Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine – December 2020

DECEMBER 2020

EASTERN PROMISE Get ahead of the herd by planning a break in the fabulous East Midlands GOT IT WRAPPED! See inside for cracking Christmas gift ideas

BARGAIN BUYS? Second-hand caravans to suit a variety of budgets

ACTION STATIONS How to capture moving objects on camera

COMMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL

All designed around you.

presents

The next generation of caravans, motorhomes & campervans NEW FOR 2021.

Your home away from home and every space has its ambition to offer the most for your best holiday experience.

The new generation of our Caravans, Motorhomes and Campervans takes this to a new level, with bigger spaces, new softer, more integrated forms and a special ambiance, offering great living spaces and practical features, complemented by a new selection of textiles and soft furnishing.

Please contact your nearest Adria dealership for more information: www.adria.co.uk/dealer-network XX November 2019

www.adria.co.uk www.camc.com

COMMENT EDITOR

WELCOME

camc.com/enquiries Editorial Editor Gary Martin Deputy Editor John Thynne Assistant Editors Stuart Egan, Stephen Hollis Design Michaela Millar

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 Membership services and magazine circulation 01342 318813 (calls may be recorded) Site booking (members only)/ UK Club sites advance booking 01342 327490 Cover Caravan 01342 336610 Insurance (Devitts) Car/motorhome 0345 504 0334 Home/contents 0345 504 0335

Gary Martin says: As I was typing this the government announced that England would have to go back into lockdown for at least four weeks. Although that might stop you getting away for a November break, I hope you will be able to use this magazine to help you plan next years getaways from the comfort of your armchair (for the very latest Club site opening information, visit camc.com).

Travel Service 01342 316101

What about treating “fellow enthusiasts to

Red Pennant (Overseas Holiday Insurance) 01342 336633 Brochures on Club services 01342 327410

a couple of nights on a Club site?

Technical advice 01342 336611

”

Club Magazine editorial 01342 336640 Legal helpline 01275 378728 Advertising enquiries General number 01342 336817 Commercial Manager Ian Lea 01342 336753 ian.lea@camc.com Business Development Manager Jason Clarke 01342 779368 jason.clarke@camc.com Commercial Executive Adam Johnson 01342 336742 adam.johnson@camc.com Production Controller Tara Erroll 01342 779371 tara.erroll@camc.com

DECEMBER 2020

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: EAST MIDLANDS SITES AND CLS TESTED: BMW 330D/USED CARAVAN SPECIAL/AUTO-TRAIL EXPEDITION 67

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 DECEMBER 2020

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

In the meantime, if youre still looking for gift ideas for those special tourers in your life, take a look at our Member Offers pages (46-47) –where you will find discounts on everything from baby clothes and balance bikes to board games and bubbly! Of course, everyone loves a voucher at this time of year – so what about treating your fellow caravan, motorhome and camper enthusiasts

EASTERN PROMISE

COVER IMAGE:

Get ahead of the herd by planning a break in the fabulous East Midlands

www.camc.com

GOT IT WRAPPED! See inside for cracking Christmas gift ideas PASS p1 Cover.indd 1

www.camc.com

to a couple of nights on a Club site?

Or a short break in a glamping cabin at one of our Experience Freedom locations? Or, better still, give a loved one the gift of Caravan and Motorhome Club membership?

You can find out about these Club-themed gifts on page 59.

If youre still struggling, our products pages (64-65) should throw up some more ideas – this months theme is outdoor living and features kit that is perfect for those fun but chillier evenings outside your outfit.

Finally, Id like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy Christmas. Please stay safe – hopefully well see you on a Club site soon!

BARGAIN BUYS? Second-hand caravans to suit a variety of budgets

ACTION STATIONS How to capture moving objects on camera

Gibraltar Point, Skegness (Matt Limb OBE/Alamy)

04/11/2020 12:24

December 2020 3

CONTENTS

16

PLEASE

RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY Your magazine is now delivered in a recyclable paper wrap

INSIDE THIS ISSUE DECEMBER 2020

TOURING

22 UK SITES

An attraction-packed, seven-site tour from Leicestershire to the Lincolnshire coast 33 DIRECTORY UPDATES

Updates to your Sites Directory & Handbook 34 ACTIVITY BREAKS

Jonathan Manning goes fly fishing on Rutland Water 38 FOREIGN TOURING

Heidi Fuller-Love visits Versailles during a holiday in Île-de-France

TESTS

66 CAR

BMW 330d 70 CARAVAN

Second-hand special 74 MOTORHOME Auto-Trail Expedition 67

NEWS 12

16

42

HEADLINES Club and industry updates SITES The latest from around the network OVERSEAS Plan your worldwide and European breaks

4 December 2020

SPECIALS 8

CLUB MATTERS The many benefits of the Certificated Location network 59 GET-AWAY GIFTS

Why not give Club vouchers – or membership – to loved ones?

78 AGM REPORT

Round-up from the Clubs meeting

REGULARS 7

10

21

46

49

54

60

62

DIRECTOR GENERAL’S VIEW Nick Lomas on the unique challenges thrown up during 2020 YOUR PHOTOS The best photos from your touring adventures THE CAMPERVAN COOK Martin Dorey makes an easy, stove-top cassoulet MEMBER OFFERS Special deals on various products LETTERS Your comments and views COUNTRY MATTERS David Chapman offers tips on the tricky art of action photography PRACTICAL Advice for touring in winter ASK YOUR CLUB Our technical team answers your pressing questions

64 PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Items to give you a warm glow in the colder months 82 CROSSWORD

A chance to win great prizes 84 PUZZLES

Brain-twisting challenges 86 DEALER MARKETPLACE AND CLASSIFIED ADS

To advertise, call 01342 336817 98 TAIL LIGHTS

The weird, wacky and wonderful world of touring

21

xx www.camc.com

March 2020

X

THE VALUE OF TOGETHERNESS YOUR VOLVO XC40 “TOWCAR OF THE YEAR”, WITH EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFITS We believe in the power of working together. As a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, you have access to savings on our recent winner of Towcar of the Year 2020 – the Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design Pro. Alongside its expressive, youthful design and thoughtful features, you can also enjoy a selection of other benefits, each one designed to help you get the most from your Volvo car.

VISIT CAMC.COM/VOLVO OR CALL THE VOLVO CAR BUSINESS CENTRE ON 03333 204 147

AFFINI T Y PAR T NER DISCOUN T S

£

FINANCE PACKAGES

ACCESSORY OFFERS

SERVICE OFFERS

Fuel consumption and CO2 figures for the Volvo XC40 range, in MPG (l/100km): WLTP Combined 34.0 – 134.5 (8.3 – 2.1). WLTP CO2 emissions 186 – 47g/km. WLTP electric energy consumption 2.8 – 4.0 miles/kWh. Equivalent all electric range 26.1 – 248.5 miles. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and equivalent electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures were obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. The Volvo plug-in hybrid vehicles require mains electricity for charging. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

XX November 2019

www.camc.com

COMMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL

OPINION Nick Lomas says:

camc.com/enquiries This magazine is also available as a page turner on the Club website and an app free of charge for members.

For non-members who download the Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine app, each issue costs £2.29 (Google Play) or £2.99 (App Store).

Readers are asked to note that the Caravan and Motorhome Club cannot accept responsibility for the quality, safe delivery or operation of any products advertised or mentioned in this journal. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements or other inserted material are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions.

The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation.

All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice.

Mail order advertisers are required to state in advertisements addressed to the public, their true surname or full company name, together with the address from which the business is managed.

Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.

351,884

Circulation: Jan-Dec 2019

Printing by Walstead Bicester

www.camc.com

As this issue went to press, we learned that England would be returning to lockdown status until 2 December at the earliest. Please stay safe – we look forward to welcoming you back to our sites at the earliest opportunity.

Despite this unfortunate news, I think it’s still a good time to reflect upon the past year and consider some of the successes and positives that have emerged.

As usual everyone at the Club was excited when March arrived and sites

“

We helped to provide safe harbour at 17 sites for key workers

”

across the network opened, but we were aware, in the background, of the coronavirus – so we made contingency plans to allow Club staff to work from home. It became clear as concerns grew that the best course of action was, reluctantly, to close the network.

Site staff and head office teams did a great job of amending bookings and supporting over 4,000 members as they headed home. We helped to provide ‘safe harbour’ at 17 sites for key workers, those unable to return home, and those providing care to relatives.

A major repatriation initiative helped thousands of members overseas, with ferry and campsite rebookings enabling travel back to the UK as borders and sites across Europe closed. As we were almost unique among tour operators and travel agents in being able to maintain a full service, we also helped scores of stranded non-member travellers.

Working closely with industry colleagues and government, we developed Covid Secure protocols for campsites, and wrote to MPs, public health officials and even the Prime Minister so that we could safely reopen campsites at the earliest opportunity with the all-important ‘Good To Go’ accreditation. We were delighted to begin reopening in early July, with the largest number of sites of any UK operator, and as many facilities as possible.

We had also opened UK bookings for the whole of 2021 so that you could book future holidays. Meanwhile, we made sure the change in VAT was passed on as a price reduction.

It’s great that we managed to extend the season at several sites (Norfolk Broads, New Forest, Rookesbury Park and Brecon Beacons). Capacity has been extended at a number of other sites, while over 70 new CLs have been added. Please keep an eye on camc.com for the latest news about sites reopening.

As a very special time of the year approaches, I’d like to thank members, staff, volunteers and industry colleagues for coming together and making sure we have all been able to make the most of the outdoors in 2020.

December 2020 7

SPECIAL CLUB MATTERS

Five stars

There are more than 2,200 privately-owned, five-pitch Certificated Locations on the Clubs network, giving you even more freedom to tour the United Kingdom – at any time of year

W

hether your idea of the perfect holiday is long walks along windswept cliff tops, lazy days spent fishing by the river, or multiple excuses to pick up bargains in city shopping centres, the Club’s Certificated Location (CL) network contains a site that is perfect for you. The Club has more than 2,200 five-pitch gems dotted all over the country – from the Highlands of Scotland to the south-western tip of Cornwall, and from the Suffolk Heritage Coast to the beautiful Pembrokeshire seaboard.

Many of these sites are open all year – so why not take the opportunity to try one out during the colder months (where circumstances allow)? Or maybe you could add a couple of days at a CL when on the way to, or home from, a Club site. Visit camc.com/cls to find out more.

WHAT IS A CL?

Exclusively for Caravan and Motorhome Club members, Certificated Locations are small, 8 December 2020

Photo: Charles Holmstrom

Traigh Farm

Traigh Farm, Highlands

Near The Estate Patterdale, Cumbria privately owned sites offering just five pitches.

Some are all-grass but many offer hardstandings. The majority of CLs on the network now offer electric hook-ups, and some have toilet or shower facilities, but we still have plenty of ‘basic’, ‘off-grid’ sites if you are looking to be even more independent. Bookings are made directly via the site owner – to search for your ideal CL see camc.com/cls or look in your Sites Directory & Handbook.

EXCITING NEW LOCATIONS

More than 70 sites joined the network over the summer and last month we reported on the opening of two fantastic Field Studies Council (FSC) locations – Preston Montford on the banks of the River Severn near Shrewsbury

and Castle Head, close to Morecambe on the edge of the Lake District National Park. We hope to announce more FSC locations in the near future, so watch this space. To see the very latest additions to the CL directory, turn to page 33 of this magazine.

CL OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Despite the limited season, members have been busy nominating their favourite CLs for our 2020 CL of the Year awards. This year we announced the winners live on Facebook on 19 November. Look out for a report in the January magazine!

WERE LOOKING FOR NEW OWNERS

Do you know anyone with some spare land who might be interested in opening a CL and earning some extra income? Providing they are easily accessible, CLs can be on farms or smallholdings or next to pubs or fishing lakes, for example. Anyone interested can find out more and apply for a site meeting by visiting camc.com/my5pitchsite. www.camc.com

Photo: Alan Williams

60 Little Nook Farm,Yorkshire

The Clubs CL Network is 60 years old this year

80

Photo: Acre Hill

80% of Certificated Locations offer electric hook-ups

Acre Hill, Lancashire

1k

Around 1,000 CLs are located on farms

FANTASTIC KIT FOR INDEPENDENT TOURERS If you’re a fan of the CL lifestyle you’ll love the discounts the Club provides on outdoorsy kit. From high-quality leisure batteries and warm coats and fleeces to torches, power banks and solar panels, you can claim savings on a wide range of products. Here’s just a taste of what’s available...

Colapz Collapsible ‘Keep Calm’ Bucket: This easy-to-clean bucket is perfect for lovers of the outdoor lifestyle. Made from food-grade recyclable plastic, it squashes down from 25cm high to just 6cm, making it very easy to store in a cupboard or locker Member saving: 10% Available via: Member Offers (camc.com/ memberoffers)

Cadac BBQ Safari Chef 2 Pro: This portable, lightweight gas barbecue is perfect for two people.

Featuring fold-away legs and three interchangeable cooking surfaces, it also has push-button Piezo ignition. It all packs away into a single, durable travel bag.

Full price: £145 Member price: £130.50 Available via: Club Shop (shop.camc.com)

See camc.com/ memberoffers and shop.camc. com for more great deals

WakaWaka Power 10: This portable bank is perfect for those who hate the thought of being out of power on tour.

Featuring three USB ports for your devices, it can charge a smartphone up to five times and can be topped up via the WakaWaka 10W Solar Panel (also in the Club Shop).

Full price: £59.99 Member price: £53.99 Available via: Club Shop (shop.camc.com)

Terms and conditions apply to member offers and Club Shop purchases – see camc.com/memberoffers and shop.camc.com for details www.camc.com

December 2020 9

SPECIAL MEMBER PICTURES

YOUR PHOTOS Your most memorable touring moments caught on camera

GOOD GOLLY MR OLLY

Eagle owls are not normally resident in the UK, but Olly has become a frequent visitor to Grafham Water Club site. He was an unexpected bonus to two pleasant days exploring and cycling around Grafham Water.

Paul Westcott Cambridgeshire

NIP TO THE HARBOUR

Crabbing in Brixham harbour while staying at the Hillhead site in August, and it's only a bus ride away.

Paul Oliver GREAT SCOTT Scott’s View in the Scottish Borders, overlooking the valley of the River Tweed, near the Melrose Gibson Park Club site. It is reputed to have been one of the favourite views of Sir Walter.

John Hindmarch Scottish Borders

Devon

10 December 2020

www.camc.com

A NEW DAWN

My daughter and me, during a campervan trip in the Rocky Mountains, watching the sunrise.

Lynn Ayling

Cumbria

HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP Allonby beach, Cumbria. I love the joy and freedom conveyed by the picture.

Nearest Club site: Dockray Meadow.

Jo Hubbold

FREE PRIZE DRAW

North America

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

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

ON THE RHAYADER St Harmon, Rhayader, in Wales. Very quiet and peaceful with great walks in the hills.

Nearest Club site: Gwern-y-Bwlch.

Ricky Bowman

Devon

Powys

SHOOT FOR THE STARS Taken about two miles from Hillhead Club site, the picture shows the Daymark near Kingswear. It was built in 1864 to serve as a day beacon for Dartmouth harbour, which is difficult to find from the sea. The brightest 'star' is Jupiter, and to the right is the Milky Way core.

Tony Green

AT THE HELM...

A beautiful clear day coming down Helm Crag towards Grasmere. This finished off a lovely long circular walk along the valley to Easedale Tarn.

Nearest Club site: Coniston Park Coppice.

Eric Ness

Lake District

December 2020 11

NEWS CLUB AND INDUSTRY

Headlines The latest stories from the touring world

Your new Sites Directory and Handbook is on the way Look out for your new Sites Directory and Handbook, which will be delivered between mid-December and early January.

As always the book will include detailed site listings for Club sites and CLs, and all the information you need to get the most out of your membership. For this edition we have reinstated Ordnance Survey map references for both Club sites and CLs following your feedback.

We have also expanded the ‘from’ pricing on Club site pages to include price examples for two-adult groups, and the minimum prices for children.

We hope you enjoy reading the new Sites Directory and Handbook and that it continues to inspire your touring adventures!

2021 IRISH NATIONAL

The Council of the Irish Division has decided to cancel the Irish National in 2021.

The Irish Division is aware that this will be a disappointment to many members, but the decision was taken after considering the latest advice, the current restrictions, and further possible uncertainty over the coming months. The council stressed that the health and safety of members, and that of the local population of Trim, is of paramount importance.

12 December 2020

LOCKDOWN GUIDANCE Please note that the latest advice and information from the Club regarding Club sites, lockdowns and the introduction of local Covid alert levels can be found at camc.com/ reopening. On the website you will be able to find clear guidance and relevant links to government websites for further information, if required. We would like to thank Club members for your continued understanding.

Towcar of the Year 2021 The Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2021 has gone virtual!

Information about new vehicles on the market is really important to Club members. The Club invited vehicle manufacturers to get involved and 40 cars have been evaluated and assessed by an independent panel of expert judges who carried out full technical specification and vehicle towing capability reviews.

Club members are also being invited to share their thoughts and experiences about the vehicle entrants through our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media channels, as well as the Club’s forum, Club Together.

The results will be announced online on Tuesday 8 December and a full report will be included in the January 2021 issue.

Last years winner: the Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design Pro

www.camc.com

PRIZE DRAW CLUB CONTINUES WINNING STREAK We are pleased to report that the Club has been named ‘Best Caravan Cover provider’ and ‘Best Motorhome Insurance provider’ at the Insurance Choice Awards 2020.

Organised each year by the consumer-focused website Smart Money People, the awards help people to find the best firms to do business with.

More than 50,000 people took part in the awards this year – thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for the Club.

This is the third year in a row that we have been named Best Caravan Cover provider and the second consecutive year we have won Best Motorhome Insurance provider. If you would like to find out more about our award-winning products, please visit camc.com/ caravancover for Caravan Cover and camc.com/ insurance for Motorhome Insurance.

ON THE APP

This month on the Club magazine app (free to download for use on Apple and Android devices) we feature a cycle route from Sutton-on-Sea Club site in Lincolnshire to the North Sea Observatory, while there are also video reviews of the BMW 330d and Auto-Trail Expedition 67.

www.camc.com

We have teamed up with some of our member offer providers to bring you a special prize draw that will put some sparkle into the festive period. Go to camc.com/ christmas from 23 November 2020 to be in with a chance of winning amazing prizes from Laithwaite’s Wine, Avtex, Go Ape, Cotswold Outdoor, Smart Games and more. There are 12 prizes up for grabs in total, ranging from outdoor bags (worth £100 each) to a television worth £349!

The competition is open for entry until 10 December 2020, and we’ll be announcing a winner a day on our social media channels in the run-up to Christmas Eve. Good luck!

FIND A LATE PITCH We would like to remind members that our late availability page at camc.com/ lateavailability allows you to see, at a glance, available caravan, motorhome and camping pitches on Club sites over the following three weekends. Simply select the weekend dates you are looking for – the page has recently been redesigned, so finding a pitch is even easier.

Vango reveals new line-up Outdoor equipment manufacturer Vango has revealed a new range of tents, rucksacks, sleeping bags, awnings, camping essentials and furniture for 2021.

Members who are looking for ‘greener’ purchases may be interested in a part of Vango’s new range called the ‘Earth Collection’. All products in this line-up – which includes AirBeam and poled tents, sleeping bags, furniture and rucksacks – are built using recycled single-use plastics in addition to new materials.

For more information please see vango.co.uk.

Brexit advice Vango Evolve sleeping bag and Aether Air 600XL tent – part of theEarth Collection

The UK will be leaving the EU single market and customs union on 31 December, when the transition period ends.

On page 44 of this issue we have highlighted important changes that may affect your travel arrangements from 1 January 2021 and have given guidance on how you can prepare in advance. More advice from the Club relating to Brexit and foreign travel can also be found online at camc.com/brexit.

December 2020 13

NEWS CLUB AND INDUSTRY

With some restrictions in place, some of the Club’s Divisions and Regions have managed to hold Annual General Meetings (AGMs) online in 2020, with more planned over the coming weeks and months. Here is a round-up of activities to date; we will report on more when information is available.

DIVISIONS The Irish Division held a virtual AGM in October. A report from the Chairman can be found online at thecaravanclub.ie.

Also in October, the Scottish Division’s Council held a virtual meeting with 32 participants via Zoom. SCC Chairman Ronnie Duff welcomed all before questions were put to the SCC Council and their guests, Club Chairman Grenville Chamberlain OBE and Emma McQuillan, Head of Governance.

The Welsh Division will be hosting a virtual AGM on 9 January 2021*.

REGIONS West Central Region held a virtual AGM in October.

Central Region’s AGM will be held on Saturday 6 February 2021 at the Kegworth Hotel and Conference Centre, Kegworth DE74 2DF*.

At the time of going to press, the South East Region, Home Counties Region and South West Region AGMs were scheduled to take place online on 14 November 2020. In addition, Anglia Region had planned to hold a virtual AGM on 15 November. The Club’s Northern Region will host its AGM in January, with the date and venue to be confirmed. * Details may be subject to change, so please contact the Division or Region Secretary in advance for more information.

See camc.com/about-us/ divisions-and-regions for contact details.

14 December 2020

Fraser Hall/Getty

DIVISION AND REGION AGMs

Take a virtual tour!

Researchers at design and retail store Heal’s have put together a handy list of virtual tours, which may prove useful for inspiration while you are planning future trips away. The list – which can be seen at heals. com/blog/best-virtual-interiors-architecture-tours – includes links to online tours of a variety of notable venues around the world, including galleries, stately homes and unique architectural structures.

Highlights from the UK include virtual tours of London’s National Gallery and Royal Academy of Arts, and Manchester Museum.

YOU RECOMMEND…

Certificated Locations in Yorkshire “What a fabulous site this is.

Beautiful location looking over the wolds and so peaceful. Julie keeps the site immaculate and well tended.” Woldsway CL, Goodmanham

(dont miss a walk down into the Hole of Horcum).”

Marfit Head Farm CL, Saltergate

“We stayed at this site for eight nights from early September... on arrival it is like entering a secret garden. Five hardstanding pitches, each with its own water tap. There was free Wi-Fi, which we found to be very good, all for £12 per night.”

Manor Farm CL, East Heslerton

“Spacious pitches, great views, and clean facilities. Martin and Andrea are the perfect hosts, nothing is too much trouble, they always have time to talk. It is a very special place for me, my Grandmother was born here in the late 1800s, her father was my Great Grandfather, it is his initials that are over the stable door... HSB... Henry S Beeforth.”

Wild Slack Farm CL, Lealholm

“There are three fields to chose from, the smaller CL field which is adjacent to the main road; the Top Field and the Back Field...

Theres easy access to Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and Scarborough from the site... There are also plenty of walks close by

“Site is well maintained, grass clippings collected... If you like walking the canal towpaths, you can pick this up from Gargrave... Easy to visit some of the favourite places in the Dales, Grassington, Malham Cove, Settle, etc.”

Seat House CL, Eshton (pictured)

EXPERIENCE GLAMPING AND SAVE 10% ON STAYS If you would like to experience the Club’s glamping accommodation, or if the idea of bringing non-touring friends or family members along on one of your trips (when circumstances allow) appeals, we have availability at eight different Experience Freedom glamping sites in a variety of beautiful locations.

Members save 10% when making glamping bookings, as do their friends and family when they stay on site at the same time (though please take note of restrictions on gatherings that may be in force).

Our plush glamping cabins, luxury glamping pods, iconic Airstreams and rustic yurts are comfortable, cosy and tastefully equipped, while locations give you easy access to the Lake District, the Cotswolds, London, Brighton, the Kent coast and the Yorkshire coast. Our newest cabins and pods can be found at Cayton Village and Troutbeck Head Club sites.

These sites include universally accessible cabins and pods that are wheelchair friendly, with level entry, wide doors and 1.5m turning circles.

For more information, and to book a break, please visit experiencefreedom.co.uk. www.camc.com

THETFORD launches iNDUS Touring appliance manufacturer and supplier Thetford has launched a new sanitation system that it claims will make life easier for motorhomers who do not relish the task of emptying waste tanks.

The company says that iNDUS will allow users to remain off-grid for an average of seven days, thanks in part to a more efficient toilet flush that re-uses grey water from the shower and sink.

Thetford’s research suggests that waste-holding tanks are discharged every 2-3 days, on

average, and grey water tanks every 2-4 days – possibly because they are being emptied before they are full.

The iNDUS system is supported by an app that tells users when the tanks are getting full; the app also lists discharge locations and details cartridge levels.

The system also enables ‘one stop’ emptying of both grey and black water with the use of an iNDUS discharge device (additives are dosed automatically).

More information can be found at thetford-europe.com/gb.

Club Singers raise money for hospice The Caravan and Motorhome Club Singers celebrated their 15th anniversary this year, and although celebrations have been put on hold, they are always looking for new members. Under normal circumstances the Singers meet at a central UK venue four or five times a year for weekend rehearsal rallies, preparing for concerts that take place throughout the year. If you would like to know more please email secretary.ccsingers@ gmail.com for more information, or follow the Singers on Twitter (@CAMCSingers) and Facebook (CAMC Singers).

www.camc.com

A hospice in Gloucestershire has received £620 thanks to fundraising efforts by the Caravan and Motorhome Club Singers.

The Singers chose Longfield Community Hospice Care near Stroud to benefit from their charity work at the beginning of 2020. The hospice cared for one of the Singers’ much-loved members, the late Angie Hubbard, two years ago. Despite being unable to hold their usual rallies, the Singers have been active on Zoom, email, and at virtual rallies. Members raised the money through sales of a commemorative photograph of the Singers, as well as donations and a raffle. Well done to everyone who helped to raise this fantastic total.

New owner for Danbury After three years of French ownership as part of Groupe Pilote, campervan converter Danbury is back in UK hands, having been bought by manufacturer Vanworx. As a result, production at Danbury’s factory in Yate, Bristol, has now ceased and new Vanworx Danbury conversions – based on the designs of the Danbury Surf and Royale models – will be produced at a new facility in Somerset.

Vanworx has stated that it will meet the needs of existing Danbury customers who need annual habitation checks and warranty works, and will happily welcome visits to their showroom when possible to discuss part-exchange and upgrades of Danbury campervans.

Please see vanworx.co.uk for more information.

December 2020 15

Thanks for your NEWS UK SITES

It has been a difficult year – but it has been fantastic to see members back enjoying their holidays across the network

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T

here’s no getting away from the fact that 2020 has been a touring year unlike any other. Yet despite the difficulties, there are some touring positives to take away from it – and we would like to thank you for the generous support you have shown for the Club (for instance, by continuing to visit your favourite sites when circumstances allow, renewing your memberships and purchasing site vouchers).

When the lockdown began in March, we did not know how long it would be before we would be able to welcome you back safely in your caravans, motorhomes and campers.

But the Club remained proactive, contacting all MPs with campsites in their constituencies and liaising with senior figures across the leisure industry. Meanwhile, we supported members with affected bookings and developed our Covid Secure Commitment, under which measures were put in place to ensure site staff, members and other guests would be safe and well when they stayed on our sites.

We were hugely proud to be able to safely reopen the vast majority of our sites in July, and it has been great to see so many of you fill pitches that had predominantly lain empty for more than three months (with some exceptions for key workers and others in need of support).

A knock-on effect of the coronavirus pandemic is that holidaying in this country has become more popular than ever and, partly as a result of a pent-up desire to go away after lockdown, we have seen busy sites across the

Jamie Isaac-Holland

Freshwater East

“

After having Covid in March, I was very frightened of going out. This was our first trip, was unsure of how it would be.

But so well organised I didn’t worry and felt at ease network in the second half of this year. The hot spells throughout summer definitely helped!

It has also been fantastic to see so many new members enjoying their first forays onto

£3.6m 142 Saved by members so far with our VAT offer (running until the end of March 2021)

Sites reopened post-first national lockdown

”

the network, discovering our brilliant, varied locations and seeing why the site staff are rated so highly. Of course, we hope that those of you who have been unable to visit Club sites

154k+

Visitors to our Club sites in 2020

Figures correct as of 2 November 2020

16 December 2020

www.camc.com

support! “

Blackshaw Moor

Our Covid Secure Commitment

Above and beyond the call of duty. It was reassuring to see the facilities being cleaned regularly

”

Elizabeth Jackso

n-Smart

Karen Whitaker

Incleboro Fields

eacons

Buxton this year are able to return soon. On these pages you’ll find a selection of pictures from Club members enjoying sites in 2020, along with a reminder of our Covid Secure

58k+

Renewing and new members

www.camc.com

Ken Law

Lord Te

nby

Brecon B

“

All Covid precautions were well thought out and implemented by site staff and members

Commitment. We look forward to seeing you on site very soon, where and when possible, and look forward to helping you experience more great holidays in 2021.

7k+

Camping and glamping guests

”

As many members are aware, we have changed some of our procedures on Club sites to ensure that we keep members, guests and staff safe and well.

Although some processes may take a little longer than before, please be assured that we have your best interests at heart. Here are some examples of the measures we have introduced on site: n Check-in by phone (from your car/outfit) n Site maps made available outside reception n A process to control the number of people in toilet facility blocks in line with current guidelines n Floor markings to indicate social distancing requirements n Telephone ‘order and collect’ system for essentials such as LPG, awning pegs etc n Takeaway service for on-site restaurants, where applicable

For full details please see camc.com/covidsecure

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

See camc.com for the latest site information and follow official UK Government (gov.uk) as well as local government guidelines at all times. We also recommend that you check with businesses/ attractions regarding opening times/restrictions.

December 2020 17

Brighton's Royal Pavilion

NEWS UK SITES

Good news! As many of you already know, we’ve reduced our Club campsite prices in line with the recent VAT reductions. This means that you will only pay 5% VAT on all campsite bookings until the end of March 2021 (date extended). All you need to do is book your holiday as normal, and the discount will be applied when you arrive on site. Here are some examples of how your holidays could work out cheaper:

n Brighton, West Sussex: was from £16.40 per night, now from £14.40 per night* n Coniston Park Coppice, Cumbria: was from £10.85 per night, now from £9.50 per night* n The Sandringham Estate, Norfolk: was from £15.80 per night, now from £13.80 per night* See camc.com/vatsavings for a full list of sites, prices, and dates when those prices are available. *Prices are based on one person and one pitch.

Rainprel/Drkeamstime

Stay for less in 2021 Site updates We would like to remind members that the best place to go for the latest news about sites is camc.com. If you would like to speak to someone about an existing booking, please see camc.com/contact.

Rookesbury Park dates extended We are pleased to report that Rookesbury Park Club site in Hampshire will remain open until 4 January 2021, so you have even more time to visit this wonderful spot on the edge of the Forest of Bere (subject to lockdown restrictions).

There are 136 touring pitches at Rookesbury Park (85 hardstanding), as well as 18 tent camping pitches. Facilities include a play area, mini-golf and a family washroom, while nearby attractions such as Southampton’s Solent Sky aviation museum and Portsmouth’s Mary Rose Museum are not to be missed.

Remember, you can find all of our ’Open All Year‘ sites at camc.com/oay.

18 December 2020

Crystal Palace Park

The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth, and Rookesbury Park Club site (right)

www.camc.com

Member Offer

www.camc.com

July 2020 XX

It’s hard to turn your back on the great outdoors.

This Christmas, we want to inspire everybody to bring a little outdoors to their festive season, with perfect gifts to inspire adventure for many seasons to come.

15% discount in-store and online

for Caravan and Motorhome Club members using code AF-TCCLUB-M1 Full T&Cs apply. Please see online for details. Offer expires 31.03.21.

Cook

COLUMN MARTIN DOREY

The Campervan

Writer, cook and campervan owner Martin Dorey continues his gastronomic journeys. This month: a hearty cassoulet inspired by the Cathar region of France

B

onjour mes amis. I’ve been over gruesome museum – the Musée de the Channel again to put the l’Inquisition. Within its walls we found finishing touches to my latest strangely re-enacted – by tailor’s dummies book about travelling by – scenes of the horror of the period. motorhome and campervan in France.

On a brighter note, this month I concentrate on a speciality of the region: One of the areas I researched was the cassoulet, a rich and delicious bean and meat ‘Cathar’ region of France between the stew that’s flavoured with the herbs growing Pyrenees and the Massif Central. It’s a land on the hillsides. of fragrance and beauty, where rosemary It’s simple, and thyme grow wild in the hills and peasant food, and ruined castles sit atop impossible peaks. not dissimilar to I particularly enjoyed visiting CUT OUT a Spanish Carcassonne, a fortified medieval citadel.

It was once a stronghold of the heretic Cathars who were forced out of the RECIPES city in the Catholic crusades and inquisition of the 13th century. We RECIPE NO. 35 found ourselves in a strange, rather

fabada. After sampling it in Carcassonne, much more enjoyable than the museum, I set about doing an easy, stove-top version.

Ideal for cold winter nights on guard duty at the castle – or, failing that, a night in the van when it’s raining.

Enjoy. À la prochaine!

AND KEEP

THE COOK RECOMMENDS...

The Five Sons of Carcassonne – five incredible castles that watch over the Cathar region. Find them at Quéribus, Puilaurens, Peyrepertuse, Aguilar and Termes. And a cassoulet, of course.

FOR AFTERS

It has to be lemon crème brûlée! This is the quintessential French dessert and almost every restaurant I went into served it. The lemon version adds a lovely citrus twist.

MEMBER SINCE...

Campervanner Martin Dorey joined the Club in 2016

www.camc.com

Stove-top cassouOlet SERVES TW

INGREDIENTS oked

6 slices of streaky sm ces bacon, cut into pie 4 pork sausages 2 chicken legs Olive oil 1 white onion, diced rlic, chopped 4 large cloves of ga ed dic er, 1 yellow pepp ar eg vin e win red p 1 tbs r 1 tsp suga 1 tbsp tomato puree ck 1 pint of chicken sto ellini beans 2 x 400g tins of cann 4 sprigs of thyme 4 sprigs of rosemary 2 carrots, chopped opped 2 sticks of celer y, ch sh rni ga Parsley to Salt and pepper

METHOD

n, on oil in a large saucepa Heat a tbsp of olive n and cook until co ba the d Ad at. a medium he . p it out and put aside almost crispy. Scoo

wn s into the pan and bro Put the chicken leg ely nic en wh de asi t Se them on both sides. de. sausages and put asi browned. Brown the ainder of the rem the in s ion on Next, cook the garlic, soft. Then add the oil until they become , celery ary em ros ts, thyme, yellow pepper, carro ok for five Co er. pp pe ck bla and some ground ularly to ensure all the minutes, stirring reg ts. ts on all the ingredien ge n pa flavour of the and cook ar sug d an ar eg vin Add the red wine . nutes, stirring again for a couple more mi it all together. stir d an ree pu ato Add the tom en es, bacon and chick Next add the sausag again r Sti s. an be ) the (drained legs. Stir. Then add t 30 minutes. ou ab for r me Sim then add the stock. h French h parsley in bowls wit Serve garnished wit s. ce jui those lovely bread to mop up all

December 2020 21

Matt Limb OBE / Alamy

TOURING UK SITES

“

The road skirts a succession of seaside resorts... each with its own distinct character Gibraltar Point, Skegness

�

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

See camc.com for the latest site information and follow official UK Government (gov.uk) as well as local government guidelines at all times. We also recommend that you check with businesses/ attractions that are listed regarding opening dates/ restrictions. The Great Savings Guide booklet was produced prior to the coronavirus pandemic. It was correct at the time of publication but is now subject to change. For more information see caravanclub. co.uk/membership/great-savings-guide.

22 December 2020

www.camc.com

Time travel parkerphotography / Alamy

Jonathan Manning finds Elizabethan splendour, Victorian genius and timeless seaside pleasures on a trip from Leicestershire to Lincolnshire

Traditional seaside fun in Skegness

www.camc.com

E

ven on market day the bustling streets of Melton Mowbray seem an unlikely origin for the phrase ‘paint the town red’. But this Leicestershire jewel hit the headlines in 1837 when the Marquess of Waterford and a handful of his aristocratic friends spent a day at the races and got so drunk that the local toll keeper refused them entry to the centre.

Incensed, the revellers boarded up the toll keeper in the toll house, stole pots of red paint and proceeded to redecorate the town’s doors and windows. Such was their exuberance that The White Swan Inn was in danger of being renamed the ‘The Scarlet Swan’. Justice eventually prevailed as each of the merrymakers was fined £100.

Touring never fails to unearth such nuggets of ‘pub ammo’, and the Melton Carnegie Museum is full of them, December 2020 23

1

Hill Top Farm Shop

Certificated Location

Iconic Cornwall / Alamy

TOURING UK SITES

Sutton-on-Sea

A new site on a farm with a café, farm shop (selling lamb and beef produced on the farm, as well as local beer, pork pies and cheese) and indoor and outdoor play areas for children.

Contact: 07710 102323

Owner view “People relax on the site, or head off to Rutland Water, Belvoir Castle and Baggrave [Hall] Park.”

Martin Brown

Food & drink Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, 10 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray LE13 1NW Contact: 01664 482068, porkpie.co.uk

Culture Melton Carnegie Museum, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray LE13 1RB Contact: 01163 053860, meltonmuseum.org

Outdoor fun Melton Country Park, Wymondham Way, Melton Mowbray LE13 1HP Contact: 01664 480122, melton.gov.uk

For the family Twinlakes Family Theme Park, Melton Spinney Road, Melton Mowbray LE14 4FF Contact: 01664 567777, twinlakespark.co.uk

24 December 2020

“

Even on a wet afternoon, the beach looks fantastic – miles of sand stretching north like the story of Johnnie Johnson, a Melton man denied entry to the Auxiliary Air Force when his interviewer discovered that Johnson didn’t hunt. He was finally called up in 1939, trained to fly a Spitfire and subsequently shot down more enemy planes than any other pilot.

The town has forged an enviable reputation as a foodie capital, famous for its pork pies – made with chopped (not minced) pork and hot water crust pastry – and its Stilton cheese. Dickinson & Morris’s Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe is the place to go for a pie

”

(there’s even a Stilton-topped version), and I devour it by the lake in Melton Country Park as I plan out a touring itinerary that resembles Nike’s iconic swoosh: a short downtick from Leicestershire to Northamptonshire followed by a long upward arrow to Lincolnshire’s sandy coastline.

TOP STOP

There are more mouthwatering products on sale at Hill Top Farm Shop Certificated Location (CL), a mile walk north of Melton. www.camc.com

2

Bunkers Hill Farm Certificated Location

E Egg/Lincolshire

Tourist Board

Working farm with pitches (each with electric hook-up) on a large, flat grass field overlooking grazing sheep.

The golf course clubhouse next door serves food, including an excellent-value breakfast.

Contact: 01604 740272 Sites Directory & Handbook p425

Owner view “A lot of walkers stay here – the Jurassic Way [long-distance footpath] runs close by. Coton Manor Garden is near and is one of the best gardens in the country, and we’re also very convenient for the motor racing at Silverstone circuit.”

Mike Lill

Paul Brown

Imaging

Clifford Nor ton / Alamy

Food & drink

Top: enjoying the Lincolnshire coast Above: mother and her cygnets, Melton Mowbray Left: Melton Mowbray pork pies Opened last year, the five-pitch grass site has since been joined by a lavishly-stocked and licensed farm shop as well as a belt-loosening café, alongside a well-equipped play area.

With views over grazing sheep, pet donkeys and goats in the neighbouring field, it would be easy to lower the steadies and stay on site for a little longer, especially when owner Mike Brown swiftly reels off a host of local attractions, including the twice-weekly livestock markets in town. www.camc.com

It’s a wrench to leave, but with supplies of local delicacies safely stowed on board, I head south. Barely half-an-hour later I make a short diversion to visit Foxton Locks, a staggering piece of Victorian engineering on the Grand Union Canal, where 10 back-to-back locks create a staircase for boats to climb or descend.

A volunteer lock keeper tells me it takes about 45 minutes for a boat to pass from top to bottom and vice versa. The towpath offers the perfect vantage point for this mechanical masterpiece, while two pubs, a café, shop and

The Red Lion, Welford Road, Thornby, Northampton NN6 8SJ Contact: 01604 740238, redlionthornby.co.uk

Culture Althorp House, Northampton NN7 4HQ Contact: 01604 770006, spencerofalthorp.com

Outdoor fun Foxton Locks, Gumley Road, Foxton LE16 7RA Contact: 01162 793686, canalrivertrust.org.uk

For the family Rookery Open Farm, Rookery Lane, Towcester NN12 7SJ Contact: 01604 864855 December 2020 25

TOURING UK SITES

3

Stamford

An engineering marvel: Foxton Locks

Club site

Set in a woodland clearing with walks and bike rides from the doorstep, this site has grass and hardstanding pitches but no toilet or shower facilities.

Pitches: 73

Site view “Barnsdale Gardens, designed

by Geoff Hamilton, is a great place to visit, and in the summer the open-air Shakespeare at Tolethorpe is superb.

Campers can walk from the site to The Cross Keys pub in King’s Cliffe, and on Thursdays the pub runs a curry delivery service to the site.”

Mark and Lynne Rudkin

Member view “We do lots of walks from here.

We very much like the area – Stamford and the villages are very reminiscent of the Cotswolds, with the golden stone.”

John Flood

Food & drink The Tobie Norris, 12 St Pauls Street, Stamford PE9 2BE Contact: 01780 753800, kneadpubs.co.uk/the-tobie-norris

Culture Kirby Hall, Off Kirby Lane, Corby NN17 3EN Contact: 01536 203230, english-heritage.org.uk

Outdoor fun Wakerley Great Wood (mountain biking trail), off A43 opposite the turn to the Club site, NN17 3BA Contact: forestryengland.uk

For the family Nene Extreme, The Wharf, Oundle PE8 4DE Contact: 01832 272050, neneextreme.co.uk

26 December 2020

BOOKING INFO For the latest details and opening information for all our sites, please see in Thornby, and Coton Manor camc.com

large car park provide the ingredients for a leisurely afternoon watching people mess about in boats.

Leaving the canal behind I push on to Bunkers Hill Farm CL, which sits close to the highest point in Northamptonshire; on clear days the views can stretch 35 miles to the north. Set on a 200-acre pedigree Suffolk sheep farm, the site is a former CL of the Year with an international clientele; regular visitors arrive every year from Germany, the Netherlands and South Africa, say owners Mike and Maureen Lill.

Centrally located, and within easy reach of the A14, Bunkers Hill Farm is also a convenient stop-over site, although it would be a shame to rush through: there’s a golf course on the doorstep, Northamptonshire’s reigning community pub of the year is only a mile away

Garden, the Nation’s Favourite Garden (as voted by The English Garden magazine and National Garden Scheme) is just a little farther on.

Heading east, it’s not long before the road passes Kirby Hall, a striking 17th-century stately home run by English Heritage. The house has perfectly preserved walls, but is missing most of its windows and roof, giving it a spooky appearance. In normal times – and if I had a pound for every time I heard that phrase during 2020 my towcar would be a Bentley – the house and its formal gardens would be irresistible, but Covid-19 precautions mean tickets have to be pre-booked, so my impromptu visit means I can do no more than gaze over the garden walls.

Twenty minutes down the road I arrive at Stamford Club site, the third hill-top www.camc.com

4

Wagtail Country Park Affiliated Site

A quiet, rural site set around a fishing lake. Good facilities, hardstanding pitches and even a socially-distanced cinema for entertainment.

Pitches: 62

Site view “In normal times there are lots of events at Newark Showground, and there are lots of local attractions including Belton House and Belvoir Castle.”

Susan Biddle

Holmes Garden Photos / Alamy

Member view

Coton Manor Garden

campsite of this tour so far. Set within Fineshade Wood’s dense curtain of broadleaf trees, the site has no shower or toilet facilities, providing the ideal, tranquil hangout for self-sufficient campers.

www.camc.com

Food & drink Belton Garden Centre, Belton, Grantham NG32 2LN Contact: 01476 563700, beltongardencentre.co.uk

Andrew Baskott / Alamy

Culture

A CHANGE OF SCENE

Belton House, Grantham NG32 2LS (Sat-nav: NG32 2LW) Contact: 01476 566116, nationatrust.org.uk

Outdoor fun Easton Walled Gardens, Easton, Grantham NG33 5AP Contact: 01476 530063, visiteaston.co.uk

17th-century Kirby Hall

For the family Ian Dagnall / Alamy

I’m touring on the cusp of a new season, with the calendar about to flip from September to October; when the sun shines and red kites wheel overhead it’s summer, but when clouds cluster above autumn takes over.

Stamford’s relief Site Managers, Mark and Lynne Rudkin, live locally and are full of advice on great days out. There are mountain bike trails in neighbouring Wakerley Woods, plus easy walking and cycling for everyone at Rutland Water.

Just north of the giant reservoir is Barnsdale Gardens, forever connected with

“It’s a quiet site in nice surroundings with friendly people. We like the OK Diner on the A1, and an ice cream van even visits the site!”

Deborah Askew and Cheryl Blakemore

Woolsthorpe Manor, Water Lane, Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth NG33 5PD Contact: 01476 860338, nationatrust.org.uk

December 2020 27

TOURING UK SITES

Elizabethan Burghley House

5

Skegness Sands Affiliated Site

A mix of grass and hardstanding pitches just a couple of miles from the attractions of Skegness.

Pitches: 75

Site view “We’re a very popular, busy site, so book well ahead.

There are lovely walks along the beach and at Gibraltar Point, and in November there are all the baby seals on the beach at Donna Nook, and a lot of people come to see them.”

John Hawkin

Dave Vowdon / Alamy

The Red Arrows

Rutland Water

Food & drink The View Café Bar, Winthorpe Avenue, Skegness PE25 1QY Contact: 01754 764235, theviewcafebar.co.uk

Culture The Village Church Farm, Church Road South, Skegness PE25 2HF Contact: 01754 766658

Outdoor fun Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Gibraltar Road, Skegness PE24 4SU Contact: 01754 898057, lincstrust.org.uk

For the family Fantasy Island, Sea Lane, Ingoldmells, Skegness PE25 1RH Contact: 01754 871944, fantasyislandresort.co.uk

28 December 2020

nagelestock.com / Alamy

Member view “We come here every year for the location and just chilling out, with direct access to the beach, and sometimes we bring the grandkids.”

Wayne Dorey

Geoff Hamilton (of BBC Gardeners’ World fame), where 38 different gardens cater for every taste. There’s a good tearoom in which to mull over the green-fingered ideas. “And, of course, Burghley House is unmissable,” says Mark. This magnificent Elizabethan mansion, built in 1598 by Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth I’s Principal Secretary and Lord Treasurer, generously opens its sweeping parkland for free, making it the perfect place for a walk and picnic.

The house itself is worthy of half a day’s exploration, the upstairs treasures (especially paintings) rivalled by the gleaming copper pans of the downstairs kitchens. Burghley’s Garden of Surprises, a mix of sculptures and water features, proves to be great fun, particularly with children who squeal as they leap over fountains and get sprayed by jets of water from concealed cannons.

It’s a lengthy walk through parkland from Burghley House to the town of Stamford, but definitely worth the effort for the shopping opportunities, river meadows and the gorgeous Georgian architecture, much of it in honeyed limestone.

With Stamford built on the old Great North Road, it seems appropriate to follow the A1 north to Grantham, where the Affiliated Site of Wagtail Country Park sits just to the north of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s home town. The site’s list of visitor information and attractions is almost as long as its single-track driveway, with manager Susan Biddle providing an encyclopaedic guide to local supermarkets, pubs, fish and chip shops, museums and stately homes.

The National Trust’s Belton House is very close by, and boasts a fantastic adventure playground, while the café in www.camc.com

“

When the peace is broken it’s shattered in dramatic fashion Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

6

”

Sutton-on-Sea Club site

About a mile’s walk from the coast, this peaceful site offers excellent access to beach walks and flat bike rides.

Pitches: 108

Site view “You can cycle along the sea wall promenade all the way from Sutton-onSea to Mablethorpe and Skegness. The North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point is a great place to visit.”

Tracey Allison

MoD Crown copyright 2018

Member view

Belton Garden Centre shoots straight to number one in the charts for the best ever selection of cakes.

LOOK TO THE SKIES

There’s entertainment at Wagtail, too, with pitches circled around a fishing lake, and a pop-up, socially-distanced cinema in a marquee. The site is blissfully calm, although when the peace is broken it’s shattered in dramatic fashion– the Red Arrows are stationed nearby at RAF Scampton (and due to move even closer to RAF Waddington), while Typhoons fly out of RAF Coningsby, home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Lucky campers may see the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster bomber fly over.

An Avro Lancaster bomber also rumbles along the runway at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, its four Merlin engines providing a visceral thrill to military www.camc.com

Jolly Fisherman statue, Skegness

“We like walking along the wild coast and we do a bit of bird watching, too, and this area is very good for that. At night time the stars are amazing.”

Kevin Brannigan

Food & drink The Red Lion, Hogsthorpe Road, Mumby, Alford LN13 9SD Contact: 01507 490391, theredlionmumby.business.site

Culture On Your Marques Model Car Collection, Thrumber Marsh Lane, Mumby LN13 9TL Contact: 01507 490066, on-your-marques.com

Outdoor fun Big Sky Alpacas, The Cottage, Fen Lane, Beesby LN13 0JQ Contact: 07944 103496, bigskyalpacas.co.uk

For the family Jump Warriors, Anchor Lane, Ingoldmells PE25 1LY Contact: 01754 804444, jumpwarriors.co.uk

December 2020 29

TOURING UK SITES

7 The Stables Certificated Location This secure, gated paddock has 12m grass pitches, each with an electric hook-up, plus men’s and women’s toilet and shower facilities. It’s on the main bus route from Skegness and Louth to Mablethorpe and Grimsby.

Contact: 07538 057713

Owner view “It’s a lovely, friendly, peaceful site. Our guests go for walks from here – tracks across the fields will take you to Mablethorpe – and use it as a base for exploring further afield.”

Philip Grimshaw

Food & drink The Stables Bar & Restaurant, Grange Farm Park, Maltby le Marsh, Alford LN13 0JP Contact: 01507 451061, grangefarmpark.co.uk

National Trust Images/John Millar

Culture Gunby Estate Hall & Gardens, Gunby, Spilsby PE23 5SS Contact: 01754 890102, nationaltrust.org.uk

Outdoor fun Lincolnshire Aqua Park, Grange Leisure Park, Alford Road, Mablethorpe LN12 1NE Contact: 07950 620961, lincolnshireaquapark.co.uk

For the family Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary & Wildlife Centre, Quebec Road, North End, Mablethorpe LN12 1QG Contact: 01507 473346, thesealsanctuary.com

30 December 2020

buffs with £350 to spare for a ride in its cockpit, or in one of the turrets.

I next roll into Skegness having endeared myself to the locals, who have been sitting behind me in traffic. Even on a wet afternoon, the beach looks fantastic – miles of sand stretching northwards, with abundant space for walkers and families, and toddlers oblivious to the rain as they dig.

A Tripadvisor review leads me away from the beach to the cheap and cheerful Cosy Corner for a slap-up, all-day breakfast, before I point the bonnet towards the next Club site.

The piped pop music and neon lights of seafront attractions do their best to spark life into the lacklustre day, but darkness is required for them to truly transform Skegness into ‘Skeg Vegas’.

Skegness Sands Affiliated Site sits a couple of miles to the north, far enough away to find peace amid the sound of waves and gulls, but close enough to offer an easy walk along the promenade into town or north to

Ingoldmells. A gate leads directly to the beach, and the plumb pitches in summer are surely those on the grass paddock that look straight out to sea.

In autumn, campers retreat to the hardstanding pitches, with the site popular all year; the packed-out summer shows no signs of abating in early October, and Site Manager Barbara Enderby says that by 2 January pitches will already be booked for the following New Year.

There’s a beachfront café and restaurant within a very short walk of Skegness Sands, as well as a fish and chip shop and small grocery store, so all bases are well covered. Meanwhile, a bus shuttles to and from the town centre for campers who don’t fancy the walk.

BESIDE THE SEA

Bidding farewell to the resort I drive north, past fleets of static caravans and the huge Fantasy Island theme park, dominated by its www.camc.com

“

There’s a beachfront café and restaurant within a very short walk of Skegness Sands

John Hopkins/Al

amy

roller coaster, a towering tangle of scream-inducing ironmongery. The road skirts a succession of seaside resorts, the success of Skegness, Ingoldmells, Chapel St Leonards, Sandilands, Sutton-on-Sea and Mablethorpe built on the endless Lincolnshire sands.

Each town has its own distinct character; Sutton-on-Sea’s website explains, for example: “Although Sutton-on-Sea is a popular seaside destination it has retained the character of a coastal village and doesn’t have funfairs or arcades. All of this and more can be found in the adjacent town of Mablethorpe.”

Promoting itself as a base for people who want a more peaceful, restful holiday, Sutton-on-Sea, with its rows of beach huts and colourful flowerbeds, is a genteel resort, which has a slight sense of being

www.camc.com

”

a place that time forgot. The beach is vast, a carpet of soft sand stretching as far as the eye can see. About a mile inland, the Club site avoids even the low-key bustle of town, facing west to deliver spectacular sunsets over the flat hinterland.

“A lot of people come here who like to walk and cycle,” says site manager Tracey Allison as, right on cue, a couple on a tandem and a family of four with two dogs pass the reception.

The final stop on this East Midlands tour has me turning inland to The Stables CL at Maltby-le-Marsh. The tree-lined grassy paddock with a nature-rich pond is very well equipped for a small site, with men’s and women’s toilet and shower facilities as well as electric hook-ups.

Owner Philip Grimshaw moved here from Stoke-on-Trent four years ago, and discovered the caravan and motorhome community for the first time. “It’s changed my life, I absolutely love it, it’s such a social world,” he says.

After seven sites, 150 miles, mouthwatering treats, Elizabethan masterpieces and an endless sandy coastline, there’s only one thing to add: “Hear, hear!”

Cycling | Water Rail Way Coursing 15 miles from Woodhall Spa to Lincoln, this flat and predominantly traffic-free route on the National Cycle Network is a scenic introduction to the Lincolnshire Fens. As well as the surrounding wetland environments and the nature-rich reed beds of Fiskerton Fen, you’ll see a series of artworks inspired by the poetry of Tennyson, before Lincolns’s cathedral signals the end of your ride.

Information: sustrans.org.uk/ find-a-route-on-the-national-cyclenetwork/water-rail-way/

Lincs County Council

Susie Kearley / Alamy

Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary

Walking | Lincolnshire Use the ViewRanger walking app to enjoy a wide range of walking routes in Lincolnshire and beyond. Following the seven-day free trial, Club members save 12% on a PREMIUM + Ordnance Survey Maps for Great Britain subscription with ViewRanger.

See camc.com/viewranger for details.

December 2020 31

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It offersFULL FULLadjustment adjustmentto tothe thetyre tyretread treadand and offers offers FULL adjustment to the tyre tread and pressureand andisissuitable suitablefor forALL ALLlarge largesingle single pressure pressure and is& suitable ALLtwin-axle large single axlecaravans caravans mediumfor sized up axle & medium sized twin-axle axle caravans & medium sized twin-axleup up to1800kg.

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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 – please check with the CL owner before booking.

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

NEW CLS ENGLAND

CRAVEN ARMS (3.2m NNW) – Glenburrell Farm, Norman Jones, Horderley, Craven Arms SY7 8HT. 52.470411; -2.865384. 01566 638218; 07816 875233; 07971 252069; ncj51@ btinternet.com. Open 1 Mar- 31 Oct; 1.5 acres; dogs; grass; 16A; max o’fit length 7.5mtrs; fr £15 (pitch + 2 adults).

WALES

MONMOUTHSHIRE

CHEPSTOW (6.2m W) – Argoed Farm CL, Philip and Susan Smith, Shirenewton NP16 6AP. 51.64499, -2.777615. 01291 641307; 07756 195020; philsmith030456@gmail.com.

OAY; 2 acres; dogs; adv bkg req; sloping pitches; levelling blocks req; grass; 16A; peaceful; views; dog walk fr site; public trans in 1m; pub in 1m; coarse fishing in 5m; golf in 5m; fr £15 (pitch + 2 adults).

UPDATES

IMPORTANT: Nightly fees may differ from those published in the

Above: the River Ribble, Settle Right: Chepstow Castle

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.

253 CONISTON – The Church House Inn. Site now has electric hook-ups.

1465 ORFORD – Chillesford.

Postcode correction: IP12 3PS September Magazine ATTLEBOROUGH – Broadmarsh Farm. This CL is not adults only and is not a waterside CL. October Magazine SOLIHULL – Brookhouse Farm. Now open all year.

November Magazine BEWDLEY – Nash End. No max outfit length.

e

SHROPSHIRE

DavidMartyn/Dreamstim

SETTLE (6.6m NE) – The Rowe House, Mr Robert and Mrs Jane Burdette, Horton in Ribblesdale BD24 0HT. 54.092074, -2.180464. 01729 860070; 07816 176500; stay@therowe househorton.co.uk. OAY; 0.5 acres; dogs; adv bkg req; grass; 16A; fr £20 (pitch + all occupants).

PeterShaw/Dreamstime

NORTH YORKSHIRE

CLOSURES

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

439 NEWTON ABBOTT – Mrs S Wilton, Hows Farm 824 GARSTANG – Mr David Simpson, Middle Crimbles Farm 940 MABLETHORPE – Mr G Harding, Ivy Dene Caravan Site 1311 SHREWSBURY – Mr Chris Pinches, Eastridge Caravan Park 1424 BECCLES – Mr S Sparrow, H E Hipperson Ltd

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.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

See camc.com for the latest site and CL information and follow official UK Government (gov.uk) and local government guidelines at all times. Please note: routes provided by autoroutes or satellite navigation systems may include roads unsuitable for vehicles towing trailers or caravans. There may also be specific width or height restrictions. For caravanfriendly 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.

December 2020 33

ACTIVITY BREAKS ANGLING

LET’S GO...

Fly fishing Jonathan Manning chills out, immerses himself in nature and rediscovers the joy of angling

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allop! The water swirls, there’s a silvery flash, a slight splash, and then the tip of my rod is yanked double.

In an instant I understand what all the fuss is about.

Five minutes earlier, standing thigh-deep in chilly water with 11 square kilometres of reservoir before me, I had been beginning to wonder. Fly fishing had seemed quite straightforward in the classroom – how hard can it be to outwit a trout? – but wading through the shallows of Rutland Water had made the epic scale of the lake apparent. Suddenly, finding a fish felt like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

And why should the artificial fly on the end of my line, about half the size of a fingernail, look any tastier to a trout

34 December 2020

than Mother Nature’s bountiful buffet of pupae, shrimp, nymph, fry and flying insect? This, I supposed, explained why the sport is called ‘fishing’, rather than ‘catching’.

Last time I fished there was a 19 at the start of the year, but spare time during lockdown and the search for a socially-distanced outdoor activity drew me back to the water. And I’m not alone. The Environment Agency reported in August that over 100,000 more people have been fishing this year, with rod licence sales up by nearly a fifth compared to the same time in 2019.

Plus, the TV hit of the summer was surely Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, the bucolic series that followed comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse as they fished their way around the UK. It looks as though fishing can be good for you too. Interestingly, the gentle programme celebrated the blissful waterside locations and

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the camaraderie of two friends as much as the fishing itself. As the show revealed, a shared activity can make it easier (for men in particular) to talk, and according to Mental Health Foundation Director Dr Antonis Kousoulis, “Growing evidence suggests that spending time in ‘green’ and ‘blue’ spaces has a very positive effect on our mental health, providing protective and restorative benefits.”

BACK TO SCHOOL

All of which leads me to a classroom above the fishing lodge at Rutland Water for a day’s course to relearn the art of fly fishing. My instructor is the kindly Peter Hartley – I so wished his initials were ‘J R’ in tribute to the old Yellow Pages advert – who swiftly demystifies what can be a baffling sport. Fly fishing, he says, uses a hook dressed typically with feather or fur, which acts as a lure to catch

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game fish, such as trout and salmon. Present this ‘fly’ on the nose of a rainbow trout and it will take a bite, says Peter.

“There are books and videos online explaining all sorts of details about flies and tactics, but the rainbow is basically the Labrador of the fish world – it will eat anything,” he says, opening a box of artificial flies that range from life-like pupae, shrimp and daddy longlegs to lurid Halloween monsters.

The skill lies in presenting the fly at the right height in the water and the right speed to entice the fish. But first

December 2020

35

ACTIVITY BREAKS ANGLING Peter Hartley: Jonathans instructor

BOOK

ON TH E

CAST AWAY

A PP

Three more fly fishing venues to consider...

Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire The East Midlands boasts some of the best lake- and reservoir-based fly fishing in the country, with Grafham Water among the very finest for anglers of all abilities. A beginner’s course costs £88.

Info: anglianwater parks.co.uk/grafhamwater-park Stay: Grafham Water Club site Chew Valley Lake, Somerset First class fly fishing makes this relatively shallow, scenic reservoir a prolific hunting ground for anglers from the shore and from boats.

A five-hour lesson costs £70.

Info: bristolwater fisheries.com/lakes/ chew-valley-lake Stay: Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park AS Esthwaite Water, Cumbria This 280-acre water in the heart of the Lake District is well stocked with trout. A full day’s tuition costs £103, and includes boat fishing instruction.

Info: hawkshead trout.com Stay: Coniston Park Coppice Club site Please check with all venues in advance with regard to opening and other restrictions

36 December 2020

INFORMATION

See camc.com for the latest site information and follow official UK Government (gov.uk) and local government guidelines at all times.

A one-day beginner’s fly fishing course at Rutland Water costs £88.

Visit: anglianwaterparks.co.uk/fishing/learn-fish Stay: Rutland Caravan and Camping Site AS Please check with any venues mentioned in advance with regard to restrictions and opening times.

“

Swans glide by, mallards squabble in the shallows and gulls wheel overhead you need to cast, which is no easy feat given the lack of float or lead shot to carry the line. In fly fishing, the weight of the line itself has to generate the momentum for the fly to reach your quarry.

Casting involves a metronomic whip of the rod forwards and backwards, starting with a smooth acceleration from the 10 o’clock to 12 o’clock position, followed by ‘false casts’ of short, firm movements between 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock, before shooting the line forward. In the hands of a skilled angler it looks easy and graceful; in the mitts of a beginner it’s a whisker away from a flying tangle of knots.

Out in a grassy paddock, with no hook attached to the line, Peter counts a steady rhythm, while I snap the rod to and fro. Within a few minutes the line starts to unfurl in a smoothish arc – not nearly as far as Peter can throw it, but far enough to cover trout territory on the reservoir. It’s time to go fishing.

INTO THE WATER

Wading into the reservoir I’m struck by the clarity of the water and relieved that my waders are completely watertight. With the wind at my back, the first cast carries to a reed bed, the brightly coloured fly line floating across the dark surface and the fly bobbing beyond at the tip of the ‘leader’ (a length of monofilament line about the same length as the rod). Peter has doubled my chances by attaching to my leader a floating ‘booby’, which

”

resembles a fish fry, and a sinking gold-ribbed ‘hare’s ear’ that mimics a nymph. I slowly retrieve the flies via a figure-of-eight movement with the fingers of my left hand. The line spools into loops on the reservoir – in this type of fly fishing the reel is simply for storing line.

Swans glide by, mallards squabble in the shallows and gulls wheel overhead. Out in the reservoir pairs of trout fishermen drift in small boats, the buzz of outboard engines signalling a change of location. As ripples wash against my waders, the cast and retrieve action become hypnotic. I’m both literally and figuratively immersed in nature, extraneous thoughts banished as I concentrate on the flies.

Trying to establish the depth at which the trout are feeding I wait five, then 10, then 15 seconds after casting before starting my retrieve, until wallop – the trout strikes, the rod bends savagely and a cocktail of adrenaline shoots through my veins. The next three or four minutes are intoxicating – relinquishing line when the fish pulls hard, and retrieving line when it swims towards me. Finally, the trout exhausts itself and Peter scoops it up in a net. That’s dinner sorted and my appetite whetted for the next fly fishing outing.

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November 2016 XX

FOREIGN TOURING FRANCE

1

Huttopia Versailles This site is a short bus ride – or bike trip – from Versailles, making it a great base for discovery.

Pitches: 100

PARIS Heidi Fuller-Love explores Île-de-France, including the Palace of Versailles – truly the equal of the capitals wonders

Culture

About France

Palace of Versailles, Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles Contact: chateauversailles.fr, 0033 1 30 83 78 00

Outdoor fun Golf de Saint-Marc, Chemin de Viltain, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas Contact: golfsaintmarc.com, 0033 1 30 97 25 25

For the family Atelier des Lumières (lights workshop’), 38 Rue Saint Maur, 75 011 Paris Contact: atelier-lumieres.com, 0033 1 80 98 46 00

38 December 2020

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charming cafés and cobbled streets packed with shops selling everything from bric-abrac to antique furnishings, the best way to see Versailles is to take a specially-designed walking trail.

Following the ‘Notre-Dame’ route, we visited the opulent, 18th-century Théâtre Montansier, where the royals used to watch their favourite plays, and the magnificent Royal Stables, once home to more than 2,000 horses. This fascinating trail ends at the Musée Lambinet, a marvellous museum packed with furniture, ceramics and artworks dating back to the French Revolution.

CITY OF LIGHTS

Since Huttopia Versailles is only an hour’s train ride from the centre of Paris, we couldn’t resist spending a few days in the world’s most romantic city.

After a magical visit to Paris Story – an interactive museum where a holographic image of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame author Victor Hugo whisked us away on a tour of 2,000 years of the city’s history – we set out on a food tour with local company Paris By Mouth.

Strolling through the trendy Marais district, we stopped to sample some of the world’s best croissants at award-winning bakery Tout Autour Du Pain, and then sampled cheeses – including delicious

Kevin Carvalho / Alamy

Food & drink Trianon Palace hotel, 1 Boulevard de la Reine, 78000 Versailles Contact: trianonpalace.fr, 0033 1 30 84 50 00

urrounded by ornamental shrubs, fountains, lakes and sculptures, the honey stone walls of the Palace of Versailles gleamed in the sunlight ahead of us. Given the grandeur of the ‘Sun King’s’ stunning residence, it’s hard to believe that Louis XIV’s magnificent abode was once a humble hunting lodge surrounded by stinking marshes.

We’d arrived a day earlier at our campsite, Huttopia Versailles. In the heart of dense forest but within easy reach of the city, it was an ideal first stop on our week-long tour of the Île-de-France region. We spent a wonderful morning gasping at intricate tapestries from the Manufacture Royale des Gobelins and gawping at sculptures and other artworks by some of the era’s greatest creators.

We ended on a high note with the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Built by Louis as a demonstration of his wealth and power, this breathtaking room, which once linked the King’s and Queen’s apartments, contains more than 350 mirrors. On a darker note, at the end of the tour we learned that the Venetians who created them were assassinated when they returned home for giving their secrets away.

Slipping out of one of the side gates we bought some pork pâté rillettes and a crisp baguette for a picnic on the banks of the Grand Canal, where kids messed about in rowing boats.

After an afternoon spent trying to spot the ghost of Marie Antoinette at the rumoured-to-be-haunted ‘Petit Trianon’ (a grand house in the palace grounds), we headed next door to the Trianon Palace hotel to join in the French ritual of ‘Le Goûter’. This chic establishment is one of the best places in the country to enjoy the French version of afternoon tea, and we feasted to bursting on the pyramid of handcrafted pastries.

The following day we returned to explore more of the city. With its bustling markets,

Magical Paris www.camc.com

MATCH

About France

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Palace of Versailles

www.camc.com

Please keep up to date with current travel guidelines on the Government website (gov.uk) and visit our website (camc.com) for foreign travel updates and information.

We also recommend that you check with businesses/attractions that are listed regarding opening dates/restrictions.

December 2020 39

FOREIGN TOURING FRANCE

2

Caravaning des Quatre Vents

Illustration: Louise Turpin

In the pretty village of Crèvecoeur-en-Brie, this beautifully maintained site is the perfect base for visiting Disneyland Paris .

Pitches: 200

Site view

Culture

For the family Grévin Museum (waxworks), 10 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris Contact: grevin-paris.com, 0033 1 47 70 85 05

40 December 2020

Both campsites are closed for winter – but are open for 2021.

Visit camc.com or call 01342 316101.

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Outdoor fun River cruise with Canauxrama, Canal Saint Martin, 13 Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris Contact: canauxrama.com, 0033 1 42 39 15 00

The following day we headed for our second site, Caravanning des Quatre Vents at the heart of the Seine-et-Marne region, to the west and south-west of Paris. Apart from the fact it has excellent facilities (including a swimming pool and petanque court), this lovely campsite is just a 15-minute shuttle ride from Disneyland Paris – the campsite will even book your tickets for you and have them ready when you arrive.

With attractions ranging from the sea-themed Pirates of the Caribbean ride, to the Curious Labyrinth filled with characters from Alice in Wonderland, this magical park was a great K WIT OO place to end our stay in Île de France.

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Château de Blandy-Les-Tours, Place des Tours, 77115 Blandy-les-Tours Contact: chateau-blandy.fr, 0033 1 60 59 17 80

WONDERLAND

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La Closerie des Lilas Cafe, 171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris Contact: closeriedeslilas.fr, 0033 1 40 51 34 50

deliciously creamy rum-scented foie gras was prepared “in just the same way as Monsieur Hemingway used to order it when he was here.”

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Food & drink

speciality truffle-studded brie – at Fromagerie Jouannault. After one too many sips of crisp organic wine at BiBoViNo, we staggered out laden with purchases and ended our tour with a delicious dessert of macaroons from celebrated pastry shop Pierre Hermé.

To work off the calories the next day we headed out with Paris Bike to discover some of the cobbled nooks and hidden crannies of the city’s Left Bank. Home of the Eiffel Tower and the Sorbonne, this is the arty heart of Paris.

Feeling like extras from the movie, Amélie, we rumbled over the cobblestones behind our guide, stopping off at iconic spots such as Les Deux Magots, where James Joyce, Pablo Picasso and many more loved to spend their afternoons, and Lapérouse, an elegant restaurant where greats – including Victor Hugo and George Sand – came to write.

We spent the rest of the day strolling along the Quai St-Michel and browsing antique shops and book stores along the rue Saint-André des Arts, then followed tree-shaded streets to the glorious Jardin des Plantes. The city’s main source for medicinal plants back in the 17th century, this massive botanical garden is a real feast for flora lovers.

That evening we splurged and had dinner at La Closerie des Lilas. This cosy café, which dates back to the 19th century, became famous during the 1920s and ’30s when it become a favourite watering hole for writers ranging from F Scott Fitzgerald to Ernest Hemingway.

The menu has hardly changed since Hemingway’s day and the waiter assured us that the pan-fried fillet of beef that followed our

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“Do make sure to visit the mediaeval city of Provins and don’t miss visiting some of our wonderful castles such as Vaux Le Vicomte, Blandy-les-Tours or Fontainebleau.”

Mr George

FIDEN

camc.com/confidence

MEMBER SINCE...

Motorhomer Heidi Fuller-Love joined the Club in 2017

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NE W Simply enter the size and weight of your motorhome or towing outfit and the Avtex Tourer Two (Caravan and Motorhome Club Edition) with its new advanced Dual Core Processor will guide you to your destination avoiding height, width and weight restricted roads.

Providing you with route warnings such as sharp bends or steep hills, the Avtex Tourer Two will even advise you of traffic jams and offer alternate routes when available.

Satellite Navigation for Caravans & Motorhomes • 7” Frameless Display (pinch-to-zoom) • New Dual Core processor for complete enhanced performance • Enhanced Specific routing for Caravans & Motorhomes – Customised routes created for the size and weight of your caravan or motorhome.

– Camper specific speed limits tailored to your vehicle.

• Road Warnings – Caravan / Motorhomes specific road warnings for bridge heights, weight limits, sharp curves, steep grades, narrow roads and more.

– Elevation map tool – be prepared for upcoming steep gradiants.

Unlimited updates for Safety camera alerts.

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– Get information about prices, facilities, terrain, maximum number of places and more and filter by amenities. Contains pictures of most of the sites.

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November 2016 XX

K WIT OO

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TOURING OVERSEAS TRAVEL

FIDEN

Find out more at: camc.com/ worldwide

Choose from one of our two escorted motorhome adventures in magical Canada

NATURAL

THE CANADIAN ROCKIES Your epic Canadian adventure (which is overseen by experienced local tour leaders) begins in Calgary, where you’ll find cool restaurants, a vibrant music scene and the iconic Calgary Tower.

After picking up your motorhome you’ll set off for beautiful Banff National Park (pictured above) in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Here you can see Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon, where the creek has cut through the limestone to form impressive pools, waterfalls and tunnels.

Another option is a gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.

On days 6 and 7 you will take in views of lakes, glaciers, forests and hills on your journey along the famed Icefields Parkway towards Jasper – keep an eye out for deer and black bears along the way. Be sure to take in the famous Peyto Lake – and what about embarking on a glacier tour on the Columbia Icefield?

More wildlife-spotting is in store as you leave the province of Alberta for Wells Gray Provincial Park in British Columbia – renowned for its black bears, grizzlies, moose, wolves and cougars.

We recommend visits to Dawson Falls and Helmcken Falls, both of which plunge into beautiful, mist-filled gorges.

Next up is Sun Peaks. Famous as a ski area, it is equally impressive in summer, boasting opportunities for go-karting, mountain biking, horse riding and more.

As you approach the mid-point of this magical road trip you reach Cache Creek, where a visit to Historic Hat Creek Ranch gives you a flavour of life during the late 19th-century Gold Rush!

Next, we suggest a stop in the remarkable Joffre Lakes Provincial Park (where minerals in the water give the lakes a remarkable turquoise hue) on your way

to Whistler. Here, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola offers mesmerising views, while you could also opt for a ride in a seaplane.

It’s then on to Vancouver, pausing to admire Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You’ll have a full day to explore this extraordinary coastal city, where a trip to Stanley Park should be high on the agenda.

Heading once again for Alberta, you can visit the wineries or orchards of the glorious Okanagan Valley, before Mount Revelstoke, Glacier and Kootenay National Parks offer further feasts for the senses. As you return the keys in Calgary, take a moment to reflect on the journey of a lifetime.

Lake Louise

Duration/type: 25 days/escorted motorhome tour Departure: 29 May 2021, 5 Sep 2021, 24 May 2022 Price: from £3,999pp for 29 May 2021 departure (based on two sharing) Price includes: outfit hire, return flights, tour leaders, transfers, two nights in a centrally located Calgary hotel, welcome dinner, 21 nights pre-booked campsites, barbecue dinner, unlimited mileage, kitchen equipment, linen, road book with travel tips and driving itinerary

For more information on this tour please visit camc.com/worldwide or call 01342 488059 42 December 2020

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Ken Gillespie Photography / Alamy

SELECTION VANCOUVER ISLAND AND THE SUNSHINE COAST Experienced local guides will keep an eye out for you every step of the way during this remarkable motorhome tour, which takes in the exhilarating scenery of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

Having arrived in Vancouver on Canadas west coast, you will have a couple of days to explore this cosmopolitan city. Take the chance to see the market and workshops of Granville Island or visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Its then time to pick up your motorhome and stock up on groceries before boarding the ferry to magnificent Vancouver Island, where youll have the chance to explore Victorias inner harbour and surrounding Parliament Buildings.

On Day 6 you will enjoy incredible ocean views as you drive along the Malahat Drive towards Nanaimo. You could perhaps stop to admire the totem poles of Duncan or pause in Chemainus to view its colourful murals. From Nanaimo (we recommend the market where goats can be seen grazing on the roof!) you will wind your way through the Douglas fir

Along the Sea to Sky Highway trees of Cathedral Grove and onwards to the west coast of the island. On arrival in Ucluelet you have the delights of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on your doorstep and the opportunity to go whale or bear watching, fishing, kayaking or zip lining.

You now head north-east for Campbell River, a wonderful natural playground known as the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’ – Discovery Pier is a well-known wildlifespotting point.

Boarding the ferry in Comox, it’s time to head across the Strait of Georgia once again to Powell River in the northern region of British Columbias renowned Sunshine Coast. Why not take a cruise from Lund into

Desolation Sound for the chance to spot whales, sea lions, porpoises and more?

Further highlights of this remarkable region include Earls Cove, where you can see the Harmony Falls, and Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park where you can view tidal whirlpools and white water.

Following another ferry you have the opportunity to drive the magical Sea to Sky Highway, admiring fjords, ocean views, mountains and waterfalls on your way to the famous ski region of Whistler.

More scenic delights await on the road to Burnaby before you return your motorhome in Vancouver and fly home.

Duration/type: 20 days/escorted motorhome tour Departure: 11 Sep 2021, 5 Sep 2022 Price: from £3,899pp for 11 Sep 2021 departure (based on two sharing) Price includes: outfit hire, return flights, tour leaders, transfers, 3 nights in a centrally located hotel in Vancouver, welcome dinner, 15 nights’ pre-booked campsites, barbecue dinner, unlimited mileage, personalised road book with travel tips and day-to-day driving itinerary with local area info

For more information on this tour please visit camc.com/worldwide or call 01342 488059 www.camc.com

December 2020 43

NEWS OVERSEAS TRAVEL

Are you ready to travel in 2021?

EUROPEAN TRAVEL BROCHURE

We dont want to dampen your enthusiasm as you plan next years European breaks, but, as the Brexit transition period comes to an end, you need to be aware of some important changes to travel arrangements. Check out the following and visit camc.com/brexit for more information DRIVING

PASSPORTS

VISAS

Your European Health Insurance Card may no longer be valid from 1 January 2021. You should ensure you have appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you travel.

The government website says it is especially important you get the right cover “if you have a pre-existing medical condition”. You can find further guidance at gov.uk/guidance/ foreign-travel-insurance.

PETS

From 1 January 2021 you will not be able to use your existing pet passport.

You will have to follow a different process to take your pet to Europe and should contact your vet at least four months before travel.

MOBILE PHONES

From 1 January 2021 surcharge free roaming will no longer be guaranteed when travelling in the EU although the big network providers have said that they have no plans to change their charging structure at the moment. We recommend that you check with your network provider before travel.

At the time of going to print, Brexit negotiations were ongoing so please check gov.uk/transition for the most up-to-date information.

K WIT OO

N

H

HEALTHCARE

Tourists will not need a visa for short trips of up to 90 days in any 180 day period. If you plan to stay for longer than this please check gov.uk for info.

CO

Check your passport – you may need to renew it earlier than you expected if you want to travel to most places in Europe.

From 1 January 2021, on the day you travel, your passport must a) have at least six months left, and b) be less than 10 years old (even if it has six months or more left). The new restrictions do not apply to Ireland. You can check your passports validity using the gov.uk/checkpassport facility. Please note that burgundy passports – whether they have European Union on the cover or not – remain valid alongside the new blue passport.

PLEASE CHECK THE LATEST FOREIGN TRAVEL ADVICE AT CAMC.COM AND GOV.UK

E

From 1 January 2021 you may need extra documents to drive in Europe. These may include an International Driving Permit (IDP) relevant to your destination, a green cardʼ (International Certificate of Insurance) as proof of insurance and a GB sticker for your vehicle even if your registration plate has a GB identifier.

C

Visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before you travel abroad, especially for information regarding movement during the coronavirus pandemic. You can also sign up for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) email alerts – useful when you are on holiday

B

FOLLOW OFFICIAL ADVICE AT ALL TIMES

FIDEN

Find out more at: camc.com/confidence

Dreaming of the sandy beaches of Portugalʼs Atlantic coast, a winetasting tour of France or a kite-surfing adventure in southern Spain? Well we have the site for you on our overseas network – and you can book next years pitches right now! We have just launched the 2021 Caravan and Motorhome Holidays brochure to help you plan the perfect break – visit camc. com/brochures to read or download it (or to order a printed copy).

PLAN THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

Thinking of taking the plunge and travelling further afield in 2021 and 2022? The Club runs escorted and independent tours to some of the most incredible places on the planet, including Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Africa and the United States.

Visit camc.com/ brochures to read/download our latest Worldwide brochure or order a printed copy.

For information on touring in Europe and to book sites, ferries or Eurotunnel, see camc.com/overseas or call 01342 488101 44 December 2020

www.camc.com

Artem Evdokimov / Alamy

Beach of La Concha, San Sebastián, Spain

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SAVE WITH THE CLUB Membership of the Club gives you access to a host of savings from a wide variety of suppliers. Christmas is coming – check out these fantastic gift ideas and more at camc.com/memberoffers

SAVE 10% WITH SMARTGAMES

If you are looking for something to keep youngsters – or older tourers – amused in the caravan or during long car journeys, multi-level logic games from awardwinning manufacturer SmartGames could be the answer. Use the ‘Gift Finder’ facility on the company’s website to find the perfect present for a loved one, based on their age and interests. From ‘Bunny Boo’ to ‘IQ Twist’, there’s a puzzle for everyone. Find out more at camc.com/smartgames.

Discount on balance bikes Christmas hamper offer Filled with festive Cornish fare, a hamper from The Cornish Hamper Store makes the perfect gift for family or loved ones. Or why not simply treat yourself? See camc.com/the-cornishhamper-store to find out how you can save 10%.

Made for tiny adventures, Raleigh’s mini balance bikes are the perfect way to introduce youngsters to the world of cycling.

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The Sparkling Trio from Laithwaite’s is the perfect gift for a wine lover, and members save 20% and receive free delivery (a total saving of £16.99). The set comprises three popular, beautifully crafted sparkling wines, all presented in a luxury gift box. You can even add a personalised message! Find out more at camc.com/ laithwaites.

Terms and conditions apply to all member offers – see camc.com/memberoffers for details 46 December 2020

www.camc.com

Visitors enjoying Christmas at Wallington, Northumberland ©National Trust Images Paul Harris

JOJO MAMAN BÉBÉ Mother and baby boutique JoJo Maman Bébé –which offer clothes, nursery products, gifts and toys for under-sixes, plus maternity and nursing clothes and essentials – is offering members a 10% saving on its gift cards.

These can be used in store and online across the company’s range – perfect for parents, parents-to-be and grandparents. Find out more at camc.com/ jojomamanbebe.

Young Driver Gift Vouchers

Young Driver offers teenagers the chance to get behind the wheel of a real car before they’re legally allowed to take to the road. Members save 20% on Young Driver gift vouchers. Find out more at camc. com/youngdriver.

National Trust savings Save 8% on National Trust gift cards, which can be used in National Trust cafés, restaurants and gift shops (including the online shop), as well as towards National Trust membership.

Visit camc.com/nationaltrust for more details.

Gift ideas at Club Shop Members can save up to 10% on more than 3,000 products in our Club Shop. This month we take a look at a great range from National Geographic National Geographic products unlock the wonders of the world for explorers of all ages. Whether you fancy reaching for the stars, hunting for hidden treasure, or discovering the wildlife in your local park or garden, there’s a quality National Geographic product out there for you. Visit shop.camc.com and save 10% using promo code CS-0218-PRIMA. Here’s a taster of what’s available...

EXTREME EXPLORER KIT This exclusive set features a real metal detector with an adjustable handle and waterproof sensor head, plus a shaft-mounted torch. Also included is a tough drinking bottle, compass, real binoculars and a headlight so you can continue your adventures into the evening.

OUTDOOR EXPLORER KIT This kit includes a metal detector that lets you know when you have found a coin or other artefact with an audible signal and flashing light. Also included is a pair of rubber-armoured folding binoculars, while walkie talkies will help you stay in touch with fellow adventurers.

DELUXE EXPLORATION KIT As well as a powerful set of 10x magnification binoculars, this kit includes the National Geographic 76/350 Compact Telescope.

Offering magnification from 18x to 58x, the ‘Dobsonian’ mount means it can be placed on any convenient flat surface. A boosting lens increases magnification to a maximum of 117x.

Terms and conditions apply to all member offers and Club Shop purchases – see camc.com/memberoffers and shop.camc.com for details www.camc.com

December 2020

47

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camc.com/join camc.com/join *Existing *Existing members members are required are required to give to their give friend/family their friend/family consentconsent to use their to use membership their membership numbernumber to invite tothem invitetothem join the to join the Club online, Club online, on stand onor stand by phone. or by phone.

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Your £10 Your Club £10 gift Club voucher gift voucher will will then bethen automatically be automatically posted posted to you after to you their after membership their membership has been hasconfirmed. been confirmed. xx July 2020 www.camc.com

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

Editor’s note: Thanks very much for the feedback Julian. Any members interested in a towing or motorhome manoeuvring course should visit camc.com/training for information.

National pride This week we received a very disappointing email. The decision had to be made – no National next year. Knowing the forward planning that goes into this event, we totally agree with the decision. We have enjoyed all the Nationals over the last 40 odd years – Scottish, Irish, English and definitely the Welsh.

We used to arrive on a Friday evening to well-laid-out fields, sports pitches, shops and marquees. Depart on the Tuesday without a thought of what we were leaving behind.

After helping at numerous Welsh Nationals, about 10 years ago we joined the Working Party of the [big] National. What www.camc.com

an eye-opener. We arrived in a beautiful location, often at a stately home. Miles of green, empty parkland. Slowly a town was built by Club volunteers.

Well over 1,000 pitches marked out, water piped around the site and, lately, electric laid on for all ralliers! Marquees erected and an arena prepared.

The volunteers worked throughout the rally, and when ralliers had left, a few days later the parkland was restored.

All this work was carried out to a lesser degree at the other regional Nationals. The friendships formed across the United Kingdom on these rallies are invaluable and have carried us through this awful year.

Hoping to see you all, Working Party and ralliers, in 2022!

Ann Matthews, via email

Send your letters to: enquiries@camc.com or magazine@camc.com.

Please note: Star Letter prize will be posted as soon as possible.

What the Club is about

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

We have just moved from towing the car behind the motorhome to a caravan, and both attended the Practical Caravanning course with [instructor] Pete near Salisbury.

I have been towing for some 40 years, including boats, gliders and horse boxes and went along mainly to keep my wife company. But this ‘old dog’ certainly learnt more than a few ‘new tricks’!

We feel much more comfortable on the road and when manoeuvring, plus, with Pete’s advice, have resolved a feeling of instability in our outfit when towing. Looking forward to the 5% discount on Club insurance we have now earned.

We think that attendance on this course or similar should be mandatory for all caravanners. On our journey home we were overtaken by two vans travelling at well over 60mph and driving far too close to the vehicles in front. We now ‘tut’ at such misdemeanours and stay well clear of potential accidents. I would urge any member who has not yet attended to sign up, no matter how long you have been towing (and possibly picking up bad habits!)

Julian Tope, Somerset

CORRESPONDENCE YOUR VIEWS

SEEING DOUBLE?

After reading your magazine dated August 2020, the front cover [below] inspired me to paint the picture of Mevagissey, Cornwall.

I really hope you like it.

We were going to Australia earlier this year and had booked a campervan to tour from Sydney to Melbourne, but alas Covid-19 put paid to that.

However we did manage a trip to North Yorkshire for two weeks – it was delightful.

So next year, all being well, we will be out on the road again in this country visiting Club sites around the South-East and maybe back up to Norfolk. .Stephen Williams, via email

Could you send my thanks to White Water Park Club site in Stockton-on-Tees?

When my mother was in her last few days of life I needed to be at her bedside for however long I needed to be.

When I checked the site for spaces [none were available] at the weekend. I phoned the site and explained my position and spoke to Jan, who very quickly explained that a space would be found and that I could stay for however long I needed to.

This is what the Club is about at its best, helping a member during a very sad time.

Once again, thank you, White Water Park, and especially Jan and all the staff.

Andy Ferguson, via email Editor’s note: We are very sorry to hear of your loss Andy – please accept our condolences.

We’re glad that the Club was able to assist in such difficult circumstances.

Making waves As a new motorhome owner in July this year, there has been much to learn and enjoy. Many members of the Club have been really helpful with hints and advice which have been invaluable. Useful advice like look which direction all your site neighbours have their TV aerials pointing and set yours in the same direction.

One of the nicest things learned is the motorhome wave! The tradition among motorhome owners to wave at each other whilst on the road. Just feels friendly in these difficult times of social distancing.

I firstly discovered the tradition on my second trip to the the Old Hartley site with that beautiful view of St Mary’s Lighthouse. It was fully practised on my most recent trip from north of Newcastle to the Club site in Edinburgh, on the A1. Is the A1 the most friendly route in Britain for waving motorhome owners, or does somebody know different?

Richard Hodgson, County Durham December 2020 49

CORRESPONDENCE YOUR VIEWS

Lessons in motorhoming

What a trip!

The year 2020 has been a tough year for many people in different ways. For myself and fiancée Sophie, the coronavirus pandemic meant we had to postpone our August wedding to 2021.

With lockdown being lifted in July, travel restrictions relaxed, and time off work already in place for our wedding and honeymoon, we decided to use this time to travel within the UK in our 1979 VW camper. You can’t get much more socially distanced than being in your own vehicle for several weeks.

We set off from Kent and spent a couple of nights at Henley-on-Thames Club site, enjoying fantastic weather and marvelling at the red kites that fly low over the area. From Henley we headed across the Cotswolds to Malvern, where we spent a week at the Malvern Hills Club site exploring the local area.

After this, we headed off on a whistle-stop tour of single-night stays, taking in the Gower Peninsula in Wales and up the west coast, through Snowdonia and on to Anglesey. We then headed into England and north to the Lake District at Ullswater and the fantastic Troutbeck Head site before heading across the border into Scotland to visit Ayrshire.

From Ayrshire our journey took us north to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and through Glencoe up to Fort William, the home of Ben Nevis, where we stayed at the picturesque Bunree Club site with lochside pitch.

We decided to explore some areas further south, taking in Oban, the Kintyre Peninsula, Cowal and then back over to Ayrshire to travel down to Galloway and Dumfries where we

stayed at the fantastic beach adjoining New England Bay Club site.

From here our road trip would take us back across the border into England, where we explored some of Carlisle’s surroundings and Northumberland, before heading down to North Yorkshire, staying at the Knaresborough Club site near Harrogate and then for our last night of the trip at Wharfedale Club site, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Overall, our 28-day road trip involved 20 different camping locations. We travelled approximately 2,700 miles across England, Wales and Scotland. We had all types of weather (except for snow!) and had swims and paddles in the sea, lakes and lochs. We have eaten food from the sea and from the land, from local shops and supermarkets.

We have met some lovely people on our trip and we have also enjoyed the smiles, waves, hang loose and thumbs up from random people on the way too! We should have been getting married in August, but instead made fantastic memories with an amazing time away together and are closer because of it... four weeks together in a small VW camper will do that!

Throughout the trip we avoided busy places, maintained social distancing when required and abided by any local restrictions. Happy travels to all and stay safe.

Phillip Aldridge and Sophie Ireland, via email

RETURNING THANKS

too happy to have made acquaintance with Paul and his wife. I was also pleased that I could be of assistance.

During our conversation I was able to confirm the similarities we had throughout our careers, I being much more fortunate than many others. Thank you for the mention Paul.

Derek Grunnell, via email

Fantastic fifty

and professionalism displayed by Club staff in dealing with telephone calls on such matters as ferry bookings, caravan and travel insurance.

This is obviously a result of excellence in making staff appointments, backed up by good induction and training procedures and ongoing quality assurance systems.

All staff of the Club have every reason to be very proud of this wonderful service and I’m sure I speak on behalf of many Club members.

Thank you.

John Mather, Blackburn

I am writing in response to the pleasant letter written to you by Paul Maher [November issue]. Having read his correspondence a couple of times, it is clear that Paul has a very good sense of humour.

I believe that I am the unnamed person that he refers to at the end of his letter. I was only

On recently achieving 50 years of membership of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, it was a lovely surprise to be informed that my wife and I have been rewarded with free Life Membership of the Club. What a nice gesture.

Thank you very much.

But my real reason for writing is to say a very special ‘thank you’ to all the staff, past and present, of the Club, for the wonderful service you provide. I have been so impressed by the unfailing courtesy, pleasantness, efficiency 50 December 2020

I received my first Club magazine on our return from Blackpool South Club site [below], and noticed you had members’ letters pages. Well I would like to express our experience on our first foray into the world of motorhoming.

My wife and I travelled a lot since retiring, staying in hotels and guesthouses throughout the UK. But with the onset of Covid-19, we decided that the only way we could realistically protect ourselves and maintain our liking for travel was to purchase a motorhome, where we could look after ourselves sleeping, eating etc, while travelling.

On arrival at the site I was behind a car entering the site, the barrier open. The car went in and the barrier stayed up, so I proceeded (to the horror of the site manager), but thankfully the barrier did not decapitate my new motorhome! The manager explained very nicely the protocol when entering the site and I apologised profusely (lesson 1).

The site was excellent. I was given the induction for Covid-19 and given the site plan and other information needed for our stay. As I proceeded onto the site, a member of staff showed me where and how to fill my fresh water tank (lesson 2).

Over the next three days we had a very enjoyable stay travelling into Blackpool and St Annes.

Sunday morning, departure day. As per instructions from my motorhome guide, I closed all roof vents and lowered the aerial, packed everything and proceeded to empty the cassette toilet. At the waste point I opened the cassette and promptly dropped the cover into the drain! Luckily l could retrieve it safely (lesson 3).

In conclusion I would like to give a very big thank you to the staff of Blackpool South for being tolerant and extremely helpful.

Keith and Pauline Metcalfe, Liverpool

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CORRESPONDENCE YOUR VIEWS

CELESTIAL ADVENTURES Last year in August we built a holiday around a trial hire of a VW campervan, with a basic site, a music festival and a luxury site to finish off. This was our first foray into campervans, having previously used tents and trailer tents.

The idea was to try it out, and build a wishlist of criteria for maybe getting our own. We knew we wanted a high-top long-wheelbase and more storage than the pop-top we hired, bike rack, awning etc.

The last item on the wishlist was ‘maybe get a campervan in the next two years to coincide with retirement’. So, naturally, on the way home from that holiday we viewed and bought ‘Celeste’, a VW T4 Bilbo Celeste, having found a match online to our criteria.

We joined the Club and there were a few short trips late last year, including Brighton and even a great

New Year stay at Black Horse Farm Club site in Densole.

We were both due to retire in 2020, and so set about planning a trip from April when my wife left her teaching job. Obviously the pandemic put a stop to that.

However, since then we have done three trips, including Fairlight Wood and Cirencester Park Club sites. It is proving an ideal way to get away in small doses, especially as my wife’s mother cannot now be left for long with dementia.

We have trips now planned to Alderstead Heath and Black Knowl in Brockenhurst, and again plan to use the Club right through the year if still possible. One day we’ll put together a long trip including Norfolk, Wales, the North Coast 500, and places in between.

Kevin Blackburn, via email

Family fun My mummy, my older sister Alexia (11 years, but likes to be called Lexi) and me (Tessa, aged 8) were going to go away on holiday to Portugal in a hotel but we couldn't go because of coronavirus so we had to cancel our holiday.

Mummy said she always wanted a campervan but they were too small and cost a lot of money, so she decided to get a caravan. My Grandpop’s friend said he was selling his caravan. We went to see it one night but it was only a two-berth but it was big enough to make the beds into three.

In the caravan it had a separate shower, a fridge and a freezer and also came with a TV. There was a big sink in the bathroom with a mirror and a wardrobe and a toilet.

In the kitchen there was a lovely oven and hob.

As mummy hadn’t done a towing course yet, Grandpop towed it to 52 December 2020

our first site at Tewkesbury. Our first pitch was a serviced pitch so we only had to empty the toilet but learned how to connect the electrics and water.

Our second trip was to Stratford-upon-Avon but the weather was very bad and muddy.

On the second night it was very windy and we hadn't pegged the awning down so it nearly blew away.

We helped mummy by emptying the toilet and waste water and filling up the water.

Grandpop came and towed us home after a few days, but even though the weather wasn’t very good we enjoyed our stay.

We are glad we bought the caravan and have called it ‘Betsie’.

Tessa [Lexi and Trudie], via email Editor’s note: So glad to hear you and your family are enjoying caravanning, Tessa!

Top of the pop-ups WORTH A VISIT We have just spent another few nights at the Chatsworth [Park] site.

It’s a site we return to time after time; it’s relatively close to home, so great to [visit] after a week at work.

There is a magical gateway into Chatsworth Estate – you never know what you will see when you unlock the gate.

A variety of walks just outside the gates to suit the level of any walker.

The site has a lovely layout, there are lots of hidden corners, excellent facilities and always friendly, helpful staff.

A great site shop with an extensive selection of supplies – the cream teas are recommended.

Oh, and we were married in Baslow village, so always make sure we book for the last weekend of January so we can revisit Baslow Hall to celebrate our anniversary with an exquisite meal.

This time we were gifted with the sound of the deer coming from Chatsworth deer park.

Long and short of my verbose ramble – Chatsworth [Park] Club site has so much to offer.

We have just returned after 12 nights at the Blenheim Palace pop-up site next to the main Bladon Chains Club site. What a great idea to add extra capacity into the network.

We had tried unsuccessfully to book a longer stay on the main site to be nearer our family in these challenging times. So when the email arrived regarding the temporary site we jumped at the chance.

There were temporary toilets and showers, although we preferred to use our own facilities. In addition there was also electricity and a water tap provided. The visiting pizza van even based itself on the site.

The site was generally well patronised and hit capacity on our first weekend.

The volunteer marshals deserve a lot of plaudits for helping to set up the site and running it. They were certainly challenged on their handover weekend which happened to coincide with Storm Alex!

This idea should be developed next year as site capacity will no doubt be stretched again as many members are likely to prefer to stay in this country until there is more certainty on overseas travel.

Jim and Angela Gildea, via email Editor’s note: Thank you very much for your email, Jim and Angela. We’ll certainly be looking at opportunities for temporary sites in the future.

Katrina and Brandon Cook, via email www.camc.com

www.camc.com

November 2016 XX

COUNTRY MATTERS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY

54 December 2020

A piece of the

action Photographing moving objects can be tricky but David Chapman has some tips

I Above: a shutter speed of 1/200th sec was enough to get the subject sharp as it rounded the bend but it has allowed the mud to be blurred, indicating movement This grey squirrel was trained to run along a branch. I photographed it using a shutter speed of 1/8000th sec using trap focusing

t’s incredible to think that in the early days of photography the shutter speeds of cameras were measured in minutes.

By the 1840s exposure times were down to a more workable 20 seconds, which meant that pictures of people could be created so long as the subjects were standing very still. In those days, hidden braces were used to clamp the heads of models in position and people were not encouraged to smile for the camera because it would have been difficult to hold the smile for long enough.

Over time the chemical aspects of photography developed, if you’ll excuse the pun, to a point where photographers could choose a range of different films for different purposes.

Before digital photography became common, we would use film with an ISO of 100 for landscape photography but, if we wanted faster shutter speeds to capture action, we might have opted for a ‘faster’ film of ISO 800. Unfortunately, though, faster films were very grainy, and if your camera was loaded with one type of film it wasn’t easy to switch to another.

Professionals needed at least two cameras to cope with the situations they faced, and this hints at one other drawback of film photography: expense. In the 1990s each 36-exposure film December 2020 55

COUNTRY MATTERS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY Left: I used a shutter speed of 1/50th sec and the technique of panning for this image Below from left: a pair of common darters, frozen in flight using trap focusing and a shutter speed of 1/5000th sec; I managed to capture this mountain hare at 1/2500th sec; for this photo of black headed gulls I used a deliberately slow shutter speed of 1/10th sec to create an unusual effect

shutter speed to reveal some motion. For example, a very slow speed can be used to create something quite abstract, while a moderate shutter speed will freeze some movement but not everything.

PANNING

For panning shots you should use a moderate shutter speed (maybe something in the range of 1/60th to 1/200th of a second) and move the camera in parallel with the moving subject during the exposure. Usually this is done in an attempt to get the moving subject sharp but to blur the background. This technique gives a great sense of movement in the picture and also makes the background less distracting.

HONING YOUR SKILLS It makes sense to start your action photography training with larger, easier subjects such as pets, cars, cyclists or kayakers. Look for situations in which the same action is repeated over and over again, for example motorbikes going around a circuit or a dog retrieving a thrown ball. In due course it’s possible to train some wild creatures to believe in repeatable ways too – for example squirrels and birds can be encouraged to come to feeders in a predictable fashion.

cost me about £10 if you include processing, which worked out at about 30p per photo.

Digital photography allows us to choose our ISO for each shot, and although modern digital cameras are expensive, we are now in a position where each image costs nothing. We can take risks – and lots of photos – when attempting to capture action; previously that had only been possible for professionals.

That’s not to say action photography is easy – it still requires some skill, patience and a lot of desire. It’s also an area of photography, like any other, that requires some artistic flair. Here are some tips based on my own experience.

ISO

On digital cameras we can choose the ISO value.

The lowest ISO number (often 100) will result in the best-quality photo with the least ‘noise’ (or grain) – but if you want faster shutter speeds you will need to increase your ISO. I suggest using ISO up to 800.

SHUTTER SPEEDS

By repeatedly throwing a ball we trained our dog to run towards the camera – shutter speed 1/640th sec 56 December 2020

To ‘freeze’ the action you will need to use a fast shutter speed. To stop a dragonfly in flight might require a speed of 1/4000th of a second, or to render a cyclist sharp 1/1000th of a second might be sufficient. But other factors will also come into play, such as your proximity to the subject and whether it is moving towards or across the frame.

Don’t think that you have to freeze the action all the time though. I enjoy using a deliberately slower

CAMERA TYPES

If you use a compact or bridge camera for your photography then your scope for changing the settings are limited. If you set your camera to the ‘sport’ setting it will choose the fastest shutter speeds possible. It might also choose the ISO for you, but if it doesn’t you might need to increase the value to get faster shutter speeds if you feel it is necessary.

Users of DSLR or mirrorless cameras will have more scope for experimentation. Make sure your focusing system is set to ‘continuous’ and that your shutter is in ‘burst’ mode.

If the subject is large enough then your autofocus should keep up with it, but if you are having trouble try ‘trap focus’. To do this, switch off autofocus and pre-focus the lens manually on the right spot. Now follow the subject by looking through the camera and then take a burst of photos just as the subject becomes sharp. One of your photos should turn out nice and clear! This is a method I use for very small or very fast subjects which have a predictable path – for example birds flying towards a bird feeder.

I hope you have found the above useful – perhaps you might consider sending some of your best action shots to the magazine for use in the ‘Your Photos’ pages (email magazine@camc.com).

MEMBER SINCE...

Motorhomer David Chapman joined the Club in 2000

www.camc.com

ss December 2020

www.camc.com

CHRISTMAS CLUB GIFTS

Share your passion Why not treat your friends and loved ones to Club membership, a night or two on a Club site or a short break in our glamping accommodation?

For these and other fantastic gift ideas (remember we also have a wide range of member offers available), see camc.com

Gift Membership

Treat family or friends to a Caravan and Motorhome Club Gift Membership Pack.

As you know, membership of the Club gives you access to a huge network of sites and CLs, our award-winning insurance and cover products, a legal helpline, technical advice, a 10% discount on Experience Freedom glamping, monthly issues of this magazine and much more!

The pack includes a copy of the Sites Directory & Handbook and useful information on how to enjoy Club services, plus an activation form so your gift recipient can activate their membership straight away.

Find out more at camc.com/gift.

As a thank you for ordering this Gift Membership Pack we will send you a £10 Caravan and Motorhome Club gift voucher*

Club Gift Vouchers Struggling to think of a present for someone who loves the great outdoors?

Caravan and Motorhome Club Gift Vouchers are the perfect answer. Available in denominations of £5, £10 and £20, they are redeemable against the following Club services:

1. On Club sites for fees** 2. Membership subscription – single payment by post The vouchers may be used towards services of a higher value than the face value on payment of the

difference, and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Find out more at camc.com/vouchers.

Experience Freedom Vouchers Did you know that the Club offers glamping accommodation at locations across the country – from glamping pods and cabins to rustic yurts and iconic Airstream caravans?

An Experience Freedom glamping E-Gift Voucher is the perfect treat for friends

and family – perhaps giving them the chance to join you on your touring holidays (where circumstances allow)***.

To explore more of what Experience Freedom has to offer, head to experience freedom.co.uk.

Find out more at camc.com/vouchers.

Correct at time of publication. All pictures shown are for illustrative purposes only. *Please note your £10 gift voucher will be sent to you once the gift membership has been activated. **Excluding sites in Republic of Ireland, Affiliated Sites, Certificated Locations and Management Agreement sites. *** All bookings are subject to the Experience Freedom Gift Voucher Terms and Conditions and the Experience Freedom Booking Terms and Conditions. Details can be found on the Experience Freedom website: experiencefreedom.co.uk www.camc.com

December 2020

59

PRACTICAL WINTER TOURING

COOL IDEAS Sammy Faircloth has some great tips to help you keep touring for longer

D

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

id you know that more than 55 Club and Affiliated sites are open all year round*?

And that plenty of members enjoy winter caravanning or motorhoming holidays, many around the festive period? (As a matter of fact we quite often take a break between Christmas and New Year, decorating our caravan with colourful lights to get into the mood.) There’s no reason you can’t continue to enjoy touring during the colder months – but here are a few things to consider...

puts pressure on electric hook-ups.

And just because a pitch bollard can theoretically provide up to 16A on a Club site, it doesn’t mean all pitches can supply that amount of power simultaneously.

Some caravanners pack domestic appliances such as 230V fan heaters to augment the heat produced by their on-board systems. However, please be aware that these are greedy consumers of power – even if you put such a device on its lowest 1kW setting, it could use nearly 4.5A (1,000W ÷ 230V = 4.35A)!

GAS AND ELECTRICITY

There’s no doubt that a porch awning is a useful asset at this time of year. It keeps the wind from the door, and is quicker to erect than its full-sized cousin.

It also provides shelter when removing muddy wellies and a space to hang wet clothing. Be aware though that waterproofed nylon fabric can soon become coated on the inside with condensation as

Check that you have enough liquefied propane gas before you set off on your travels. This can be used in temperatures down to -43ºC unlike liquefied butane, which will not turn into gas as temperatures approach freezing.

Be mindful that the need for heat and light (and, for some, television viewing) earlier in the day during the colder months typically 60 December 2020

AWNINGS

clothes begin to dry – a roof lining will help to reduce the build-up.

It is advisable to routinely brush off snow if it gathers as it can add an extra load to your awning roof, potentially causing damage.

SCREEN COVERS

Modern caravans are fitted with doubleglazed, acrylic windows. Most motorhomes are equipped with similar in the living quarters, but their single-glazed cab windows can lose precious heat. To ease the problem, invest in a set of interior and exterior thermal screen covers.

The outer cover will also help keep the windscreen clean and free from frost – great for a quick getaway.

Condensation can be a real problem in winter, so consider taking a small dehumidifier to combat the worst of it.

(Larger, heavier units can be used in storage after a trip away, or in a workshop prior to repairs). These devices draw excess moisture www.camc.com

the *See camc.com for n tio ma or inf e sit latest UK and follow official k) Government (gov.u t en rnm ve go and local guidelines at

all times.

1 1

4

2

3

5 6

8 from the air, thus reducing condensation and preventing mould growth.

WATER CONTAINERS

To prevent your fresh water supply from freezing, consider bringing your container indoors at night.

Some owners cover their water barrel with old blankets, and you can also purchase insulated bags from suppliers such as Bags And Covers Direct (bagsandcovers direct.co.uk) or Bags2Cover (bags2cover.co.uk). Empty waste water containers regularly – the last thing you want is to have to defrost your grey waste.

FRIDGES

In cold conditions, it is possible for items in fridges to freeze solid. To prevent over-cooling, install a cover on the exterior vent to modify the passage of air across an appliance’s rearmounted cooling unit. These should be attached as per the instructions when air temperatures fall below 10ºC. The covers can also be used to prevent damp and water ingress while your vehicle is in storage. www.camc.com

7

9

10

1. The children love to see all the caravans and motorhomes lit up at Christmas time 2. Fit a cover over the exterior fridge vent to prevent over-cooling 3. A dehumidifier can help to reduce condensation and prevent mould 4. Winds can be quite strong in the mountains, so take extra precautions and tie down the caravan 5. An awning roof lining can help to reduce the build-up of condensation 6. Insulated bags help to prevent fresh water containers and the pipe from freezing up 7. Check your gas levels before heading off during cold weather 8. A porch awning is quick to erect and offers valuable shelter and storage space 9. Internal screens can be easy to install from the warmth of your motorhome, but can generate condensation 10. External screens help to prevent the build-up of condensation and keep the windscreen clean and free from frost

Other considerations Winter touring is a big topic which we cannot cover in full on these pages. But think about the following... n Take warm clothes and bedding n Remember a torch for that dark walk to the toilet block n Pack a spare portable heater in case the on-board heater fails n Buy storm straps and rock pegs for the awning – they can be used to pin down caravan corner steadies when the weather is particularly wild n Pack plenty of games and books

You’ll find lots of useful advice at camc.com/wintertips December 2020 61

PRACTICAL Q&A

ASK YOUR CLUB

The Club’s technical team answers your pressing questions

Motorhome masses

Q A

Is it true that some motorhomes have a lower speed limit than others?

Yes – if the ‘unladen weight’ of the vehicle exceeds 3,050kg, the speed limit is 60mph on dual carriageways and 50mph on single carriageways, instead of 70mph and 60mph respectively (where no lower limit is signed).

The limit on motorways remains 70mph.

The challenge with this is finding out what the unladen weight is for a given vehicle – we’re talking about its weight when it’s not carrying any passengers, goods or other items, nor any fuel or the driver. That’s much lighter than the more commonly-quoted ‘mass in running order’ (MRO) or kerbweight.

If you don’t have an unladen weight figure for your vehicle, a good rule of thumb is to deduct 75kg (driver) and 75kg (90l of diesel) from the MRO/ kerbweight figure. If that results in a number below 3,050kg, the lower speed limits shouldn’t apply.

If it’s still over 3,050kg, you’ll need to find the exact figure for the vehicle’s unladen weight.

Bottle bother

Mover monitor

Q A

Q A

There was a shortage of gas bottles in the market earlier this year – what can be done to lessen the impact?

When sites reopened after lockdown, we saw unprecedented levels of activity, and this put pressure on the gas suppliers. The harsh fact is that many people don’t return their cylinders for refilling.

If you have a ‘spare’ cylinder which really isn’t going to be used, please return it. You’ll usually get a deposit back for it, sometimes even if you don’t have the contract paperwork. You can find contact details for most cylinder suppliers on the trade association website liquidgasuk.org/advice/ cylinder-recovery.

If you use a lot of gas (perhaps you are a rallier or off-grid camper) or are planning a long-distance continental tour when travel restrictions ease, you might want to consider a user-refillable tank or cylinder instead. These are relatively expensive to buy, but the gas is cheaper – just check there are refilling outlets where you need them (filllpg.co.uk or mylpg.eu are good places to check).

62 December 2020

What’s your advice when choosing an electric caravan mover?

Feedback from Club members is overwhelmingly positive in terms of the performance of all models. However, these devices do sit in an exposed position, and are vulnerable to minor damage and wear and tear.

So it’s sensible to check for good warranty cover and spares availability from the supplier when purchasing.

Also (and especially where twin-axle movers are concerned), check if the mover will obstruct access to normal jacking points – you might need to use a low-profile scissor jack under the axle if that is the case.

If you store your van without clear access to one side, make sure you choose a model with remote (dis)engagement of the drives. Finally, take care choosing a fitter. It’s important that the mechanical components are adjusted properly, and really important that the electrical wiring is done correctly and safely.

Different speed limits apply depending on the unladen weight of your motorhome

Please address your questions to:

Technical Information, Email: technical@camc.com Tel: 01342 336611 ...and quote your membership number

camc.com/advice www.camc.com

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November 2016 21

PRODUCT SHOWCASE WINTER WARMERS

That

Cosy

feeling Jane McGowan takes a look at a variety of products that are perfect for a chilly winters eve Sherpa Adventure Gear Hima Handwarmer

Featuring a chunky crochet design, these fabulous mitten-style handwarmers – that keep your fingertips free – are great for the chillier weather. The outer is made from lambswool, while the soft ‘Polarfleece’ lining is designed to wick away moisture. The handwarmers are handcrafted by small groups of women in Bhaktapur just outside Nepal – and a proportion of the proceeds from every sale goes towards providing education for Nepalese children. An attractive, effective and ethical product.

RRP: £25 Colours: anaar, khola Contact: sherpaadventuregear.co.uk, 01572 772474

Charley Chau Snuggle Dog Bed

What precious pup wouldn’t want to settle down in this ultra-comfy Snuggle Bed from Charley Chau? Featuring a deep-filled mattress, cotton outer and a faux-fur fleece lining, the bed is ideal for breeds that love to burrow and tunnel.

Available in small (Chihuahuas, mini-dachshunds), medium (Boston terriers, pugs) and large (whippets, cocker spaniels), the bed also comes in velour and weave varieties and is offered in a range of stylish designs and colours. All outer materials are machine washable and waterproof linings can also be purchased in case of little accidents.

RRP: £75 Colours: great spot, dotty dove grey, dotty taupe, dotty charcoal Contact: charleychau.com, 0161 848 8702

64 December 2020

Mountain Warehouse Salzburg Women’s Stripe Scarf MEMBER

Wrap up warm on a winter’s OFFER AVAILABLE walk in this cosy scarf.

Available in navy blue and pale pink options, it’s lightweight and easy to pack, making it an ideal addition to your winter touring wardrobe. The acrylic fabric feels soft to the touch, while the chunky knit design is bang on trend. Matching items are available including a snug beanie hat complete with pompom. Great value too!

RRP: £19.99 (on sale at £7.99 as we went to press) Member offer: save 15% (see camc.com/ mountainwarehouse for details and terms and conditions) Colours: navy blue; pale pink Contact: mountainwarehouse.com

Mpowerd Luci Solar String Lights Whether you are looking forward to long summer evenings in the garden or some festive fun on site, these solar-powered lights are ideal. The outer unit twists open to reveal a 5.48m cord dotted with 20 warm white LED lights – all you have to do is unroll and drape. The unit features panels to capture solar energy but can also be charged via USB, while a built-in charging point for mobile devices is an added bonus.

RRP: £39.99 Weight: 320g Length: 5.48m Contact: mpowerd. com (for details); available in the UK from ellis-brigham.com

Naked Marshmallow Gourmet Toasting Set

The thought of toasting marshmallows round an open fire is often enough to entice even the most reluctant campers outdoors, but these cute little kits from The Naked Marshmallow Company make the job even easier. Each pack comprises a non-toxic, smokeless gel burner, two flavours of marshmallow and a set of eight bamboo skewers. All you need is some outdoor space and a couple of friends (Covid-19 regulations permitting). Available in a range of delectable flavours from salted caramel to ‘boozy’, these packs would make great Christmas presents.

RRP: from £19 (Festive edition £22) Contact: nakedmarshmallow.co.uk, 01522 701630

Outwell Lamp Obsidian

While we may not be able to gather in MEMBER great numbers at the time of writing, SAVING this clever light/speaker combination AVAILABLE will add ambience to a low-key outdoor get-together, and larger gatherings in the future. Boasting a wealth of features including a USB output phone charger, attractive leather carry handle and built-in microphone, the Obsidian provides 40 lumens of light and has a burn time of 15 hours. Music can be played wirelessly or via an aux cable.

RRP: £69.99 (available for £28 from Club Shop; see shop.camc.com for details and terms and conditions) Contact: shop.camc.com

December 2020 65

TEST BMW 330D XDRIVE M SPORT PRO EDITION TOURING

POWER of THREE Lesley Harris checks out an estate that has been with us for more than 30 years. So how does it stand up?

66 December 2020

www.camc.com

C

an you believe it – the BMW 3 Series Touring was launched over 32 years ago? It has come a long way from its boxy beginnings – nowadays I think it is one of the best-looking estates on the market. Let’s see how it stands up as a towcar under closer inspection...

COMFORT

Like its saloon sibling, the Touring now sports the familiar BMW nose. The large kidney grille is flanked by slim twin LED headlights.

At the rear, the smart, two-part, L-shaped LED tail lamps and gently sloping roofline give the car an elegant stance.

The variant we are driving today is the well-equipped 330d xDrive M Sport Pro Edition which boasts Adaptive M suspension, M Sport braking, Variable Sports steering and Adaptive LED headlights, as well as a long list of other technical and safety features. www.camc.com

December 2020 67

TEST BMW 330D XDRIVE M SPORT PRO EDITION TOURING

Clockwise from far left: fascia is easy on the eye; integrated touchscreen; cup/ phone storage; boot offers 1,510 litres of space with seats down; plenty of leg and head room in the rear

Inside, it’s typically BMW – there are swathes of good quality materials throughout and build quality is truly exceptional. The beautiful, sweeping fascia is very easy on the eye and the short-cut controls are all within easy reach of the driver.

Given pride of place is a fully-integrated, 10.25in touchscreen, which is part of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional Pack – and it’s one of the best in the business. It’s intuitive to use, with clear, sharp graphics, and responds instantly to swipe/pinch actions. However, using the rotary i-Drive dial – located in the centre console – makes more sense when driving. By uttering “Hey BMW”, you can take advantage of BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant, while there is also ‘gesture control’ (not great and a bit gimmicky in my opinion).

Smartphone connectivity is available, although wireless charging will cost you £350.

Easily adjustable, the leather seats are lovely and comfortable. Unlike high-riding SUVs, the 3 Series Touring is much lower slung and feels more sporty, so will appeal to the more enthusiastic driver.

Once behind the wheel, you’ll notice a large, 12.3in digital driver information screen – this is easy to read and tells you everything you need to know.

68 December 2020

The BMW has decent stowage provision and plenty of charging ports, although most are USB-C so you may need adaptors.

Rear passengers won’t feel cheated either, as the luxury touches continue. Again there are plenty of charging points for all devices and you even get your own temperature controls. Good head and legroom are on offer and there’s space for everyone’s feet.

At a push, you can fit three adults abreast – however, the middle seat isn’t the most comfortable and there’s a large transmission tunnel to clamber over. Fitting a child seat won’t be a problem thanks to wide-opening rear doors and Isofix mountings that are easily located beneath folding covers.

DRIVING

BMW offers a decent range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines on the 3 Series Touring, so there is something for everyone’s requirements and pocket.

It’s the 330d xDrive that we have on test. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine puts out 261bhp and produces 580Nm of torque, so there’s plenty of power on offer (BMW claims a 0-62 figure of 5.4 seconds so this is certainly no slouch). The eight-speed gearbox is

“

There are swathes of quality materials throughout

With thanks to

Chichester Caravans, Uckfield, for the loan of Towcar Test caravans.

See chichestercaravans.co.uk, call 01825 764151 or email uckfield@chichestercaravans.co.uk

www.camc.com

”

TECHNICAL

Price as tested

£56,305 Insurance

Group 39 Club insurance

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

2,993cc, 6-cyl, in-line Power

261bhp (195kW) @4,000rpm Torque

Clockwise from left: familiar BMW nose; sloping roofline at the back; a rewarding car to drive; with caravan hitched

580Nm (428lb ft) @1,750rpm Transmission

8-speed automatic Spare wheel

Run-flat Kerbweight

1,760kg Gross vehicle weight

2,350kg Gross train weight

4,150kg Noseweight limit

75kg seamless in its delivery and allows smooth acceleration whatever the situation. The suspension does an excellent job of cushioning all but the worst of bumps in the road surface, giving both driver and passengers a comfortable experience. Most of the time you’ll only need the ‘Comfort’ setting, but ‘Sport’ mode provides a feistier experience when required.

Whichever one you choose, you’ll find the BMW a rewarding car to drive. It offers plenty of grip and is agile enough to instil confidence when cornering. You will have to keep a close eye on the speedo needle as it certainly climbs quickly – your licence will be safer using the cruise control/speed limiter function.

mindful of that speedo even with caravan in tow.

Boot capacity is 500 litres, but pop the back seats down with the touch of a button and that rises to 1,510 litres. The load lip is at a decent level and the rear windscreen can be opened, too.

Towing equipment

VERDICT

CO2

So, the BMW 330d is a great car for both towing and solo driving, and it certainly looks the part. It has a fairly hefty price tag but it’s a comfortable, practical vehicle that you’ll enjoy driving every day.

TOWING

With such a powerful engine, the BMW was never going to have any problem towing. However, there was a slight tugging and pitching that was unexpected at lower speeds. In Comfort mode the combination did get a little wallowy – I found that the Sport setting alleviated this.

At speed, it felt safe and secure – and you still need to be

We guarantee to beat your insurance renewal premium by £25*. See camc.com/insurance or call 0345 504 0334 to get your quote

*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.

www.camc.com

Electric towbar (£850) Fuel/tank/econ

Diesel/12.98gals (59 litres)/44.1mpg solo/28mpg towing 1,499kg 173g/km

RATINGS

92%

COMFORT

93%

DRIVING

89%

TOWING

91%

OVERALL

December 2020 69

TEST SECOND-HAND CARAVANS

BARGAIN

BUYS

Rob McCabe heads to the dealer forecourt to look at a range of differently-priced tourers, offering handy tips on what to look for in a used caravan 2011 Coachman Pastiche 470/2 £9,995

T

he pandemic is having an effect on almost every aspect of our lives at the moment – including the UK caravan industry. Manufacturers are working flat-out to produce tourers that have already been sold, and second-hand forecourts are being emptied as quickly as they’re being restocked. “This is unprecedented – I’ve never known anything like it,” said the dealer I visited for this issue’s second-hand round-up.

The situation has led to a rise in used prices – trade values have risen sharply, so this clearly has to be reflected in the window prices on the forecourt. All three of the caravans here are more expensive than they would have been at this time last year.

While used two-berth caravans do still play second fiddle to the all-conquering fixed-bed models, trade contacts tell me that they’re currently proving very popular among first-time buyers – folk in their 40s and 50s who’ve never owned a caravan and are now taking the plunge in large numbers.

If these newcomers have done their research, they’ll have seen that Coachman enjoys a reputation for producing sturdy, well-equipped tourers that pass the test of time well. Tourers such as this lovely example – nine years old but looking nothing like it.

The 470/2’s layout has that spark of difference – an L-shaped centre kitchen, with a full-width washroom at the back.

That kitchen is the real focal point: it feels very spacious and offers masses of

70 December 2020

work surface. All the appliances are spotless, which applies to the whole caravan generally – gleaming shower tray, unblemished surfaces and plump, fresh-looking upholstery on the sofas in the small but immaculate and superbly comfy lounge. Blinds and flyscreens glide effortlessly, and locker doors open and close with as-new precision.

It’s a Pastiche, so it’s nicely kitted-out – a Pioneer stereo with same-branded speakers, a gas barbecue point, a dual-fuel hob, an awning warmer, two TV viewing stations and an Omnivent extractor fan. As with all three caravans featured here, there’s a motorised mover – an increasingly common sight on used forecourts.

This one looks and feels spot-on.

So far as I can see, it wants for nothing and needs nothing doing to it, although – like all three of our the vehicles on these pages – it’ll get a service and a pre-delivery inspection before going off to its next owner.

TECHNICAL MRO

1,302kg (25.63cwt) MTPLM

Uprated to 1,500kg (29.53cwt) User payload

198kg (3.90cwt) Overall length

22ft 3in (6.78m) Berths

2 Warranty

Six months parts and labour

VERDICT

A credit to its former owner(s), and sure to bring years of touring pleasure to the next one, whether they’re new to the scene or not! www.camc.com

2009 Elddis Avanté Club 474 £7,495

S

eeing one of these on the forecourt is akin to spotting a yeti while hillwalking in the Pennines – yes, it really is a fixed-double-bed four-berther! All caravans are selling quickly at this moment in time, but this layout continues to boss it over all others.

This example impresses in all the right areas. There are a couple of things that will need addressing when it goes into the workshop for its pre-sale inspection – the drop-down kitchen extension drops down just that bit too far and the flyscreen in the washroom skylight needs replacing – but it’s otherwise very nice, inside and out.

That drop-down kitchen extension is a very useful fitment. When it’s secured in the upright position, it functions as a shutter to close off the bedroom; when down, it means the Avanté has more kitchen work surface than just about any caravan.

This example comes from the era when Elddis liked to boast about its

www.camc.com

sink and hob covers made from tough ‘Chinchilla’ glass. They look great and do much to posh-up the kitchen here.

Even though the Xplore had arrived to take over the entry-level status from the Avanté by 2009, there’s still evidence of cost-cutting: the little shelf at the front is a poor substitute for a ‘proper’ chest, and there’s no spark-ignition on the cooker. And the small washroom in the rear corner has the space-saving, tip-up wash basin. The loo is manual-flush, although anyone who’s suffered the failure of an electric-flush one (it happened to me on holiday once…) may look on that as being a wholly positive thing!

There are nice things too, mind – you can site the TV at the front or for viewing in the bedroom, and there’s a fitted microwave and Sony stereo.

Bearing in mind it’s had 11 years of use, the double bed’s mattress is in very good condition – it still feels even and supportive. If that weren’t the case, you should consider it a reason to haggle rather than a deal-breaker – replacements are easily come by.

“

The Avanté has more kitchen work surface than just about any caravan

”

TECHNICAL MRO

1,137kg (22.38cwt) MTPLM

1,324kg (26.06cwt) User payload

187kg (3.68cwt) Overall length

21ft 3in (6.48m) Berths

4 Warranty

Six months parts and labour

VERDICT

Not exactly dripping in luxury, but a great match for a huge range of cars – and all the essentials for year-round caravanning are there. And it has that you-know-what layout.

December 2020 71

TEST SECOND-HAND CARAVANS

“

Speaking of extra space, the handsome front lounge is of epic proportions 2017 Lunar Quasar 524 £13,995

T

he three-year-old Lunar is by far the youngest of our trio: indeed, its fixtures and fittings, including Truma central heating, are very recognisably up-to-date, as is its very fresh décor.

This is the one that will attract potential buyers who don’t want to join a long waiting list for a brand-new caravan but who still want to enjoy that ‘as-new’ ownership experience.

Well, they’ll certainly get that with this four-berth family offering. Close examination of the exterior reveals a tiny, barely visible ding towards the rear of the nearside panel, but in all other regards it is completely immaculate – from the gleaming alloy wheels to the showroom-fresh upholstery and the way the locker doors open with that pleasing slight resistance you get when they’re still new.

Interestingly, the ladder that serves the cantilever bunk in the side dinette

72 December 2020

is still tightly wrapped in its original packaging, confirming that the bunk has never been used. And the privacy curtain is neatly folded on a shelf, again suggesting zero service. It could be that the original buyers were a couple who used the side dinette as extra living space/a kitchen prep area.

However the previous owners used this late-model Lunar, I’m pretty certain they did so sparingly.

Speaking of extra living space, the handsome front lounge is of almost epic proportions. Each sofa extends beyond six feet long to offer great entertaining/family mealtime space or minimum-fuss single beds.

Making the double is hardly any more fuss, thanks to the bed-base sections that slide out from under each sofa – no derailing slat issues to worry about here.

The end washroom is as neat as a pin, and is easily spacious enough to merit being described as a dressing room too. There’s a huge amount of storage space in here – as there is throughout the entire caravan.

”

TECHNICAL MRO

1,164kg (22.91cwt) MTPLM

1,335kg (26.28cwt) User payload

171kg (3.37cwt) Overall length

17ft 1in (5.21m) Berths

4 Warranty

Six months parts and labour

VERDICT

An extremely spacious, new-looking tourer that’ll serve two, three or four equally well – and there’s a good chance you won’t need to swap your family car for a heftier one.

An excellent buy.

Featured caravans reviewed at: John Wicks Caravans, Lynn Road, Grimston, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE32 1AG (johnwickscaravans.co.uk, 01485 601212)

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Caravan Cover is provided directly by the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

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November 2016 XX

TEST AUTO-TRAIL EXPEDITION 67

HAPPY

TRAILS A keenly-priced van conversion from Auto-Trail leaves Nick Harding with a smile on his face 74 December 2020

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Clockwise from left: stylish exterior (inset: rear doors provide access to the main lounge); Fiat Ducato cab; table extension provides extra room for dining

Heating and hot water are courtesy of Whale, and the systems are fitted to the chassis, freeing up internal storage space. The 25-litre gas tank (in lieu of a locker and cylinders arrangement) does a similar job. The fresh and waste water tanks – both 68 litres – are also underslung (and insulated). Do note that there’s no step at the sliding door – if you want one you’ll need to speak to your supplying dealer.

Inside, I recognise plenty of fittings from other Auto-Trail van conversions – the rear travel seat, for instance. As for the rest of the interior, the flat-doored lockers are fully-lined, and it seems there’s been no scrimping on lighting. Panelling around all the fitted windows doesn’t suggest cut-price camping either.

TECHNICAL

DRIVING

Six-speed manual, FWD

With Fiat’s 140bhp engine as standard, you get plenty of performance and decent economy (careful drivers will easily top 30mpg). There are options for power upgrades (from £1,175 for the 160bhp unit), plus the attractive but expensive automatic transmission (£2,795, but you’ll also have to order those alloy wheels).

Cab air conditioning and cruise control are standard, as are driver’s and passenger’s airbags – worth noting, because rivals will sometimes offer such things packaged together as a cost extra.

There’s no stereo system (again, Auto-Trail leaves that up to you); otherwise, the cab is standard Ducato, with the cup holder console containing single 12V and USB power outlets.

DAYTIME

G

rimsby-based Auto-Trail already has a strong foothold in the panel van conversion market with the likes of its V-Line and Adventure ranges.

And here come two new ‘Expedition’ models – both based on the 5.99m Fiat Ducato – that really catch the eye in terms of price. The 66 is £36,995, while the 67 on review here rolls in at £37,995 on the road. There are no options packs; instead, there’s a deliberate policy that allows you to discuss anything above the standard specification that can be fitted by your dealer.

BUILD QUALITY

The (only) choice of black for the exterior is a clever one as it means Auto-Trail doesn’t have to worry about colour-matching bumpers and mirrors. The windows, meanwhile, are less costly units (although they’re still double-glazed and tinted, and come with concertina blinds and flyscreens), and the wheels are black steel with plastic trims. Alloys, at £672, are one of just a few factory options. www.camc.com

The floorplan, featuring a compact rear lounge with two short settees and a pedestal leg table (both pieces stow in the wardrobe for travel), holds no surprises.

There’s decent lounging space at the front, too – and a larger table, thanks to a swing-out extension section.

The cab seats are easily swivelled and – critically, for some – have height adjustment so they can be on the same level as the rear travel seat.

It actually took a while in the company of this Expedition to realise that the front lounge doesn’t have a large rooflight. There is one over what will surely be the main on-site seating area – at the back – where you also get opening windows each side as well as one in each rear door.

If you like to watch television while you’re on your holidays, that’s another issue to sort via your dealer.

The side of the wardrobe looks capable of taking a television holder, while an aerial, wiring and sockets will need to be arranged.

NIGHT-TIME

At night the slatted bases at the back easily pull together and the two backrests can be dropped in to fill the gap, making for a rear double that I measured at 6ft x 4ft 4in max/4ft 1in min. Although those cushions

Price as tested

£37,995 OTR Engine

2.3-litre Euro 6d Power

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

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

MRO

2,930kg (57.68cwt) MTPLM

3,500kg (68.89cwt) User payload

570kg (11.22cwt) Overall length

19ft 8in (5.99m) Overall width

6ft 8in (2.05m) Overall height

8ft 10in (2.68m) Max internal height

6ft 2in (1.88m)) Fuel/tank/econ

Diesel, 19.8 gals (90 litres), 3034mpg Figures from manufacturers literature

Vehicle supplied for testing by Auto-Trail, Trigano House, Genesis Way, Europarc, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN37 9TU Contact: auto-trail. co.uk, 01472 571 000 December 2020 75

TEST AUTO-TRAIL EXPEDITION 67

make for a pretty flat bed surface, you might want to consider a mattress topper – at least there’s space to stow such an item.

There are just two reading lights (one each side of the bed), plus ambient strip lighting over the lockers.

Pleated blinds rather than insulation panels are priced at £295 for the side windows and another £295 for the windscreen.

KITCHEN

Clockwise from above: compact washroom; conventional kitchen set-up; two travelling seats

RATINGS

81%

BUILD QUALITY

82%

DRIVING

84%

DAYTIME

78%

NIGHT-TIME

79%

KITCHEN

77%

WASHROOM

80%

DETAILS

80%

OVERALL

Again, the layout is fairly standard in this department.

The kitchen extends across the sliding door aperture and features a typical stainless steel, two-gas-rings-and-sink combination with a grill set under the former. A flip-up section provides worktop space and storage extends to a trio of different-sized lockers, a cutlery drawer in the kitchen unit, and a single overhead locker.

Two mains sockets are nearby, with a splash panel to the left of the hob and a wind guard along the worktop just inside the doorway.

To the left of the kitchen, there is a wardrobe with an 85-litre, three-way fridge set just off the floor. It’s a Dometic 8-series model, with a removable freezer box.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll soon find you’re using at least some of that wardrobe to store foodstuffs.

WASHROOM

There’s more room in here than you’d expect, thanks mainly to the flip-down basin that fits flush to the mirrored vanity unit when not needed. It’s not the deepest, but it certainly does the job. This leaves plenty of room for showering – where you get a trigger-operated outlet and a curtain – and using the swivel-bowl toilet.

The washroom walls are GRP-lined.

There’s just a small vent overhead and single plughole in the shower, but fittings include toilet roll and towel holders as well as a double hook – the latter two items on the back of the door. Low-level open shelving could prove handy on site.

DETAILS

The Expedition is strong on storage – add the overcab and rear seat bases to areas already mentioned (there are hatches for accessing the undersides of each settee just inside each rear door).

The wardrobe is a decent size, as are the overhead lockers (two in the front lounge, four at the back). I counted two mains sockets and two double USBs, plus blanks should you decide you want more.

There’s no floor carpet – grab some off-cuts from your local specialist if you really feel the need.

Likewise, sourcing your own scatter cushions will save you money (and you’ll get the colours your like). The rear travel seat is sculpted and has high, fixed head restraints. It’s a little narrow if you’re considering it for adults.

The conversion work is backed by a five-year conversion warranty (it can be extended to 10).

VERDICT

Regardless of the price on the window, sometimes you just step into a motorhome and it feels right. That’s the vibe I get from this Auto-Trail Expedition.

The price is low because corners have been cut in terms of fittings rather than during the actual build process.

You can insure this motorhome with the Club for £482.60* per year. Please see camc.com/insurance or call 0345 504 0334 for further details

* Quote (correct as of 23 October 2020) is for the model tested worth £37,995 with factory-fitted alarm and immobiliser. Based on 55-year-old male living in Sheffield, with a maximum no claims bonus (unprotected) coming from a vehicle of similar value/experience, who has no accidents, claims or convictions and keeps the vehicle on a drive, 3,000 miles a year, with £350 damage, fire and theft excess. Vehicle must have a factory-fitted alarm and immobiliser. 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.

76 December 2020

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To benefit from the price saving guarantee you will need to send us proof of a current renewal quote from your existing insurer, including details of cover and price. Breakdown and Legal cover are excluded and will need to be purchased separately. Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Motorhome and Campervan Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited.

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.

SPECIAL AGM REPORT

Annual General Meeting Let’s take a look at the highlights of the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s 2020 AGM, held online on Saturday 24 October CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

G

renville Chamberlain opened what was a very different Annual General Meeting, held over the internet. He welcomed attendees and said that it was a pleasure to see that so many had registered to watch (although we would love to see you in person at our AGM, we all know that this was not possible this year).

He hoped members would find the virtual AGM interesting and that it had made attending the event possible for many more, who could now watch from the comfort of their own homes, or vans, without any travelling.

Sadly, this may be the way things have to happen for a while.

In order to make this meeting accessible to so many, it would operate as a webinar which meant that, unlike other Zoom meetings, there would be no opportunity for audience participation.

We have had to do things differently this year, and because of this we gave our membership the opportunity to vote on the motions and submit questions to us in advance of the meeting.

A number of them would be answered later in the afternoon, and the remaining answers would be uploaded to our AGM page on the website (camc.com/agm).

The Chairman extended his thanks to those members who

had taken the time to get in touch with us in this way and hoped they would be satisfied with the answers given.

The Agenda for the day and the Report & Summary Accounts were made available to all members online and in the October edition of the Club Magazine. A summary account of last year’s AGM, held on 26 October, was published in last December’s Magazine and a full set of minutes has been available on the Club website. The Chairman said he had not received any comments and would sign these minutes as an accurate record of the meeting.

Grenville proceeded to respond to some of the 10 questions selected to be answered at the meeting, announcing that the Treasurer and Director General would do the same after each of their presentations.

The Chairman reported how we had taken a similar approach this year to the one we have taken in the past with our Financial Statements. There was a two-page Summary Financial Statement prefaced by a three-page Performance Review on our website and on pages 90 to 96 of the October Magazine.

He hoped that members found them easy to follow and a helpful explanation of our performance in the last year. The full

Elections/Re-elections n n n n n n

President – The Earl of Leicester Vice-President – Lord Tony Cadman Chairman – Grenville Chamberlain OBE Treasurer – Christopher Macgowan OBE Vice-Chairman – Janet Moore Executive Committee – John Lefley, Edward Baxter

78 December 2020

Brora Club site Financial Statements were still available online or by email request to the Club.

The meeting needed to secure adoption of the Summary Statement of Accounts for 2019 and Grenville confirmed that from advance voting, these were agreed.

In accordance with Bye-Law 14.4, approval was sought to re-appoint Dixon-Wilson as our Auditors and that the fixing of their remuneration be left to the Executive Committee.

Again Grenville confirmed that from advance voting, this had been agreed.

The Chairman said he would like to make particular reference to the Club President, the Earl of Leicester. Not only was he willing to continue as our President for another year, but his election had been confirmed. Whilst he was unable to participate in the day’s proceedings, the Earl of Leicester shared the following message with attendees: “It is a real honour to be re-elected as the Club’s President to serve for a further year.

Although this has been a very

difficult year, I know the Club and its members will pull through. I look forward to the day when we can return to happier and more normal times, and meet up in person.”

Again, with the advance voting, the Chairman confirmed that those nominated members listed on page 88 of the October issue of the Club Magazine had been approved to serve on the Club Council.

On a final note, Grenville was pleased to confirm the date of next year’s AGM as Saturday 23 October, and, all things being well, we hope to be at Chester Racecourse.

£7m

Club revenue increased by more than £7m to £115.7m as a result of strong performance from sites and membership www.camc.com

Commons Wood Club site

TREASURER’S REPORT

C

hristopher Macgowan reported on the financial results for the year ended 31 December 2019.

He was pleased to report that the Club had another successful year in which we made further progress in the development of the Club and strengthened an already strong balance sheet.

In 2019 the Club recorded a strong surplus which was a dramatic turnaround year from a deficit in 2018, and because of the strength of these and previous results the overall financial strength and liquidity of the Club remained extremely strong and importantly provided a high degree of resilience to the seismic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic in early to mid-2020.

Club revenue increased by over £7m to £115.7m as a result of a strong performance from Sites and Membership and despite the Brexit uncertainty hitting Travel. The reduction in Financial Services revenue recognition in 2018 unwound itself in 2019, creating a 30% bounce-back in 2019. This was caused by the replacement of the 5Cs insurance product, a brokered third party insurance product, with the Discretionary Mutual (DM) Caravan Cover. The full net benefits to the Club, which are sizeable, are now being recognised fully from 2019 onwards.

Overall the Club Surplus for the financial year was £4.4m in 2019 compared to a £0.9m deficit in

2018, feeling the positive bounce back impact of both the timing difference on DM and another strong year for sites and membership to deliver a £5.3m net turnaround. Apart from Travel and Marketing, the remaining higher margin areas grew their contribution to net surplus and administrative expenses were reduced by £1m culminating in a strong surplus position.

Total investment in 2019 of £10.9m was a more normal year and lower than the c£22.9m in 2018. In 2019 the Club continued its major refurbishment and renewal programme including notable investments at Penrhos, Sutton-on-Sea and Commons Wood. The Club capitalised a substantial sum (£4.7m) on central IT infrastructure.

A less exceptional level of capital expenditure than the prior year, with no acquisitions and a stronger cash generation in 2019, has resulted in cash balances rising by £5.6m to end the year at £37m, some way above more typical historic levels of around £32m, so cash balances remain strong.

The balance sheet has been strengthened in 2019 by £4.8m and remains very strong indeed having ended the year with Net Assets of £143.6 million, Total Assets increased by £3.2m and liabilities reduced by £1.6m to achieve this growth.

Overseas Travel had a difficult trading year as expected, suffering the impact of Brexit uncertainty

352k 6.84 Membership numbers were up 0.4% at the end of 2019, driven by solid new memberships and stable renewals www.camc.com

Outfit nights per member – a key measure – grew once again in 2019

and reluctance to travel, with revenue down by 12.5% to £14.7m, seeing lower ferry bookings along with lower sales of Red Pennant and overseas site nights down 15.5% to 112, 568.

The revenue picture for Insurance and Cover is complicated by the transition from 5Cs to DM partway through the 2018 year and the different basis of charging and revenue recognition between the two. It was however another successful year.

Membership Revenue was up 2.6% to £16.0m due to a 2% per annum price rise and solid renewal rates. Membership numbers ended 0.4% up driven by both solid new memberships and stable renewal loyalty of 86.1% to finish at 352k.

UK sites revenue was up by 6.9% to £57.4m, on occupancy of 2.4 million nights. Average pitch yields were up £1 per site night, and outfit nights per member, a key measure, also grew once again to 6.84.

In the consolidated accounts, which include Alan Rogers Travel and various statutory consolidation adjustments, overall revenue for the Group was £117.8 million, some £2m higher than the Club revenue in 2019 due to Alan Rogers Travel sitting outside the club. This was £8.1m higher than the Group revenue in 2018, assisted by a healthy jump in Alan Rogers Travel revenue. The Group Surplus after tax was £4.2million, £5.6m higher than last year.

What I will say about 2020 is what you all know, that the backdrop to recent events is unprecedented. The country is experiencing the largest health crisis in the history of the NHS as a

result of the Covid19 pandemic.

A global financial crisis may also be unfolding, which creates a real risk of a global depression and certainly a UK recession of significant depth.

The Club is in a vulnerable sector and has a high proportion of more vulnerable members [compared with] the general population. Approximately 60% of our revenue was closed down for three months due to lockdown which was a catastrophic hit, albeit that the subsequent staycation boom and sites being largely open from July and across the peak period has hugely softened the damaging potential of a longer lockdown. We are therefore expecting to outturn 2020 with a sizeable temporary deficit.

Thankfully we entered into the crisis in good shape with strong cash and balance sheet and good diversification which has held us in good stead. So while Travel and sites were closed, membership and financial services proved to be loyal and relatively stable. There has also been a lot of mitigating activity to generate and preserve cash to ensure the Club will not run out of money and, further, our good credit rating and strong balance sheet means we have been able to access substantial credit (£20m).

On a closing and positive note, we have recently seen an unprecedented caravan and motorhome resurgence. Beyond 2020 the Club expects this step change in interest and demand could likely persist and, so long as the sites can remain open, we are likely to see improved occupancy and membership from now on.

December 2020 79

SPECIAL AGM REPORT

DIRECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT

N

ick Lomas commented that this year had been rather unusual, so he thought he would keep most of his remarks to outlining how the Club and its staff had dealt with the ongoing pandemic.

The Director General said that we have much to be grateful for. We had been monitoring developments with the virus in the months running up to lockdown, and we began to prepare for the possibility that staff would need to work at home. We acquired sufficient laptops and other equipment... in fact around 400 staff were so equipped by the last week of March and all our systems and telephony services were available to staff from home.

My thanks go to our IS service desk staff in particular for their Herculean efforts.

And largely that situation remains the case now, with only a small number of colleagues based in the East Grinstead offices, mainly to handle post, deliveries and despatches.

The results have been that all the Club’s Contact Centre, booking, advice and support services have been available continuously throughout the crisis.

While insurance and membership services were maintained very much on a business as usual basis, from March to June, sales of new travel insurance and Discretionary Mutual Caravan Cover understandably fell to low levels. By contrast renewals of existing protection fell only modestly. The

17

We managed to keep 17 sites open to provide safe harbour for key workers, carers and those who couldn’t return home 80 December 2020

same was true of membership; new membership recruitment fell away but existing Club members remained very loyal and continued their subscriptions to support the Club as we asked them to do.

In return we have extended the booking window to allow bookings for the whole of the summer period in 2021 and then for the whole of next year in order to give priority for future stays to our current members.

Members who had an overseas travel booking or indeed were overseas when the lockdowns in Europe took place were supported by our teams who helped find campsites or rebook spaces on an ever diminishing number of crossings. Much of this was done from people’s kitchen tables and involved long, stressful hours and I am very grateful indeed to staff for all they have done.

On the UK site network we made the decision to close on Sunday 22 March. Closing at short notice displaced some 4,000 members who had to return home or cancel their trips en route. Site staff handled this well, ensuring no one was without a safe stop-over as they made the journey. Of course, not everyone could return home – we had overseas visitors, others who were using their leisure vehicle while working at a hospital or caring for a relative near to site or [others who] had a main home overseas they could no longer travel to. As a result and in accordance with government guidance, which we worked with BH&HPA and the Tourism

Rookesbury Park Club site Alliance to clarify, 17 sites stayed open to provide safe harbour for these people.

My thanks go to our sites staff who managed this unprecedented situation in record time and with the right balance of care and attention.

The Club developed CovidSecure Guidance for Campsites which was adopted by the devolved governments and we awaited the news for when reopening would happen.

The announcement in June by the Prime Minister was a result of considerable work behind the scenes by all our Tourism Alliance colleagues and followed pressure from the Club, BH&HPA and C&CC who wrote a joint letter to ministers and the PM urging them to include campsites in the early phase of hospitality reopening. It is unlikely this would have happened had it not been for these efforts.

Staff on site after lockdown were placed on furlough and then faced the mammoth task of reopening sites that had had limited maintenance or grounds care for several months, at the same time as learning about new Covid-Secure protocols, arranging safety checks for water supplies and putting all the

new measures into place. We can be pleased that our bold plans resulted in 113 sites in England, 16 in Scotland and 14 in Wales being ready on time for the first day these openings were permitted.

Also since June, membership recruitment has been at record levels, such that membership is actually now on budget for the original 2020 result and renewal rates have also moved ahead of plan.

Rural tourism has had a significant boost and we have seen over 62 new CLs join the network so far this year. My thanks to all the CL teams for inspecting these sites just as soon as lockdown was over and getting them open and commissioned for members to use.

I’m pleased to say despite the inevitable disruption, costs and financial losses incurred by the Club in the first part of 2020, the pastime remains very much in demand and members’ loyalty and appreciation of the Club remains very strong indeed. This leaves us very well placed for the longer term, while remaining agile and flexible to deal with further short term adversity and disruption, which we can expect to continue for some time.

Extended season and pop-up site We have taken advantage of the government planning guidance (which we campaigned for) to extend the season on some popular sites which are normally required to close after the main season. New Forest, Norfolk Broads and Brecon Beacons [although now subject to

recently-announced temporary lockdown restrictions] have been given local authority consent to stay open till the New Year. And we have an agreement from our landlords to keep Rookesbury Park in Hampshire open.

Nick reported how as demand for Club site and CL pitches had

been at unprecedented levels we were pleased to have been able to work with the Blenheim Estate to offer a pop-up campsite from mid-September until the end of October to add further capacity adjacent to our Bladon Chains site near Blenheim Palace.

www.camc.com

*Terms and conditions apply. See camc.com/experiencefreedom for details **Price is based on a three-night stay in low season. A minimum stay of three nights applies.

www.camc.com

December 2019 89

PUZZLE CROSSWORD

CROSSWORD Loads of prizes to be won

A bundle of games worth £100 from SmartGames will be won by the sender of the first correct solution opened on Friday 18 December 2020. Members can save 10% across the SmartGames range – visit camc.com/smartgames for details. Four runners-up will each receive £10 Club gift tokens. Please clearly photograph and email your answer grid to crossword@camc.com. Please do not include any other correspondence with your entry.

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POSTCODE:

82 December 2020

DOWN 1 Baseball clubs (4) 2 Anxious or fearful (12) 3 Grand dance (4) 4 Partly open (4) 5 Intentional (10) 6 Gymnastics (10) 7 Retroject (4-4) 8 Layer of paint (4) 9 The two of them (4) 10 Ratio (10) 14 Advancement in rank (9) 15 Partake of food (3) 17 Gosh! (3) 20 Odd or peculiar (7) 21 Egg hatchery (9) 22 Trample (5) 23 Building block (5) 27 The manner of one’s day-to-day existence (9) 32 Effervescent dip (7) 33 Running event with obstructions (8,4) 34 Leading article of newspaper opinion (9) 35 Explain with pictures (10) 36 Tether (3,2) 37 Like a soft-boiled egg (5) 38 With theatrical effect (10) 39 Cosmetic duster (6-4) 42 Heavenly, ecstatic (8) 46 Fruit in pastry (3) 48 Mongrel (3) 52 Legally fair (4) 53 Ship’s company (4) 54 Organised protest (4) 55 Kitchen cupboard (4) 56 Scottish lake (4)

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

MEMBERSHIP NUMBER:

November solution: Across:1 Soft 3 Plain 10 Widow 12 Mate 13 Vulgar 14 Swede 15 Advance 16 Shape 17 None 19 Tale 21 Witch-hazel 24 Seat 27 Expect 28 Gorilla 30 Notion 31 Lout 33 Hoax 34 Rose 35 City 38 Brazil 39 Diamond 40 Tom-tom 42 Duck 44 Fifty-fifty 47 Coin

ACROSS 1 Loaf-slicing surface (10) 6 Language of Islam (6) 11 Smell (5) 12 Peculiarly sensitive to (8) 13 Firework or gem (8) 16 Tomato sauce (7) 18 Moved up and down on waves (6) 19 Swanky (4) 20 Field-to-field steps (5) 22 Not drunk (5) 24 Small child (3) 25 Neither (3) 26 The collar-bone (8) 28 Legal excuse (5) 29 A New Zealander (4) 30 Of high birth (5) 31 Gentle-voiced (4-6) 35 Curious (10) 39 Wallpaper adhesive (5) 40 Black-marketeer (4) 41 Get up late (3,2) 42 New York theatreland (8) 43 Large snake (3) 44 Nothing (3) 45 Overly sentimental (5) 47 Put up a construction (5) 49 Den (4) 50 Senior nurse (6) 51 Seconds (7) 54 Circus stunt intro (4,4) 57 Broken bone (8) 58 Test by tongue (5) 59 Damage as done intentionally (6) 60 Parliamentary seats for party leaders (5,5)

48 Drop 52 Sixty 54 Anemone 55 Hutch 57 Autumn 58 Girl 59 Spear 60 Steep 61 Chap Down:1 Save 2 Filth 3 Purse 4 Attempt 5 Novel 6 Sweat 7 Swank 8 Immense 9 Ledge 11 Device 18 Stye 20 Eject 21 Withhold 22 Hard 23 Auld

grid B

25 Trout 26 Ancestry 28 Guard 29 Aloud 32 Oared 35 Comic 36 Part 37 Loaf 41 Mend 43 Capable 45 Income 46 Feature 48 Dodgy 49 Mensa 50 Zebra 51 Chaos 52 Sharp 53 Touch 56 Snap

OCTOBER WINNERS £50 first prize: Mrs K L Barker, Wiltshire £10 runners-up: P Holloway, Mid Glamorgan; T Byrne, Staffs; A Kilpatrick, Edinburgh; D Grail, Powys Please note: prizes will be posted as soon as possible.

Take a photo of your answers and send to crossword@camc.com with the subject heading December Crossword.

Please do not include any other correspondence with your entry

www.camc.com

If I pass away

Canine Cared For

If I move to a CcaarreedhoFmore Canine is s o n g ia d g in g n a h c e If I receive a lif nine Cared For Ca

Make sure your dog is cared for with GRID B from Dogs Trust Card a Canine Care You’ve always done what you can to protect your four-legged friend, and that shouldn’t change when life does. With a Canine Care Card, you won’t have to worry about what’s next for them, because Dogs Trust will look after and rehome them at one of our 20 rehoming centres across the UK.

dogstrust.org.uk/ccc Email: ccc@dogstrust.org.uk Call us directly: 020 7837 0006

Apply online now to get your FREE Canine Care Card at: Please quote “334647”, or complete the coupon below:

Please send me a Dogs Trust Canine Care Card application form (Please fill out in block capitals) Title

First Name

Surname Address 334647

From time to time we would like to send you exciting updates about our work, products, services and how you can support us, including fundraising activities and research by post. If you’d rather not receive these mailings, please tick here In order to communicate with you more effectively, better understand your preferences and ability to support our work, we may analyse your data. We do share your information within the Dogs Trust Group; currently Dogs Trust Worldwide, Dogs Trust Ireland and Dogs Trust Promotions. To read our full privacy policy visit dogstrust.org.uk/privacy.

Please send this coupon to: Freepost RTJE-SXGL-BEEJ, Dogs Trust, Moulton House, 10 Pond Wood Close, Northampton, NN3 6DF (No stamp required.) N.B. Service only available for residents of the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands & Isle of Man.

www.camc.com

A dog is for life® dogstrust.org.uk

© Dogs Trust 2020

Postcode

Registered Charity Numbers: 227523 & SC037843

November 2016 21

PUZZLES BRAINTEASERS

CODE WORD HOW TO PLAY This puzzle has no clues in the conventional sense. Instead, every different number printed in the main grid represents a different letter (with the same number always representing the same letter, of course). For example, if 8 turns out to be a ‘V’, you can write in V wherever a square contains 8.

Solution 84 December 2020

www.camc.com

SUDOKU

HOW TO PLAY

All you have to do is place a number from 1-9 in each empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers from 1-9.

Solution Solution www.camc.com

December 2020 85

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Dealer Marketplace Welcome to our advertising section dedicated to caravan, motorhome and campervan dealerships across the country. This month we have a chat with Mathew Smith, Marketing Manager at Devon-based Ventura Campervans...

How did Ventura Campervans come about and how long has it been operating?

Ventura is a subsidiary of GM Coachwork, a vehicle conversion specialist with over 30 years’ experience under its belt. GM is a leading supplier of minibuses and the second largest supplier of wheelchair accessible vehicles to the Motability scheme. We also retail used adapted vehicles and taxis. Our engineering background and vision to look for new opportunities led us to the campervan market and the creation of Ventura.

We noticed that customers appeared to have very little choice when choosing a new campervan so we focused on them being able to choose everything themselves – the body colour, the furniture finishes, upholstery and so forth.

What sort of vehicles do you offer?

We offer the Peugeot Boxer L1 H1 (and auto equivalent in the shape of the Fiat Ducato L1) and VW Transporter T6.1s.

We launched with the Ventura VR 200 based on the Boxer, and the way we designed it meant we could create a five-seater campervan which slept four, had a big boot and boasted a full-size 6ft x 4ft 6in double bed.

In 2019 the range was extended with the VW Transporter campervans.

Judging by your website, you place great emphasis on creating ‘bespoke’ campers for your customers. Is that an important part of your business?

Yes, it’s the brand’s USP. Buyers don’t have to choose from stock but they get to design the camper themselves.

They’re all built to order and highly customisable. Every motorhome is white so we wanted to let customers decide how their campervan looked.

“

We wanted to let customers decide how their campervan looked

How have things changed during the coronavirus pandemic? Have you seen increased interest in motorhoming?

I think, like all campervan manufacturers, we saw a rise in enquiries and interest in campervans and staycations. I think the question is, will there be a decline in demand when all travel restrictions are lifted and the pandemic is all but over?

What measures have you put in place to keep people safe?

People’s safety is important for us, so our reception area is fully screened off and we have sanitising gel on hand.

Masks are mandatory for all staff in our offices and vehicle demonstrations are carried out whereby vehicles are deep cleaned before and after a customer visit.

”

You mentioned GM Coachwork specialises in creating accessible vehicles. Can you create campervans for wheelchair users as well?

Yes – we designed a wheelchair campervan a few years back called the VW Panorama, whereby a wheelchair user could drive it from their wheelchair. The vehicle had a lowered floor (a unique GM-registered design), an underfloor side lift and a flat floor to allow the wheelchair user to manoeuvre themselves behind the wheel and drive. The furniture was low-level and folded away. We have also designed and built one-off bespoke accessible campervans.

For more information on Ventura Campervans, see venturacampers.co.uk

FOR BUYING TIPS PLEASE SEE CAMC.COM/ADVICE AND CLICK ON ‘HIRING AND BUYING GUIDE’ 86 December 2020

www.camc.com

Dealer Marketplace ADVERTISING FEATURE

brought to you by the Caravan and Motorhome Club

OWNERS The leading pre-owned motorhome SURVEY and VW campervan 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 for sale at our twin site located in St. Leonards near Ringwood, Hampshire: Countrywide Motorhomes and the VW Kamper Centre.

Three Counties Motorhomes in Poole, Dorset deals with all vehicle hand-overs, servicing and repairs.

Countrywide Motorhomes Main A31, 215 Ringwood Rd, St. Leonards, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2QB Tel: 01202 881089 Prices from £20,000 to over £60,000.

All vehicles supplied with a National Warranty. We are a Family owned business, run by motohome enthusiasts, and stock everything from two berth compacts to six berth family models.

VW Kamper Centre 215 Ringwood Road, St. Leonards, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2QB Tel: 01202 855531

Coachbuilt, Low Profile and A-Class motorhomes. Campervans and Conversions, all types and sizes. Part Ex’s always welcome, best prices paid. We follow all the latest government guidelines to ensure you can Browse & Buy Safely.

The biggest and best selection of VW campers in the country.

Pre-owned and brand new conversions.

Actual vehicles on-site ready to buy.

No waiting for a build slot. All price ranges, specifications, colours, berths & layouts.

Ask for a

VID

Unrivalled quality, unrivalled choice, unbeatable value.

Presen EO of any vtation

You’ll find the same high standards of vehicle preparation and customer care at all our branches.

View interior and exterior images of all our stock online at...

www.m-d-g.co.uk

before aehicle rrival

Search Motorhome Dealer Group on YouTube for our latest videos.

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

Customer Hand Over Suite

Sell us your motorhome or campervan!

We’d love to talk about buying your motorhome We sell so many motorhomes from our sites in Hampshire and Dorset, we’re always looking to buy fresh stock.

ALL MAKES AND MODELS CONSIDERED • UK’s Best Buyer • Immediate Valuation • Instant No Risk Bank Transfer Prior To Collection • Courteous Efficient Service • Free Nationwide Collection • Outstanding Finance Settled • Open 7 Days A Week • Recognition For Extras Fitted And Careful Ownership

Call Rob Kirk, Andy Spencer or Gavin Bartlett NOW!

FREEPHONE 0800 652 4026 www.camc.com Untitled-1 1

www.m-d-g.co.uk

Please Quote C-and-M Club when contacting us

Open Weekdays: 9am-5.30pm, Poole branch appointments only at weekends Hampshire branch Sat: 9am-5pm,Sun: 10am-4pm

March 2020 101 01/09/2020 10:38

Dealer Marketplace CMC_Full_Page_Marketplace_Layout 1 06/11/2020 15:24 Page 1 brought to you by the Caravan and Motorhome Club

DESIGN IT YOUR WAY Personalisation is at the heart of the award-winning Ventura VR200 letting you create your campervan to suit you. Regardless of which model you choose you can customise it to your hearts content. Choose from a wide range of finishes for your cabin furniture, carpet colours, upholstery colours and much more.

From

£33,995

Call to book your VIRTUAL DEMONSTRATION - Call 01626 244097

Full size 6’x4’6” double bed

Generous boot space

Ventura™, Teign Valley, Trusham, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 0NX Tel 01626 244097 Email hello@venturacampers.co.uk

www.venturacampers.co.uk

WINNER: BEST BUDGET MOTORHOME

Ventura VR200

TAIL LIGHTS

Your observations on the unusual world of touring

IT’S TIME TO HANG TOUGH

Here’s an image that, for many people, will sum up 2020 in a nutshell... a caravan washing line in the time of Covid-19. Thanks very much to Club member Anne Williams for the picture!

Chocolate box

Allan and Agnieszka Skyner were travelling back to the Netherlands following an annual holiday in Germany, Austria and Slovenia when this vintage outfit rolled into a site near the city of Augsburg for a night. Apparently the owners were very friendly; we expect they get quite a few admiring glances and photo requests.

HAVING A LAV!

RETAIL THERAPY

Spotted outside a shop in Wellsnext-the-Sea: a special recovery seat for those who might have got the collywobbles having wandered around one seaside gift emporium too many. Many thanks to Lesley Hull for the picture.

TOUR DE NORSE

Alan Williams kindly got in touch having seen the results of a few different restoration projects in recent issues of the Club magazine. Here are two pictures of Alan’s 1970 Viking Fibreline, which has benefitted from a repainted exterior and a new Art Deco-style interior, as well as new gas, electrics and plumbing. Well done, Alan – it’s a lovely-looking caravan.

If you see something unusual on a Club site, CL or while you’re out and about, please send a picture to magazine@camc.com or tag @candmclub on Instagram and we’ll print the best 98 December 2020

“I spotted this toilet on a CL in Herefordshire,” says Stephen LeBeau. “What a brilliant idea. If you lose your phone signal... you can still receive snail mail through the letterbox!”

Free tool*

When you buy

any starter kit .99

£89 or more

To find out more & redeem your FREE tool* visit us at ryobitools.co.uk/christmas

The FREE 12 Tools of Christmas selection…

Valid between 9th November and 31st December 2020.

All redemptions of free tools must be made by 31st January 2021.

A qualifying ‘starter kit’ must include a ONE+ power or garden tool, battery & charger.

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ Drill Driver

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ Leaf Blower

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ High Pressure Inflator

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ Corner Palm Sander

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ LED Project Light

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ 25cm Grass Trimmer

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ Hand Vac

RYOBI® Mixed Drilling & Screwdriving Bit Set (69pc)

RYOBI® Tool Box

RYOBI® 20m Laser Distance Measurer

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ Battery Inverter

RYOBI® 18V ONE+ Lithium+ 2.0Ah Battery

Participating retailers:

Participating retailers and stores only. While stocks last. See www.ryobitools.co.uk/christmas for full terms and conditions.

Purchase of starter kits must be made between 9th November and 31st December 2020. Proof of purchase must be provided to claim the free tool. Buyer and redeemer of the free tool must be 18+. Qualifying kits that are subsequently returned to the retailer for a full refund are deemed void of promotion. *T&Cs apply – visit ryobitools.co.uk/christmas

www.camc.com

November 2019 114

Here for you, whenever you need us.

Hope Valley, Peak District

MAYDAY UK Breakdown Cover Wherever you plan on touring this winter, whatever the weather, from snow to floods or mud, we’ll cover you without charging you any extra when specialist equipment is required.

With 3 cover levels to choose from, starting with Roadside & Recovery at £74 a year, MAYDAY’s got you covered nationwide.

Call 0345 366 6579 or visit camc.com/mayday

8 10

Customers chose to renew with us last year

No vehicle restrictions

Specialist recovery

Nationwide recovery

PROVIDED BY

Underwritten by U K Insurance Limited

A sample MAYDAY UK Breakdown Cover policy booklet including the limitations and exclusions that apply is available upon 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.