Indice dei contenuti per June 2023 in Caravan

"It was June, and the world smelled of roses"– Maud Hart Lovelace Welcome to our June issue. This month I’ve been out looking at something exciting – La Mancelle caravans. The French brand is new to our shores and sure to attract a new breed of caravanners! In addition to reviewing the latest caravans, we also like to bring you inspirational travel, tech advice and hope to pass on our love for the hobby to just about everyone we meet. If you’ve not already subscribed, perhaps it’s time? You’ll get the latest issue, plus access to over a decade of previous issues – all fully searchable so you can easily find answers to any caravan questions you may have. What’s more, it’s just £9.99 a year – that’s less than…

I think it’s fair to say that most people take off in their caravans in summer. It makes sense. After all, that’s when the warmest weather is (in theory!) and when places look their best, bathed in sunshine. Most of you reading this will have already booked your summer breaks and will be looking forward to walking by lakes, along rivers or through forests. I am, too – my partner, Stella, and I can’t wait to get back to one of our favourite sites in the Scottish Highlands, Glenmore, on the shore of Loch Morlich, in a beautiful forest clearing that is so pretty it’s like camping in Narnia. But our favourite trips take place in March and October each year as we head off to one of the most remote…

Nestled in the beautiful Dee Valley, Plassey Holiday Park is set within 250 acres of stunning private grounds with breathtaking views, offering the ultimate in relaxation and a perfect holiday experience. With over 60 fully serviced hardstanding pitches, enjoy a range of activities on site, from golf, swimming, fishing and cycle paths to nature trails. Plassey is home to a unique craft and retail village within picturesque Edwardian buildings, with boutiques, giftware, a microbrewery and a hair and beauty salon, as well as a choice of on-site eateries including a restaurant, golf clubhouse and coffee shop, too. Q How long have you been running your campsite for? A I have been running the site since leaving university back in 1992 – so over 30 years, and now with my wife,…

Le Mans might be best known for the 24-hours of Le Mans endurance race but it’s also the birthplace of La Mancelle caravans. Established by André Devaux in 1960, it’s been a popular brand in Europe for decades – chances are, you might have spotted one pitched up if you’ve toured in France. Its workshop is still located in its home city and each caravan is built by craftsmen who have a keen eye for detail and strive for perfection. And now they have reached our shores. Marquis recently announced it was importing four models that are completely new to the UK market – Fantaisy 360 CL, Fantaisy 440 CL, Liberty 440 PC and Liberty 490 SA. We headed to Marquis Surrey to take a look.…

The Liberty range is a unique offering and looks unlike anything else you’ll find on the market here in the UK. And that’s why we love it. The exterior has been given the same treatment as the Fantaisy range with wood-effect graphics and the nose end is curved – a little like a horsebox shape, and once you step inside you’ll be wowed by what you find there. First up, we look at the Liberty 440 PC – it’s got a fixed double at the rear and a dinette that converts into a double bed measuring 2.1m by 1.5m. And what a dinette it is! With wraparound horseshoe-shaped seating and a telescopic table that can be moved around to suit and, which also becomes part of the bed base, no…

Elddis ❚ W elddis.co.uk ❚ £46,949 including £750 delivery Buccaneers have long been leaders in the field of tourer opulence. The brand was among the leading lights of the 1960s era of caravan innovation. Originally made at Full Sutton in North Yorkshire, by Buccaneer Caravans Ltd, and for many years now part of the giant Erwin Hymer Group that also makes the Elddis, Compass and Xplore ranges, Buccaneers have always been at the forefront in terms of luxury. Evolution, coupled with the clamour for top-spec status, to meet a strong demand for tourers in this echelon, has led to the Buccaneers we see today. The combination of a self-levelling mechanism, underfloor heating that works in synergy with the Alde system, and a 32in television as part of the standard equipment,…

There are several types of e-bikes available in the UK, each designed for different purposes and terrain. If you’re taking them on tour with you, choosing the way you transport them is going to be a key consideration. For many, a rack on the A-frame of the caravan’s chassis is the ideal solution. However, the caravan does need a relatively long frame to accommodate a couple of bikes. Many caravan manufacturers have started to introduce A-frame bike carriers as optional extras including many Eriba models and Bailey’s Discovery range and Swift’s Basecamp line-up has anchors to secure the bike on the inside of the caravan while you travel. Both Thule and Fiamma make bike carriers and are some of the best on the market – it pays to spend more…

Rock ‘n’ roll the day away Day visitor tickets are now on sale for the Retro Rock ’n’ Roll weekend which takes place at Newark Showground from 9 – 11 June. Camping pitches are available to book until 2pm on Wednesday 24 May, but if you can’t make it for the weekend and don’t want to miss out on the atmosphere, here’s your entertainment for the day. Friday 9 June – 6pm onwards, last entry 8pm: £10 plus booking fee Phil Haley and His Comments | The Revolutionaires Saturday 10 June – 10am onwards, last entry 8pm: £20 plus booking fee Dance tuition from Jive with Style | The Blazin’ Aces | The Summertime Kings | Glenn Darren & The Krew Katz | Earl Jackson Four Sunday 11 June –…

The last time I visited Blacktoft Sands was in 1987 and, before you say it, I know I don’t look old enough! I was a student and, with a birdwatching friend, we caught a train to Goole and walked, should I say trudged, eight miles of tidal bank carrying a tent, sleeping bags, food, binoculars and all the necessary kit through fog so dense that we couldn’t see the River Ouse just feet away. We pitched our tent in fog and woke to freezing fog. We didn’t see much before we had to pack up! It has only taken 35 years for me to recover from the experience and try my luck again, but this time with all the creature comforts of the ’van and a campsite close enough to…

St Ives is a wonderful location to enjoy Cornwall. It’s full of captivating old streets and boasts a superb harbour and magnificent beaches. It is quaint and lovely and is a quintessential beach town which has both charm and character. Often referred to as ‘the dazzling jewel in Cornwall’s crown’, it is easy to see why as you wander around the narrow cobbled streets and take in the picturesque harbour with its fishermen’s cottages. There are four superb beaches to choose from and St Ives is reputed to have one of the UK’s mildest climates. Tourists flock here in their thousands and return year after year to experience it all over again. On a sunny day, with the beaches looking golden and the sea an azure blue colour, you can…

The wood-effect graphics on the exterior are so authentic, they fooled us until we got really close – combine this with the gentle curves and feature porthole-style windows and you’ve got classic retro appeal. We could see these caravans being particularly popular with those who like to think ‘outside the box’. The Fantaisy 360 CL perfectly demonstrates how to maximise space. It measures 5.53m in length and sleeps three with a fixed bed to the rear and a dinette/lounge that converts into a single bed (measuring 1.9m by 1.1m) making it a good choice for either a small family, occasional guests or an escape from a snoring partner! All being well though, the fixed bed with foam mattress measuring 1.9m by 1.4m offers plenty of space for a couple and…

Most caravan owners will consider changing their unit at some time in the future and shabby bodywork and interior will wipe hundreds of pounds or more off the caravan’s value. With that in mind, keeping up appearances will enhance the long-term value and give you continuing pleasure of ownership. WHY CLEAN REGULARLY? Throughout the year you’re up against acidic rainfall, dust, grit particles and road grime acting on your bodywork. Then there are tree resins and bird droppings further adding to the array of factors to degrade your bodywork. Regular use of your caravan with activities concentrated in such a small area rather than spread throughout a house ensures the interior fabric is likely to suffer more than at home. WHAT CLEANING PRODUCTS TO USE Domestic cleaning products can vary…

WATCH THE VIDEO motorhome.ma/wisper Kent-based e-bike manufacturer, Wisper, has been making electric bikes for over 18 years and we’d say that experience is pretty evident when you take a closer look at its range. Whether you’re planning to commute around a city, want a bike that you can fold down and pop in your car, or caravan or you’re the adventurous type looking to traverse slightly more rugged terrain, Wisper’s range has something for everyone. If you’ve never tried out anything other than a traditional pushbike before, you’ll hopefully find this review really handy as we get to grips with two very different options in Wisper’s electric bike offering… WISPER 806 FOLDING ELECTRIC BIKE First up, we got to grips with the Wisper 806 Folding Electric Bike, which is available…

US all-electric RV company, Lightship, has launched the self-propelling Lightship L1. Founded in 2020 by Tesla veterans, Ben Parker and Toby Kraus, Lightship aims to take a clean-sheet approach to building all-electric recreational vehicles. The new 8.2m-long, 3,400kg Lightship L1 features a design that is said to be three times more aerodynamic than a traditional caravan, and includes an electric powertrain with up to 80kWh of on-board battery capacity, which allows the L1 to propel itself and achieve near-zero range of efficiency loss for the tow vehicle. According to Lightship, “a 300-mile range electric vehicle (EV) used to tow it, remains a 300-mile range EV, and a 25 mpg gas truck remains a 25-mpg gas truck”. On board, all-electric appliances are powered by a battery system that is said to…

INGREDIENTS 1kg deboned chicken thighs100g butter4-5 cloves garlic, minced2 large carrots8 mushrooms, chopped½ celery stick5-6 shallots200ml chicken stock1 tsp sugar2 tbsp sunflower oil1 lemon1 tsp ground turmeric250g couscous Salt and pepper METHOD 1. Chop the carrots and celery into large strips. In a wok on your barbecue or camping stove, heat one tbsp of butter and one tbsp sunflower oil, and quickly fry the carrots and celery. 2. Halve the shallots and add them to the wok when the carrots and celery begin to change colour. Fry for a few minutes and then put the vegetables to one side. 3. Cut the chicken thighs into large pieces and season with salt, pepper and sugar. 4. Bring the wok to a high temperature and fry the chicken until it begins to…

INGREDIENTS 3 nectarines1 punnet fresh raspberries½ red onion200g halloumi4 tsp runny honey100g rocket250g baby leaf salad1 tbsp pink peppercorns1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar2 tbsp olive oilSalt and pepper METHOD 1. Combine the white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, six raspberries and one tsp of honey in a bowl to make a dressing. Season to taste and set aside. 2. Rinse the fruit and slice the nectarines into thin strips. Then, peel and finely slice the red onion. 3. Slice the halloumi into four and brush with honey. 4. Place the plancha cooking surface on your camping stove and pour a little oil on it while it warms up. Brown the cheese for a few seconds on each side. 5. Add the nectarines and onions, cooking these for a few seconds on…

We really are up the creek without a paddle. Well, two creeks to be accurate. Our forward line of view sees yachts moored in the Truro River and the Tresillian creek, the two creeks of the Fal Estuary furthest from the sea. Behind us is the Heron Inn, Malpas, around two miles from the city of Truro. Beautiful sunshine adds to this most wonderful scene, and a heron, stock-still in the lapping water, brings a sense of completeness to all. Being up the creek without a paddle isn’t so bad after all, unless you’re the fish that the heron is about to spear! On the opposite bank of the Tresillian creek is the Roseland Peninsula, perhaps Cornwall’s best-kept secret, and our base for ten nights at Merrose Farm Caravan and…

LONGNOR WOOD HOLIDAY PARK Longnor, Buxton, Staffordshire SK17 0NG T 01298 83648 W longnorwood.co.uk OPEN 1 March – 10 January Set in the Peak District National Park, less than 30 minutes’ drive from Bakewell and Buxton, Longnor Wood is perfect for adults who enjoy walking and cycling. The site is rural, surrounded by meadows and rolling hills, with stunning valley views from the dog exercise meadow at the entrance to the site. On site are allweather hardstanding pitches with electric, with a handful of fully serviced pitches also available. In addition to the heated amenities block and laundry room, the campsite has a small licensed shop, together with a dog wash. Longnor itself is a pretty little moorland town just under two miles away that has a general store, post…

Bailey of Bristol ❚ W baileyofbristol.co.uk ❚ £28,399 plus £645 delivery A mid the layout fashions that drift in and out of the market, driven by invention and by popularity, most conform broadly to a pattern. One, though, stands out from the crowd as being totally different. It’s a lounge layout that’s unique to Bailey. It appears in four models, all in the Pegasus Grande SE range. And it gives these 2.45m-wide models impressive seating and dining versatility. We’re accustomed to descriptions of U-shape and L-shape in terms of lounge/dining configurations. This creative layout, though, is called G-shape. When you look at the layout diagram, it’s easy to see why. And when you spend time in these caravans it’s easy to see why this layout works so well. Seating along the…

Wheel woes Q While using the motor mover to reverse our caravan onto the pitch, the rubber part of the jockey wheel came away from the central plastic part. Can I buy just the wheel itself, and before we break another one, are we likely to have done something wrong? A Jockey wheels are relatively cheap and can be found in many caravan dealers, caravan accessory stores or online retailers. Simply measure your jockey wheel and compare it to the replacement unit. The jockey wheel itself is usually held in place with an axle that is secured by a split pin at one end. Bend the split pin straight, remove it and pull the axle from the jockey wheel. A new split pin is recommended upon reassembly. When using the…

Hanwag Banks Ladies Walking Boots If you love walking, you’ll already know that you need a proper pair of socks and good pair of walking boots. And the right boots are a real investment and will last for years taking you over the most rugged terrain and transporting you to the most glorious landscapes. But one size does not fit all, which is why Hanwag has developed its ladies’ range comprising four designs – Banks GTX, perfect for walkers seeking a little extra comfort; Banks Narrow Lady GTX for slimmer feet; Banks SF Extra GTX for wider feet and Banks Low Bunion GTX for those who struggle with podiatry issues. PRICE from £190 W hanwag.com Sprayway Escape Skort A skirt might not be the first thing you pull out of…

INGREDIENTS 6 chorizo-style pork sausages2 baguettes1 red onion, roughly chopped1 large bunch of fresh flat-leafparsley4 cloves garlic120ml extra virgin olive oil60ml red wine vinegar1 tsp paprikaSalt and pepper METHOD 1. At home, whizz up the parsley, garlic and red onion together in a food processor. Then, and the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar and paprika and pulse the food processor a few more times to combine all the ingredients. Taste and then add salt and pepper until the chimichurri sauce is seasoned to your preference. 2. Transfer into a container and refrigerate until you’re ready to head out on your outdoor cooking adventure. Chimichurri can last up to a week unrefrigerated and two weeks in the refrigerator. 3. When you get to the campsite or your chosen picnic spot,…

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 24 fish and seafood crossword ACROSS 1 Looks after number one in times of trouble? (5,4,4) 8 Collaborator (7) 9 U-shaped piece attached to a cattle yoke (5) 10 Mariner’s challenge (4) 11 Container for still-wanted meal leftovers (5,3) 13 Jacket (6) 14 Shipworm: a boring insect? (6) 17 Letters, symbols used in a writing system (8) 19 Raw, cracked patch on skin (4) 21 Interrogate (5) 22 Type of car hire (7) 24 Issue instructions authoritatively (3,4,3,3) DOWN 1 Small intake (3) 2 Manifold (7) 3 Basis of arenaceous soil (4) 4 Constricted (6) 5 Of a material, more easily squashed or compressed (8) 6…