Table of contents for April 2022 in Caravan

WELCOME CLARE KELLY EDITOR ″There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by″ – William Cullen Bryant Hello there! I′ve just got back from the NEC Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show and, I have to say, it was packed. It is pretty obvious that you′ve all been cooped up for too long and are now ready to get out there. I love seeing all the new caravans (testing out the beds is always recommended), and meeting so many excited people who just love this hobby so much. And, of course, there′s lots more of you who might well have taken out a subscription at the show. If so, welcome – we′re happy to have you. If you′ve not yet subscribed to Caravan, we′ve got…

TRAVEL SHROPSHIRE SHROPSHIRE’S the tops There are plenty of highs as Helen Werin explores lofty towns and castle towers, ancient hill forts and medieval alleyways Words Helen Werin Photography Robin Weaver Confession: I don’t like shopping, I hate crowds and I’m certainly not one for lying on the grass in the sunshine watching the world go by. My husband feels the same way (thank goodness). Which is how we came to have the back streets of two of Shropshire’s popular towns almost to ourselves. Whilst the historic centre of Ludlow was thronged with sightseers spilling out of the wonderful food emporiums and cafés, we were wandering through quaint streets lined with hundreds of listed buildings from medieval, Tudor and Georgian times, or sitting on Whitcliffe Common looking over the rooftops in…

TRAVEL READER TOURS my VIEW Sharon Whitcroft revels in the Lake District There was a steady procession of heavy droplets pounding on the roof from the waterlogged branches above, keeping me awake. Then, at four in the morning, the new carbon monoxide alarm was inexplicably triggered, adding to an already disturbed night. That was my last memory, four years ago, of a very short stay in the Lake District at the sprawling Coniston Park Coppice Caravan and Motorhome Club site. It was November. I’d chosen Coniston Park Coppice because it opens all year and I’d thought it would offer an interesting first-time glimpse of the Lakes, but I hadn’t taken into consideration the shorter daylight hours and the slow nature of the roads I encountered on the way to Coniston!…

TESTED BAILEY ALICANTO GRANDE LISBON BAILEY ALICANTO GRANDE LISBON The Lisbon is part of Bailey′s most premium offering, giving caravanners a chance to tour in luxury Words: Clare Kelly Photography: Bailey of Bristol Bailey of Bristol T 0117 966 5967 W baileyofbristol.co.ukFrom 34,999 fact file ● Berths 4● Length Body 6.11m Overall 7.38m● Width 2.45m● Headroom 1.96m● Heating system Alde● Weight MIRO 1,546kg MTPLM 1,700kg Spring was finally here or so it seemed as I pulled into Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park ready for a first look at Bailey′s latest offering ahead of its launch at the NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in February. Parking up, I passed through the landscaped grounds – the only sounds were the coo of pigeons and squirrels playing in the trees. The Bailey…

KNOWLEDGE Q&A QUESTIONS & answers Head-scratching issues? Fret no more! Our expert, Lee Davey, is here to help solve your problems recommends Approved Workshop misaligned and frustrated Q It is getting increasingly difficult to plug the caravan’s 13-pin plug into the socket by the towbar. Each time I try, the black notch on the inside of the plug doesn’t seem to line up. Is there anything I can do? A Have you got a green realignment tool? They are usually found in the handbook or front chest, but, if not, it’s worth buying one. Looking like a stubby 13-pin socket (the one next to your towball), this green plastic tool realigns the pins with the notch, allowing you to plug in quickly. Simple to use, too. a lengthy issue Q…

Cookery Caravan Cook up a storm this spring and delight all the family IN ASSOCIATION WITH Your say What’s the best way to serve a scone? Jam or cream on first? How could one possibly spread a thick clotted cream atop a loosely set strawberry conserve? Andy via Twitter So in Devon, we always put the cream on first. Isn’t that the law? Jennifer via Facebook Does it matter? It all goes down the same way and is delicious whatever way round. Wendy via Twitter pixabay ROASTED VEGETABLE SALAD INGREDIENTS: 3 red onions1 red and 1 yellow pepper8 cherry tomatoes½ cucumber1 tbsp cider vinegar1 lime400g tin of chickpeas60g pistachios, chopped100g pomegranate seeds40g dill, finely chopped3 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper6 tbsp mayonnaise2 garlic cloves, crushed1/2 lemon METHOD: 1. Preheat…

TRAVEL DORSET go wild on… THE ISLE OF PURBECK David Chapman reckons this Dorset peninsula is one of the most wild liferich places in the UK, famed for butterflies and special orchids We woke to the sound of a cuckoo, the first of the year and quite an early one. It was April 2021. I always make a note of the date of the first cuckoo. This was also the date that I had carefully chosen to be the start of our trip so as to see something very special; I’ll explain in a moment… Our destination was a fascinating corner of the beautiful county of Dorset; the Isle of Purbeck. This ‘isle’ is not actually an island, but its wonderful coastline, rolling chalk downs and varied heathlands are separated…

Competition Win a WiFi system for your caravan A good internet connection when you are travelling is more essential these days, for checking the weather and researching places to stay, visit and eat. Many of us also like to keep up to date with family and friends through social media and emails. Plus, it’s ideal for streaming catch-up TV (BBC/ITV, etc), and not forgetting keeping the kids entertained. The Maxview Roam kit provides a secure and reliable internet hotspot with a 3G and 4G router to keep you connected in your caravan. The Roam uses a powerful antenna which is designed to be fitted to the vehicle’s roof, and a 4G router. This uses 3G or 4G mobile data to create a reliable WiFi hotspot. By using the antenna, it…

GEAR NEW PRODUCTS new stuff Need something to wear, a new gadget or some reading material? We′ve got plenty of ideas 1 seep sponges In an ever-growing bid to be more mindful of Mother Nature (she’s pretty miffed with us at the moment and who can blame her), we’re constantly looking for less harmful ways to do everyday tasks and that includes when away in the ′van. Trying to recycle properly is one (some people are just missing this gene – you know who you are), and swapping to more eco-friendly essentials, like the common washing-up sponge is another. New company, Seep, reckons 600 million sponges are thrown out each year in the UK alone and so it has introduced a 100% compostable version, made using wood pulp and natural…

TRAVEL THE HIGHLANDS HIGHLAND adventure It’s not often you get the chance to go on holiday to a town named after you. Camping Editor, Iain Duff, raises a glass to his namesake town as he follows Scotland’s whisky trail as part of a Highland tour For obvious reasons, Dufftown has been on my bucket list of destinations for as long as I can remember. In fact, I don’t know why it took this long to visit – but, as my fiftieth birthday approached, I felt it was time to meet my public. After all, if they had gone to all the trouble of naming their town after me, surely the very least I could do was grace them with my presence? With the ongoing Covid situation I knew that a tickertape…

TESTED ADRIA ACTION 361 LT ADRIA Action 361 LT Compact, light in weight, robustly constructed and packed with sporty style as well as practicality, the Adria Action is a very special caravan Words: Val Chapman Photography: Richard Chapman Adria T 01977 621918 W adria.co.uk £21,475 including delivery fact file ● Berths 2● Length Body 4m Overall 5.21m● Width 2.19m● Headroom 1.95m● Heating system Truma● Weight MIRO 985kg MTPLM 1,100kgB Back in 2005, Adria unveiled a small caravan that was to become an icon. Its unique curvy body lines and bright blue decals ensured the Action was instantly a caravan to be noticed. It was light in weight and as compact as caravans come. Seventeen long years later, the Adria Action is still in action, still with instant visual wow-factor, and still…

NEWS & VIEWS caravan guard paperless policy Caravan, campervan and motorhome owners continue to go paperless, helping insurance specialist Caravan Guard and Leisuredays, to raise money for Heart Research UK. The company donates £1 to the charity every time a customer opts for an emailed policy rather than receiving their documents through the post. In 2021, this initiative raised £18,614 for Heart Research UK, bringing the total amount raised in the last 12 years to £150,364. Caravan Guard lost one of its long-serving employees to heart disease in December 2020 so the team is delighted to be funding this research project. “We’re thrilled to be able to support the life saving work carried out by Heart Research UK to prevent, treat and cure heart disease,” said Caravan Guard’s Associate Director,…

a spotlight on the national motorhome & campervan show After two years of Covid disruption and date changes, the UK’s longest-running motorhome show returns to the East of England Arena in Peterborough on 22-24 April. And there’s plenty to enjoy for caravanners, too. Renowned for its huge trade area and superb line-up of evening entertainment, Head of Events, Sally Dodds, commented, “We’re looking forward to starting the season with all the bells and whistles. Four nights of fantastic live acts, an exhibition area showcasing the best available stock from across the country, welcoming the return of free seminars and manoeuvring courses, and once again offering coach trips for those staying.” Camping pitches are £70 (Thurs-Mon) when booked before 2pm on Wednesday 6 April, or £90 on arrival. Day visitor tickets…

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