Caravan -julkaisun June 2024 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

" I just wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored"David Attenborough SOPHIE BROMLEY-RICE CONTENT EDITOR Welcome to the June issue of Caravan. In this wildlife-themed edition we have travel features inspired by the natural world and the beautiful creatures in it. This month has been a very exciting one as our new Out & About Shop has opened! Here you will find tried and tested accessories for all of your adventures, plus you could get free delivery on your first order. Head straight to the shop at W outandaboutshop.co.uk or find out more information on our news page (pg 75 of this issue). Also, have you booked your tickets for the remaining 2024 events run by Warners Shows? If not, booking deadlines are…

“Don’t go any closer. We haven’t brought enough Piriton” (other antihistamines are available, but not in our ’van), shouted Sarah as I homed in on my target. We had spotted a swarm of honey bees dangling on the thin branch of an oak tree. There must have been a few thousand of them, probably all attracted by a queen who was looking for a suitable place to set up a colony. With only a standard lens on my camera, I felt the need to get closer than Sarah wanted me to. I got away unstung, at least by the bees, and the good news is that the next day, by which time I had been forgiven, we saw a swarm of bees living happily in a hole in a nearby…

It was a new year resolution that took us to Flamborough. In the dark depths of winter, I make far too many, and few survive long. This one was about visiting old friends. You know the sort I mean? The ones you knew well once upon a time, but the passing years and busy lives have reduced communication to just a few lines on a Christmas card. That’s if you send cards at all with the current cost of postage! This visiting, we said, will be done in style. We won’t inflict ourselves on our friends but we’ll take the caravan and spend a few nights in their area. After all, just about everywhere in the UK must hold enough interest for a weekend, and folk who live there can…

I deal for enjoying the wonders of nature, Meadow Falls is a relaxing retreat in a popular area of North Yorkshire renowned for its waterfalls and caves. The campsite has hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up and fully serviced pitches. Along with the usual campsite facilities there is a children’s play area and a magical Fairy Dell in the woods that’s not just for children! Meadow Falls is also dog friendly, with a 200-metre dog walk and a warm shower for cleaning off after a day’s exploring. For things to do you can enjoy an adventurous climb up the great Yorkshire Three Peaks, explore the Ingleton waterfall trail, take a dip in the village outdoor pool, explore White Scar Caves, or take a relaxing stroll through the woods looking for local…

There’s an assumption in the caravan market that topspec, luxurious tourers are the preserve of couples. Yet here is a caravan that belies that theory. This is a six-berth, eight-foot-wide, eight-metre-long tourer with pretty much all of the caravan luxuries you could dream of. And it has a layout that offers great versatility for families. Buccaneer’s only family caravan is a very special offering, packed with kit including an automatic self-levelling system, an on-board water tank, and underfloor heating – and with an air of opulence that puts it right at the top of the touring caravan tree. Only the Swift Elegance Grande range and Coachman’s Laser Xcel can be compared in terms of spec level and price – and neither of these ranges includes a six-berth layout. So family…

Towing 1,500kg or so of steel and composite panels isn’t something to take lightly, but anyone can safely and effectively tow a caravan with the correct information and training. We’ll discuss driving licences, the weights you and your car can tow, how loading can affect stability, how multiple reversing tips can be gained during a dedicated towing course, and the rules and regulations that apply to towing a caravan on the UK road network. DRIVING LICENCES Can I tow a caravan with my driving licence? This is a common question that many potential caravanners are unsure of. The confusion stems from changes made in 1997, 2013, and 2021. However, the most recent changes make licensing much simpler. The information below is relevant to the UK: Was your licence issued before…

Shugborough Hall was home to the famous socialite and photographer, Patrick Lichfield. It is now owned by the National Trust. We decided to walk from the site to Shugborough, which gave us the chance to explore the wildlife not only of the estate but also along a section of the Trent and Mersey Canal. Metallic blue-green damselflies flew buoyantly from the leaves of wych elms and hornbeams, where they basked in the sun beside the canal towpath. They landed momentarily on waterside vegetation before heading off in pursuit of prey, tiny insects which buzzed the surface of the water. The dark patches on the wings of the males indicated that these were banded demoiselles. It’s lucky there were so many small insects about because swallows were also targeting them by…

From compact, super-lightweight, sporty-image tourers to Alde-heated, luxurious, eight-foot-wide models, the five ranges from Bailey of Bristol span the whole spectrum of caravan categories. The Discovery range is tailor-made for buyers who want a caravan that looks distinctly different from any other caravan; these models have rounded rear bodylines – and you can buy an awning specially made for them, that wraps around the rear as well as along the side. Phoenix GT75 and Pegasus Grande GT75 celebrate Bailey of Bristol’s seventy-fifth year of manufacture. Unicorn is Bailey’s Alde-heated, standard-width range, and Alicanto Grande is the flagship range; three models with luxury appeal. Discovery Three models which range from a two-berth to a four-berth design DISCOVERY D4-2 With a drawbar long enough to fix a cycle rack, Discoverys are caravans…

Every year, our colleagues at Camping magazine celebrate the best camping and outdoor kit of the year. The annual Camping Awards are the biggest and best in the UK – covering tents and accessories of all kinds. Of course, lots of the camping equipment that is used by tent campers is just as useful for caravanners. And that’s why we’ve picked out some of the highlights of the 2024 awards that we know caravanners will love. The Camping Awards are all about helping readers decide how to spend their hard-earned cash. When money is tight, you need to know that the gear you’re spending your money on is worth it. Value for money, innovation, versatility and style are all taken into account when it comes to handing out the prizes.…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAMPINGAZ® Your say What is your favourite dessert to have in your caravan? Sticky toffee pudding with lots of cream, nothing better when getting cosy in the caravan Sally Bailey Our family favourite is always a hot apple crumble, and it has got to be with custard Martin Richardson My favourite is a cheesecake, any flavour! Samantha Rogers PORK RIBS AND GRILLED CORN ON THE COB WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA INGREDIENTS 1.5kg pork ribs4 corn on the cobs with leaves50g softened butter1 tsp smoked paprikaZest 1 lime Bbq sauce: 2 tbsp olive oil1 garlic clove1 onion140g tomato paste2 tbsp honey100ml chicken stock50ml red wine2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce1 tsp yellow mustard1 small bunch thyme1 tbsp paprikaSalt / pepper METHOD 1. Peel the onion and the garlic, and slice them…

Cannock Chase has the largest area of lowland heath in the Midlands. About 2,000 acres of it was given to Staffordshire County Council by the Third Earl of Lichfield in 1957 and it is now called the Cannock Chase Country Park. At five square miles, it is one of the largest country parks in Britain and there is a visitor centre at Marquis Drive, from which walks leaflets and advice can be gleaned. The heath is very special for wildlife and we had some wonderful experiences there. What looked like a fragment of shiny green paper blew into the air, fluttered erratically, landed on the ground and subsequently disappeared. Only its shadow was significant enough to catch my eye. I ventured closer to see what it was. A tiny sliver…

When I tell friends that I’m going to the Howgill Fells for a long weekend of walking they look bemused and ask me what and where they are. “They’re the lumpy green hills between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales,” I explain, “You get a good view of them from the M6, south of Tebay.” To be strictly accurate, the Howgill Fells are part of Yorkshire Dales National Park and have been since its boundary was extended to meet that of the Lake District National Park. Although actually in Cumbria, they were deemed to have more in common with the neighbouring Dales, so were tacked onto them. Few people seem to have noticed this addition to our National Parks and the area is largely undiscovered by walkers and tourists. GONE…

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty. Among its many attractions, Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill stand out as iconic landmarks that offer visitors breathtaking views. Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano, rises dramatically from Holyrood Park, and provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Hike to the summit for panoramic views of Edinburgh’s skyline, the Firth of Forth, and beyond. Calton Hill, just a short walk from the city centre, is home to a collection of neoclassical monuments and also offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. Back in the city centre you have the well-known attractions of the castle, and historic buildings of the city’s medieval Old Town. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets and head to…

STRETTON LAKES Stretton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7QS T 01780 410507 W strettonlakes.co.uk OPEN All year Stretton Lakes is set around seven fishing lakes that have been created over the past 40 years, in the small and beautiful county of Rutland. Surrounding woodland and farmland make for an idyllic setting for this adults-only site. There are 26 lakeside hardstanding pitches, each with 16A electric, a fresh water connection and a grey waste drain. All touring guests can enjoy free lake fishing and you can fish directly in front of your pitch. Some pitches also back onto Stretton Wood, a 100-acre ancient woodland teeming with fallow deer and birds. Facilities comprise individual private shower rooms, a laundry area, and a dog shower. Two award-winning pubs are just one mile away. Locally are…

Covering all bases Q We’d like to buy a cover to protect our caravan between trips. If I buy a universal cover, cover sizes depend on length. Where should I take this measurement from? A You can buy tailor-made covers for many caravan makes and models, but if you’re looking to buy a universal cover, measure the body length along the bottom of the caravan — just the body itself, and don’t include the length of the A-frame. This size should then fit with a certain cover size. This, however, doesn’t always work, as the choices for our older 14ft (4.27m) Bailey Maestro would be a 12ft-14ft (3.66m-4.27m) cover or a 14ft-17ft (4.27m-5.18m) cover. Be sure to buy one that’s breathable. Sensing trouble Q We’ve just returned from our first…

It’s fair to say electric bikes, or e-bikes if you want to use fewer vowels, have become one of the most must-have accessories in caravans in recent years. You may want to stay active, but need help with hills and longer distances, or you may just need this as an option for exploring more around your campsite of choice. Whatever the reason, the electric bike is a great accessory to pack on board. However, before you rush out and buy one, there are a few things to check and consider and the odd measurement or two to take. Think about where you are going to store the bike. Are you going to carry your bike on a roof rack or in the boot of the car? If space is limited,…

sudoku If you are looking for a way to exercise your mind, sudoku is great and will certainly get the cogs turning! just for fun Find the 22 types of boat crossword ACROSS 7 In the distance (3-3) 8 Large lizard (6) 9 Stare (at) (4) 10 Tennis stroke (8) 11 Kind of speech or speaker (7) 13 Long (for) (5) 15 Taken wing (5) 17 Part of ESP (7) 20 Current (2-2-4) 21 Not manual (4) 22 What a ball can do (6) 23 Aimless (6) DOWN 1 Mar (6) 2 Chesspiece (4) 3 Type of men’s underwear (1-6) 4 Musk producer (5) 5 Cruel (8) 6 Comparatively cockamamie (6) 12 Recently discovered (8) 14 Kind of case (7) 16 Subatomic particle (6) 18 Approve (6) 19 Old (5)…