks, Yorkshire

FEARS FOR THE FUTURE The Government announcement about banning the sale of non-electric cars from 2035 will concern us caravanners. If we buy a new diesel towcar, it can keep us going for a further 10 years or so, so touring caravans might be okay until 2045. However, future governments may demonise and/or tax the latest diesels to death, without considering the astronomical cost of charging infrastructure or the huge environmental impact of that plus the effects of mining the rare metals needed for countless batteries. It is to be hoped that our Club, and others, will lobby Government on the numerous downsides of this policy. Cleaner diesels will still have less environmental impact.

Ian Johnston, Falkirk

I have lived on the doorstep of the Rivington area of Lancashire all my life. I have visited the gardens, the moors and the tea rooms on many occasions with family, friends, dogs and bikes so, when a friend of ours suggested we take our caravans to a site up there, my first thought was, was it worth it?

After a little consideration, I decided that it was a chance to get our caravan out so we duly signed up for the trip and took our caravan the grand distance of 18 miles to the site.

At the end of the weekend, during which we walked for miles through the restored park, visited a tea room for a hearty cooked breakfast and enthusiastically patronised the on-site micro brewery, I pondered over my initial hesitation in going. Coming to the conclusion that one doesnʼt have to travel great distances to get the most out of your caravan and, sometimes, there are fantastic places to be had right on your doorstep.

Gary Davies, via email

Warm and cosy

I always turn to the humorous photos at the back of the magazine, before I start serious reading. Yes, to answer the question [Would you count a tea cosy as an essential part of your touring kit? March Tail Lights] – a teapot and cosy (crocheted, not too bulky) is an essential part of our motorhome kit. We insist on properly brewed tea, not a teabag dunked in boiling water! The first step when my husband connects up is to put the kettle on for a cuppa. Followed usually by a glass of vino, and the holiday can really begin!

Mrs J Gooch, via email

www.camc.com

MEMBER OFFERS SPECIAL DEALS

SAVE WITH THE CLUB April is National Pet Month, and we know how important animal companions are to many of our members. Here is a selection of great offers – see p76 for more...

SAVE 15% WITH MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE Mountain Warehouse provides a range of dog accessories and products as well as practical walking clothing, footwear and accessories for you. Members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club can save 15% off the price of all products, including those that already have discounts applied. Find out more at camc.com/mountainwarehouse.

DISCOUNTS ON DOG BEDS AND ACCESSORIES Club members benefit from a 10% saving when purchasing Ivy & Duke’s range of dog beds, blankets and pillows. Designed for comfort and support, and with portability in mind, they ensure your faithful friends travel with you in style! For more details please visit camc.com/ivy&duke.

10% off all Colapz products Colapz offers innovative, highquality products that help you save space – ideal when considering what to take with you in your caravan, motorhome or campervan.

Collapsible bowls are perfect at mealtimes, while the Roll-Up Silicone Utility Mat will help to keep your outfit clean. Collapsible buckets can be used when cleaning muddy pups. Details of a 10% discount can be found at camc.com/colapz.

SEE THE CLUB SHOP FOR MORE SAVINGS ON PET PRODUCTS We want to help you keep your pets comfortable and safe when on the move.

At the Club Shop – brought to you by Prima Leisure – you can browse the range of accessories, including carriers, play pens, beds, toys, leads, food bowls and more, and as a member you can save up to 10% off your order. Why not treat your faithful travelling companions?

Simply visit shop.camc.com and use the discount code CS-0218-PRIMA.

Information correct at time of publication. Terms and conditions apply to all member offers – see camc.com/memberoffers for details 62 April 2020

www.camc.com

COUNTRY MATTERS METAMORPHOSIS

“

Our broad-bodied chasers broke out of their old larval skin at various times of the day, most commonly around

mid-morning

�

The fully-formed broad-bodied chaser (an immature male) has pristine wings and is now ready to fly

64

Shape shifters David Chapman feels privileged to witness an extraordinary event in the life cycle of a dragonfly

I

n February last year I wrote about our experience of digging a garden pond for wildlife and the enjoyment it has brought us. At around the same time our pond became infiltrated by duckweed and its quick spread encouraged me to do something about it. Scooping it out with a large sieve gave me some satisfaction but had little long-term impact, so in the end I decided to drain the pond, take it right back to the liner and start again.

In doing this I wanted to save any creatures in the water, so I set up a fish tank in which I put all the insects, larvae, snails and newts for a few days. I made the tank as homely as possible with plenty of pond weed, some emergent stems and a couple of large stones and logs, which broke the water’s surface.

Little did I know that this simple act would provide my wife Sarah and I with some of the most fascinating wildlife experiences of the year. Within a few days some of the dragonfly larvae had started to emerge and we were soon able to watch them as they began climbing out of the water to begin their metamorphosis.

I had read that dragonflies tended to emerge under cover of darkness, for their own safety.

Our emperor dragonflies did indeed emerge at night, completing their transformation early in the morning, whereas our broad-bodied chasers broke out of their old larval skin at various times of the day, most commonly around mid-morning.

65

COUNTRY MATTERS METAMORPHOSIS

“

Not long after becoming settled, the skin on the back of its head splits open, allowing the emergent dragonfly to burst through The dragonfly larva takes a painfully long time to actually get out of the water and choose a position in which to anchor itself. If the anchoring point isn’t sufficiently robust there is a chance that it might drop into the water during metamorphosis; too close to the surface and its wings might submerge as they develop.

The larva attaches itself to a plant stem with its head facing upwards. Not long after becoming settled, the skin on the back of its head splits open, allowing the emergent dragonfly to burst through. With its legs tucked tightly against its chest, it then forces more and more of its body backwards through its exuvia (the name by which the spent larval skin is known).

STRING SECTION

There comes a point where the body arches back on itself, supported only by a part of the abdomen remaining in the exuvia and by a couple of ‘strings’ which connect the body to the skin. These strings are actually tubes, part of the tracheal system through which the dragonfly nymph breathes when underwater.

Before the wings can start to expand the dragonfly needs to remove its abdomen from the exuvia. To do this it rocks up and down, and then, with one last effort, flips its legs up to grab onto its ‘old’ head.

We are now at the most miraculous point, visually. It is possible to see the body 66 April 2020

”

pumping fluid into the wings, which grow at a surprising rate. Once fully pumped up, any excess fluid drips from the abdomen of the dragonfly. As the wings dry they become translucent and you can see they are formed from the most delightful mosaic pattern of veins, giving them both strength and beauty.

Once open, the wings need a little more time before they are firm enough for flight.

When it is confident enough, the dragonfly takes off and heads away from the water to find safety in nearby vegetation. It will only return to water to find a mate – that can be a dangerous time, during which conflicts, particularly between males, are commonplace.

The whole process from emergence to flight takes a few hours and varies according to the conditions. The subsequent life of the mature dragonfly could be hours, days or sometimes weeks – fascinating considering they may have spent years in the water as nymphs.

The pond is back up and running now but I am happy that the temporary ‘closure’ gave me the opportunity to witness one of the most extraordinary metamorphoses in the animal kingdom.

MEMBER SINCE...

Motorhomer David Chapman joined the Club in 2000

APRIL LOOK OUT FOR Here are a few pond creatures to look out for this month...

Water stick-insects (top) lay their eggs in decaying pond vegetation.

The eggs remain submerged; these strange-looking ‘stitches’ might be tubes to enable the hatching larvae to breathe Large red damselflies (above) can be seen in late April Water boatmen (below) are active throughout the year, coming to the underside of the pond’s surface to take in air

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PRACTICAL HITCHING

THE PERFECT COUPLE Our expert Sammy Faircloth guides you through the process of hitching up

I

t may seem an obvious thing to say but you must ensure that your tourer is correctly connected to your towcar before each and every journey. The following instructions will help you hitch up safely every time – get into a routine and the procedure will soon become second nature.

1. Fully engage the caravan’s handbrake.

It’s also wise to chock the wheels, particularly if you are on a slope.

Ensure that the jockey wheel is touching the ground and, if the surface is soft, rest the www.camc.com

Hitching up on your own without a motor mover

2

3 wheel on a short piece of wood – it must support all the noseweight. Raise the corner steadies (pictured).

2. Use the jockey wheel assembly to elevate the

caravan coupling head so that it’s slightly higher than the top of the towball. With help from a partner, reverse your towcar into position using agreed signals to relay information. Alternatively, if your caravan has a motor mover, you can use this to guide the caravan to the towcar. [To do so you will need to ignore Step 1]. This is ideal if you are travelling solo.

3. Attach the breakaway cable, which is an important

1

safety device and a legal requirement in the UK. It should be connected to the attachment point on the towing bracket – if you do not have one then loop it around the towball.

On some occasions, you may have to couple your caravan on your own. In such cases, a garden cane can be a useful reversing aid. Position it near the caravan’s hitch in such a way that the rear of the car dislodges the cane before you bump into the coupling head. By aligning it slightly to one side of the coupling, you can steer the car very accurately to its destination.

Nevertheless, you’ll need to hop out of the car several times to fine-tune the manoeuvre.

April 2020 71

PRACTICAL HITCHING

4. With one

hand, operate the jockey wheel to lower the coupling head; the other hand has to lift the handle on the coupling itself, so that when it descends it locates fully around the ball.

When it correctly engages you will often hear a click.

On more modern coupling heads there’s usually an indicator button – when a green band is clearly showing, the coupling is engaged.

4

5. As an extra

precaution, wind down the jockey wheel and, with one hand on the towcar, look to see if the car rises a little above the usual unhitched height of the towball. If it does, it means that you are connected; if not, the coupling head will separate from the towball.

7. Connect the electric plugs with the car’s sockets and make sure that the cables are loose enough that you can negotiate tight corners but not so slack that they could hit the road. Follow up with a lights check, which requires the assistance of your travel partner. (If you are on your own you will have to get out of the car and check them individually yourself – or ask a fellow camper/member of site staff for assistance.)

7

8. If you have an Al-Ko ATC trailer control system fitted, when you connect to the car’s 12V supply it will self-test (this makes a noise) and a green light will confirm that the emergency system is fully functioning. If a red light appears, you need to take your caravan to a local dealer for testing.

8

5

6. Once you are happy that you are connected, wind up the jockey wheel completely, then slide its tube upwards, finally securing it in the fully withdrawn position with the hand clamp. Always lift the assembly as high as possible and align the jockey wheel in the direction of travel. Some caravanners unclamp the jockey wheel and stow it separately in the back of their towcar.

You can see more tips from the Club at camc.com/ advice

9 9. If your caravan is fitted with a hitch stabiliser,

there will usually be a second ‘clamping’ handle.

When this is put into its locked position, friction pads push hard against the towball so that any exaggerated articulation of the caravan is quickly checked. The system only works if the towball is completely free of grease and any paint or coating should also be removed. If paint or grit is left on the ball, you may hear grating sounds coming from the coupling, especially when cornering. Again, a green band is clearly shown identifying that the mechanism is engaged correctly and the pads aren’t excessively worn.

6 72 April 2020

10. Finally, make sure that the caravan’s handbrake is fully released, the motor mover (if you have one) is disengaged and the corner steadies are raised. Tweak your extension mirrors if rear visibility needs fine-tuning, and remove any chocks. It is always advisable to have a final walk around to check everything.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Some Club members may not follow the above instructions in exactly the same order.

As long as you have followed all of the points listed above, then you should have hitched up safely – but the order shown is that which is required to pass the B+E trailer towing test.

If needed, the Club’s Practical Caravanning Course covers ‘hitching up’ as well as other important skills – see camc.com/training for more information. www.camc.com

PRACTICAL Q&A

ASK YOUR CLUB Planning vital in poor weather

The Club’s technical team answers your pressing questions

Q

Considering the recent challenging weather, how do you stay safe when travelling with a caravan or motorhome?

A

In bad weather your journey is likely to take longer than normal and be more tiring, but sensible precautions can help you minimise risks.

Conditions were very bad early this year when some hardy Club members were out and about – and there’s potential for difficult conditions in weeks to come when many more members are travelling. Consider the following: Plan in advance, monitoring weather and travel services before and during journeys.

Can you time your journey to miss the worst conditions? Where could you pause if conditions deteriorate? Is there an alternative to avoid exposed routes or bridges?

Allow extra journey time, remembering it’s always better to arrive late than take undue risks.

Prepare your outfit properly. Clean your windscreen and lights – and check all your lights are working. Check tyre condition and pressures.

Ensure fuel, oil, coolant and screenwash levels are adequate. Review how you’ve loaded your outfit – a less stable or overloaded caravan or motorhome is much more likely to be problematic if winds are high or surfaces are slippery. Programme your sat-nav, then review its suggested route – adjust settings or add waypoints to force a safer (if slower/longer) alternative if required.

Anticipate poor visibility, longer stopping distances, slippery surfaces, standing water and gusting winds. Adopt a more defensive driving style and assume others are less conscientious than you. Expect to have to concentrate more intensely, so don’t set off tired, ensure you take breaks and consider sharing driving duties.

Slow down if conditions are poor. A-roads may be less stressful than motorways, especially in heavy rain or fog. Look out for flooding and fallen trees on all roads.

If you’re a passenger, let the driver concentrate on the road, but monitor traffic and weather reports by mobile phone, search for rest stops, and reprogramme the sat-nav with alternative routes when necessary.

Sometimes, however, conditions will be too severe for travel. There may be advice from traffic bodies to avoid unnecessary journeys, 74 April 2020

'We know you are currently unable to travel, but we hope you will find the advice on this page useful when you plan your future breaks.'

especially for high-sided vehicles in strong winds. If you need to cancel your pitch booking, try to do so at least 72 hours before your scheduled arrival date if you can, in accordance with our cancellation policy. If you cancel later than that, you’ll get an automatic email clarifying the policy, but don’t worry – we won’t penalise anyone for cancelling if they have good safety reasons. Sometimes you can rebook at a nearer destination instead, so check for late availability.

If you are on site, especially in high winds, try to pitch away from trees, don’t leave loose items (eg chairs) outside, and think carefully before putting an awning up.

“

Check your lights and tyre pressures and ensure fuel, oil, coolant and screenwash levels are adequate

”

WEATHER AND TRAFFIC INFO SERVICES Nationwide Met Office (weather forecasts, warnings, alerts) – metoffice.gov.uk England *Traffic England – trafficengland.com, m.highwaysengland.co.uk/ (mobileoptimised website) Scotland *Traffic Scotland – trafficscotland.org Wales *Traffic Wales – traffic.wales Northern Ireland TrafficwatchNI – trafficwatchni.com Please note that all of the above also offer social media feeds. *Dedicated app available

Please address your questions to:

Technical Information, Caravan and Motorhome Club, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA ...and quote your membership number

camc.com/advice www.camc.com

www.camc.com

November 2016 21

PRODUCT SHOWCASE DOG KIT

PUP AND

Jane McGowan looks at products for well-travelled pooches Colapz Portable Dog Water Bottle

MEMBER This fantastic product from OFFER Colapz will help you keep AVAILABLE your best friend hydrated while on the go. Perfect for walks, picnics and travel, attached to the container is a removable, ‘leaf- shaped’ bowl that sits snugly round the vessel when not in use. The clear bottle (which can also be used to dispense dry food) holds up to 570ml and has a large mouth for ease of pouring – it also comes with a clip so it can be attached to a day pack. The bottle and bowl are made from 100% food-safe materials and can be popped in the dishwasher. Highly recommended.

RRP: £12 Member offer: save 10% (see camc.com/ colapz for details and terms and conditions) Colour: blue, green, grey Size: 21cm x 9cm Contact: colapz.co.uk, 0115 727 0496

RAC 2-in-1 Car Safety Harness

This handy harness attaches to a car seatbelt for travel or a lead when it’s time for walkies.

Compatible with most seatbelt systems (motorhomers are advised to check with the manufacturer), the fully-adjustable harness helps to restrain your hound while your vehicle is in motion, keeping it safer and minimising driver distraction. The lightweight harness features a padded chest strap for added comfort.

The item comes with a set of step-by-step instructions and advice on how to get your pet used to travelling in a car.

RRP: £9 Colour: black Size: S Contact: halfords.com

Dog Walk Reflective Dog Vest

Stay safe on your nightly strolls with this lightweight vest designed to make your four-legged friend visible to other walkers or motorists, while offering protection from the elements. Made from a bright, anti-rip fabric and featuring a reflective trim, the vest is elasticated for comfort and secured with strips of hook-and-loop fastening. The item comes in three sizes so will fit most dogs – we tested a medium which the makers say is suitable for breeds including beagles, Scottish terriers and dachshunds.

Sporting a cute ‘paw print’ design, the vest also boasts a small, handy, mesh pocket.

RRP: £12-£14 Colour: orange Size: S, M, L Contact: petsathome.com, 0800 328 4204 76 April 2020

www.camc.com

AWAY Overland Dog Gear Week Away Bag

This multi-pocketed, multistrapped pet-gear holdall is ideal for keeping all your dog kit in one place and storing it conveniently in your caravan or motorhome. The sturdy ‘flight-style’ bag features two dry-food sacks, mesh side pockets and a roomy split interior, enabling you to keep edible and play items separate. However, the stand-out feature has to be the zipped front compartment which opens up into a feeding mat complete with two collapsible bowls.

A fantastic item – great value, too.

Regatta Car Seat Cover

This hardwearing car seat cover is great for any dog owner who has a pet that doesn’t like to travel in a crate – or for motorhomers looking to protect their upholstery.

Made from polyester, the soft-feel mat is suitable for either the back or front seats of a vehicle and is secured with a set of four loops. It can also be laid flat in the boot to keep that fur-free and is compatible with most vehicles. Weighing just 349g, the mat can easily be stored when not in use.

RRP: £29.99 (large, small dog version also available) Colour: black Size: 38cm x 36cm x 18cm Contact: overlanddoggear.com; available from Lords & Labradors (lordsandlabradors.co.uk, 01790 720900)

RRP: £17.50 Colour: black Size: 146cm x 146cm

Doggy Bag

MEMBER OFFER AVAILABLE

This is an ingenious but brilliantly simple product.

The Doggy Bag is designed to keep your home, car or indeed caravan clean, even after your pooch has been on the muddiest of walks. Simply unzip and lay the bag flat, encourage your pet on to it, zip up and give him or her a good rub. Super-absorbent, it will contain any mud or sand so it doesn’t drop all over your floor too – I only wish there was a children’s model! The bag can be washed at up to 90º.

RRP: £49-£89 Member offer: save 15% (see camc.com/doggybag for details and terms and conditions) Colour: brown Size: XS-XL Contact: doggy-bag.co.uk

www.camc.com

April 2020 77

PUZZLE CROSSWORD

CROSSWORD £90 in Club gift tokens to be won

£50 in Club gift tokens will be won by the sender of the first correct solution opened on Friday 17 April 2020. Four runners-up will each receive £10 Club gift tokens.

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NAME: ADDRESS:

ACROSS 1 Frantic with worry (10) 6 Temperature scale (10) 11 Treacle (5) 12 Eager expectation (12) 14 Run a newspaper (4) 16 Millennium building (4) 17 Chicken enclosure (3) 18 Frees from worst pain (5) 20 Nurture like parents (6) 21 Clothes (4) 22 Drinking chocolate (5) 23 Japanese warrior (7) 25 Fasten (3) 26 The hour for shut-eye (7) 28 Clenched hand (4) 29 Keeping a straight face (7) 33 Antibiotic (10) 35 Three Bears’ friend (10) 38 To fell (3,4) 41 Style of walk (4) 42 Babyish sleep (3-4) 45 Dried grass (3) 46 Shine like diamonds (7) 48 Thick (5) 49 Sliding window frame (4) 50 Tune (6) 52 Bowed instrument (5) 54 Pig meat (3) 55 Trampled (4) 57 Cat or dog parasite (4) 59 In the manner of JFK? (12) 60 Certainly not! (5) 61 Braces (10) 62 Wisdom acquired from long practice (10)

POSTCODE:

For full terms and conditions of entry, please visit our website at camc.com/competitions

MEMBERSHIP NUMBER:

March solution: Across: 1 Medic 4 Archaic 9 Romp 10 Ended 11 Bangle 12 Robin 14 Scamp 15 Swot 16 Inviting 17 Absent 19 Veil 22 Brimful 24 Dog 26 Dance 27 Crave 29 Housewife 32 Macabre 35 Parsnip 37 Intricate 39 Singe 41 Darts

78 April 2020

DOWN 1 Bring shame upon (8) 2 Seasonal tidy-up (6-5) 3 Mature (4) 4 Thankfulness (9) 5 Hanging shreds (7) 6 Actualities (5) 7 Wants and wishes (5) 8 Additional play (5,4) 9 Bonnet (4) 10 Unity and friendship (12) 13 Without a break (3-4) 15 Pair (3) 19 Balancing formula (8) 20 Quick (4) 24 Very dry (4) 27 Juicy gourd (5) 29 Father (5) 30 Be unwell (3) 31 Room warmers, usually hot air blowers (5,7) 32 Ladies’ underwear (8) 34 Gosh! (3) 36 Beardless (5-6) 37 Beak (4) 39 Playthings retailer (7) 40 Water bowl (4-5) 42 Stomach dive (5-4) 43 Corpse (4) 44 Devoid of harmful microbes (4-4) 47 Causing strong arousal of feelings (7) 51 Expected (3) 52 Sponge or beg (5) 53 School punishment (5) 56 Let fall (4) 58 Against (4)

43 Top 44 Address 47 Vine 48 Switch 51 Irritate 52 Tidy 54 Divan 55 Magic 56 Picnic 57 Goose 58 Name 59 Romance 60 Annoy Down: 1 Miaow 2 Digital 3 Creditor 4 Aperitif 5 Carnival 6 Cinema 7 Versus 8 Helmet

grid D

13 Begrudge 18 Nun 20 Ear 21 Fever 22 Behinds 23 Mrs 25 Gum 26 Duchess 28 Ajar 30 Win 31 Fir 33 Born 34 Spade 36 Pet 37 Imposing 38 Car 40 Gin 42 Row 44 American 45 Doctrine 46 Sweet pea 47 Vatican 48 Sailor 49 Tanner 50 Hammer 53 Daily

FEBRUARY WINNERS

£50 first prize: Mrs L James, Staffordshire £10 runners-up: John Couppleditch, Oxon; Carol Warne, Kent; Joy Snape, Scottish Borders; Mrs P Payne, Bedfordshire

Send to: ‘April Crossword’, Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA. Please do not include any other correspondence with your entry

www.camc.com

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November 2016 21

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he UK’s largest outdoor leisure show of its kind will be returning to the East of England Arena in Peterborough for its 30th anniversary from 17-19 April, and visitors will be able to view more than 600 new and used motorhomes and campervans for sale from more than 60 dealers. Thousands of the latest accessories will also be available.

You can also expand your knowledge of the touring lifestyle by attending a series of free seminars, covering topics such as ’Buying the Right Motorhome‘, ’Internet in Your Motorhome‘ and ’12V Explained‘, while qualified instructors from the Club will be on hand to offer free 20-minute manoeuvring courses – so don‘t forget your driving licence!

Those camping on site over the weekend can enjoy four nights of live entertainment, including headline acts Suzi Quatro and The Sweet on the Saturday night (tickets cost £20 per adult and £10 per child). The shows on Thursday, Friday and Sunday are free.

www.camc.com

MEMBER TICKET OFFER The voucher on this page entitles you to day admission to the show at the discounted rate of £17 for two adults (normal price £9 per person). Present the voucher at the pay gate upon arrival. Alternatively, advance tickets

are available at just £6 per person (order before noon on 16 April – call 0844 581 4941; calls are charged at 7p per minute, plus your phone company‘s access charge).

For more details about the show, see showgoer.co.uk

April 2020 81

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

GOOD SHOW!

Sammy Faircloth unveils the top three in six different categories from the Club’s 2020 Motorhome and Campervan Design Awards – held in February at the NEC Now in its 21st year, the newly-retitled Motorhome and Campervan Design Awards took place during the recent Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in Birmingham. A staggering 132 vehicles were evaluated, including 46 campervans/van conversions, 48 coachbuilt/A-Class motorhomes and 38 dealer special motorhomes.

Due to the growing popularity of the campervan sector, this year the

Club deemed it appropriate to rename the awards to include these vehicles. Here we unveil the winners of the campervan and van conversion classes (coachbuilt, A-Class and dealer special winners will be announced in our next issue).

A panel of independent judges worked tirelessly at the NEC, inspecting every model during a five-day period. Each judge

concentrated on one specific area, such as electrics and safety, comfort, kitchens and washrooms, air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, technical aspects and stowage.

The results should help those of you who are considering purchasing a new leisure vehicle to make an informed decision. So, without further ado, let’s see the winners…

CLASS ONE CAMPERVANS UNDER £47,000 WINNER

Ventura Campervans Ventura VR200

Price: £46,995 This four-berth draws you in with its smart blue upholstery and complementary blue LED worktop lighting. When you sit down, it certainly ticks the comfort box, offering a great deal of space and plenty of storage for a family.

A full-size double bed (6ft x 4ft 6in) pulls out simply, while an additional two-person bed is in the elevating roof. “Great value and fantastic entry vehicle,” said one judge.

RUNNER-UP

Auto Camper Day Van Hi-Line

Price: £43,680 (modules extra) A unique, versatile van that can be used as a people carrier (for up to seven) or to transport bicycles/ motorbikes – but when the weekend comes you can transform it into a camper by installing add-on modules. The kitchen module comes with a 50l drawer fridge, portable Camping Gaz hob that packs away into a drawer, deep sink with water sourced from a 12l refillable container and a 12l waste container. The bed is suspended over the fold-flat seats and comes in various configurations.

82 April 2020

THIRD PLACE

Concept Multi-Car HemBil Escape

Price: £46,660 This economical four-berth campervan offers travel seats for five, and two of the rear seats are equipped with Isofix fitments, making it ideal for young families. The kitchen area has a good size sink, gas hob and top-loading fridge, allowing for plenty of storage.

One judge enthused that it is “a practical and versatile day van that suits a ‘single vehicle’ household”.

www.camc.com

CLASS TWO CAMPERVANS OVER £47,000 WINNER

Vision Tech Automotive 20/20 Vision

Price: £87,461 Described by one judge as “a tech-head’s dream”, the price reflects the spec onboard this campervan: electric bed, carbon composite construction cabinets, leather interior, 120W solar panel, 17in HD roof monitor, barbecue connection point, tailgate lighting pack, DR INOX drawer fridge, Cali Bike Rack and Alpine Audio, for example. The curved oak worktop with wireless smart phone charging adds to the appeal. It sets the bar high.

THIRD PLACE

Auto Camper Leisure Van Hi-Line

Price: £49,430 This vehicle has great headroom and, with sliding doors on both sides and rear-opening doors, there is plenty of cross-ventilation. It sleeps two but has designated travel seating for four.

The drawer fridge and hob/sink can be accessed from inside or outside.

Judges unanimously agreed that this is a great van; it offers plenty of flexibility for outdoor enthusiasts.

RUNNER-UP

Three Bridge Campers Infinity

Price: £60,000 (circa) Another innovative campervan with a lot of kit. It deserves a special mention for its electrical systems incorporating induction hob, 4G Wi-Fi mobile internet, lithium power pack and solar panel.

It was also good to see a lesserspotted microwave! A modern look is achieved with curved www.camc.com

worktops, leather upholstery seats (two Isofix points) and marine plywood floor. One judge commented: “Fantastic to see a converter think outside the box”.

April 2020 83

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

CLASS THREE VAN CONVERSIONS UNDER £50,000 WINNER

Elddis Autoquest CV20 Price: £44,467

A spacious, keenly-priced van conversion for two people – the long bench seating to the rear can be converted into two singles or a spacious double bed. It offers decent kitchen appliances such as an oven, grill, three-burner hob and good-size fridge. The highlight, though, is the presence of beautifully-built cabinets with positive locking. One judge described it as a “comfortable, versatile van that won’t give you cabin fever”.

THIRD PLACE

Compass Avantgarde CV60

Price: £44,667 Built on the popular Fiat Ducato, this two-berth has a day bed to the rear that converts to a double bed at night. The front cab seats swivel to make up the dining area, which is useful as the day bed is quite deep to sit on and there is nowhere to put a table.

One judge felt that the Compass was a perfect solution for a solo traveller.

RUNNER-UP

Globecar Summit 600 Plus Price: £48,915 Following in the footsteps of the Globescout Plus, a worthy class winner last year, this is classed as a three-berth van but it has four seatbelts. The rear transverse double bed is quite high. The kitchen units have a smooth curve, leading to the

84 April 2020

sliding door, and there’s ample prep space. A swing wall separating the shower from the toilet/sink area cleverly prevents towels and toilet paper from getting wet. The storage judge praised the amount of stowage space in such a small van.

www.camc.com

CLASS FOUR VAN CONVERSIONS £50,000-£55,000 WINNER

WildAx Pulsar

Price: £54,005 A winner back in 2017, this lovely little van conversion is gracing the podium once again.

Based on the Citroën Relay and only 5m in length, it really packs plenty in. Classed as a two-berth, but offering seatbelts for four, it features distinct living areas, with a side kitchen to the rear, a side washroom and a dining/ sleeping section near the ca eres am e c n preparation surface, clever storage and a surprising feeling of spaciousness.

They say the best things come in small packages...

THIRD PLACE

Knaus BoxLife 540 Road

Price: £53,045 At only 5.41m in length, this four-berth van tries to fit a lot in, and would perhaps have been more comfortable accommodating just two. It features a very smart, compact washroom, rear lifting bed with slatted frame and reasonablesized kitchen area. One judge remarked that it was a “smashing little compact van.

Ideal for short getaways”.

RUNNER-UP

Auto-Trail V-Line 610 Sport

Price: £53,045 Based on a Fiat Ducato, the 610 Sport is longer than most of the other entrants at 5.99m. A two-berth, it offers a rather inviting U-shaped lounge area to the rear, which converts into a decent-sized double bed (6ft1in x 6ft 3in) or two single beds (each 2ft 1in x 6ft 3in). This van would really suit an active couple as it features plenty of storage space for sports and other equipment.

One judge remarked, “Nicely finished, inviting lounge”. www.camc.com

April 2020 85

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

ss April 2020

www.camc.com

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

CLASS FIVE VAN CONVERSIONS £55,000-£65,000 WINNER

Moto-Trek Leisure-Treka EB

Price: £58,249 A winner in 2018, this super two-berth stands out from the crowd with its distinctive layout. A large front L-shaped seating area by day converts into a double bed at night, and it offers a well-equipped kitchen and spacious rear washroom.

Further great touches include leather seating, power dock in the kitchen area, 16in TV, DVD player and external canopy. To sum it up in the words of one judge: “Fantastic layout, great storage and comfortable”.

THIRD PLACE

Auto-Trail Adventure 65

Price: £57,895 As the name suggests, this is a super van for the more adventurous family. Featuring an elevating roof, this four-berth has a large double in the roof space (6ft 7in x 4ft 3in) and a spacious rear lounge area that converts into a 5ft 4in x 6ft 1in bed at night. A two-burner/ sink combination with separate oven and grill offers the appliances needed to feed a family of four, while the solar panel enables off-grid camping. “Great to see something different,” said one judge.

RUNNER-UP

Adria Twin Supreme 640 SGX

Price: £58.800 This new-generation Adria Twin Supreme has a touch of class. The slatted frame bed with sprung mattress is operated electronically and can be raised to roof level, so bicycles can be stowed while travelling. Well-thought-out touches include the extendable table with integrated utility tray and cup holder,

www.camc.com

and swivelling wall in the bathroom separating the shower area. The sleek, white contemporary interior would really suit a young, adventurous couple.

April 2020 87

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

CLASS SIX VAN CONVERSIONS OVER £65,000 WINNER

R P Motorhomes Rebel Slide Twin 4X4

Price: £97,779 This 5.9m-long van conversion may seem pricey, but it’s certainly equipped with high-end kit. Based on the new-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4, it has an innovative slide-out bathroom pod that increases the galley kitchen inside.

A U-shaped lounge area converts into two single beds, while fittings include DuPont Corian worktops,

THIRD PLACE

Volkswagen Grand California 680

induction hob and gas burners, 100A lithium leisure battery and chrome mixer taps. One judge described it as “excellent – it’s understated and yet has everything”.

RUNNER-UP

WildAx Elara Price: £75,085

The Elara has the feel of a coachbuilt motorhome, but within a 6.99m Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel van. The galley kitchen features a combination induction hob, microwave, gas oven/grill, sink with hidden accessories and innovative worktop lid. A 40-litre refillable LPG tank comes as standard. It’s certainly stylish, with a curved seating area that complements the shaped lockers. One judge commented: “Wow! This is an amazing conversion. Really interesting, practical and well-made.”

Price: £76,883 This iconic Volkswagen California measures over 6.8m in length and offers plenty of space and storage for a two-berth. White surfaces also contribute to its general, clean, airy feel. The bathroom features a space-saving sink that folds up when not in use, allowing more room to shower. The rear bed is the biggest in its class at 6ft 5in x 5ft 4in and can fold upwards to create space for a bicycle. A very sophisticatedlooking vehicle.

MOTORHOME AND CAMPERVAN DESIGN AWARDS 2020: CAMPERVAN AND VAN CONVERSION ENTRANTS CLASS 1 CAMPERVANS UNDER £47,000 Auto Camper Day Van Hi-Line Concept Multi-Car HemBil Escape Hillside Leisure Birchover S Rolling Homes Shackleton Ventura Campervans VR200 Vision Tech Automotive VTA Premier Volksleisure Zermatt Wellhouse Leisure Matino 2

CLASS 2 CAMPERVANS OVER £47,000 Auto Camper Van Hi-Line Bilbo’s Nexa+ Hillside Leisure Birchover Classic Rolling Homes Livingstone Three Bridge Campers Infinity Vision Tech Automotive VTA 20/20 Vision Volksleisure NorthStar Volkswagen California Ocean

88 April 2020

Wellhouse Leisure Misano WildAx Ford Proteus

CLASS 3 VAN CONVERSIONS UNDER £50,000 Auto-Trail Tribute 660 Chausson 33 Line V594 Compass Avantgarde CV60 Elddis Autoquest CV20 Globecar Summit 600 Plus

CLASS 4 VAN CONVERSIONS £50,000-£55,000 Auto-Trail V-Line 610 Sport Dreamer D55 Exclusiv Fun Hillside Leisure Cromford Hymer Car Free 600 Knaus BoxLife 540 Road Swift Select 184 WildAx Pulsar

CLASS 5 VAN CONVERSIONS £55,000-£65,000 Adria Twin Supreme 640 SGX Auto-Sleeper Fairford Auto-Trail Adventure 65 Dreamer Living Van Select Globecar Summit 640 Prime Hillside Leisure Hopton Knaus BoxStar 630 Freeway Malibu Van 540 DB Moto-Trek Leisure-Treka EB Rapido V68 Weinsberg CaraBus 600 DQ WildAx Solaris XL

CLASS 6 VAN CONVERSIONS OVER £65,000 Malibu Van Charming GT 640 LE RP Motorhomes Rebel Slide Twin 4x4 Volkswagen Grand California 680 WildAx Elara

www.camc.com

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ISSUE 424 St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall

MAY 2020 ● TRAVEL: THE BEST OF BRITAIN ● TESTED: AUTO-TRAIL, BENIMAR ● BRILLIANT FIRST-TIME BUYS ● TECHNICAL: AIR-CONDITIONING

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BIG BARGAIN BAILEY REVIEWED & RATED!

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Coastal Cornwall ■ Scottish Highlands ■ Dorset Tenby ■ Cambridgeshire ■ 10 top sites for fish and chips

technical

■ Must-buy gadgets to improve your touring ■ EVERYTHING you need to know about air-con

19-PAGE GREEN SPECIAL

ISSUE 231

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PRINTED IN THE UK £5.50

Pop-top Auto-Trail Adventure reviewed!

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Call 0800 665 434 and quote CCLUB420 Hurry, offer ends 31st May 2020!

Terms & Conditions: Lines are open Weekdays 8am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and closed on Sundays and public holidays. Calls are free.

The free copy you receive will not be the on-sale issue shown – you will receive the next available issue. Only one free copy per household.

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Offer closes 8pm on 31 May 2020 and is subject to availability whilst stocks last. www.camc.com March 2020 83

TEST SKODA KAMIQ SE L 1.6TDI 115PS

KAM

’n get it Lesley Harris tests out the latest compact SUV from the Skoda stable

S

koda has for a number of years now been building a reputation for producing practical, reliable family SUVs, and here we test its latest offering – the compact Kamiq. Its name comes from the Inuit for something that ‘fits perfectly’ – and I must say it’s a very apt moniker.

COMFORT

Although it’s an SUV, the Kamiq is built on the same platform as its Scala cousin, giving it a hint of ‘hatchback’.

It’s a rather smart-looking car, sporting a sculpted bonnet that blends into a raised shoulder-line, double-slatted grille and slim, split-level headlights (incorporating the new-to-Skoda dynamic indicators). At the rear, there are new taillight clusters, while a rear diffuser and front spoiler lend it a sporty disposition.

Its compact dimensions belie just how much interior space is available. It should be easy to get into a comfortable driving position with both seats and steering wheel easily adjusted. The cabin is simply laid-out with everything logically placed and within easy reach. The seats are worthy of particular mention – they’re really cosseting, and feature just a dash of Alcantara on the bolsters that lifts the whole interior.

“

Nice, soft-touch materials are used at eye level, although you will find harder plastic further down. There’s a decent amount of stowage available in the form of a good-size glovebox and door bins. There are two cup holders, one of which has four little nodes that grip your drinks bottle so you can open it one-handed – neat!

Skoda offers three trim levels – S, SE, SE L and Monte Carlo – all receiving a decent amount of equipment as standard. The upmarket SE L featured here comes with a massive 9.2in touchscreen, which is a delight to use. The graphics are crystal clear and navigation is very straightforward. ‘Gesture Control’ is also available and a digital assistant called ‘Laura’ will be able to help you with most things. There’s ‘SmartLink’ for phone connectivity and two USB-C ports (so you’ll need an adaptor if your phone doesn’t have an appropriate connector).

At the rear of the car you’ll find plenty of both head and leg room on offer, but three adults will be fighting for shoulder room.

It’s a rather smart-looking car, sporting a sculpted bonnet and raised shoulder line

96 April 2020

”

DRIVING

The Kamiq is available with a choice of engines and transmissions. We’re testing the 1.6TDI 115 PS (113bhp) manual – a set up regular towers should go for. The Kamiq sits 60mm higher than the Scala, so you get that nice, high driving position and great all-round visibility. www.camc.com

www.camc.com

April 2020 97

TEST SKODA KAMIQ SE L 1.6TDI 115PS

TECHNICAL

Price as tested

£29,785 Insurance

Group 12 Club insurance

The Club’s Car Insurance is guaranteed to beat your renewal premium by at least £25*.

With thanks to

Chichester Caravans, Uckfield, for the loan of Towcar Test caravans. See chichester-caravans.co.uk, call 01825 764151 or email uckfield@chichestercaravans.co.uk

Engine

1,589cc, 4cyl, diesel, inline Power

We guarantee to beat your insurance renewal premium by £25*.

See camc.com/insurance or call 0345 504 0334 to get your quote

113bhp (84kW) @3,250rpm Torque

250Nm (184lb ft) @1,500rpm Transmission

Clockwise from top left: cabin is simply laid-out and seats are very comfortable; dash display is clear; 9.2in touchscreen is great to use; new-style tail light clusters and diffuser at the rear

6-speed manual Spare wheel

Tyre inflation kit Kerbweight

1,364kg Gross vehicle weight

1,840kg Gross train weight

At the same time, it’s a really enjoyable car to drive. The controls are light and easy to use and the steering is precise. There’s little body roll through corners, it does a good job of cushioning bumps and it’s quietly refined on the motorway too. It may not be as dynamic as some rivals but it does provide a good balance between keen handling and driver comfort.

The boot volume is 400 litres with the seats in place, so you have plenty of room for your luggage. With seats down that rises to 1,395 litres – however, there’s a fairly large load lip over which to hoick luggage (unless you purchase the optional variable floor at £155, which also gives you a flat load base).

75kg Towing equipment

Electrically folding towbar with adaptor £910 Tank/econ

CO2

VERDICT

The Kamiq is a great all-round car offering decent performance and plenty of practicality. It’s economical too, with a solo test figure of 54.4mpg and an impressive 32.5mpg while towing. You get a lot of car for your money, with many clever features. For some it could be, well, the perfect fit...

*Premium Saving Guarantee. Subject to proof of existing renewal, including cover and price (eg a copy of your renewal notice), when cover is on a like-for-like basis. Please note, terms and conditions, eg excess(es), may vary from your current insurer. Courtesy car is subject to availability. Subject to terms and conditions and the Insurer’s acceptance of the Risk. The Club’s Car Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

98 April 2020

Noseweight limit

11gals (50 litres)/ 32.5mpg towing 1,136kg

TOWING

Our car was fitted with the optional electric towbar (£910) and the electrics were easy to attach, as were the towing mirrors. Towing itself was very straightforward; there may have been the slightest hint of tugging when setting off but the Kamiq soon settled and delivered a stable, confident drive.

The engine pulled well on flat, open roads and was unflustered on the motorway when passing lorries. However, you do have to work the gearbox on the inclines – thankfully it’s slick and smooth.

3,090kg

112g/km RATINGS

88%

COMFORT

90%

DRIVING

88%

TOWING

89%

OVERALL

www.camc.com

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November 2016 XX

TEST ELDDIS AFFINITY 520

TOP OF the Class Rob McCabe reviews a two-berth that finished first in the £21-£24k category in the Club’s Caravan Design Awards

A

h, the good old days! When you could walk into your local bank branch on the high street and draw a cheque so you could go off and buy that new two-berth caravan, with parallel sofas at the front, an offside kitchen with dresser opposite and an end washroom.

Fast-forward to today, and while local bank branches are rarer and ‘high streets’ worthy of the name seemingly heading the same way, the end-washroom two-berth caravan looks like it’s set to carry on for a good while yet. For proof, look no further than the Elddis Affinity 520, which celebrated its arrival in the model line-up for 2020 by winning its class (Any Caravan £21k-£24k) in the Club’s Caravan Design Awards.

So, let’s keep up our own tradition of subjecting our featured caravans to a thorough evaluation.

100 April 2020

BUILD QUALITY

One of the push-button catches on a seat locker was a bit stiff. It seems a small thing – but worth pointing out. When that’s all that turns up during a forensic examination, you know you’re on to a good thing.

In all other regards, our example – on the busy forecourt of Elddis dealer Crowland Caravans – was the very model of neatness and robustness.

On mid-range Affinity caravans – which sit between Avantés and Crusaders in the Elddis hierarchy – every window apart from the tiny opening on the entrance door benefits from a pleated blind, adding to the overall feeling of quality. All drawers have proper wooden frames, mated with dovetail joints – great to see. And the perfectlyaligned locker doors are secured by reassuringly meaty steel catches. www.camc.com

Comfortable sofas by day... comfortable bed by night

“

The wardrobe superstructure in the end washroom is, by itself, a tour de force, incorporating draws, shelves and lots of hanging space

”

Elddis’s SoLiD construction method results in a fully chemically bonded structure that’s supported by a decade-long water ingress and body integrity warranty.

TOWING

With a relatively-modest MTPLM of 1,345kg – commendable in such a generously-equipped caravan – a wide range of towcars will be at your disposal.

Al-Ko’s ATC electronic stability fitment is standard, as of course is a hitch stabiliser. And with all the built-in heavy stuff indoors taking up station directly over or very near to the axle, weight distribution is pretty much spot-on. There is the option to increase the MTPLM to 1,500kg, but the existing user payload of 126kg should be more than enough for most couples.

TECHNICAL

Price as tested

£22,794 OTR Beds

courtesy of a Pioneer stereo that has a USB port so you can play music from your phone through the caravan’s speakers. There are actually four USB sockets on board, so even the most device-obsessed couple will be able to keep everything charged. The exterior hatch that opens into the nearside seat lockers conceals a mains socket, and there’s an exterior barbecue point out here, too.

There would be masses of storage space for a family of four, never mind two: the wardrobe superstructure in the end washroom is, by itself, a tour de force, incorporating drawers, shelves and more hanging space than your average department store. Hugely practical and spacious living quarters, then – and thoroughly handsome, too. Elephant, be gone with you!

Front double 6ft 6in x 5ft 1in (or two singles 6ft 4in x 2ft 3in)

NIGHT-TIME

MTPLM

This is where you have to accept some compromise. Do you regard the five minutes it takes to make up (and put away) the bed as the perfectly acceptable price of having such terrific daytime living space? (If you decide to make single beds, the transformation from lounge to bedroom is even quicker – but whatever you decide, you’ll get a lovely bed.) The double is a vast, playingfield-size of a thing that no fixed option could ever match.

But if that compromise isn’t a goer, one of the permanent-bed Affinity models could be for you. You’ll pay another £1,000 for the privilege, though, and they’re all about 120kg heavier. And if you step straight from this one into one of those others, the difference you’ll see in the amount of living space is the very definition of chalk and cheese.

Heating

Alde programmable central heating Fridge/freezer

Dometic with removable freezer compartment Toilet

Thetford MRO

1,219kg (23.99cwt) 1,345kg (26.48) User payload

126kg (2.49cwt) Overall length

21ft 11in (6.68m) Overall width

7ft 5in (2.26m) Overall height

8ft 8in (2.65m) Figures from manufacturers literature

DAYTIME

Okay, let’s stare the elephant in the room right in the eye: there’s no fixed bed. But just look at what you do get – an immediate sensation of space that belies the 16-and-a-bit feet of internal length.

The central area around the kitchen and entrance door feels especially roomy, and the lounge has two brilliant sofas that provide sumptuous seating for four people with room to spare (each of them has a comfy corner to lean into). The enormous sunroof lets in masses of light and it opens fairly wide.

The big nearside dresser has all the necessary connectivity for the TV; you get built-in sounds too, www.camc.com

April 2020 101

TEST ELDDIS AFFINITY 520

Clockwise from above left: smart galley kitchen should find admirers; spacious shower cubicle; stylish fittings in the washroom

KITCHEN

There’s a lot to like about this smart galley. If you include the enormous dresser on the nearside, there’s a lot of work/serving space at your disposal; even more so if the big sink cover is in situ. I like that the electric hotplate on the hob sits higher than the other rings – you can use a bigger pan without having to remove the supports.

And the mirror-finish Russell Hobbs microwave looks properly integrated, which you can’t always say. It’s a very pleasing blend of form and function.

RATINGS

WASHROOM

It’s not just the living area that’s especially roomy – I can’t remember ever seeing a caravan washroom as spacious as this one. It is easily big enough to be labelled as a combined washroom/dressing room.

There’s tons of storage space – the aforementioned wardrobe and its attendant shelves and drawers really have to be seen to be believed. Other highlights are excellent lighting and a nice, big shower cubicle with somewhere to put your gel and shampoo.

This is another great example of how space saved by not having a dedicated bedroom can be put to such outstanding use.

LIGHTING

The Affinity is bathed in clean, white light from front to back. The lounge has reading lamps in each corner, a continuous glow from above the overhead lockers and eight – eight! – flush-fitting lamps built into the binnacle that surrounds the massive sunroof. The ambient lighting and those flush-fitters all come on together, which is a little disappointing – it would be good to be able to dial it down a bit.

The kitchen will bring a smile to chef, thanks to four piercing dedicated lights of its own, while two of the aforementioned binnacle lamps offer their assistance as well. Fantastic.

You’re greeted by a nicely illuminated mirror in the washroom. The shower has its own lamp, and ambient lighting runs above the offside wall cupboard and the wardrobe. It all comes on at the same time, which, again, is a bit much if you only need a small amount of light in the middle of the night.

Commendably, there’s another big mirror in the body of the caravan, which is also served by a dedicated light.

And as well as the usual awning light, there’s a lamp that serves the front gas locker.

VERDICT

Not for the first time, I find myself in complete agreement with the Awards judges – this one’s a clear winner!

You can cover this caravan with the Club for £290.26* per year. See camc.com/caravancover or call 01342 336610 for further details

90%

BUILD QUALITY

91%

TOWING

92%

DAYTIME

88%

NIGHT-TIME

90%

KITCHEN

94%

WASHROOM

89%

LIGHTING

91%

OVERALL

With thanks to: Vehicle supplied for testing

by Crowland Caravans, Postland Road, Crowland, Peterborough PE6 0JB. Contact: crowlandcaravans and camping.co.uk, 01733 210186

*Based on standard new-for-old cover, cover limit of £23,000 (caravan and equipment), £500 contents cover and £100 voluntary excess. Includes 4 + years no claims discount (not protected).

Includes security discounts of 15% for Al-Ko ATC, 15% for Al-Ko Diamond Standard wheel lock(s) and 10% for alarm with tilt sensor. Legal protection is an optional extra charged at £9.75 for the year. Subject to underwriting – a copy of the cover wording, including benefits, limitations and exclusions that apply, is available on request. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities.

102 April 2020

www.camc.com

Caravan Cover when you need it

Over

Our award winning Caravan Cover is here for you when you need it. And coming from your Club, with over 45 years of customer service and expertise, you can relax and make sure your holiday is one to remember.**

Get yourself award winning cover visit camc.com/caravancover or call 01342 488 338 for a quote today.

P.s.

96% of claims paid*

BEST CARAVAN COVER PROVIDER

WINNER 2019

From 13 March 2020 over 85% of our 160 UK Club Sites reopen, that’s already more than any other touring club.

Book now online or give us a call on 01342 327 490.

Protection provided directly by your Club. This is promotional information only and a sample policy wording including the limitations and exclusions that apply is available upon request.

Terms and conditions apply. **We have been covering members’ caravans since 1972. *We pay out 96% of claims: Based on claims data 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.

TEST SUNLIGHT XV EDITION T69L

LIGHT YEARS S

Nick Harding marks Sunlight’s 15th anniversary by examining a special edition with an island bed

ome useful advice for those of you buying a new motorhome: look out for the word ‘edition’. Generally, whether preceded by ‘Special’, ‘Limited’, ‘Anniversary’ or, as is the case here, numerals, it means that you’re going to get a whole lot more for your money.

This Sunlight is a great example. From the Dethleffs stable, which in turn is part of the Erwin Hymer Group, it is a celebratory anniversary version of one of its best-sellers.

The T69L tested this month is one of just two low-profile coachbuilts getting the treatment, and it all

104 April 2020

starts off with a lot of black – for the front grille, awning, bike rack, cab – which gives this special edition a striking look.

BUILD QUALITY

In its native country Sunlight is very much a budget brand, but it’s worth remembering that – more often than not – the phrase ‘Made in Germany’ suggests top build quality. Indeed, the XV Edition features flush-fitting windows to the coachbuilt body, overcab sunroof, 16in black alloy wheels and silver finish to the sides. Frankly, the windowless habitation door is the only obvious cost-saving measure. www.camc.com

This page, top to bottom: padded wheel and silver embellishments are nice touches in the cab; lounge set-up at mealtime; L-shaped kitchen could do with a worktop extension model) is worth consideration. The latest nine-speed automatic transmission is a rather more serious £2,699. Note that these are the latest, cleaner Euro 6 powerplants. The rattle-free ride further enhances the impression of a high-end build.

These Sunlights ride on Fiat’s Ducato Camper chassis, with its wider rear track, although be aware that there’s a considerable step height to negotiate at the habitation door.

Details like the leather-trim padded steering wheel, chrome-ringed instruments and silver plastic trim around the vents give the cab a little lift. The multimedia system from Zenec (DAB radio, sat-nav, Bluetooth, reversing monitor, etc) was yet to be added to this test vehicle, but completes a decent specification, even if the Ducato is beginning to show its age next to the more contemporary designs and features of its rivals.

TECHNICAL

DAYTIME

3,045kg (59.94cwt)

The floorplan is straightforward for a 7.4m-long low-profile coachbuilt, with a rear island bed and a drop-down double over the lounge. On-site seating is the usual mix of swivelled cab seats, inward-facing single seat on the offside and a forward-facing double travel seat nearside.

The XV Edition comes with real leather upholstery, and you sit around a pedestal leg table, with reassuringly solid operation of the height and swivel adjustments. Windows may be in short supply, but it’s light enough inside, while there’s plenty of LED lighting for night-time. Truma’s Combi 6E provides the heating and hot water.

Note that there are steps up from the lounge to the cab and from the kitchen to the shower/toilet/bedroom.

Price as tested

£58,268 Engine

2.3-litre Euro 6d Power

140bhp (104kW) @ 3,500rpm Torque

258 lb ft (350Nm) @ 1,400-2,500rpm Transmission

6-speed manual, FWD MRO MTPLM

3,500kg (68.89cwt) User payload

455kg (8.95cwt) Overall length

24ft 3in (7.39m) Overall width

7ft 6in (2.29m) Overall height

10ft 2in (3.10m) (including satellite dish) Max internal height

6ft 9in (2.06m) Fuel/tank/econ

Diesel/19.8gals (90 litres)/28-34mpg

NIGHT-TIME

There’s plenty more to suggest quality inside – everything from 167-litre fridge-freezer to a Teleco satellite TV system with 22in screen and cab multimedia pack (which also includes a twin-camera rear-view system) – but it’s the fit and finish that truly impress.

On-the-road prices start at £57,499 – quite a leap from the £50,149 for the standard T69L. However, there’s reckoned to be over £11,000’s worth of extras in the XV specification.

DRIVING

Fiat’s 120bhp engine comes as standard, but for an additional £800 the 140bhp unit (included on the test www.camc.com

This really is a proper four-berth. The rear island double, with its storage and en suite facilities, must be the favoured bed; it’s also bigger. A fillet for the head end pushes the overall length to 6ft 5in, and width is a pretty generous 4ft 11in. Storage includes twin wardrobes and overhead lockers along the back wall, with handy ledges each side of the bed and individual switched reading lights above.

There’s just a standard rooflight overhead, but there are decent-sized windows, complete with cassette blinds and flyscreens, to each side. There’s a rather thin, unlined curtain for the cab windows, so you might want to invest in some thermal screens.

The bed over the lounge is manually operated. It only drops down partially – there’s a ladder for access – and it does block the habitation door.

KITCHEN

The main kitchen unit is L-shaped, for optimum space efficiency. A three-ring gas hob (surprisingly, no spark ignition) and a circular sink dominate

Vehicle supplied for testing by Lowdhams, Lowdham Road, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7ES Contact: lowdhams.com, 0115 966 3838 April 2020 105

TEST SUNLIGHT XV EDITION T69L

DETAILS

First, the big one: the rear bedroom format allows for a decent garage – a generous, uncluttered area with hatch access from both sides.

Then there are the smaller, but often just as important, aspects: net curtains for the side windows; the solid grab handle just inside the habitation door, where you’ll also find two conveniently place coat hooks (plus there’s also one on the door itself) and, at floor level, a shoe locker; curved locker doors with substantial hinges and simple, easy-to-use catches; two floor lockers; height-adjustable head restraints for rear seat passengers; Heki rooflight over the kitchen; direct and ambient lighting; the kitchen’s two mains sockets, plus convenient under-worktop location for the gas isolator taps. Phew!

No motorhome has it all, of course, but it’s hard to find anything that’s obviously missing from this Sunlight. Only the main touch control panel looks a bit low-rent.

Above: shower cubicle and toilet room are separate in this vehicle Opposite: large fixed double is very impressive

RATINGS

85%

BUILD QUALITY

76%

DRIVING

78%

DAYTIME

83%

NIGHT-TIME

70%

KITCHEN

79%

WASHROOM

82%

DETAILS

79%

OVERALL

the worktop area – a unit that’s crying out for an extension. Positioned below, Spinflo’s Duplex oven/grill is a space-saver, while directly behind as you prepare your meals is that huge Thetford fridge-freezer with automatic energy selection.

It’s set at a convenient height, too, allowing for floor and ceiling lockers, the latter occupied by a folding slide-out bracket for the 22in flatscreen TV (that comes as part of the satellite system package included in this special edition).

Kitchen storage is good, with a cutlery drawer, floor-level drawer under the oven, single large overhead locker (shelved and divided) and a shelved locker that also incorporates a waste bin.

WASHROOM

Conventionally, an end bedroom usually necessitates the splitting of the toilet and shower facilities, and here you get a toilet room on the offside and shower cubicle on the nearside. The cubicle has double door access and a duckboard on which to stand while you’re drying post-shower. It’s fully plastic-lined and there’s a hanging rail for wet things. There’s a rooflight and two LEDs, while the showerhead is on a riser bar.

The toilet room door can also be used to create privacy from the rest of the living quarters. As well as a fixed corner basin and Thetford swivel-bowl toilet, storage and fittings in here are particularly good, with a tall, multi-shelved locker, a double-doored locker under the basin, two hooks on a rail (as per the kitchen), two fixed hooks, a toilet roll holder and two rails on the back of the door.

VERDICT

It’s a much-favoured floorplan these days.

You’ll get island beds in motorhomes from a wide range of manufacturers, at varying prices, but bargain hunters who don’t want to compromise on quality could well be interested in this special edition.

You can insure this motorhome with the Club for £587.41* per year. Please see camc.com/insurance or call 0345 504 0334 for further details

*Quote (correct as of March 2020) is for the model as tested worth £58,268. Based on a 55-year-old male living in Sheffield, with a maximum no claims bonus (unprotected) coming from a motorhome of similar value/ experience, who has no accidents, claims or convictions and keeps vehicle on a drive. Quote is based on 3,000 miles per year, with £250 damage, fire and theft excess. Vehicle must have a factory-fitted alarm and immobiliser, and due to the value, the vehicle must also be fitted with a tracker. Subject to underwriting. The Club’s Motorhome Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

106 April 2020

www.camc.com

Motorhome and Campervan Insurance when you need it

We’ll beat your renewal by

With our award winning cover it’s no wonder our members come back to us year after year. Switch to us and we’ll beat your current renewal premium by at least £25.*

Get yourself award winning cover visit camc.com/insurance or call 0345 504 0334 for a quote today.

P.s.

£25* BEST MOTORHOME INSURANCE PROVIDER

WINNER 2019

From 13 March 2020 over 85% of our 160 UK Club Sites reopen, that’s already more than any other touring club.

Book now online or give us a call on 01342 327 490.

Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities This is promotional information only and a sample policy wording including the limitations and exclusions that apply is available upon request. *Premium Saving Guarantee. Subject to proof of an existing renewal quote from your current insurer, including cover and price (e.g. a copy of your renewal notice) and when cover is on a like-for-like basis. Offer applies to new customers only.

Subject to terms and conditions and the underwriter’s acceptance of the risk. Please note, terms, conditions and excess(es) may vary from your current insurer and excludes Breakdown and Legal cover, which needs to be purchased separately.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Dealer Marketplace Welcome to our new advertising section dedicated to caravan, motorhome and campervan dealerships across the country! It’s the perfect place to start looking for your next home-from-home. But, before you start browsing, check out these handy buying tips…

AlphaProd/Shutterstock

WHY BUY FROM A DEALER?

The law offers greater protection when you purchase from a dealer than when you buy privately. The caravan’s condition must be as described accurately by the seller; it must be fit for its purpose and it must be of satisfactory quality (however, this latter stipulation does not apply to defects specifically brought to the purchaser’s attention, or to defects that ought to have been revealed by any examination the purchaser or another may have made).

New vehicles bought through a dealer will come with a warranty, and many second-hand motorhomes and campers will also have some form of guarantee – make sure you are aware of any exclusions or restrictions.

CARAVANS

We have lots of advice on our website – visit camc.com/advice and click on ‘Hiring and buying guide’ – but here are a few pointers to get you started.

It may seem obvious – but think hard about what you want to use your caravan for. Are you looking to spend the odd weekend away or stay for extended periods on specific sites? Do you need basic facilities for two or a family-sized vehicle? Would you like to take the grandkids away occasionally?

Is your car suitable for towing? The Club recommends that for comfort and safety the weight of your caravan with its contents should not exceed around 85% of the car’s kerb, or unladen, weight.

We have a fantastic online ‘outfit matching tool’ which helps you see which caravans your car can tow – find it at camc.com/advice.

If you are buying second-hand, check how old the caravan is – the age of a caravan can usually be identified from a serial number, most frequently found on the chassis or on a chassis plate.

Double check that it has not been stolen – a CRiS check at cris.co.uk can not only identify a caravan reported as having been stolen, but can identify the age of the newer models of caravan and also whether there are any outstanding HP payments. Check that the details of the CRiS registration document tally with those of the caravan. The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Theftcheck Service (01342 336885) can also help.

Check for damp inside cupboards, bed lockers, and anywhere there is a corresponding outside seal on the caravan. Most caravan dealers should be happy for you to use a moisture meter or damp detector.

MOTORHOMES AND CAMPERVANS First decide whether you are going to opt for a ‘coachbuilt’ motorhome (where the living area of the vehicle has been purpose-built onto a cab and chassis) – or a ‘conversion’ (where a commercial van has been adapted for touring).

A coachbuilt will generally be more expensive – but roomier and more highly specified – while a conversion may be suitable for everyday use

(driving around town, doing the school run etc). There are numerous subclasses of motorhome from ‘over-cab’ to ‘A-Class’ to elevating-roof models – familiarise yourself with the different types by visiting camc.com/advice.

“

New vehicles bought through a dealer will come with a warranty

”

Inspect vehicles thoroughly before committing to a purchase. As with caravans, check for damp and look at the wheels. Are the tyres the right size for the wheel rims and do they match?

Are they suitable for the maximum weight and speed of the motorhome?

Ask to take the vehicle for a trial run and note its behaviour on the road. Five years is the maximum safe life of a tyre, regardless of mileage.

If you are buying a second-hand vehicle, ask for a detailed history of previous services, MoTs etc.

FOR MORE BUYING TIPS PLEASE SEE CAMC.COM/ADVICE AND CLICK ON ‘HIRING AND BUYING GUIDE’ 108 April 2020

www.camc.com

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Dealer Marketplace FEATURE TITLE SUBTEXT

brought to you by the Caravan and Motorhome Club

OWNERS The leading pre-owned motorhome SURVEY and VW camper specialist SATISFACTION

Motorhome Dealer Group are a multi-award winning family owned business with outlets in Hampshire and Dorset.

We have over 80 price checked motorhomes and campervans always in stock. Countrywide Motorhomes and the VW Kamper Centre are both located in St. Leonards near Ringwood, Hampshire While Three Counties Motorhomes is based in Poole, Dorset.

Three Counties Motorhomes, 46 Hatch Pond Road, Nuffield Industrial Est, Poole, Dorset, BH17 0JZ Tel: 01202 673735

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Dealer Marketplace FEATURE TITLE SUBTEXT

SMC Used-March 2020-ALT.qxp_SMC used Advert March 2020 05/03/2020 17:18 Page 1

brought to you by the Caravan and Motorhome Club

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Dealer Marketplace

brought to you by the Caravan and Motorhome Club

THE UK’S

BIGGEST CHOICE of motorhomes on one site

PLUS SAVE UP TO £8,870 ON NEW 2020 MODELS

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350 new and used motorhomes on site and available for sale 50 motorhomes in the UK’s largest showroom allowing for viewing whatever the weather Centrally located on the A1 / A46 Junction in Newark On site accessory shop and café 20% discount on accessories

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Visit www.brownhills.co.uk to view our extensive motorhome ranges

* This is a 30% discount to club members. Discount is only applicable on stocked items purchased in store (not available on website or telephone orders). *Club Members are customers who have purchased their motorhome from Brownhills which they still own. Excluding Calor Gas. † Example saving Fiat Swift Kon-Tiki 675 180BHP Auto Low Line MRRP £105,865, Our Price £96,995, Saving £8,870.

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November 2016 XX

TAIL LIGHTS

Your observations on the unusual world of touring

A SLICE OF HEAVEN

Boswell’s travels

Sally Derrick set off on Scotland’s North Coast 500 in her Carthago Liner, and, as you can see, one of her helpful hounds – named Boswell Derrick – was keen to share the driving duties. Looks like it all became a bit too tiring for Boswell, though.

If you’ve seen something unusual on a Club site, CL or while you’ve been out and about, send your picture to magazine@camc.com or tag @candmclub on Instagram and we’ll print the best.

DOUBLE TAKE

Many thanks to Club member Sonia Wignall for sending in pictures of two unusual (and distinctive) motorhomes spotted during her travels. The smaller of the two seen here is an old Ford Transitbased van that she spotted in a car park in the south of France. The huge unit with matching trailer, meanwhile, was making its way along the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Can you imagine trying to park that at your local Asda?

130 April 2020

Woody you believe it?

Remember the picture of Woody from Toy Story clinging to the back of a van (see Tail Lights, August 2019)? Well... we may have found the owner.

“After 20 years of going abroad on package holidays we decided to buy a Delaware motorhome,” says Nige Wood.

“As our surname is Wood I decided to put a Woody figure on the back of our motorhome... as we drive along on the motorway so many people give us the thumbs up – children love it, adults as well – so I decided to go one step further and get a Woody costume.” If you see Cowboy Nige on the road be sure to give him a wave!

Here’s a sweet treat to set the hearts of all caravanners a-fluttering: a fruit and nut cake made by The Great British Bake Off’s Karen Wright for January’s Caravan and Motorhome Show in Manchester. What an incredible effort – and we’re told by those lucky enough to sample a slice that it tasted every bit as good as it looked!

YOU DON’T KNOW THE HALF OF IT “Someone’s nicked me other half!” jokes Mike Burgess. Well, it is a WildAx, so perhaps someone took the name literally and had a good chop at it? www.camc.com

PORTABLE POWER With a Punch

New for

2020 The new Platinum Leisure Plus EFB batteries can cope with 200+ cycles, and are ideal for motorhomes & caravans needing higher power consumption.

The Platinum range also includes, AGM Plus Class A for motorhomes and caravans frequently used without electrical hook up, or the Platinum Leisure Class C for minimal off grid usage.

For more information or to find your nearest stockist please call 0161 971 5000 or email info@platinuminternational.com

For more information call 0161 971 5000, email orders@platinuminternational.com or visit www.platinuminternational.com

www.camc.com

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

November 2019 114

CYCLING HAMPSHIRE

Ride and prejudice Jonathan Manning saddles up for a wonderful ride through the chalk downs that Jane Austen called home

S

adly, there are no accounts of Mr Darcy dressed in Lycra or the Dashwood sisters on mountain bikes in the novels of Jane Austen. The literary genius lived too early to see how cycling would transform tours, travel and afternoon tea but had two-wheeled transport been available, this is the landscape from which she would have drawn inspiration.

The house where Austen lived at Chawton stands very close to this gorgeous route through the South Downs. As one spellbinding panorama sweeps into another achingly pretty village it’s hard not to wonder what the writer would have made of the chance to range so widely through this chalk landscape.

The ride starts to the east of Winchester and heads north through the River Itchen valley, passing two stately homes fit for any costume drama. Avington House once hosted King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwyn. The mansion sits beyond a lake in parkland grazed by Highland cattle. It opens to the public on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 3 May to 27 September.

April 2020

The Grange at Northington is altogether more Romantic, transformed from a modest brick house into a pillared, Ancient Greek temple during the years Austen was around. Its grounds are beautifully landscaped and it’s free to visit, making it the ideal place to stop for a break.

Elsewhere, the route rolls up and down the Downs along very quiet roads that connect villages sprinkled with ancient churches and fine-looking pubs.

The highlight, beyond the two stately homes, is the lovely River Itchen, which flows fast and clear through Itchen Abbas and Ovington in a lush valley.

DIRECTIONS Turn right out of the Club site and in 100m turn right again. Continue for 1km and then turn left along Fair Lane, signposted to Easton. In 400m turn right along Long Walk. Continue to an offset crossroads.

3.2km – Turn right at the crossroads and continue for just over 1km to a T-junction in Easton.

4.4km – Turn left at the T-junction, signposted to Martyr Worthy and Winchester, and then immediately right at the next T-junction with The

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www.camc.com

The Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine recommends the use of Ordnance Survey maps – your ideal passport to navigating Britain

© Crown copyright 2020 Ordnance Survey Media 051/18

ABOUT THE ROUTE Start/finish: Morn Hill Club Site, Alresford Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1HL. Distance: 25 miles/40km.

Time: 2.5 hours (without stops).

Level: Suitable for fitter cyclists.

This is a hilly route, although none of the ascents are punishing. Most of the route is on very quiet singletrack roads with short sections on B roads.

Terrain: Asphalt all the way apart from the broken gravel track to The Grange at Northington. A hybrid, road or e-bike is ideal.

Landscape: Chalky fields, tall hedgerows, woods and parkland.

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Henry Lawford

Avington House

English Heritage

The Grange at Northington

Cricketers Inn on your left. Ride through the village, passing The Chestnut Horse, and eventually entering Avington Country Park. Continue to a T-junction.

6.6km – Turn left at the T-junction, signposted to Avington and Itchen Abbas. Stay on the road as it crosses the River Itchen and passes the village church on the left, to reach a T-junction.

8km – Turn right at the T-junction, along the B3047 signposted to Itchen Stoke and Alresford, passing The Plough on your left. After 700m turn left along Rectory Lane, signposted to Northington and East Stratton. Ride uphill to a T-junction and turn right, signposted to Northington and East Stratton. Stay on this road for 4km to reach a crossroads.

13.9km – Turn right at the crossroads, signposted to Northington and Alresford. In 800m turn right, signposted to Northington Only. Continue downhill for 800m to a T-junction with the B3046. Turn right, signposted to The Grange and Alresford. Look out for a turning on the right after 800m.

16.3km – Turn right to The Grange and go straight ahead on a rough track, crossing a river

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www.camc.com

DOWNLOAD THIS ROUTE AND OTHERS TO YOUR GPS DEVICE FROM OUR STRAVA PAGE AT STRAVA. COM/ATHLETES/27202656

in 400m, and taking the track on the left to The Grange. Retrace the route to the B3046 and turn right.

Stay on the road for 5.5km, eventually entering Old Alresford. After passing St Mary the Virgin church on the left look out for a turning on the right as the road bends to the left.

23.2km – Turn right, signposted to Abbotstone.

Stay on this road – bearing left towards Itchen Stoke at a T-junction – and continue to another T-junction with the B3047 in Itchen Stoke.

28.7km – Turn left at the T-junction, signposted to Alresford, then in 500m turn right along a singletrack road. Continue for 700m to cross the River Itchen and reach a T-junction. Turn right at the junction and in 200m follow the road 90º to the left (The Bush Inn is straight ahead), and in 100m turn right on Lovington Lane. Continue for 3km to a T-junction in Avington.

33.5km – Turn left into Avington then right at the end of the village, signposted to Easton and Winchester. Turn left at The Cricketers onto Chapel Lane and follow this road back to the Club site.

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April 2020