Tested: A bespoke VW with a home cinema system

campervan F R E E D O M T O E X P L O R

January 2020
E

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❯❯ £4.25

Great escapes
Enjoy the freedom of
your home on wheels!

Enjoying
z Exploring the Isles of Scilly
z Celebrating Burns Night in Scotland

Your Vanlife Camping

>

campers
01

9 772054 409023

Mark & Paul create a one- The secret campervan Great open-all-year sites
off Merc-based camper diary of Gwen, aged 2½ for winter adventures
 Ready
for
Adventure

2020 | Collection
Peugeot Van Conversions
Made in Great Britain

Find Out More: www.auto-sleepers.com/peug • +44 (0)1386 853 338

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 Editor's note | Welcome

Hello
Contributors
Kim Brett

Fi Darby

Alana Hurd

Carol Kubicki

Felicity Martin

Gilbert Park

Sue Phillips

Peter Rosenthal

Claire Tupholme

Mike Waterman

Two fantastic
subscr iption offers
See pages 3

G
reetings, folks! Welcome to the latest issue of Burns Night in style, or perhaps the 8 & 51
Campervan magazine. sunny Isles of Scilly is more up your
If you've just grabbed a copy from the local street? But, if you really want to escape
newsagent, did you know that it works out far the winter, then a trip to the Southern Hemisphere and a
cheaper to take out a subscription? What's more, if you fly-drive holiday around New Zealand is just the ticket.
sign up for the digital issue, you'll get to enjoy your copy If you've been somewhere exotic, send us your best
way before everyone else... snaps to be in with a chance of winning a Vango camping
Campervan magazine is a monthly title and, as usual, bundle, worth £100!
this month's instalment is packed full of ideas to get you
out and about this winter, or planning trips for the spring. Geneve
How about exploring snowy Perthshire and celebrating Editor

P83 Fi & Si have quite an adventure takin

P48 We check out what's been rockin' your P52 Mike ships his camper to the USA and g the
long way home through north Wales...
weird and wonderful campervan world... explores the legendary Route 66...

Share Got any interesting campervan stories? 

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outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 3
Contents | In this issue

campervan
F F RR EE EE D
D O
O M
M T
T O
O EE X X P PL LO OR R
E E

Inside this month

Choosing
6 News
All the latest goings on in the campervan world

11 Spotlight on Danbury
We catch up with Danbury's MD for all the latest goss...

14 Auto-Trail Adventure 65
An unusually large campervan to have a pop-top roof...

21 Dreamer Camper Five

This Fiat Ducato does exactly what it says on the tin...

25 Knights Custom Conversions VW T6

A really posh camper that's fitted with all the latest gadgets

31 Rolling Homes Expedition

66
One very orange 4x4 campervan that looks like a lot of fun!

39 IH N-Class 680 CRL

A Crafter-based panel van conversion-cum-motorhome

Enjoying
42 Scotland
Felicity heads to Perthshire to meet up with Rabbie Burns

48 Community
Out and about in your campervans, enjoying the vanlife

52 USA
Mike embarks on part one of an epic Route 66 road trip 14 71
58 Destination of the month
The South East of England is great for a winter break

60 South East campsites

Brilliant sites for exploring the beautiful south
42
66 Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Kim and Alison bumble around in their Bongo camper

71 Open-all-year sites
Great campsites for year round adventuring in the UK

Your campervans
76 Mercedes Sprinter
Meet Sprogett, a rather unusual dog-friendly camper

80 WildAx Pulsar Hi-Top

Alana talks about working and living in her campervan

4 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Fantastic
subscr iption offer This month's
See pages
s cover
38 & 51

—alamy.com
34
New Zealand
Gilbert and Maire embark
on part two of their
Southern Hemisphere
adventure, exploring New
Zealand's North Island in
a Maui camper...

90 92

Our campervans
25 83 Fi's Toyota Hiace Powervan
Taking the long way home turns out to be quite a ride...

87 Sue's Volkswagen California

2½-year-old grandaughter, Gwen, shares her thoughts...

90 Geneve's classic VW T25

The Editor gets in a bit of a tangle learning to crochet...

In the know
92 Shipping your campervan to the USA
Everthing you need to know about sailing to the States

95 Paws on tour
Perfect pubs for drinking with your four-legged buddy

76 96 Accessories
The latest campervan gear and gadgets put to the test

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 5

News | What's happening in the world of campervans

News
Read all about what's going on in the
Website attracts
record numbers to
‘For Sale’ section

fascinating world of campervans...

IH launches four-seaters
The outandaboutlive.co.uk website, which has
a dedicated section featuring over 4,700 new and
used campervans and motorhomes for sale, is
attracting a record number of new visitors.
According to the latest figures, the number
of new visitors coming to the site to search for
their new or replacement campervan has jumped
significantly compared to the same period last
year, indicating both the growing attraction of the
website and a growing demand from buyers for
new and used models.
Many leading campervan dealers and
manufacturers now advertise their models for sale
on the website, as do hundreds of private sellers,
which means visitors have an unrivalled choice
of private and professional sellers all on the same
website. According to data on visitor use, many
people coming to the site start by researching
Luxury campervan manufacturer, IH, has two people, with IH offering an awning campervans in the reviews section before moving
launched a pair of Fiat Ducato-based and safari room as part of a pack to cater onto the ‘For Sale’ section.
models with four travel seats – the 600 for those needing sleeping space for There are currently over 1,450 in-depth
RD/S4 and 630 RD/S4. It is the first time occasional guests or grandchildren. campervan and motorhome reviews on the site –
it has made models with four travel seats. In both versions, IH has worked in more than any other website – and more reviews
In each of the new models there is a association with a specialist seat are added weekly. Many visitors also jump between
rear lounge as well as the forward seating manufacturer to ensure that its rear the two sections so they can read what Campervan,
area. The number refers to the length of passenger seats are truly automotive in MMM and What Motorhome magazines’ expert
the vehicle (either 6.00m or 6.36m) with style. Two separate seats are fitted side by reviewers wrote about a particular model that they
the additional length of the extra-long- side and these not only slide forward and have seen advertised in the ‘For Sale’ section.
wheelbase version being devoted entirely recline but also move apart to create extra The website also offers visitors the chance to sign
to having more room in the rear lounge. shoulder-room while travelling. up to free e-newsletters, which feature the latest
Despite their quartet of travel seats, the As usual with an IH motorhome, the campervan and motorhome news, reviews and
RD/S4 models each still offer beds for just new S4 models can be specified with a offers. These have proved so popular that a record
variety of furniture and upholstery styles 30% more people signed up for these unique
and the company offers a comprehensive e-newsletters than during the same period last year.
list of options to further personalise the While new 2019/20 top the searchers’
vehicles, if you wish. preference for the age of motorhomes and
For example, kitchens can be fitted with campervans for sale, the website has also seen
a gas oven or microwave, or neither for a growth in searches for models aged between
additional worktop space. IH can also two and five years old and there remains a strong
replace the rear lounge with a fixed bed, interest in models aged up to 10 years old,
creating extra on-board storage, as well as suggesting the demand for used models continues
fitting its rear doors, replacing moulding to strengthen.
with an opening boot, often seen as a Researching new and used motorhomes and
trademark feature of the brand. campervans for sale is free, as is reading reviews of
The new 600 RD/S4 is priced from models – just go to outandaboutlive.co.uk and
£57,495, while the longer 630 version click on the Motorhomes tab.
costs £2k more.

6 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Win a campervan competition CMC HemBil launches
Insurance specialist, Safeguard, is running a competition to give away a new
Volkswagen T6 campervan plus a year’s free insurance.
To enter, all readers need to do is get a quote for campervan insurance.
new campervan
The free-to-enter competition will end at midnight on 31 March and, following
this, a winner will be selected who will win a Redline VW campervan worth
£45,000 plus a year’s insurance from Safeguard worth up to £700.
In addition, there will be fortnightly spot prizes drawn on the first Monday
of every fortnight until 16 March. These prizes include an Outsmart the
Thief Lockdown system with one year's free monitoring and free installation,
a Nemesis Ultra Wheel Lock and Saracen Hitch Lock, one of five £100
Love2Shop vouchers, a Snooper sat-nav or dash cam, one of three pairs
of tickets to the Southwest Motorhome Show in Shepton Mallet (11 – 13
September), and one of three pairs of tickets to the Motorhome Show Season
Finale in Lincoln (25 – 27 September).
You can enter by getting an insurance quote through swinton.co.uk
or safeguarduk.co.uk or by telephone or by leaving your details at the
February Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, NEC.

One-berth micro-campervan update CMC HemBil, which is built by CMC Reimo, has unveiled
Wheelhome, the Essex-based manufacturer of tiny campervans, has its latest addition to the range.
revised its Vikenze II, which is probably the smallest camper currently The new campervan – the Urban – is based on a
on sale in the UK at just 3.86m long and 1.83m high (with the elevating Volkswagen T6. While the launch model was based on the
roof down). current T6, orders for next year are being taken for the latest
The spec for all new orders now includes as standard a large, 165W T6.1 model.
ultra-thin (3mm) solar panel on the roof, Driftwood furniture, a built-in Similar to its sibling, the HemBil Drift, the Urban features
microwave (which, along with the induction hob, runs from a Variotech 3000 bench that has three seatbelts, and easily
either the on-board inverter or campsite hook-up). An converts to a good-sized double bed, come night-time.
electric oven/grill is also available as an option. It’s also fitted to tracks on the floor, enabling multiple
The Vikenze II remains a single-berth locking positions.
camper, based on the Euro 6 version of To accompany the rock ‘n’ roll style bed, there’s a side
the Fiat Qubo and an automatic variant kitchen featuring a two-burner gas hob, sink and a top-
is offered. loading fridge. But what’s unique about the new Urban is
It comes with an electric that the unit containing the hob and gas canister is fully
elevating roof and is priced removable, which is ideal in summertime for cooking al
from £31,025 on a new fresco. However, if the Urban is your only vehicle and,
base vehicle. therefore, the daily drive, the unit could be stored in the
Alternatively, it garage at home, thus freeing up more space in the ’van.
can be based on Handy if you want to carry more than five passengers, too, as
a pre-owned, additional removable single seats can be fitted to the floor
low-mileage track system.
Qubo from Prices start at £46,950
around £25,850.

NEC show special

Warners, the publisher of Campervan magazine, half-term, children aged 15 and under can enter
will again host a day at the Caravan, Camping and for free.
Motorhome Show, which takes place at the NEC, Whether new to the outdoors lifestyle or a
Birmingham, from 18 to 23 February. long-time motorhomer, campervanner, camper or
The Wednesday of the show will see experts caravanner, the show offers inspiration for all by
speak on the main theatre stage including giving visitors a first look at the latest innovations,
Warners’ Road Test Editor, Peter Vaughan, who as well as the latest trends in destinations.
will advise showgoers on the latest campervan With a huge display of motorhomes,
and motorhome trends, and guide them on how campervans, caravans, tents, awnings and
to choose and buy their ideal model. accessories all under one roof, the show is a great special feature areas such as the Top Dog Arena
Warners will also have a stand (3010) at which place to view and buy the latest products and showing amazing agility demonstrations and
there will be exclusive show offers on Campervan, leisure vehicles. theatre events – plus the chance to win some
MMM, What Motorhome and Caravan magazines. There will be guest appearances by celebrities, huge prizes.
As the show coincides with the February school children’s activities such as indoor climbing, Find out more at ccmshow.co.uk


outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 7

News | What's happening in the world of campervans

Murvi offers Pimento with twin beds Bookings now open for
Warners’ 2020 shows
Camping pitches and day visitor tickets are now
available to book for 2020’s motorhome, campervan
and caravan shows organised by Warners, the publisher
of this magazine. With shows and events held from
January to October, now is the time to start confirming
great weekends away in your diary.
This year sees the launch of two new shows, with
the introduction of both the January Motorhome &
Campervan Sale in Peterborough and the Scottish
Motorhome & Campervan Show in Edinburgh, in July.
One of the many highlights of the year will be the
National Motorhome & Campervan Show in April at
Devon-based campervan converter, also be separated to form two single the East of England Arena in Peterborough, where Suzi
Murvi, is now offering its Pimento and beds, instead. Quatro & The Sweet will be headlining, celebrating
Pimento XL campervans with twin single Behind the lounge there’s an L-shaped the show’s thirtieth anniversary. This year will also be
beds as an alternative to the double bed kitchen, with a sink and drainer behind the first time that pitches will be available with electric
versions (the twin single beds can still be the sliding door, and a hob, oven/grill hook-up. For more details head to showgoer.co.uk
pulled together to form a double). and fridge at the back of the ’van.
The Pimento and larger Pimento XL Opposite is the washroom, complete
are both based on the latest Fiat Ducato with a shower, washbasin and loo. In the
(from £53,070) or Ford Transit chassis larger Pimento XL, there is a rear storage
(from £56,387). area adjacent to the washroom, which
They feature a front lounge with a long was previously only accessible from the
side sofa that pulls forward to make a back of the vehicle via the barn doors.
double bed. However, the updated Pimento XL now
However, the latest Pimento now features a door in the washroom, so that
features tracks on the floor, meaning the the storage area can also be accessed
two foams that form the double bed can from inside the campervan.

Bristol considers banning all private diesel vehicles

Bristol City Council is considering banning all to tackling air pollution so we meet legal limits number of options has taken place alongside a
privately owned diesel vehicles from entering the within the shortest time, without disproportionally city-wide public consultation.
city centre. affecting citizens on lower incomes, which would These findings were used to inform an outline
The plans are part of a move for a clean air happen with a blanket approach to charging business case (OBC) which was presented to the
zone in the city, which the council says will deliver vehicles. Protecting the most vulnerable people cabinet on 5 November, 2019.
the fastest possible improvement in air quality from pollution is central to these plans and we If approved, the OBC will be submitted to the
against targets for nitrogen dioxide legal limits. have ensured that all impacts have been carefully Joint Air Quality Unit and the council will then
If approved the plan means Bristol will be the considered. If approved, mitigation measures will continue to work with the JAQU to prepare the
first city in the UK to ban all privately owned support those most affected, especially those full business case for submission in February.
diesel vehicles within a defined city centre area. living in the most deprived communities.” The deadline for the implementation of the
The Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: “These Working with the government’s Joint Air plans is March 2021.
ambitious plans demonstrate our commitment Quality Unit (JAQU), technical analysis of a Further details are to be announced.

Get a quote to
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8 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

Before you get out there.
Better get in here.
Whether you’re a seasoned staycationer or dipping your toe
into the great outdoors, you really should get in here. From all
the leisure vehicles you can imagine to all the accessories
and equipment that you could ever need.
Tickets from £6.50* with code CMPV2. For more information
and to book tickets visit ccmshow.co.uk or call 0844 873 7333†

Parking Included | FREE Show Guide | FREE Entry for Kids*

Organised by Partners

*£6.50 Senior (over 60s), £7.50 Adult when booking before 23:59 hrs 17/02/20 after which time prices revert to the on-the-door price of £9.00 Senior (over 60s) and £10.00 Adult; a £1.25 transaction fee applies.
Car parking included in ticket price. No dogs (except assistance dogs). Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying Adult/Senior. Tickets are non-refundable. Free show guide and tuition
is subject to availability. †Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
 !*
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 Danbury | Spotlight on

Spotlight on...
Danbury
A household name that’s been making
memories since 1964. We spoke to Managing Mark Stevens
Director, Mark Stevens, to find out more… Managing Director

1 When did Danbury start out?

We’ve been converting base vehicles into leisure vehicles for
2 How has the campervan
market changed since then?
the UK for six decades. Best known for our iconic Volkswagen T2 Clearly Danbury has seen a significant number of
conversions, we now focus our expertise on the production of a dozen changes in the market over the years. The campervan
modern campervan designs using the VW T6 and Ford Transit Custom market has moved from being the domain of the
chassis. Following the acquisition of Danbury by French manufacturer, enthusiastic handyman, converting a used van for his
Pilote, we’ve also been able to add six variants of the Danbury Avenir personal use, to a multi-million pound professionally
range, which is based on the ever-popular Fiat Ducato. As we say in our organised business, and an ever-growing and
strapline, Danbury has been ‘’Making memories since 1964.’’ important segment of the UK leisure industry.

3 What do you think makes a great campervan conversion?

Our campervans need to appeal producing great campers and, whilst we customer expectations and complies
to a large range of customers and so, by are all different, we all strive to meet the with all the safety standards expected in a
definition, there is no such thing as a single ever-demanding requirements of our modern vehicle, with the flexibility to allow
perfect campervan. Many converters in customers. In our view, a great campervan the customer to create a campervan that’s
our industry do an excellent job in conversion is one that measures up to still special and unique to them.

4 What sets Danbury apart from the crowd?

Danbury is a family run and family-orientated business but it’s also a
5 How has the brand evolved
over the years?
professional business, which has three focus points at its core. These three We’ve gone from a small craft business that started
points of focus have helped set Danbury apart from the competition for out converting and customising VW Beetle cars back
decades and, in summary, they are: high quality and innovative solutions in in the sixties to, more recently, Brazilian VW T2s, to
all our extensive product range; fair retail and service prices, offering great now having a fully fledged modern factory facility.
value for money to the customer; friendly, efficient and professional We convert VW Transporter, Ford Transit Custom
customer service throughout, from the start of the purchasing cycle and Fiat Ducato chassis into high-specification
through to aftersales service and, of course, repeat business. campervans for the discerning modern family.

6 Have you got any exciting new

developments in the pipeline?
7 How would you sum up the
company’s ethos and values?
Danbury has most recently introduced the Choice range The company’s ethos and values are characterised fully in
of VW campervans and also the Raven its vision and mission statements, as follows. Danbury vision:
range of Ford-based campers. As to be the UK’s leading van converter delivering high quality,
campervan innovators in the industry, innovative and exciting campervan solutions designed to delight
watch this space for the product our customers and enhance their leisure experience. Danbury
ranges currently being prepared mission: through innovation, proven solutions, empowered and
for the 2020 Caravan, high-performing well-trained people working safely and
Camping and Motorhome systematically within our core values of passion, independence,
Show, which takes place humility, audacity, transparency and group spirit, Danbury will
at Birmingham’s NEC deliver sustainable growth, customer satisfaction and profit for
on 18 – 23 February… the benefit of the company, its customers and its employees.


outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 11

Spotlight on | Danbury

8 What advice would you give to someone

thinking about buying a campervan?
9 What’s the most unusual question
you’ve ever been asked by a customer?
I would always recommend that customers buy their campervan We get all kinds of bizarre requests but one of the more
from a reputable and established converter that they can trust. unusual questions we’ve ever been asked was: “I do a lot of
In this way, the customer has the confidence they have bought night fishing. Does Danbury have solar panels that will work
wisely and can expect to get a good part exchange deal for their at night to keep my leisure battery charged?” Clearly, that
campervan when they look to change it in the future. customer was one that got away!

10 What’s the best campervan trip you’ve personally undertaken?

It was a family trip where we across to Dover, take the ferry to Calais, Just pure holiday fun and relaxation
travelled from Cardiff to L'Estartit, in visit the fantastic wine regions of France with the family. That’s what I love about
northern Spain. We were able to amble and then relax at our campsite in Spain. campervan holidays.

The latest models...

Danbury Choice
With the new Danbury Choice range, you can create your dream campervan
that’s as individual as you are. Choose from three funky roof and roof canvas
colours, three types of flooring and stylish wood finishes, three distinctive
leather upholsteries and three Eurosport alloy wheel options. Based on the
VW Transporter, the Surf model shown here has a traditional side kitchen
layout with a rock ‘n’ roll-style bed. However, if you prefer a rear kitchen and
washroom, there’s the choice of the Danbury Active, or the Danbury Royale,
which has the added benefit of a high-top roof.

Danbury Raven Danbury Avenir

Introducing our six-strong range of Fiat-Ducato based
continental touring campervans, the Avenir is designed to
allow you to travel in comfort for longer. It’s a real home from
home with a three-in-one washroom featuring a shower and
toilet, a fully equipped kitchen and, of course, comfy beds to
ensure a good night’s sleep. With a choice of lengths and
layouts, just choose the right Avenir for you.
The 63LG pictured here features a rear lounge that seats
four, and easily transforms to a double bed come night-time.

Based on the ever-popular Ford Transit Custom with a 128bhp

engine and Trend specification, the Raven comes packed with kit.
As standard you can expect a roof bed (making it a four-berth
model), a sliding rear bench seat system for maximum flexibility,
and stylish leather seats with contrast stitching. Contacts
It’s got all the home comforts, too, like a proper oven with Danbury Motorcaravans ☎ 01454 310000
a three-burner hob, diesel blown-air heating and cab air- Ltd Great Western Business danburycampervans.co.uk
conditioning. The Raven is perfect for any family adventure, Park, Armstrong Way, Yate, danburymotorcaravans
from the big shop to an unforgettable holiday! Bristol BS37 5NG DanburyBristol

12 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

Danbury’s not so little black number
The new Danbury Raven, is
designed to tackle any family
adventure, from the big shop
to an unforgettable holiday.
Based on the ever popular Ford Transit Featuring a unique sliding rear seat
Custom 130ps Trend model, the Danbury system, revealing extra storage space,
Ford ‘Raven’ includes this outstanding
specification as standard: plus bespoke leather upholstery, sporty
alloy wheels, stylish black side bars and
o Air conditioning a unique detailed finish, it’s built for any
o Tailgate occasion.
o Privacy glass
o Sliding rear seat system
o Roof bed
o Heater
o Leather seats with contrast stitching
o 18” black alloy wheels
o Front splitter
o Black side bars
o Unique black roof canvas

Also available with Orange or

Danbury Raven at £49,995 OTR Sky Blue detailing

Making memories since 1964

www.danburycampervans.co.uk
All vehicle prices are inclusive of on-the-road charges and are correct at time of printing. These include factory delivery, number plates,
12 months road fund licence and first registration fee. Danbury Campervans reserve the right to change specification and pricing without
prior notice. Terms and conditions apply. See website for full details.
Choosing | Auto-Trail Adventure 65

Adventure
awaits
A pop-top roof on a large ’van may seem
like a mad idea but they’re all the rage in
Europe, and with good reason…
WORDS & PHOTOS Peter Rosenthal

Y
ou may not be aware of it but Europe the smart choice and is bound to be the
is awash with the sound of angle most popular option. If you want more
grinders as eager continental grunt, or need to tow stuff, then there are
converters all chop the roofs off Fiat also 160bhp and 178bhp options, but these
Ducatos so they can fit a pop-top. It lose the VED reduction.
may sound rather crazy to lop the roof off a The 140bhp engine is a smooth and
’van that’s already large enough to stand up powerful powerplant and should be fine for
in and can easily accommodate four berths, most people. As with all the new Ducato
but there’s good reason why buyers are low-emission engines, it offers even more
getting increasingly enthused by these refinement than the previous Euro 5 engines.
larger campervans with elevating roofs. It’s partnered with a six-speed manual as
Only a handful of these conversions have standard, but a new torque converter
hit UK shores so far and Auto-Trail has seen automatic gearbox is available on the
an opportunity to put a British spin on this 140bhp, 160bhp and 178bhp output engines
idea by mating the pop-top roof to a rear for £2,994. Tempting!
lounge layout. By pinching the best bits Despite the smooth engine and decent
from a motorhome and the flexibility of a road manners, the Ducato base vehicle is
campervan, it’s hoping to lure in new buyers. not as refined a drive as the class-leading
But does this camperhome (motorvan VW Crafter and Mercedes Sprinter, but it’s
doesn't sound so good…) concept work? still rather good.
To find out, I grabbed the keys to its latest Standard cab kit with the Adventure 65
Adventure 65 model, which was finished in is pretty generous and, as well as the usual
an attractive shade of Expedition Grey. You electric windows and (heated) mirrors,
can also specify it in a funky light blue, but there’s also cruise control and the all-
the flat grey colour is bang on trend. The important air-conditioning.
stock engine is the 120bhp 2.3-litre engine Best of all, you get the Media Pack as
that meets Euro 6d emissions but our test standard (it’s £1,299 on some Auto-Trails)
vehicle had the upgraded 140bhp version and this includes a built-in Zenec Xzent
(which is a £900 extra). As this also lowers touch-screen sat-nav with CD, DAB+ and
the first year VED cost by £535, it’s clearly Bluetooth phone integration, as well as a

14 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Auto-Trail Adventure 65
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato XLWB 2.27m x 2.75m (900W/1800W on 230V) with leisure battery £120, Witter fixed
panel van 10-litre boiler, 25-litre underslung towbar £550, 5-year body integrity
Standard equipment Elevating
Drive Front-wheel drive pop-top roof with ladder access. LPG tank, LED lighting, washroom warranty (to 10 years in total) £699
Dometic two-burner gas hob and with flip-up sink and Thetford
Engine 2.3-litre turbo diesel Euro Warranty Two years on base
sink, Can stainless-steel grill and electric-flush swivel-bowl loo
6d vehicle, five years on conversion
cooker, Dometic RMS8401 Optional equipment Fitted to test and water ingress
Power 140bhp three-way 80-litre fridge with vehicle: upgrade to 140bhp engine Price from £58,895
Gearbox 6-speed manual 8-litre freezer. 70-litre underslung £900. Also available: 160bhp
fresh water tank, 70-litre engine £1,800 (plus £535 extra Price as tested £60,115
Number of travel seats 4
underslung waste water tank. Beds: OTR), 178bhp engine £3,720 (plus
Berths 4 transverse rear double 1.85m x £535 extra OTR), 9-speed
Leisure battery capacity 72Ah 1.62m (6ft 1in x 5ft 4in) and pop-top automatic gearbox £2,994 CONTACTS
roof double 1.98m x 1.40m (6ft 6in (available on 140bhp, 160bhp and auto-trail.co.uk
Payload 365kg Auto-Trail
x 4ft 7in). Truma Combi 4 E gas/ 180bhp engine. Adds £535 extra
Length x width x height 6.36m x electric blown-air heating OTR cost to 140bhp engine). Extra AutotrailVR


outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 15

Choosing | Auto-Trail Adventure 65

Pros
z Large and easy-to-erect roof bed
z Easy-to-make rear bed layout
z Spacious front lounge with handy
flip-up table
z Standard-fit sat-nav and reversing
camera

Cons
z Fiddly double-doored wardrobe
z No vent in shower
z 72Ah battery is a bit small

reversing camera, steering wheel controls seating that’s usually fitted to a motorhome- mealtimes, there’s a larger pole-in-the hole
and an Avtex 19.5in TV/DVD linked to a roof style layout, and the seats are much more table that can be employed in the rear
aerial. I prefer the Zenec sat-nav system to contoured for comfort, while still featuring lounge. I suspect many parents will relish the
Fiat’s own one, which is a little clunky. The a proper headrest and individual three-point choice of separate dining areas for the kids,
Zenec system also has motorhome-specific seatbelts. Thanks to the pop-top roof bed, though… and this is another plus to this
mapping for Western Europe built-in. these seats don’t have to convert to a front layout compared to a medium-sized van
The cab seats are smartly trimmed to bed and they’re all the better for it. Another conversion, I think.
match the rest of the interior seating and clever feature is the table. The rear lounge offers two large side
come with neat Auto-Trail logos Rather than fitting a massive table with a settees that are big enough to put your feet
embroidered into the headrests. Usefully, complicated extending leaf for fine dining up on and are encircled by windows to three
they also feature twin armests on each. for four, Auto-Trail has opted for a much sides, with one being fitted in each rear barn
more compact table that simply flips up door. In summer, you can either open up all
Lounging around from the sidewall and is supported on a the windows (which have flyscreens) or
Once at a campsite, it’s easy to get into single leg. It doesn’t get in the way in the throw open the doors to drink in the view.
lounge mode and the extra width of the lounge and at night-time can be flipped
large van (as opposed to a medium-sized flush with the wall so the access ladder to Kitchen classics
one, such as a VW Transporter) makes it the roof bed can be slotted in place. Not If you’re used to a motorhome kitchen with
easy to rotate the cab seats. Both have a having a great big slab of table gives a four gas burners and the capability to roast
swivel base and are on the same level as feeling of spaciousness to the lounge and, a chicken while you’re grilling the cheese
the rear travel seat. together with large side windows, makes you on your cauliflower, then the more modest
The travel/lounge seat is much better overlook the lack of a rooflight. twin-burner Dometic combination hob and
than the usual bolt-upright half-dinette If you do want to seat four people at sink may be a disappointment, but

16 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

campervanners will love it, particularly as Washroom wonders that’s well made with ample room, the only
it also comes with a Can oven and grill as Opposite the kitchen is a proper washroom obvious issue is the lack of a roof vent (it’s
standard. It’s also worth noting that the gas that will delight anyone upgrading from a not possible, thanks to the roof bed). It could
hob and oven are fed by a 25-litre smaller camper, as it features a proper really do with an opening opaque side
underslung LPG fuel tank, which means you shower and tray, as well as a Thetford swivel window to stop the interior steaming up
don’t have to lug about gas bottles. This bowl cassette loo with an electric flush. The when you’re showering.
should last ages, and it’s cheaper to refill shower uses a clingy shower curtain – which A Truma Combi 4 E (230V electric or gas
than bottled gas – LPG is currently around isn’t our favourite method of keeping the loo powered) provides the hot water and is fed
64p a litre. dry – and only has one drain point, but it by an underslung 70-litre fresh water tank. A
The fridge is next to the kitchen and is offers room for over six-footers and similarly sized waste tank collects your suds.
a user-friendly three-way Dometic 80-litre reasonable room. A mirror-fronted double-
model that also offers an eight-litre freezer doored storage cupboard is next to the Bedtime brilliance
compartment and silent running. shower and offers ample room for your It’s at night-time that the Adventure really
There’s a reasonable amount of grey toiletries, while the flip down basin below it comes into its own. For starters, shutting
worktop around the hob and sink unit, with has a dedicated metal tap and felt pleasingly out all the light is a doddle thanks to Remis
an additional section flipping up at the end durable. Below the sink are a few more blinds in the cab and decent-quality
if you need extra room for plating up. While shelves for your toiletries and there’s also pull-down blinds throughout the rest of
there’s lots of storage space underneath the a towel ring, toilet roll holder and, best of the vehicle, too.
kitchen pod – with a couple of cupboards all, a couple of hooks on the back of the The rear lounge bed has been engineered
for pots, pans and crockery – the overhead washroom door. These are ideal for to make it simple to set up and there’s a
locker is a bit narrow and you’ll probably drip-drying coats, or hanging towels. deep storage locker underneath the
only use it for packet foodstuffs or mugs. Overall, it’s a pretty decent washroom passenger side pew that can easily store 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 17

Choosing | Auto-Trail Adventure 65

your bedding (and possibly your outside

chairs). The seat bases stay upright on their
own without having to remove the cushions,
too, which isn’t always the case, and is a
thoughtful detail.
The two settee bases simply pull together
to bridge the central walkway and then the
side cushions drop into the centre to fill the
gap. It takes seconds to make and creates a
6ft 1in by 5ft 4in transverse bed that’s both
flat and comfortable, thanks to deep foam
cushioning over a sprung wooden frame.
There’s also a handy shelf next to the bed
(the rear tabletop lives underneath it) that’s
perfect for your phone, or a morning cuppa.
As there are two reading lamps at each end
of the bed, you can use it in either
orientation so, if the ’van’s not perfectly the access ladder from the overcab locker, Storage spaces
level, you don’t have to sleep with your feet unfold it and hook it in place. As well as various overhead lockers
sloping upwards. Two metal latches secure the roof bed throughout the ’van, various dedicated
With three overhead lockers on either and – with the side door opened – the kitchen storage areas and that rather fiddly
side of the bed, there’s plenty of storage whole assembly pushes skyward assisted by wardrobe, there’s also an extra storage
room for your clothing and touring kit, too. a couple of gas struts. To prevent kids from locker that’s hidden under the front travel
The rear bed is also next to a double-doored attempting kamikaze dismounts, a meshed seat base.
wardrobe that sits above the fridge. screen can be clipped in front of the bed. At You simply flip the base vertical to access
As the walkway is a little narrow and the 6ft 6in long by 4ft 7in wide, it’s bigger than this locker and it’s impressively large.
access is impeded by a central support bar, the typical bed you get on a VW-sized The passenger side rear settee base has
it’s not the most convenient wardrobe to get campervan and is properly adult-sized. a deep storage locker, the driver’s side seat
at, though. It’s at the front of the vehicle that If there’s just two of you, this means that base is filled with the Truma blown-air
the benefit of the elevating roof immediately you can use the roof bed as an alternative heating system, the fuse box and consumer
becomes apparent. Unlike fixed-roof place to sleep. It’s like having a second fixed unit and the leisure battery.
vehicles, you don’t have to mess about with bed and would be a great place to sleep in While this makes these items easy to
a series of ill-fitting cushions and play Jenga summer, if you want somewhere cooler with service and access, it does mean that your
for half an hour trying to figure out what more of a camping feel. Thanks to two bulkier bits of kit may need to be in the
goes where. You don’t even have to move meshed side windows, it’ll stay cool and the central walkway while you’re on the road.
any of the lounge seats to set up the bed. All clear side window will effectively double as You’d probably want to specify a bike rack
that’s needed is to lower the table, retrieve a rooflight during the day. for the barn doors if you’re a cyclist.

Verdict This is like the lovechild of a

motorhome and a campervan, and
cleverly pinches the best features of
each. So you get the convenience of a proper
washroom and a spacious lounge, as well as two
extra adult-sized berths that can be set up in
seconds. Whether you view it as a two-berth
with a choice of fixed beds (upstairs for summer,
downstairs for winter) or as a family four-berth
is up to you. Either way, the Adventure 65 is a
brilliantly designed vehicle that you’ll
love holidaying in.

18 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Dreamer Camper Five | Choosing

Dreamer Camper Five

This five-berth camper with a

separate play den for kids is perfect
for family holidays…

T
his, as we’ve come to expect from The only unusual aspect on the outside is long, the lower bed is an adult-sized 1.85m
this Rapido Group van conversion that it’s an L3 (extra tall) version, which is a in length.
specialist brand, is a one-of-a-kind necessity as enough headroom is required Having the second seating area back
campervan. Coachbuilt motorhomes to incorporate the drop-down double bed here, complete with its own table, turns the
with five berths and five belted travel up front. whole rear section of the campervan into a
seats are the exception, rather than the rule, That’ll be mum and dad’s berth and it’s a kids’ den – little ones (whether toddlers or
so finding a van conversion so equipped is proven (and very comfy) design already seen teenagers) will love it. There’s plenty more to
really unusual. in the Family Van and Camper Van XL. admire here, too. The kitchen includes three
That the Camper Five – never has a The bed is easy to operate (thanks to gas gigantic drawers (reduced in size if the
camper been more succinctly named – has struts) and there’s no need to disturb the optional oven is fitted) and a motorhome-
a separate seating area for the kids, too, is lounge when deploying it. rivalling fridge capacity of 135 litres.
even more remarkable. The other beds are a pair of bunks across Even the washroom impresses, with neat
And yet the basis for this new French the back, plus the option of turning the kids’ storage recesses in the wall, useful worktop
’van is none other than the ubiquitous Fiat dinette, which is adjacent to the beds, into space and vast headroom of 2.10m!
Ducato in extra-long (6.36m) form, as used another berth, if required. Just add the Fun + Pack (£770) for
for many a two-berth camper. While the top bunk is a modest 1.74m everything from a 140bhp engine upgrade 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 21

Choosing | Dreamer Camper Five

and cab air-con to cab blinds and a flyscreen and more upmarket Select campers, with all
on the sliding door. but the Cap Land based on Fiat Ducato. Dreamer Camper Five
Innovative layouts include the Family Van
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato
The Dreamer lowdown and equally family-friendly Camper Van XL,
For the origins of Dreamer (a marque while several 2020 models incorporate a Travel seats 5
launched in 2014) you have to look to the huge overcab sunroof, too. Berths 5
Campérêve brand, which was acquired by Dreamer is well represented across Maximum weight 3,500kg
the French Rapido group. continental Europe but its retailers are
Payload 436kg
This long-established van conversion more spread out on this side of the Channel.
specialist’s name is a French play on words, In the southwest you’ll find Dreamer at Length x width x height 6.36m x 2.05m x
joining ‘camper’ and ‘rêve’ (meaning dream). Highbridge (in Somerset) and in the 2.88m
Campérêve models, which are the same as southeast the dealers are Wokingham Price from £48,500
Dreamer’s Select range, are still sold in Motorhomes (Berkshire) and Harbour Creek
France but the brand was considered a bit of (Hayling Island). The newest addition to the CONTACTS
a mouthful for non-French speakers, and so network is Oakwell Motorhomes in Barnsley, dreamer-van.co.uk
Dreamer was born. while Dreamer also has an outlet in
dreamerfourgon
Dreamer’s range is split into Fun models Northern Ireland (Thompson Leisure).

22 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

We are proud to announce that we have been appointed
as the UK’s latest Dealer

Business Address: 65/67 Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 1HA Tel: 01226 293300
Website: www.oakwellmotorhomes.com Email: [email protected]

Opening times Mon-Fri: 9-5pm Sat: 10-4pm Sunday closed

 NEW FOR 2019
Our Prestige Tourer featuring the Reimo Variotech 3000 sliding seat/bed
All our campers are unique and design options are varied as everything is
handmade to your specification.

CONVERSION PACKAGES LET US HELP YOU DESIGN YOUR DREAM CAMPER

Fully Trained and approved Reimo
variotech 3000 and pop top
technicians. Here at Knights we are
always at the forefront of innovation
and training is something we are
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testament to our faith in the products
and workmanship we offer.

Call us on: 01205 330126 or 07581 467899

Email: [email protected] www.knightscustomconversions.co.uk
 Knights Custom Conversions VW T6 | Choosing

If David Hasselhoff could dazzle the ladies back in

the eighties with KITT, the talking car, just image
what he could have achieved with Bluetooth
surround sound speakers and WiFi cinema…
WORDS & PHOTOS Geneve Brand

I
t’s estimated that there about 600 always to do your research. If it looks Pack the popcorn
converters of campervans around the too good to be true, it probably is... Lincolnshire-based Knights Custom
UK, but that’s a figure that’s hard to But enough scaremongering because Conversions is one such company that
keep track of when new companies there are plenty of good guys about and specialises in building bespoke, one-off
pop up as frequently as others go bust. equally as many reasons to buy from conversions of the highest order and this
In an industry that’s largely unregulated, it’s a smaller company over one of the big VW T6 showcases its craft just perfectly.
easy for anyone to have a go and, as a players. Foremost is the personal and OK, so the total sum of its efforts here
result, the market is awash with shoddy bespoke service they can offer. may amount to a whopping £66k, but you
conversions. We’ve seen everything from Opting for a big household name means do get a rather large moon on a very big
dodgy electrics to badly fitted bench/bed you’ll have to settle for something off the stick for that.
systems that are an accident waiting to peg whereas having a specialist build you a For starters, how does a home cinema
happen. So it can be a bit of a minefield for tailor-made campervan from scratch allows sound? This camper has built-in WiFi with a
anyone looking to buy a campervan from you to specify just about anything you can shark fin aerial and, behind the driver’s seat
one of the smaller guys, and our advice is dream up. at the end of the kitchen worktop there’s a 
Choosing | Knights Custom Conversions VW T6

Pros
z Reimo electric roof with remote
control is a breeze
z Reimo Variotech 3000 sliding
bench is versatile
z Home cinema is quite a novelty
z Sporty exterior turns heads!

Cons
z Lowered suspension is not
good in muddy fields
z 20in Momo alloy wheels are
not good on bumpy tracks

holder for a tablet. Hook this up to the ion battery (with 230V and 12V DC charging length of the camper and the walnut is also
dedicated Bluetooth surround sound system), which lives in the back of the ’van mirrored in the units and speaker cabinets
speakers, encased in a walnut box at the and is also hooked up to three solar panels above, the units below and also the floor.
back of the ’van, and all you need to provide (on the roof) with Bluetooth MPPT There’s a walnut cutlery tray, too, but best of
is the popcorn. Don’t worry, the conversion controller. The campervan also benefits all is the unusual solid walnut sink cover that
also benefits from stage three sound from a CBE PC 380 digital electrical system, doubles as a chopping board with hot rods
deadening, so the rest of the campsite located above the kitchen. on the reverse side, for standing hot pans or
won’t have to listen to your movie with you! the kettle.
You’ll also find a cylindrical charging Sweet as a nut Next to the sink is a Thetford two-burner
station (with USBs and three-pin sockets) As with many small businesses, it’s often gas hob and below is a well-concealed
towards the back of the camper, which borne out of passion; a labour of love. The 42-litre Webasto fridge. The rest of the side
conveniently disappears into the result is a high-quality, unique product and, kitchen unit is dedicated to storage as the
worksurface when not in use, and pops up in the case of campervan conversions, it camper benefits from having a 21-litre
when you need it. Plug a radio in here and shows in the detail. underslung fresh water tank (that also
connect it to those Bluetooth speakers and Here, the handcrafted solid walnut supplies an external shower point) and
you’ll have the party started in no time. worktop is a work of art. So tactile in fact 15-litre underslung LPG tank, which feeds
Apart from providing a TV, the tablet that, if this were my campervan, I would an external barbecue point. As you’d expect
serves another purpose and that’s to provide probably just spend my holidays sitting from a reputable converter, this is tested by
useful data about the status of the lithium- inside polishing it! The worktop runs the full a gas engineer and a certificate is provided.

26 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Knights Custom Conversions 2018 VW T6
Base vehicle 2018 VW T6 SWB T30 electrical system, three 100W solar
Highline panels with Bluetooth MPPT controller,
built-in WiFi with shark fin aerial,
Drive Front-wheel drive
Bluetooth surround sound speakers,
Engine 2-litre diesel (Euro 6) two tablet holders for internet and TV,
Power 148bhp iPhone dock, 230V, 12V and USB
points. Solid walnut worktops, blackout
Economy 35mpg blinds with flyscreens, with flyscreens
Gearbox 7-speed automatic on sliding door and tailgate, twin swivel
cab seats, Nappa leather on cab seats
Number of travel seats 5
and bench. Fiamma F45S black cassette
Berths 4 awning, Fiamma black bike rack, driver's
Leisure battery capacity 68Ah side multi rail, chair pod on tailgate for
lithium-ion two outdoor chairs, Koni 7 Active
suspension upgrade, Cobra 40mm
Payload N/a lowering springs, black trapezoid side
Length x width x height 4.89m x 1.96m bars, Momo 20in alloys, Abt front
x 2.05m spoiler and grille
Equipment VW Highline specification Warranty Three years on base vehicle
with sat-nav and reversing camera. and conversion
Reimo electric elevating roof, Froli Price from £46,825
sprung roof bed with mattress, Reimo
Variotech 3000 sliding bench system Price as tested £65,995
converting to a double bed, Reimo Loc
8 table. Webasto Air Top 2000 diesel CONTACTS
night heater, Webasto 42-litre fridge, Knights Custom Conversions
Thetford two-burner gas hob, 21-litre Unit 2-5 Seas End Road, Moulton Seas
underslung fresh water tank, 15-litre End, Lincolnshire PE12 6LD
underslung LPG tank, external shower knightscustomconversions.co.uk
point, external BBQ. CBE PC 380 digital VWCampervanConversions

Lighting is good throughout the ’van with arm that’s attached to the bench and put the can buy Reimo parts, not everyone is
a combination of LED dimmable strip lights tabletop on. It’s a nifty system that’s superior qualified to fit them. So, if you spot these
and spotlights, as well as reading lights at the to a central pole-in-the-hole type table as it parts on a campervan you like the look of,
back and in the roof. All the privacy windows can be positioned at any angle you like, and make sure you ask the question.
feature blackout blinds (apart from the cab, even outside the sliding door for when you Here, the Reimo Variotech 3000 sliding
which has thermal blinds) and the sliding fancy an al fresco drink stood at the bar! seat system is fitted by approved installers. It
door and tailgate are also fitted with uses bonded rails and is crash tested. During
flyscreens. The camper is fully insulated Raise the roof the day, the bench offers three belted seats
and carpet lined, as well. It’s fair to say that the elements that and, as it’s fitted to a track system on the
Both cab seats swivel and these are not comprise the bed arrangements in a floor, can easily be slid into any position you
just any old cab seats, either. They’re Nappa campervan are among the most important. like. That means kids can sit immediately
leather Abt seats (to match the rear bench) After all, you’re not going to have much of a behind the cab, and you’ve got plenty of
which are far more comfortable than VWs holiday if you spend the whole time faffing space to transport bulkier items. This camper
factory-fit seats. Come mealtimes, there’s around setting up and/or don’t get a good also has the optional storage box under the
a Reimo table. The tabletop clips into the night’s sleep, are you? bench, which is handy for housing the table
sliding door when not in use, while a pole When it comes to rock ‘n’ roll-style beds leg, electric hook-up cable, etc. Come night
for this lives in a storage box under the and elevating roofs, Reimo (a German time, it’s easy to transform the bench into
sliding bench seat. When you want to use brand) is among the best in the industry. A a good-sized double. The back remains
the table, simply slot the pole into a pivoting word of caution, though. Although anyone adjustable, too, which is perfect for sitting 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 27

Choosing | Knights Custom Conversions VW T6

up in bed with a morning cuppa. like Webasto Air Top 2000 diesel blown-air for a start – thanks to a Koni 7 Active
Upstairs there’s a further two berths heating, a Fiamma black bike rack and suspension upgrade and Cobra 40mm
courtesy of a Froli sprung bed with a matching Fiamma cassette awning, as well lowering springs – which is mated to Momo
mattress, and guests up here also get as driver’s side multi rails. Attached to the 20in custom painted alloys. To complete
lollipop-style reading lights with USB ports. inside of the tailgate there’s also a that beefy no-nonsense look, there are
The bed is housed in the Reimo elevating removable storage compartment, which black trapezoid side bars and Abt red front
roof, which is no ordinary pop-top… It’s houses two outdoor chairs. spoiler and grille trim. It’s a looker for sure,
electric, and comes with a remote control to and it certainly turns heads, wherever you
operate it. Some people think electric roofs On autopilot go. But be careful where you go – providing
are overkill and not necessary, but I disagree. The VW T6 (now superseded by the T6.1) you stick to Tarmac, it’s glorious, but the
If you are of short stature (as I am) or on the is available in a wide choice of engines, lowered suspension doesn't like bumpy
tall side (as my husband is) then manual gearboxes and specification levels, so tracks and muddy fields, and neither do
pop-tops can be a bit of a nightmare. there’s something to suit everyone. those 20in Momo alloys.
Although I can get them up easily enough, The campervan featured here comes with Thanks to the Highline specification, you
I often find myself climbing on the cab seats the 148bhp engine with DSG automatic get stuff like parking sensors, rain sensors,
to reach the handles and swinging my full gearbox, in Highline specification. If you like cruise control, start-stop, heated windscreen
bodyweight on them in order to get the roof automatics then you’ll enjoy this, as it offers and mirrors, automatic headlights and
down again. Meanwhile, my husband has a smooth ride. It also features sport mode cornering fog lights, leather steering wheel
come close to breaking his neck more than for when you want to release your inner boy and gear gaiter, and a DAB touchscreen
once! So, being able to stand outside the racer, which pairs nicely with the sporty head unit. Optional extras fitted here include
’van and watch as the roof gently goes up exterior. There’s the lowered suspension, a reversing camera and sat-nav.
or down (allowing you plenty of time to tuck
the sides in, if necessary) feels very civilised.
And, just in case you’re wondering – yes, it
does have manual override, in case you lose
Verdict Jonathan Nightingale, MD of Knights Custom Conversions, is extremely
passionate about what he does and the result is absolutely stunning, one-off
the remote! camper conversions built to the highest order and boasting the latest tech. So, if
Comfort and style are the order of the you’re looking for something a bit special that will make you stand out in the VW crowd,
day in this camper, so there’s plenty of other then check out this company!
on-board kit to enjoy on your holiday, too,

28 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Rolling Homes Expedition | Choosing

Rolling Homes
Expedition

This 4x4 camper is a proper go-anywhere machine…

I
f it’s a VW-based campervan you’re standard specification, and the result is and orange leather for the rear sliding RIB
looking for then there’s bound to be a pretty epic! seat/bed unit.
tonne on your shortlist, but none will There’s a fully crash-tested and There’s an Alpine head unit in the dash’,
look quite like this… homologated A-bar on the front, as well as complete with the latest subwoofer.
The new Expedition from Rolling three laser lights linked to main beam – ‘like The habitation area is based on the
Homes is based on a short-wheelbase T6 daylight’ is how Mark describes their effect. Shackleton conversion but upgraded for
with 4Motion all-wheel drive and differential Underneath is a full skidplate to protect a tougher life.
lock. This camper uses the off-roading the mechanicals, and aluminium rock sliders The interior is all trimmed with a 4mm
experience of Land Rover enthusiast and run down each side, while a Milltek exhaust rubberised finish, so every surface can be
Rolling Homes boss, Mark Cooper, to create also improves ground clearance. wiped clean, while the cabinets sit on 25mm
a camper with all the right gear for getting Bilstein suspension gives a 50mm lift and by 50mm box section aluminium (to protect
far away from Tarmac roads. BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres on prototype them from water damage) and the doors are
It may have started life as a short- Weller wheels complete the look. Mounting aluminium framed.
wheelbase Transporter with 148bhp (150PS) the chunky spare on the tailgate has If you want all of this (we do!), complete
TDI engine and manual gearbox – as well as required heavy-duty gas struts. with SCA roof and programmable diesel
VW’s eye-searing Bright Orange paint – but Inside, there are Cobra carbon-fibre- heating, this demonstration vehicle is
Rolling Homes has taken this T6 far beyond backed seats in the cab and matching black priced at a whopping £76,000. 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 31

Choosing | Rolling Homes Expedition

The Rolling Homes lowdown the side kitchen layout Shackleton

This small, family-run business was started and Columbus, the rear galley and loo Rolling Homes Expedition
by Mark Cooper after 40 years of designing Livingstone and the wheelchair-friendly
Base vehicle VW Transporter T6 4Motion
and handcrafting domestic kitchens and Ability. The company also offers campers for
other bespoke furniture. hire so, if you’re contemplating buying a VW Travel seats 4
Today, Rolling Homes' campers are campervan but have never tried this type of Berths 4
equally bespoke and, although VW T6s are holiday, then Rolling Homes is a great place Maximum weight 3,200kg
its speciality, it can convert Mercedes Vito to start.
and Ford Transit Custom base vehicles, too. If you’d like to buy a Rolling Homes, Payload 600kg
Solid wood cabinets are very much like many of its rivals, it supplies its Length x width x height 4.89m x 1.90m x
Rolling Homes’ USP and customers can vehicles direct from its factory premises 2.16m
choose from a range of woods and colours in Shrewsbury, rather than through a Price from £52,000
in order to fully customise their camper. network of dealers.
As well as the Expedition, the Rolling You can also look out for the company’s CONTACTS
Homes T6 (orders taken now will be on the campers at some of the motorhome shows,
rolling-homes.co.uk
latest T6.1 which is due to start landing on such as those held at the Birmingham NEC
rollinghomesltd RollingHomes
our shores in early 2020) range includes in February and October.

32 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 New Zealand’s North Island
After booking a six-week escorted tour of New
Zealand, Gilbert and Maire continue their
journey from Wellington to Auckland…
WORDS & PHOTOS Gilbert Park

A
fter the ferry crossing over from New Zealand’s BELOW Katikati found a great campsite we would happily go back to. It
South Island (see the June issue of Campervan for had some was just off the main street with wrought iron gates and
wonderful street
our account of the first part of this amazing trip!), sculptures. Maire mature trees. The guardian couldn’t have been more
we arrived at our first campsite near Wellington, is seen reading helpful when we arrived unannounced and not only did
where we stayed for two nights with the rest of our a paper from he suggest what turned out to be the best restaurant of
group. We’d joined a six-week escorted tour arranged by yesteryear over the trip (Italian), he even rang up and booked a table for
a man's shoulder
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays, from the Camping us! The next morning we woke as usual before sunrise, and
and Caravanning Club, and there was a total of 46 of us so went off up into the hills above Greytown to watch the
(in 26 campervans) in the party. morning mist clear with the heat of the sun, exposing the
Wellington is, of course, the capital of New Zealand town below.
and so we were excited to set off as a group the following
morning for some sightseeing. Wellington is a large, Mauri magic
cosmopolitan city and we enjoyed exploring the old and Then it was time for Napier – famous for its Art Deco
the new. The Parliament Building and – probably architecture. We went on a group trip in a sightseeing
our favourite – Old Saint Paul’s church, with its train and, worried I might be mistaken for a shaggy
wonderful woodwork and old flags certainly stood sheep, I got a haircut!
out in our memory. Taupo (90 miles away) was next on the list to visit.
From Wellington we pressed on to Napier (230 miles There were some wonderful sunrises and sunsets
away). En route, we stopped in Greytown where we there, but the bit I will always remember is recycling…

34 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Maui Rentals New Zealand | You’re hired!

The Maui Ultima A two-berth electric kettle and toaster). Everyday with Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays

campervan Mercedes Sprinter with

camper based on the essentials (dustpan and brush, fire
extinguisher, bucket and hose, matches,
from the Camping and Caravanning
Club. Prices start at £4,735 per person,
an automatic gearbox. clothes line, pegs and hangers) which includes return flights, hotels,
Fitted with a fridge/freezer, Optional extras Reversing camera, campervan hire, pre-booked campsites,
gas stove, shower, toilet, 120-litre fresh personal safe, solar panel, external table, ferry crossings, and some excursions
water and waste water tanks, shower, built-in barbecue, swivelling front seats
DVD player and flatscreen TV CONTACTS
Costs Hire prices for the Maui Ultima
What’s included Linen and bedding range from around £45 per day in low Maui Rentals
(pillows and cases, duvets, sheets, season up to about £175 per day in high maui-rentals.com
blankets, towels and bath mat). Kitchen season. Discounts apply the longer you Worldwide Motorhoming Holiday
equipment (plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, book the 'van for. Gilbert and Maire worldwidemotorhoming
cooking utensils, glasses, coffee plunger, joined an escorted tour of New Zealand holidays.co.uk/escorted-tours

Literally, reusing bicycles. Not only were they used for the ways of the Maori by the bus driver. Although it was a
decoration, to make fences, but most innovative of all, major tourist attraction with six busloads of tourists in two
to mark cycle paths. tranches, it was well done. We enjoyed the arrival of the
The environment is always considered important chiefs in their canoes, a visit through the village with a
MAIN Auckland,
wherever you are in New Zealand and green energy is personal Haka instruction complete with face painting and
the end of our
available in many places from thermal springs. Taupo has a fabulous trip facial expressions, along with a show of traditional music,
huge thermal energy plant, which erupts and ejects steam and finished up with a traditional a meal. The excursion
ABOVE
with a huge billowing cloud and a great roar. ended with our bus driver leading the way with traditional
CLOCKWISE
We decided to head further down Lake Taupo to Marble Hill was songs – the sort usually sung after rugby matches! All that
Motuoapa Bay for one night to see the sunset across the a tectonic plate was missing was a crate of beer. Rotorua also has a great
lake. Although I photographed it, what really caught my fault line with a night market where we enjoyed yet more food, wine,
eye was an enormous flock of black swans – a rarity in campervan site; singing and Maori face painting.
Recycling (literally)
the UK, but common in New Zealand. From here, we in Taupo, bicycles
continued to Rotorua (50 miles away) with a detour to see being used as a Pretty as a picture
some geothermal pools, well worth the visit with its vivid fence; A great day After all the excitement of the last few days it was time to
colours (despite it being a grey day), the smell of sulphur trip on a boat and make our way to Orewa (175 miles away). On the way we
a bracing walk up
and the noise of boiling water fizzing through the air. stopped off at a place called Katikati, which is famous for
to the top of this
Another highlight was a visit to a Maori village, where hill gave an its artworks. We enjoyed studying murals and statues here.
we were collected in a single-decker bus and were taught unforgettable view If you are a Lord of the Rings fan then this area is where a 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 35

You’re hired! | Maui Rentals New Zealand

lot of it was shot, and the Hobbiton Movie Set is nearby,

too. At Orewa, we stayed at a beachside campsite that
had some wonderful views of the hills and the countryside
around it. By now I had become accustomed to rainy,
stormy nights and one of my favourite photographs was
taken here, of night-time navigation lights coming into
the creek next to our campsite.
Just goes to show there is no such thing as poor
photographic weather – you’re just taking the wrong
picture! After Orewa it was off to Russell (140 miles
away). The weather improved here, too, and as we were
approaching the final few days of our six-week holiday,
there was frenzied photography.
A stop at nearby Puhoi again emphasised recycling, this
time of books, with the old library having a selection of
books for sale. More followed, all sorts of things were
upcycled – Black and Decker drills, old trumpets and
much more made into table lamps.
Another good thing to come out of the better weather
was the beer at a sailing club at sunset, and coffee in
the early morning light, all consumed with delight while
snapping away. There was also a great trip with our ABOVE There is – a memorable occasion to say goodbye and also to
group on a boat with calm seas around the Bay of Islands. a lot of thermal thank our tour guides, who had prepared the tour and
activity in New
Indeed, some members of the group decided to try Zealand and the shepherded us through the trip without being too
swimming in a net from the side of the boat while it geysers are overbearing, and looked after us throughout.
was going along at five to seven knots. colourful and had There is no doubt we enjoyed the trip, despite the
a sulphurous smell weather being grey and rainy at times, which is unusual for
Fancy farewells BELOW Sunset February and March. Would we recommend an escorted
Then it was time to start the last leg of our journey. On the in Russell tour to others? It depends. If you like socialising with a
way back to Orewa we stopped off at the Treasure Island mixed group of people, are new to campervanning or just
campsite at Pataua for our last night, where yet more want a relaxing, stress-free holiday with no need to plan
wonderful wildlife and photography opportunities awaited. ahead, then it’s ideal as it takes the backwork out of it.
In Orewa, it was time to pack our belongings and empty However, if you like your independence then it might not
the campervan of rubbish and perishables before an early fit the bill, unless, as we did, you are prepared to leave the
morning start to Auckland (30 miles away) to return the group from time to time and go off and do your own thing.
’van. From the depot we transferred to a hotel in the centre For us, the trip wasn’t quite over with the farewell dinner,
of the city where we were free for the rest of the day to either, as we opted to stay on a little longer in Auckland.
do some sightseeing and shopping. In the evening, we The grand finale for me was a night photography trip
enjoyed a final group dinner at the top of the Sky Tower around this amazing city.

Escorted Time of year

tour Six weeks during
summary February and March
The weather
Although we did see the sun, it
was grey and drizzly much of the
time, which is said to be unusual
for this time of year
Routes taken Having started
our trip in New Zealand’s
South Island, we took the ferry
to Wellington. From here we
travelled all the way to Auckland
in the north, visiting places such
as Napier, Greytown, Rotorua,
Orewa and Russell
Verdict If you like socialising
with a group of people, are new
to campervanning or just want a
relaxing, stress-free holiday with
no need to plan ahead, then an
escorted tour is just the ticket.
The tours are very flexible, so
you can also go off and do your
own thing, as we did, if you want
to escape the group

36 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

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38 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
 IH N-Class 680 CRL | Choosing

IH N-Class 680 CRL

Can’t decide whether to have a motorhome or a panel
van conversion? Check out the latest N-Class…

I
H broke the van conversion mould additional length of a Volkswagen Crafter. available, while added features include a
back in 2013 with its new N-Class, The new 680 CRL is based on the four-metre awning with LED strip light, gloss
which was a van-based motorhome 6.84m-long VW with a 138bhp engine as locker doors and an 18.5in TV with Freeview
that not only had its rear doors standard, although it’s possible to upgrade and satellite decoder.
replaced by a one-piece GRP section to a 175bhp and the eight-speed automatic But the N-Class isn’t the only new ’van
with an opening boot (long an IH trademark transmission, if preferred. from IH this year. Another VW Crafter-based
touch) but also swapped the sliding door for In Trendline trim, the Crafter has debutante is the 680 CFL front lounge
a coachbuilt-style entrance. Thus, extra Composition Media interface with model, while the Yorkshire company has also
interior space was created in the galley area, touchscreen display, a multi-function revealed its first ever layouts with rear travel
while the narrower door was at once easier steering wheel, Driver Alert System and seats. These new four-seatbelt ’vans will be
to close, and it looked less like a commercial Front City Assist emergency braking system. based on the Fiat Ducato in either ‘600’
vehicle, too. Options include a reversing camera and six-metre or ‘630’ 6.36m form. Both will
Until now, the N-Class has been based Climatic air-conditioning. Inside, the new have a rear lounge (long enough to convert
solely on the Fiat Ducato but now, new model has IH’s ever-popular rear U-shaped into single beds in the 630) or, optionally,
for 2020, you can have its features in lounge with optional half-leather upholstery. a rear fixed bed, while the rear travel seats
combination with the superior drive and There’s a wide choice of interior décor are said to offer car-like comfort. 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 39

Choosing | IH N-Class 680 CRL

IH N-Class 680 CRL

Base vehicle VW Crafter
The IH lowdown After a brief period of selling through a Travel seats 2
IH stands for Ian Hartley, the man behind dealer network, IH has returned to its roots Berths 2
the company since it was formed over two and only sells its vehicles direct.
Maximum weight 3,500kg
decades ago. That way, it is better able to control the
In that time, the name has become aftersales experience. After all, who is better Payload N/a
associated with top-quality build and qualified to look after your IH camper than Length x width x height 6.84m x 2.04m x
innovation, and not just with its fixed rear the people who actually built it in the first 2.73m
panel van conversions, but even models place? Price from £74,995
with an innovative slide-out design. The factory at Knottingley, in West
In the past, it has manufactured coachbuilt Yorkshire, is close to the A1/M62 junction
CONTACTS
motorhomes as well as Mercedes-based van and here you’ll find a showroom displaying
IH Motorhomes Great North Road,
conversions, but today it specialises in a selection of IH’s latest models, plus some
Knottingley, West Yorkshire WF11 0BS
bespoke van conversions based on the used examples parked outside.
ihmotorhomes.com
Fiat Ducato and Volkswagen Crafter. You can also see IH at the upcoming
ihmotorhomes
The IH range includes both front and Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show
IHMotorhomes
rear lounge floorplans. in February at the Birmingham NEC.

40 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 HARBOUR CREEK ARE PROUD TO BE
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Enjoying | Highland Perthshire

The
Ghosting of

Rabbie Burns
Felicity and Andrew set off on the trail of Scotland’s national
poet, and celebrate Burns Night in their campervan…
WORDS & PHOTOS Felicity Martin

T
he trip started as a night out. Andrew spotted sky. Admittedly, it’s minus seven degrees and there’s a
a play that he thought we’d enjoy: The Ghosting dusting of snow on the ground, but that only makes it
of Rabbie Burns, about Scotland’s famous bard more beautiful.
reappearing in the twenty-first century. The venue Unlike us, Robert Burns travelled by pony. The first sight
was Birnam Arts, a community-owned centre in an in Perthshire he noted in his diary was Ardoch Roman Fort,
attractive Highland Perthshire village. Birnam is a 30-mile by Braco (not far off the modern A9). From there he would
drive away from our home if we take the direct route have used the military road built by General Wade about
through glen and over hill, on roads that are often snowy 50 years earlier to reach Crieff, the main town in
and icy in late January. “But we’ve got a campervan,” Strathearn. Before continuing north, he took a side trip
Andrew reminds me. “We can go there early then spend westwards, following the river; “a most romantically
the night nearby and come back in the light.” pleasant ride up Earn, by Ochtertyre & Comrie to
Once the play is booked, and our first ever January Aberuchill”. We agree.
trip in Stella, the campervan, committed to, my mind starts This is a good excuse to take our collie, Braan, for a walk
working. Why only one night away? It’s as easy to pack for along popular Lady Mary’s Walk, which runs along the
three days as for one. And, if we extend the trip to that River Earn from Crieff towards Comrie. Named after a
long, we could have our own Burns supper in the ‘van beautiful daughter of Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre, it
on 25 January. has a beech avenue that’s old enough to have been here
Then I remember that Burns had his own short trip to in Burns’ time. Despite the hordes of other dog walkers,
Highland Perthshire in 1787, when publication of his first I see goosanders and dippers on the fast-flowing river.
book of poetry propelled him to celebrity status. Suddenly From Crieff, Burns’ route wound northwards through
the great and good of Scotland wanted to wine and dine Highland Perthshire. My plan to trace it exactly is stymied
the ‘ploughman poet’ and he had invitations to stately by our need for LPG, as we will be relying on gas for
homes all over the country. We could trace that journey keeping warm and cooking the haggis. There are no LPG
and look at Perthshire’s beauty spots – several of which pumps in Highland Perthshire and only one in Perth, so
he wrote about – through his eyes. we head east to the city to fill up at the South Inch Filling
Station before driving north up the A9.
Sunny Strathearn It’s a glorious afternoon for a walk, with low winter
From our home in Strathearn, in the west of Perthshire, we sunshine sparkling on the frosted trees. Opposite Dunkeld
set off on a brilliantly sunny morning without a cloud in the (the town across the River Tay from Birnam), we turn into

Walking
over snowy
Birnam Hill

Comrie and the River Earn at dawn

42 campervan January 2020

Beech avenue on Lady Mary's Walk 
Enjoying | Highland Perthshire

the Hermitage. Rather than stopping in the National

Trust for Scotland’s car park we follow the dirt road to
the Forestry and Land Scotland little Craigvinean car
park, which has a handy information board showing walks.
It explains how the Duke of Atholl – one of Burns’ hosts
– transformed the landscape by planting millions of
European larch trees, a species which he introduced from
the Alps.
Our circuit takes in Ossian’s Hall, a folly built by the
Duke of Atholl to enhance the Hermitage’s woodland
walks. The stone building offers the same surprise view
as when Burns visited, with the sudden roar of water as we
step out onto the balcony above the Black Linn Falls. Only
today, the dark rocks are rimmed with white ice. As Burns
noted, there is a picture inside of Ossian, the legendary
Celtic bard, whose mythical life fascinated him.
Since Burns’ visit, giant Douglas firs, introduced from
North America, have soared to great heights along the
banks of the River Braan. After following the boulder-
strewn river upstream, we walk uphill to a modern folly,
built on the site of an old viewpoint. Pine Cone Point is
only a few years old, but the armadillo-like wooden
structure has become a favourite picnic spot, offering
shelter and an unrivalled view up the Tay Valley.
Before heading to Birnam Arts for the play, we park in
Birnam and walk across the old Telford bridge to Dunkeld
to have dinner in the Atholl Arms Hotel. It is so dog
friendly that the barman brings Braan a mat she can lie
on instead of the hard wooden floor.
Well fed, we return for the play. It proves to be an
amusing combination of modern and traditional culture.
The plot weaves in appropriate songs and poetry by Burns
and finishes with the characters and audience singing
'Auld Lang Syne' together.

Birnam Hill before breakfast

Stella has been parked on the street in Birnam, so we need
to move for the night. In Highland Perthshire campsites
shut for the winter, so we head to a walkers’ car park in
woods nearby. Another motorhome is already parked
there, obviously with the same idea as us. Away from
street lights the sky sparkles with a myriad of stars, far
more than are normally visible.
The next morning we climb Birnam Hill, which Burns
noted for its fine prospect down the Tay and across to the
Craig a Barns hills. The higher we climb, the whiter the
world becomes, the snow underfoot contrasting with dark
winter trees. The landscape has changed little since Burns’
time, but the view must have looked quite different as he
was here in late summer when the trees were in full leaf.
We’re particularly careful coming back down the steep,
icy path – my brother will never let me forget that the
one time I brought him here he slipped and broke a rib!
Burns made the climb early, then, over breakfast, was
entertained by local fiddler, Niel Gow, who wrote many
of Scotland’s favourite country dance tunes. The main
purpose of Burns’ visit – apart from the pleasure of being
fêted as the pop star of his day – was to collect fragments
of songs and tunes for a series of books. So he was
delighted to meet this local musician and visited him at
home to share their common interest. These days there

We’re particularly careful coming back down the steep,

icy path – my brother will never let me forget that the
one time I brought him here he slipped and broke a rib!
44 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
 A Citroën Relay LWB
Our 'van named Stella, with a
2.2-litre engine and
six-speed gearbox
CONVERSION TYPE
WildAx Constellation 3, by
Yorkshire-based WildAx
wildaxmotorhomes.com
OWNED SINCE 2015 (from new)
LAYOUT Front lounge
TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 3/2
WHAT WE L♥VE ABOUT IT
Stella is big enough to have all the
home-from-home comforts we
need for longer trips but still small
enough to take on narrow
single-track country lanes

is an annual Niel Gow Festival in Birnam. to either side. No longer sheltered from the wind by
Moving on, we drive up to Blair Atholl, where Burns woodland, a massive tree has blown into the gorge by the
stayed with the Duke of Atholl in Blair Castle. The Jacobite lower falls, spoiling the view of the natural rock arch there.
rebellions, which had only ended some 40 years I can’t help but feel that Rabbie would be aghast.
previously, were by then a romantic memory. Burns sought The House of Bruar, situated right beside the A9, is
out the standing stone where one of the Jacobite heroes, the sort of place where it is too easy to spend a lot of
‘Bonnie Dundee’ died after being wounded at the Battle of ABOVE money on luxury clothing and household ornaments.
Killiecrankie. I follow his example, finding it in a field where CLOCKWISE Our luxury is food, so the vast Food Hall is my
it is marked on the OS map as Claverhouse’s Stone. Playing on the Loch destination after our walk. While there I ask if it’s OK to
The Duke of Atholl took Burns for a walk around the Tay beach at spend the night in the car park, which I have seen online
Kenmore; Blair
Falls of Bruar, where, dismayed to see the bare slopes of Castle is open from
that others do. I get an affirmative answer so we settle
the gorge, the poet wrote 'The Humble Petition Of Bruar the end of March to down by the dog walk, far enough from the main road to
Water.' Written from the perspective of the river, he begs October; Found it! reduce traffic noise.
the duke to, “shade my banks wi' tow'ring trees, And bonie The stone where
Bonnie Dundee
spreading bushes.” His wish was granted and the walk
breathed his last;
Birthday at the Birks of Aberfeldy
I have always known here is under tall pines and firs. Street parking in The next day we head back south then follow the River Tay
However, as we walk uphill from the car park at the Kenmore upstream to Aberfeldy. It’s 25 January, the bard’s birthday,
House of Bruar, I see that there has been extensive felling so we set off to wish him many happy returns. The wooded
LEFT A glittering
on the estate. Although the trees lining the gorge have side stream in the gorge above the town acquired its name after Burns visited
been left standing, a desert of stumps and debris stretch Birks of Aberfeldy and composed the song 'The Birks of Aberfeldy', while 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 45

Enjoying | Highland Perthshire

sitting on a rock ledge. Near the bottom of the gorge a

life-size sculpture of Burns sits on a bench, notebook in
hand. We’re not his only visitors today as two women
arrive after us to take selfies with the poet.
Leaving him in their tender care we head on up through
the birch trees to the Falls of Moness, where “The braes
ascend like lofty wa's, The foaming stream deep-roaring
fa’s.” Again ice lines the edges of the waterfall, making it
even more spectacular.
In the afternoon we continue up the Tay another six
miles to Kenmore, pausing at a layby shortly before the
village to visit Croftmoraig Stone Circle. Burns was
obviously impressed, because he records a detailed
description in his diary of the ‘Druids temple’, with its
three circles of stones.
At Kenmore we park in the wide main street by the
archway entrance to Taymouth Castle, as the loch-side car
park has a height barrier. It’s a short walk back to the long
beach at the eastern end of Loch Tay, where the wind is
blowing waves and driftwood onto the shore. After walking ABOVE LEFT TO From Kenmore it’s time to head back south, though not
a circuit of the village, taking in the same scenes as Burns, RIGHT Offering directly through Glen Quaich like Burns, as I don’t fancy
Robert Burns a
we retire to the dog-friendly Kenmore Hotel. birthday dram in the
the hairpin bends on that single-track road. Instead we
Above the roaring log fire in the Poet's Bar, a sheet of Birks of Aberfeldy; return to Aberfeldy and take A-roads to Crieff, passing
glass protects a poem with the longest title I’ve ever come The poem Burns through the dramatic, steep-sided Sma’ Glen.
across: 'Verses Written With A Pencil Over the Chimney- wrote above the For our final dinner we steam the haggis we have
mantelpiece in the
piece in the Parlour of the Inn at Kenmore, Taymouth.' It’s brought, and enjoy it with the traditional accompaniments
Kenmore Hotel
one of my favourites as it captures the wild beauty of the of mashed potato and swede (’neeps’ in Scotland).
area, describing views down the loch to Ben Lawers – BELOW Ben Breaking open a bottle of malt whisky, Andrew recites
Vrackie rises above
Scotland’s tenth highest mountain – and the ‘infant’ River Burns’ 'Address To A Haggis' and we toast the bard. Thanks
Pitlochry, a town
Tay flowing out of the loch under the striding arches of built after Burns Rabbie for giving us the idea to brighten the dark days of
Kenmore Bridge, built in 1774. visited mid winter with a tour of the places that inspired you.

46 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Unit G9, Lock View, Lowfields
Business Park, Elland. HX5 9HD
T: 01422 372111
E: [email protected]
W: www.wildaxmotorhomes.com

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minus 2 deg . his is achie ed b ensuring the enire motorhome is full insulated including the Nick Whale
Evesham
water tanks that ha e a 2 frost protecion s stem installed. ur motorhomes all ha e the ruma Wiltshire Motorhomes Southern Motorhome Centre

i et installed as standard enabling our ruma ombi to be controlled from an app on our phone
Melksham Bracknell

Highbridge Caravan Centre

Newton Abbot

to be wild camping read . his is achie ed in a number of wa s. e use low power

consumpion parts where possible including lighing and wa fridges. ur water tanks
are custom made to our designs gi ing a full litre capacit for both fresh and waste water.
lso as standard there is an underslung re llable tank 2 litres . ll our motorhomes WildAx Motorhomes Head Office and Factory Elland HX5 9HD, UK

use a hr leisure ba er to gi e an impressi e 2 da s o mains without engine start. 01422 372111 http://www.wildaxmotorhomes.com

e also pre wire for solar panel tment as this is a er popular opional e tra. E S Hartley Motorhomes (Cumbria)
01539 822450
Ings, Kendal LA8 9PY
http://www.eshartleygroup.co.uk/motorhomes

E S Hartley Motorhomes (Ellesmere Port) Ellesmere Port CH65 3DD

0151 350 6870 http://www.eshartleygroup.co.uk/motorhomes

Kelly Mobility Ltd 20&21 Viscount Ave, Airways Industrial Estate, Dublin, Ireland
(01) 862 3322 http://www.kellymobility.ie

Maple Garage Main Road, Mappleton. Hornsea. HU18 1XT

01964 534144 http://www.maplegarage.co.uk

Nick Whale Motorhomes Evesham WR11 8SN, UK

01386 870852 http://www.nickwhalemotorhomes.co.uk

Perth - to be confirmed Perth - to be confirmed

Southern Motorhome Centre Brickfields Industrial Estate, Kiln Ln, Bracknell RG12 1NA http://
0800 028 3417 www.southernmotorhomes.co.uk

Becks Motorhomes
01493 740274 4 Martham Rd, Rollesby, Great Yarmouth NR29 5DR
https://www.becksmotorhomes.com

Wiltshire Motorhomes
01225 896699 Berth Lancaster Rd, Bowerhill, Melksham SN12 6SS
http://www.wiltshiremotorhomes.co.uk
Manufactured in UK
Highbridge Caravan Centre Higher Brooks Plantation, Teigngrace, Newton Abbot TQ12 6QZ
01626 832792 http://www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk

Full European 4
Type Approval
Berth
safe
GAS TM

REGISTER

Manufactured in UK
Enjoying | Campervan community

campervan
community
We take a look at what's been rockin' your weird
and wonderful campervan world this month...

From rust bucket to bookshop

Beginning life as a flatbed truck on a donkey farm in the centre of
France, ‘Le Bleu’ was imported to England where it was lovingly
converted from rusting wreck to a gleaming new bookshop. Retaining
the classic corrugated bodywork of the iconic 1966 Citroën H-Vans,
the bookshop was built up from its original flatbed truck to a standard
enclosed van, but with an extended wheelbase. The bookshop still
sports the original but refurbished three-gear engine – with a top
speed of just 45mph – and left-hand drive position, along with almost
all of its original features. One year on, Troubador’s 1966 vintage
mobile bookshop, ‘Le Bleu’, has been showcasing brilliant books by
indie authors to festivals and events across the heart of England.
The bookshop, with its vintage bodywork, which opens up to reveal
a treasure trove of titillating titles, has proven popular with the public.
Designed to bring Troubador imprints, Matador and The Book Guild
direct to readers, the van has attended a number of events, including
Christmas markets. Look out for Le Bleu throughout 2020!
Alexa, troubador.co.uk

It’s getting hot in here…

ED We thought this campervan with a hidden bath and shower was pretty
innovative but Campervan reader, Ian, has gone one further by adding a Jacuzzi
heated by a wood-burning stove…
Ian, Facebook

Out there
The view from
In the dog house Vera, our
beloved 1999
Beagles, Tean and Bryther, say ‘Fanku very much Auto-Sleeper
for da super box of Webbox goodies weez won in Duetto. Any
Campervan’s photo competition last month!’ Looks guesses at
like they can’t wait to get stuck in… where we are?
Six of six, Twitter Elaine,
Facebook

48 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Are campsites a rip-off ?
As we are getting a bit older, my wife allocated pitches tend to allow campervans
campervan
Q and I have decided to upgrade from to pitch on the grass along with tents, and
Warners Group Publications, The
Maltings, West Street, Bourne,
a tent to a campervan, and we’ve started you’re usually charged for what you have; Lincolnshire PE10 9PH
planning a touring trip later this year from for example, a campervan with two people,
the southeast, going up the east coast to plus a dog, plus an awning. Editorial
Northumberland, across to the Lake District When it comes to the big sites, Publisher Fleur Chivers
and returning via the Derbyshire Peaks. campervans usually have to stay on a
Head of Content Daniel Attwood
Straight away, I’ve hit an issue with pricing designated motorhome pitch. Often the
at campsites. Find a price, which states a price is fixed and is inclusive of things like Editor Geneve Brand 01778 395019
pitch with two adults, but add an awning electric, grey waste disposal and an awning. Subbing Wendy Pennycook,
and most sites want an extra £3 or so a But most campsites fall somewhere in the Sophie Bromley
night. I can understand extra for electric but middle of this spectrum, and that’s where it
Design Claire Honeywood
not awnings as the overall footprint of the can be a bit of a grey area. While some
pitch is the same. Surely a pitch is a pitch places like to take a simple approach to
Advertising
and, as long as you keep a reasonable space pricing, others seem to overcomplicate it.
Group Head of Advertising
between yourself and adjacent units, why When it comes to awnings, these are often
Fleur Chivers 01778 392071
are sites ripping off campers? Is it not time larger than the campervan it’s
that a campaign was launched for clearer accompanying and so it’s fair to charge Key Account Manager
pricing from sites? a few quid for this. However, while most Zellah Knowles 01778 392093
Craig, Facebook places charge a reasonable fee, be wary of Account Manager
the odd site that does seem to overcharge Tom Lee 01778 392454
Campsites come in all shapes and for pitch add-ons.
A sizes from basic farmers’ fields with If you’re in any doubt about how much
Multimedia Sales Executive
Sue Bullock 01778 391079
spit and sawdust facilities to all-singing you’re paying, phone the site in advance
all-dancing joints with swimming pools and and quiz them about their rates. Vote with Advertising Sales Manager
golf ranges. As each campsite is unique, your feet and don’t stay there if you feel it’s Ashleigh Chadwick 01778 392050
there’s no standard approach to pricing. a rip-off. Make sure you always leave Parks Account Manager
For uniformity, look to clubs which require reviews for the places you do stay at, too Connor Jackson 01778 392057
a membership like the Camping and – good and bad. Not only do campsite
Advertising Production & Design
Caravanning Club, and the Caravan and reviews help inform others when planning
Kate Goulding, Viv Lane
Motorhome Club, as they are designed their own trips, but customer feedback is
to be standardised; otherwise, you’ll need essential for campsites that, in the main, are Distribution 01778 391171
to assess each campsite individually. always looking to improve the camping Printed by Warners Midlands plc
Some of the smaller campsites without experience they offer. 01778 395111

Marketing

Purrfect day! Brand Manager Lucie Cox 01778 395016

Á How I'm spending #NationalCatDay (like every How to subscribe

other day) says Guinness, the campervan cat… Digital subscription pocketmags.com or
TravellersCookeBook, Twitter for print subscriptions call 01778 392019

© Warners Group Publications 2020. All rights

reserved. No part of this magazine may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means without
prior permission. While we welcome written
enquiries we regret we cannot offer advice on a
personal basis. While every care is taken with
unsolicited material submitted for publication, we
cannot be responsible for loss or damage. The views
expressed by contributors are not necessarily those
of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that
the content of this magazine is accurate, but we
assume no responsibility for any effect from errors or
omissions. While every care is taken when accepting
advertisements, we cannot take responsibility for

Back to the future unsatisfactory transactions.

à Could the Tesla Cybertruck be the future of

campervanning, or is it just silly?
Freundship, Twitter

Have you got any interesting campervan

Share stories to tell? We'd love to hear from you! 


outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 49

Enjoying | Campervan community

Competition
To be in with a chance of winning a pair of Vango Entwine Chairs, worth £170,
we asked you to send us your best campervan stories and pictures…

This Á Every adventure we have in Robbo, our

month's 1991 VW T24 campervan, is special. He
takes us to so many places and my girls,
winner Catriona and Isla, love him. We’re at Blair
Drummond campsite in Stirling in this
photo. As a family, we’ve travelled all
over Scotland in Robbo and he was our
wedding vehicle, too.
Seona, email

Ä Padstow in Cornwall is our all year haven. For

dog walking and chillaxing, it has everything,
including the best gin joint in the west!
Clive, email

à After 30 years as caravanners this

was our first outing in our new 'van,
Ava, in Chirk recently. We had torrential
rain followed by this beautiful day, then
three inches of snow. We stayed cosy à We love spending summer camping in
and warm, and loved it! Looking the south of France, where we’ve enjoyed
forward to many more adventures. great sunsets and met Rasta donkeys…
Anne, email Jacky, Facebook

Send us your best campervan stories and pictures!

Win To be in with a chance of winning a Vango kitchen bundle including
a 4 person Bamboo Set, a Gourmet Cook Set and a Family Cutlery
Set, worth £100, send us your best campervan stories and pictures!
 [email protected] Campervanmag
Campervan_Mag using #campervanstories
*Terms & conditions apply. See:
outandaboutlive.co.uk/information/competition-terms

Got a question you'd like to ask

Ask Campervan? We'd love to hear from you! 
50 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
 ✓ NO-RISK DIGITAL OFFER Get your first digital issue
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Enjoying | USA

Route 66(part one) Chicago to the

Continental Divide

Stretching 2,400 miles from Chicago to LA, it’s no

wonder Route 66 is a legendary road trip…
WORDS & PHOTOS Mike Waterman

2016 VW Transporter T6 LWB Trendline WHAT I L♥VE ABOUT IT It’s so flexible. Off-grid camping is

My 'van CONVERSION TYPE Adventure Trek by Stratford-

based Camper King camperking.co.uk
aided by two 85Ah leisure batteries, a 65W solar panel on the
roof and an Eberspächer diesel heater. I shipped it over from
Antwerp in Belgium to Halifax, Nova Scotia, travelling on the
OWNED SINCE 2016
same ship as a passenger. The plan is to spend six months in the
LAYOUT Side kitchen, rock ‘n’ roll style bench/bed US and a similar amount of time in Canada, before shipping
TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 5/2 back to Europe using the same shipping service

52 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 W
hy drive a road that no longer exists? Well, firstly
it’s one of the most famous road trips. Start a
discussion on road trips and it won’t be long
before Route 66 (Chicago to LA) is mentioned,
as it is right up there with the world’s most iconic.
It also brings with it a big bonus of history. Vividly
brought to life in Steinbeck’s book The Grapes of Wrath,
the road featured in the flight from the drought-induced
dust bowl of the 1930s. The escape, particularly from
Oklahoma, saw an estimated 210,000 people in
overloaded cars and trucks heading west in search of a
new life. At the same time, the migration caused by the
Great Depression of the 1930s sent more people from
east to west seeking employment, as the industrial east
went into meltdown. Later that century, there was the
catastrophic impact on many local communities thriving
on a main highway, suddenly bypassed by the new
interstate system.
The road crosses other historical narratives. For instance,
between Rolla and Springfield, Missouri, Route 66
overlaps the Trail of Tears. In 1838, the Cherokee were
forcibly relocated from their southern Appalachian
homeland to Oklahoma. Of the estimated 12,000 coerced
migrants, it is thought up to 25% died on this trail from
disease, malnutrition and exposure.
But this is my tale of Route 66, uphill from its start in
Chicago to the Continental Divide in New Mexico. On
this side of the Divide, all water drains downhill, east to
the Atlantic. So, very gradually, Route 66 climbs through
nearly six of the eight states along its length.

Chicago (not the musical)

Route 66 is not an official Highway because it was
decommissioned back in 1985 having been replaced by
interstates. Rather, it’s a historic route, in my mind a little
like a 2,500-mile-long theme park.
The reality of Route 66 is that it is a collection of
standard, usually non-descript roads. However, as a road
trip with a connecting brand, which is simply and famously
‘Route 66’, it is one of the must-dos of vehicle based, long
distance trips.
The starting point is central Chicago. Bizarrely, a road
which no longer exists, now starts in the wrong place.
Historically 66 started on Jackson Boulevard, but a change
of the one-way system means this road is not viable as the
first stretch of the Mother Road. That honour now goes to

The change to south-west

style scenery was obvious
when entering New Mexico Chicago at night, from the Adler Planetarium


outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 53

ABOVE The East Adams Street, which is a little to the north and at least the Chicago Riverwalk and Navy Pier. Once on the
Leaning Tower of runs west. This is where the famous road sign marking the Lakefront Trail, Chicago really is readily available.
Texas in Groom,
start of Route 66 is located, in a tiny park close to an Getting out of Chicago takes some doing and I would
population 574.
Like so many elevated railway, but Highway 66 never started from here. understand anyone cheating and taking the interstate for
attractions, it was I camped at McCormick Place, the Chicago exhibition the first few miles. Interstate 55 is the new kid on the block
created to attract centre a little south of downtown. Lot B, its southernmost in Illinois and, in many places, Route 66 simply runs
people to stop; alongside its replacement, but towns and villages readily
car park is also a truck marshalling yard and allows
The Gemini Giant in
Wilmington, Illinois, overnight parking. It’s a massive area full of hundreds of embrace the marketing advantages of the Historic Route.
advertising the 53ft lorry trailers and several truck drivers staying one or Finding Route 66 takes a little work. Over its nearly
Launching Pad two nights. When I visited, I was one of three RVs. No tents 60-year official history it naturally changed course a few
drive-in or awnings are permitted. Whilst not the most salubrious times, known as alignments. Some books and online
setting, in terms of bang for the buck convenience in the descriptions painstakingly document the different
middle of Chicago, it’s amazing at a cost of $35 per alignments and some states even signpost routes from
night, booked online. different eras. Parts of Route 66 are forever gone, with
I walked the short distance to Lake Michigan and an estimated 85% available to drive today, but enough
the Lakefront Trail, a pedestrian path and cycle way survives to bring it to life.
that heads for miles both north and south. There is a Details of Route 66, right down to turn by turn
cycle depot at the end of 31st Street where bikes can instructions can be found online, published by some
be hired for $3 for 30 minutes or $15 for 3 hours. For generous and detail-conscious enthusiasts. I also found
$3 you can pick up a bike, easily get to the downtown the Harley Davidson Route 66 Map very useful, which
area and simply place the bike back into a depot. The I bought from Stanfords. I spent time plotting the whole
Lakefront Trail north goes past Soldier Field, Burnham route on Garmin BaseCamp so it could be transferred to
Harbour, the Shedd Aquarium and the interesting my GPS for each of the eight states. Interestingly, once
Adler Planetarium. I started on the road, I found my Garmin GPS visually
Further on I crossed into Millennium Park to see designated much of the route ‘Old Route 66’ on the
Route 66 and The Bean, and then headed north to screen, which was handy.

outandaboutlive.co.uk
 USA | Enjoying

Camping Campsite prices ranged from free

to $55 per night. Boondocking (free
camping) is a US national pastime.
I used the iOverlander and Wikicamps
apps to find campsites, and my free camping was
on public property, usually National Forests and
Bureau of Land Management land. I didn’t use
truck stops and Walmart car parks, which are
other popular free options. With research and
compromise, it’s possible to camp as cheaply as
your budget dictates. Some of the sites I stayed at
MCCORMICK PLACE Lot B, 3050 S. Moe
Drive Chicago, IL 60606 truticket.com
CASINO QUEEN RV PARK 200 South Front
Street, East Saint Louis, IL 62201
casinoqueen.com/stlouis/rv-park
MERAMEC CAVERNS NATURAL
CAMPGROUND I-44 & Hwy. W., Stanton, MO
63079 americascave.com
TWIN FOUNTAINS RV PARK 2727 NE 63rd
Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111
twinfountainsrvpark.com

Clickety click commemorate two very different aspects.

The Gemini Giant in Wilmington was my first stop out of What is noticeable moving from Illinois to Missouri is
Chicago. It’s reasonably common to have an oversized the move from farmland to a greater concentration of
attraction outside a business to attract people to stop. I’m woodland and rolling hills. Missouri is the place to go for
not sure what a glass-fibre guy wearing a helmet holding caverns and I relaxed after St Louis at Meramec Caverns,
a bomb has to do with the Launching Pad drive-in, but it just three miles from Route 66. They promote themselves
obviously worked its charm as I pulled over. as the location Jesse James and his gang made their
Route 66 crosses into Missouri at St Louis, although, as hideout and the caverns also have an interesting history
the MacArthur Bridge which carried the 66 is closed to in the gunpowder industry.
traffic, a modern replacement must be used. I stayed on The attraction for me was not the caves, but the lovely
the Illinois side of the Mississippi at the Casino Queen, campground based along the banks of the Meramec River.
which has an RV park. Casinos in the US are RV friendly Many towns try hard to attract travellers lost to the
and a popular place to camp. Out of season the campsite MAIN Cadillac interstate and, while Route 66 may get people to drive
office is not manned, so must be booked and paid for Ranch, Amarillo, through, towns need to offer something to get passers-by
online. An email provides the access code for the entrance Texas. Ten half- to stop. Cuba’s idea of murals painted around the town
barrier and restrooms. My pitch was expensive at $48.50, buried Cadillacs worked for me. Having said that, I didn’t spend any money
(1949-63) to create
but the Gateway Arch is visible from the campground and an art installation in
there because on Monday it seems everything is closed,
security is very tight with patrol vehicles constantly touring 1974, although it even, disappointingly, the bakery. My experience on Route
the casino car park and RV site. was moved in 1997 66 was that the smaller and more out of the way the town,
I took the short walk over Eads Bridge and was straight to escape the the harder it works to create a reason for people to pull
spreading city
into the Gateway Arch National Park and downtown St over and spend a little time and, hopefully, dollars.
Louis. The arch is much larger than I expected and has ABOVE RIGHT
very recently become the 60th US National Park. While The Casino Queen 600 miles and counting
RV Park with a view
it officially celebrates the role of the city in the expansion With 600 miles gone and 1,900 to go westwards, Kansas,
of the Gateway
into the west, it also faces a busy and quite industrial Arch across the the third state on the trip only has 13.2 miles of Route 66. It
Mississippi and so, to me, seems to successfully Mississippi just cuts across the southeast corner of the state, providing 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 55

Enjoying | USA

Been somewhere exotic in

Share your campervan? Share your
stories and photos with us at:


a link between Missouri and Oklahoma. That said, in those ABOVE Heading with paint aerosols of all colours to decorate the half-
13 miles, Kansas puts a tremendous amount of effort into north to the New buried cars at your pleasure!
the road with information displays and small attractions. Mexico high
country
In Oklahoma City, I splashed out $55 and stayed at Twin Not in Kansas anymore
Fountains RV Park as it’s the closest camping to downtown. BELOW The Arriving in New Mexico meant arriving in the American
I wanted to see the Oklahoma City Memorial, on the site Continental Divide. southwest, which is my favourite part. The scenery
Next is over the
of the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building where 168 people ‘top’ and down to
becomes much more desert and rock and is no longer
died on 19 April 1995 in an anti-government bombing. The the Pacific the agricultural flat landscape of the Great Plains.
poignant Field of Empty Chairs is arranged in nine rows, In New Mexico, Route 66 provides a choice. Keep
representing the nine floors. The chair for each victim is shadowing Interstate 40 west, or head north to Las Vegas
positioned based on where they worked or were visiting, and west to Santa Fe. It’s a chance to see the snow-topped
plus five chairs slightly separate for individuals killed New Mexico high country. Las Vegas – that’s the older
outside the building. Vegas, the locals are quick to point out, not the more
Equally moving is the Survivor Tree, blackened and famous and younger city in Nevada – has some nice
charred, but still alive after the bomb blast. historic houses. As a boontown it grew quickly and the
Just down the road from Twin Fountains RV Park is the houses were sent out from the east flat-packed, so a lady
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which in a supermarket told me. Heading north also gave me a
is well worth a visit. It covers the life of the cowboy, cattle chance to visit Los Alamos, from 1942 the home of the
farming and cowboys in film and media. It also contains a Manhattan Project, the programme which gave birth
very large art gallery, some of which is for sale. It kept me to the atomic bomb. The real attraction of Los Alamos
amused for a good half-day. turned out to be the surrounding countryside and the cliff
Route 66 cuts across the Texas Panhandle, between dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people in the Bandelier
Oklahoma and New Mexico, by which time I’d become National Monument. Heading back south to join the
used to seeing cotton fields in western alternative 66 route past Albuquerque, my
Oklahoma. Many roadside attractions journey uphill finished on a section of the 66
here are one person’s DIY efforts and the that runs alongside Interstate 40, east of
Richard Daniel Baker Peace Park is a good Gallup. Marked by an official state sign and
example. It’s a small park containing signs a closed down trading post, the Continental
and sculptures with anti-war messages and Divide marked the point where surface water
is worth a short visit. Cadillac Ranch, just would no longer flow east to the Atlantic.
outside of Amarillo, is free to visit, and well I was officially in the wild west.
worth a stop off, too. The place is littered To be continued…

56 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Parks

CORNWALL

CORNWALL

Celebrating
75
years!

★★★★★

Camping . Touring . Holiday Homes

Discover the magic of Pentewan Sands, a multi award-winning Holiday Park on the stunning south Cornish coast

www.pentewan.co.uk | Tel: 01726 843 485 | Email: [email protected]

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 57

Enjoying | Destination of the month

South East
Destination of the month

Go south and explore some of

England's finest counties...

—alamy.com

58 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 T
he southeastern part of England is campervanning break. With loads of
home to some of our finest counties, campsites to choose from, make sure you
like Kent – the Garden of England take advantage of low-season rates and
– and Sussex, which is famed for all reduced crowds to check out historical sites
kinds of events, from the Battle of like Dover Castle, Arundel Cathedral and
Hastings to Brighton and Hove Pride. Brighton's Royal Pavilion (main picture).
With such a rich and varied history, this If you prefer to get outdoors, then head
part of the world is packed with things to do, to the South Downs National Park, and High
including plenty of indoorsy stuff, making it Weald and the Kent Downs, which are both
perfect for an out-of-season winter classified as AONBs.

Explore

If standing in the study where Darwin wrote On the

Origin of Species floats your boat, then a trip to his
house is a must. kentattractions.co.uk/attractions/
the-home-of-charles-darwin

Visit

No visit to Kent would be complete without exploring the —pixabay

city of Canterbury, and its epic cathedral, of course,
which makes for a perfect rainy day activity.
canterbury-cathedral.org

Enjoy

Brighton Pier is a true national treasure and, best of all,

it's open all year round. Whatever the weather, there's
always something going on to entertain the family, from
play areas to rides and shows. brightonpier.co.uk

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 59

 Take the campervan into Kent and Sussex to explore
wonderful castles, cliffs and beaches

1 The Finches Caravan & Camping Site, Maidstone

Set in a prime location near Maidstone and close to the wonderful
Leeds Castle, which rises from its moat and is surrounded by 500 acres of
—VisitBritain Pete Seaward

parkland and formal gardens. The site has 20 hardstanding pitches with
electric. The amenities include toilets, showers, a games room, play area,
laundry and washing-up room.
+ The Finches, Chartway Street, Kingswood, Kent ME17 3DN

☎ 01622 844388 kingswood-caravans.co.uk ˆ March – December

2 Southdown Way Caravan & Camping Park, Hassocks

Set within the beautiful South Downs National Park and ideal for walkers
and cyclists, is Southdown Way Caravan and Camping Park. The site is flat
and open with views of the South Downs. Amenities include a laundry, toilets,
showers, disabled facilities. The campsite has fully serviced pitches and a small
shop for basic supplies.
+ Southdown Farm, Lodge Lane, Keymer, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 8LX

☎ 01273 841877 southdown-caravancamping.org.uk ˆ All year

3 Blacklands Farm Campsite, Henfield

Set in the Sussex countryside within sheltered
oak meadows, Blacklands Farm has a scenic lake, a
large play area and offers fishing. Pitches have electric
—VisitBritain Andrew Pickett

hook-up and there are toilets, showers and washing-up

sinks. The site also has a country shop. The coastal
town and port of Shoreham-by-Sea is close by.
+ Wheatsheaf Road (B2116), Henfield, West Sussex

BN5 9AT ☎ 01273 493528

blacklandsfarm.co.uk ˆ All year

60 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 South East Sites | Enjoying

4 Camber Sands Holiday Park, Rye

With access to its own beach, and
also within easy reach of Dungeness and
Hastings, Camber Sands is perfect for a
beach holiday. The site has standard and
electric grass pitches with a shower
block, dishwashing area and laundry.
There are four indoor pools on site,
plus crazy golf, a shop and restaurant.
+ Camber, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7RT

☎ 03332 076640
parkdeanresorts.co.uk
ˆ 15 February – 25 November

5 Hawthorn Farm, Dover

28 acres of landscaped gardens with ornamental fruit and woodland trees.
The port of Dover is less than ten minutes’ drive away and the historic castles of
Dover, Deal and Walmer are all close by. Site facilities include toilets, showers, a
shop and café. A train station and pub serving food are nearby.
+ Station Road, Martin Mill, Dover, Kent CT15 5LA

☎ 01304 852658 keatfarm.co.uk ˆ All year

6 Concierge Camping, Chichester

Situated near Chichester, this site is the ultimate in campsite luxury.
There are 27 fully serviced hardstanding pitches and unique Emperor
pitches with their own day-living safari tents housing fridge/freezer,
dishwasher, sink unit and log burning stove. Amenities include luxury
bathrooms, an on-site shop and cycle hire. Both Bognor Regis and West
Wittering beaches are close by.
+ Ratham Lane, West Ashling, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8DL

☎ 01243 573118 conciergecamping.co.uk ˆ All year

7 Broadhembury Caravan & Camping

Park, Ashford
Offering both a family part of the site and adults-only
meadows, each with their own award-winning facilities.
Hardstanding and fully serviced pitches are available.
Ashford is nearby with easy parking for campervans and,
for a fun family day out, head to Port Lympne Safari Park.
+ Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ

☎ 01233 620859 broadhembury.co.uk ˆ All year 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 61

PARKS
Parks

CORNWALL CORNWALL

Cottages, Touring & Camping Holidays

OPEN ALL YEAR!
Relax & Unwind at Carvynick
Holiday Park, a park nestled away
in the Cornish Countryside...
Fully serviced touring pitches. Self
catering cottages. Tent pitches
with fabulous views. On-site
pub. Carvynick is set in a perfect
location with easy access to
nearby Newquay, Padstow,
St Austell, Bodmin and Truro.
Book Online: www.carvynick.co.uk ,
by email: [email protected] or call us on 01872 510716
DEVON

Book
for
2020
ENTER AN ENCHANTING ESCAPE
WHERE THE MAGIC OF NATURE
DANCES WITH THE BEAUTY
OF THE CORNISH COAST Countryside holidays by the sea
Paignton, South Devon
On the south coast of Cornwall, perched above the
picturesque Mevagissey Bay, lies the ive-star Heligan Holiday Caravans Lodges
Caravan and Camping Park. Touring Camping Pods
Dogs Welcome
heligancampsite.com 01726 842 714
Dogs welcome | Open Jan – Nov Call us 01803 782338 Visit & book online whitehill-park.co.uk

DORSET HAMPSHIRE

St Leonards Farm Caravan and Camping Park

• Ideal base to explore
Bournemouth, Poole &
New Forest
• 10amp electric hook ups
• Indoor and outdoor play
area and picnic tables
• Hard standing pitches
• Modern hot water
showers and loos on site
• Storage available

01202 872637
[email protected]
www.stleonardsfarmpark.com
DORSET

Tel: 01425 672487

www.caravan-sites.co.uk
[email protected]
6o Hard Standings • 10 amp electrical supply • Heated shower block
Off peak prices available (beginning in September) • Motorcaravan Drain Point
Set in 100 acres of farmland 2 miles from the open forest

Poplar Lane,
Bransgore, Christchurch,
Dorset,
BH23 8JE

62 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 South East Sites | Enjoying

—Ian Woolcock stock adobe.com

Warner Farm Camping &

Touring Park, Selsey
Located at Selsey with its own mile-long
beachfront, Warner Farm has plenty of
facilities. Pitches are within a grassy area
surrounded by hedging, a short walk

8 Brighton Caravan & Motorhome Club Site, Brighton

As the name suggests, this site is ideal for exploring the vibrant
from the main complex. Here you’ll find
an indoor pool, entertainment venues
and a variety of places to eat. Off site,
seaside resort of Brighton. The Club site is just two miles from the town the beaches of West Wittering and
centre (there are regular buses) and a short distance inland from the Bognor Regis are close by.
—VisitEngland Visit Brighton

marina. Facilities include hardstanding or grass pitches with electric + Warner Lane, Selsey, Chichester,
hook-ups, a toilet block, dishwashing and a laundry. West Sussex PO20 9EL
+ East Brighton Park, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 5TS
☎ 01243 604499
☎ 01273 626546 caravanclub.co.uk ˆ All year warnerfarm.co.uk
ˆ 1 March – 2 January

10 11 The Barn Caravan Park, Lancing

Close to Brighton and several beaches, this site has electric
pitches and hardstandings, and a play area for the kids. The town of
Lancing is less than a mile away with shops, restaurants and a nature
reserve. Just 30 minutes from the site is Arundel Castle, a restored
medieval castle on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
+ Old Salts Farm Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8JG

☎ 07801 694064 barncaravanpark.co.uk ˆ All year

Black Horse Farm Caravan Club Site, Densole

With hardstanding and serviced pitches, this Club site is set in the
village of Densole on the Kent Downs. There are many local walks
and buses, which depart from outside the site so you can head off
—VisitEngland_Arundel

to explore Canterbury or Folkestone. On site there are toilets,

showers, a dishwashing area and laundry.
+ 385 Canterbury Road, Densole, Kent CT18 7BG

☎ 01303 892665 caravanclub.co.uk ˆ All year 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 63

Enjoying | South East Sites

12

—Thanet District Council

Nethercourt Touring Park, Ramsgate
Only one mile from the beach and ideal for exploring the
coastal towns of Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate. The site has
walking and cycling trails nearby and on site are toilets, showers,
a utility room and games room. Pitches have electric hook-up
available. There are several pubs within walking distance.
+ Nethercourt Hill, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0RX

☎ 07981 029517 nethercourt.com ˆ All year

13 Tanner Farm Park, Marden

Set amid the Kent countryside
within 15 acres of a 36-acre park,
surrounded by woodland, farmland and
orchards with many walks direct from the
park. Hardstanding and grass pitches with
electric are available and facilities include
play areas and a shop. London is less
than an hour away and attractions nearby
include Leeds Castle, Penshurst Place
and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
+ Goudhurst Road, Marden, Kent
14 Gatwick Caravan & Motorhome Club Site, Crawley
Within driving distance of Brighton and close to the facilities of Crawley,
TN12 9ND ☎ 01622 832399 the Gatwick Club site is close to the A23 for easy access. You can also explore
—VisitBritain Pete Seawrd

tannerfarmpark.co.uk ˆ All year London easily from here or take a 30-minute drive to uncover history at Hever
Castle. On site is a dog walk, a toilet block, electric hook-ups and a laundry.
+ Charlwood Road, Lowfield Heath, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 0QA

☎ 01293 524834 caravanclub.co.uk ˆ All year

15 Sumners Ponds, Horsham

Set in tranquil countryside among
100 acres of lakes, woodland and pasture,
Sumners Ponds is a mixture of grass and
hardstanding pitches spread across four
areas. There is a family area near the
playground or a quieter spot by the lakeside
with pitches for anglers. Facilities include
toilets, showers, a restaurant and bar.
+ Chapel Road, Barns Green, Horsham,

West Sussex RH13 0PR

☎ 01403 732539
sumnerponds.co.uk ˆ All year

64 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Parks

KENT

Need a relaxing
family holiday?
Our camping & touring parks
are the perfect choice for you.

Quex Park Little Satmar Hawthorn Farm

Birchington, CT7 0BL Folkestone,, CT18 7JF Dover, CT15 5LA
 Countryside Park  Coastal Park  Woodland Park
 01843 841273  01303 251188  01304 852658

 0800 305070
 [email protected]
 Head Office, Reculver Road, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 6SR www.keatfarm.co.uk

KENT KENT
Open all year,
See our
Broadhembury offers the
discerning motorhomer
website for
super ‘couples
THE FINCHES CARAVAN AND CAMPING SITE
and ‘over 60 ’
true comfort, whatever
the season. 5 star
discounts.
’s’
SALES ⁞ HIRE ⁞ STORAGE ⁞ PARK
graded separate Family CHARTWAY STREET, KINGSWOOD, MAIDSTONE, ME17 3NU
Park & Adults Meadows; generous
hardstandings and fully serviced 01622 844388 / 01622 842096
pitches to choose from. Our locaion is
excellent for exploring Kent, and further
afield. There’s easy motorhome parking
in nearby Ashford & Canterbury. The
Kenish coast, world famous castles &
gardens and vineyards are all in easy
reach. Be in London within 40 minutes,
All ameniies in an ideal Kent locaion - just 2 miles from J8 of the M20. Hard-
or at the Channel Tunnel within 30 standing for all caravans as well as electricity to all pitches, showers, toilets, washing
Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent, minutes. up room, laundry room, games room and wheelchair friendly wet room.
TN26 1NQ. Tel: 01233 620859 E: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.broadhembury.co.uk
Web: www.kingswood-caravans.co.uk

NORFOLK SCOTLAND

naturally
NORTH NORFOLK… Mortonhall Caravan & Camping Park
4 star Thistle graded park situated in a historic 200 acre country
estate conveniently located on the south side of the
City of Edinburgh.
A large variety of pitches from grass to hard standing to full service pitches
from one night plus. Tourers, campervans, motorhomes, RV’s, tents & pre-arranged groups.
Also including Holiday Homes, wigwams and Shepherd Huts to hire for a minimum of two
nights with variable start dates, ideal for a short city break.

The natural escape  Superb Location  Easily accessible into the city by bus until late at night
 Only 4 miles from Princes Street Year round events in the City – Perfect for city centre
IN NORTH NORFOLK Relax in your touring caravan breaks to visit year round attractions such as castles, national museums, art galleries, the
Touring pitches on beautiful or tent enjoying the sea views zoo, theatres, international festivals and sporting events, and much more...
and Norfolk countryside. Multi
Kelling Heath. Great facilities and service, electric pitches and Rates Based on 2 adults,
environmental activities. Lodges amenity buildings. Luxurious hard-standing pitch & electric 
from £22.00 per night low season
and holiday homes for hire. holiday homes for hire. Open
All Ye
ar
®

To book call 01263 588181 For bookings 01263 512242

Mortonhall Caravan & Camping Park
Near Weybourne, Holt NR25 7HW or www.woodhill-park.com
38 Mortonhall Gate, Frogston Road East, Edinburgh EH16 6TJ
www.kellingheath.co.uk East Runton, Cromer NR27 9PX
Tel: 0131 6641533 • www.meadowhead.co.uk • [email protected]

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 65

 Enjoying | Cornwall

Land’sanEnd
d beyond!

Kim and Alison bumble around Cornwall in their Mazda

Bongo campervan, and take a plane to the Isles of Scilly…
WORDS & PHOTOS Kim Brett

Y
‘ ou must see the Scillies,’ says Alison, ‘and you must fancy a walk, here you can enjoy a couple-of-miles walk ABOVE Hugh
arrive by plane!’ It’s been a long time since we took to Land’s End with beautiful views over the sea. Town, Scilly
a holiday in the UK. Our voyages generally have At Sennen we stayed at nearby Trevedra Farm campsite, BELOW Red
taken us abroad. It was about time to right a wrong a nice flat campsite with modern facilities. It was a short Squirrel, Tresco
and pack up our faithful Mazda Bongo campervan walk from Gwenver Beach with its beautiful sand and clear Abbey Gardens
and head west. water. We had hoped to do some surfing but, alas, surf
Although we had visited Cornwall many times before, it wasn’t up! However, we did indulge in a beach BBQ on
had always been towards the east of the county. This time an empty beach as the sun descended over the horizon.
we would base ourselves around Land’s End. The TV series, Poldark, is shot locally. Also nearby are
Like many others, I’ve had a lightning visit to Land’s End, old tin mines, many deserted long ago with one remaining
had a photo with the signpost of distances near and far, in operation until the 80s. Some are now museums; we
strolled around the harbour and St Ives, then high-tailed it chose to visit the Levant Mine – a mine that closed in
back to east Cornwall. This time, we would take our time. 1930 and is now owned by the National Trust. It has a
fascinating history and at one time was a big producer
Life’s a beach of tin and copper. A group of volunteers banded
I’d heard of Sennen Cove mentioned many times as a together to preserve a steam engine that was used
holiday destination, without knowing where it was or what to bring the ore up from deep underground. In our
it was like. The beach is beautiful, with a few shops and modern plant machinery era with its hoists, lifts and
bars, and a lifeboat station at the end of the beach. If you power tools, it is important to be reminded how

66 campervan January 2020

 1997 Mazda Bongo, 2.5L TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 5/3
Our 'van automatic, turbo-diesel four-
wheel-drive
WHAT WE L♥VE ABOUT IT Bongo, as we call
her, is very easy to drive and, at just 4.6m-long,
CONVERSION TYPE Self-build is nimble enough for getting around those
OWNED SINCE 2009 tricky little villages, narrow lanes and, not
forgetting, fits in normal car park spaces!
LAYOUT Central bench seat that turns
around to create a dining area, rear
nearside seat replaced by sink/cooker

miners would descend near-vertical ladders, hundreds of with flights regularly taking
feet down, and how women and children would hammer off for the Isles of Scilly
the ore to extract the tin and copper. We were told about – our next destination.
the man engine, a device installed to replace the ladders, The aircraft we travelled
which worked rather like a lift, allowing men to quickly on was a Britten-Norman
ascend or descend the shaft. In 1919 a metal bracket at the Islander, an eight-seater
top broke. Timbers crashed down the shaft, carrying the twin engine airliner. They
platforms with them, and, tragically, 31 men died. weighed not only the
Continuing our drive past the tin area we came to St luggage but us, too! Then
Ives, for… I can’t deny it – a nice fish and chip supper! Plus assigned us seats to make sure the plane was balanced.
a stroll around the harbour to enjoy another fine view of Alison and I have travelled a lot, seen many islands, and
the sunset. Artists are drawn to St Ives by its magical light underneath the crystal blue skies, these isles were equal
that’s perfect for painting. Indeed, the Tate has a gallery with any we’ve seen elsewhere. The Scillies is an
on the seafront. archipelago 28 miles off Land’s End. There are five
inhabited islands. St Mary’s, the largest, was where we ABOVE The
Scilly as a wheel would base ourselves. However, you cannot take a vehicle Levant Mine
We based ourselves near Land’s End so we could be close to the Isles of Scilly. You can use a taxi, hire a golf buggy or underground
passage way;
to Land’s End airport, a small airfield which we could see even hire a bicycle. For our accommodation, we hired a Scilly Isles looking
from our campsite. Boy, it was far busier than I thought, ready-erected tent in the historic Garrison area of the toward Samson 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 67

 Enjoying | Cornwall

island. We were surrounded by battlements and cannons,

surmounted by the Star Castle, constructed in 1593, as
a fort by Elizabeth I, but now a hotel. Just dropping in to
have a drink in the bar was an experience, after all it was
once a dungeon!
Walking around the island, it’s easy to tap into the
history of the place with Stone, Iron and Bronze Age burial
mounds and settlements. The island has had its fair share
of shipwrecks, too. One notable disaster occurred in 1707
when an error in navigation drove four royal navy ships
onto the Isles of Scilly. Between 1,400 and 2,000 sailors
are believed to have perished.
Regular water taxis operate between the islands, and
each has its own unique character. Tresco is a very popular
destination. In the nineteenth century, Augustus Smith
established a sub-tropical garden, set in an old monastery
that, due to the Scillies' unique climate, could grow plants
taken from around the world. Also in the grounds is the
Valhalla Exhibition, a display of ship figureheads.
The island of St Martins has some beautiful bays and
beaches. Par Beach, for example has sand so fine it was
used to blot ink before the advent of blotting paper. A
short boat ride from St Mary’s, St Agnes is lovely for an
evening boat trip, a meal and a stroll. In fact, if you wish to
get away from it all then these islands are perfect. It’s easy
to find yourself on a deserted beach or remote inlet.

A night at the opera

Rarely for us, we had decided to stay within the St Ives
and Penzance area in order to spend more time exploring,
rather than driving. We based ourselves at another
campsite, Treverven on the south of the Cornwall

peninsula to be near Minack Theatre – an unusual

open-air theatre that’s built above a gully on an outcrop
jutting into the sea. I had purchased tickets in advance for
Verdi’s opera, Macbeth. Performed by Duchy Opera, one
of the many theatre groups that perform in this unique
theatre every year, it was a wonderful show, with the ocean
as a fantastic backdrop.
We TREVEDRA FARM The Minack is right next to Porthcurno Beach. Who

stayed at CAMPSITE Sennan,

Penzance TR19 7BE
knew that innocent-looking bay, back in the late 1800s,
would be at the forefront of international communication?
trevedrafarm.co.uk With telecommunications cables laid to many parts of the
empire, it continued to play an important role through two
TREVERVEN TOURING PARK world wars, too. Today, some of these buildings have been
St Buryan, Penzance TR19 6DL turned into the Telegraph Museum, which includes
treverventouringpark.co.uk atmospheric WW2 underground tunnels. I was a bit wary
THE LAURELS HOLIDAY PARK about the museum, its name for one – it sounded a bit of
Padstow Road, Whitecross, a dry subject, but the demonstration and the modern way
Wadebridge PL27 7JQ the museum is presented makes it well worth the visit.
thelaurelsholidaypark.co.uk From here, it was just a couple of miles’ walk back to the
GARRISON HOLIDAYS Tower campsite, taking in magnificent sea views and passing the
Cottage, The Garrison, St Mary’s, quaint cove of Penberth.
Isles of Scilly TR21 0LS Not remembering much about Penzance, I did recall
garrisonholidays.com with fondness as a youngster the Art Deco Jubilee
swimming pool that uses sea water, which is still there

68 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

and looks brilliant. It’s also worth taking a wander around ABOVE The Camel Trail
the backstreets of Penzance, and the curious Egyptian CLOCKWISE In a bid to take some miles off the home journey back to
Tresco Abbey
house built in 1835 is a must. After that, pop your head in Gardens; St
Norfolk, we spent a couple of nights at Wadebridge, in
the Admiral Benbow – an atmospheric pub full of artefacts Michael's Mount, north Cornwall.
from shipwrecks. If you prefer not to fly to the Scillies, here and causeway, We were recommended to hire bicycles and explore the
in Penzance harbour is where you can board the boat Cornwall; The Camel Trail. One way leads towards Bodmin and Wenford
Minack Theatre
Scillonian, too. Cornwall is well known for its charming bridge, and the other follows the trail to the delightful
harbours and a short way down the coast is Mousehole. LEFT Camel Trail, fishing port and popular holiday resort of Padstow. If you
I was well pleased to be in the Bongo, though! It made the bike riders, towards like cycling but don’t like hills, this is perfect. It follows
Padstow; WW2
narrow streets a breeze, even managing to park on the the old railway line through the beautiful Camel Valley.
underground
tricky narrow harbour car park. bunker telegraph Once at Padstow you can indulge yourself in the eateries
Having visited Mont St-Michel – the vast monastic Museum, followed by an ice cream before heading back along the
commune in Normandy, France – I thought I would Porthcurno Camel Trail with fine views across the river.
investigate the similarly named St Michael's Mount near Wadebridge is also a good place to explore other
the village of Marazion. Both island communities are on coastal resorts such as Polzeath (great for surfers) and Port
islands surrounded by tidal water that you can walk out to Isaac – the idyllic harbour location for the TV series Doc
and, in fact, the two were associated before the fifteenth Martin and the movie Fisherman's Friends.
century, too. Cornwall, with its beautiful beaches, clear blue water,
Since 1659 St Michael's Mount has been owned by the rocky headlands and rich history, is simply stunning at any
Aubyn family and, although it was a defensive fortification, time of year. Add to this the picturesque Scilly Isles with its
it is now a family home, and a lovely cosy one at that. The get away-from-it-all vibe and it’s easy to see why this part
view seaward and back to land are beautiful. Boats are of the world is such a popular holiday destination for
provided to ferry tourists to and from the island but, at holidaymakers from around the world. As I said, our visit
low tide, you can walk across the causeway. was long overdue. I won’t leave it so long next time…

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 69

PARKS
Parks

SCOTLAND SUFFOLK

Situated on the beautiful West

coast of the
Highlands of Scotland
bring your own caravan,
Run Cottage
motor-caravan or tent and set
up wherever you wish in the
Touring Park
designated areas.
For something a bit different
why not try our wigwam
cabins, a unique holiday CARAVAN & CAMPING
experience. Alternatively you
can spend your holiday in one
of the Park’s five star static
caravans.
On site facilities:
• Licensed shop
• Café on site • Open all year • 6 fully serviced pitches • 14 hardstanding pitches
• Dog walking area • Village shop & pub within easy walking distance
• Play area • 1.5 miles from Shingle Beach
• Laundrette • 2 miles from Forest walks and cycle trails
• Picnic tables
Close
Close Close
to to to
the thethe
town town
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of of of
Woodbridge
Woodbridge
Woodbridge wewe
we are aare a small
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• Games/TV room run runruntouring
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• Highland WiFi parkland Close
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parkland
parkland settingsetting awith
large a pond
large pond
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views views
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• Bikes and Kayaks for hire openopenopen run
farmland,
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we offer offer park
offer
peace peace with
andand
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and pitches.
tranquillity. Set
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tranquillity. in a 4.5 acre
Touring Park. Set in 4.5 acres of parkland, and just 45 spacious pitches.
• Covered indoor cooking and parkland setting with a large pond and views over
A place
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lifestyle. tranquility a place to escape the hustle and bustle of today’s busy lifestyle.
• Loch and River fishing. A place to escape the hustle and bustle of today’s
busy lifestyle.
RUN COTTAGE TOURING PARK
www.sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk
AllAll
electric
All electric hookhook
electric
14 all14weather
all all
14 weather
upsups
hook
ups
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weather
caravan pitches
caravan
pitches pitches Alderton Road, Hollesley, Woodbridge, IP12 3RQ
Sands Caravan &Open
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IV21 2DL T: 01394 411309
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• Chemical
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distance W: www.runcottage.co.uk
Tourist information area • 1.5 miles from shingle beach












Village shop & pub within easy walking distance

New Year, New holiday?!

Check out over 3500 parks
to choose from

Search on
Park Pictured: Monkton Wyld
Camping and Caravan Holiday Park outandaboutlive.co.uk
70 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
 Open-all-year sites | Enjoying

All-year adventures
Winter might be here, but you can extend your campervan
season with these top open-all-year campsites

1 Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, London

+ Meridian Way, Edmonton N9 0AR ☎ 02088 036900 visitleevalley.org.uk
Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Edmonton, north London, All campers can get a discount card to access all the Lee Valley
is not only open 365 days a year but is also the closest campsite sporting and leisure venues, including the Lee Valley VeloPark, Lee
—VisitEngland Diana Jarvis

to central London so you can get into the city easily by public Valley Ice Centre and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, which is on
transport within an hour. The site offers a friendly, home-away- the campsite's doorstep. If you are looking for a more relaxing
from-home environment, with all the facilities you need. On site activity, visit the Odeon Luxe Cinema, which is only a stone's throw
there is a licensed shop, an 18-hole golf course, and a play area. away, or enjoy the peaceful surroundings, including seeing the
There is a choice of pitches with or without electricity. wildlife around the lake or stroll around the River Lee Country Park.

2 +
Shamba Holidays, Hampshire
Ringwood Road, East Moors Lane,
St Leonards, Ringwood BH24 2SB
☎ 01202 873302 shambaholidays.co.uk
Shamba Holidays is ideally situated to explore Hampshire and Dorset,
and is close to the New Forest where you can walk to your heart’s
content and meet the forest’s famous free-roaming ponies.
Bournemouth is also within easy driving distance for a day out by the
seaside. Fishing, golfing and horse riding are all also available nearby.
A 10-minute drive away is Moors Valley Country Park where you can
walk, cycle, play golf and go fishing.
The campsite has 150 good-sized, well-drained pitches, all with
electric hook-up facilities. There is a modern clubhouse with licensed
bar, large-screen TV, takeaway, games room and well-stocked shop.
An excellent feature of the site is the 40ft heated swimming pool and
toddlers’ paddling pool with a clever sliding roof so you can swim
whatever the weather. The pitches are serviced by modern toilet/
shower facilities and there is a large dog walking field.


outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 71

Enjoying | Open-all-year sites

Mortonhall Caravan & Camping Park, Edinburgh

3 + 38 Mortonhall Gate, Frogston Road East EH16 6TJ
☎ 01316 641533 meadowhead.co.uk 4 Run Cottage Touring
Set within a country estate, just four miles historic close below the current city’s streets. Park, Suffolk
from Edinburgh city centre, Mortonhall The campsite has four different types of + Alderton Road, Hollesley,
combines leafy green parkland with bustling pitch – grass, standard, premium and full Woodbridge IP12 3RQ
urban attractions. There’s a bus service into service – giving a choice of grass or ☎ 01394 411309
the city so you can experience everything hardstanding. There’s also a motor vehicle runcottage.co.uk
Edinburgh has to offer and then return to waste disposal point. Facilities on site Set on Suffolk’s
a peaceful location after a busy day’s include a stable bar and restaurant, toilets heritage coast, Run Cottage is an
exploring. The city has so much to see, and showers and a licensed shop. There are adults-only site near the small town
whatever the weather, from the grand castle miles of walks around the estate and you of Woodbridge. With flower beds
atop the hill to exploring the ‘hidden’ can walk into the city centre if you wish. throughout and an ornate lily pond,
this is a very pretty, rural site.
With just 45 pitches, set over 4½
acres of parkland and with views over
open farmland, this is truly a relaxing
place. The site is a haven for wildlife,
with rabbits, deer and barn owls to
see. By the stream at the bottom of
the site you might see ducks and
moorhens, and there’s even an
elusive kingfisher to spot!
Facilities include toilets and
showers, a washing-up area and a
laundry. There is a village shop within
600 yards and a shingle beach is

—VisitEngland Diana Jarvis

1½ miles away. A dog exercise field
adjoins the site and a local pub serves
—VisitBritain Pearl Lung

food. For days out exploring, Run

Cottage is close to Aldeburgh and
Sutton Hoo.

5 +
Elm Cottage Touring Park, Cheshire
Chester Lane, Little Budworth CW7 2QJ 6 Cosawes Park, Cornwall
☎ 01829 760544 elmcottage.co.auk + Perranarworthal, Truro TR3 7QS
Located just 12 miles from Chester, this peaceful campsite is ☎ 01872 863724 cosawes.co.uk
an ideal base for exploring Cheshire. The campsite offers 35 Cosawes Park has a sheltered valley location near Truro, close
pitches on hardstanding; some are fully serviced. The toilets/ to both the sea and the towns. There’s 100 acres of natural
showers are heated during the colder months, and a small landscaping, set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
shop at reception sells all the basics. Just a short stroll from With a peaceful atmosphere, and no playgrounds or pools, the
the site is a local pub serving food. site is mainly adult orientated; however, children are welcome.
Elm Cottage also has a large dog walking area that extends Pitches range from a basic pitch on grass, to service pitches
into a country path around the site. A unique feature of the with electric, and premium pitches on hardstanding with
site is the owl garden. Set in the owners’ private garden, electric, water, grey waste disposal and television connection.
guests are welcome to see the stunning collection of owls There are toilets, showers, disabled facilities and a laundry.
up close. Off site there is a choice of attractions including Nearby Truro is a bustling city with plenty going on over
Chester Zoo, the Anderton Boat Lift, and Oulton Park race Christmas and New Year. These include a winter gift fayre,
circuit is just a 20-minute walk away. carol concert, late night shopping and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
—Seah Hurlock Photography

72 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 7 Blackland Lakes Holiday
Centre, Wiltshire
+ Calne SN11 0NQ
☎ 01249 810943
blacklandlakes.co.uk
Blackland Lakes is a secluded,
picturesque campsite that lies at the foot
of the Marlborough Downs. The 17 acres
is divided into six sheltered, generally
level paddocks with electric pitches,
hardstandings and fully serviced pitches.
Two log-cabin style amenities buildings
blend with the natural surroundings and
include all the usual facilities; mother and
baby/disabled room, free hot showers,
washing up and launderette (from
October until Easter only one block is
open). The licensed shop stocks all the
essentials. During the peak season a
licensed bar is open. On site are two
small coarse fishing lakes and a third
fenced lake that is home to wildlife. For
children there is a large play area and a
mile-long cycling/walking trail. During
your stay you can travel into the historic
city of Bath. There’s a park and ride just
45-minutes’ drive away.

8 Kingsmead Centre, Devon

Clayhidon, Cullompton EX15 3TR
+
9
☎ 01823 421630 kingsmeadcentre.com
Kingsmead Centre retains a natural charm within tranquil
countryside. The site is spread over seven acres with various
areas. The upper level of the site has hardstanding pitches
with electric for campervans. At reception there is a range
of essentials for sale. The site also has two pleasure angling
lakes, a warm dog shower and a communal area with firepit,
BBQ and seating area. There are a couple of pubs serving
food within a few miles of the site. Fforest Fields Caravan & Camping Park, Powys
The site is located to the north of the Blackdown Hills.
+ Fforest Farm, Hundred House, Builth Wells LD1 5RT
There is a network of footpaths in the local area. It’s only
30 minutes’ drive to the Jurassic Coast and Dunster Castle.
☎ 01982 570406 fforestfields.co.uk
Located on a working hill farm, Fforest Fields is in a rural location. There
are plenty of walks direct from the site through woodland and up to open
moors. There’s even a lookout platform as a reward for when you reach
the top of the hill. This site allows plenty of space, with a traditional
camping feel but with all mod cons including a café and shop.
It is a 12-acre site just a few miles from the market town of Builth
Wells. Pitches are generous in size, on a choice of grass or hardstanding.
A stream winds through the site with shallow ponds for children to play
in. There are also two beautiful lakes. A carbon-neutral facility provides
showers, family rooms, disabled, washing up and drying rooms. The local
area provides many activities including birdwatching and mountain biking. 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 73

Enjoying | Open-all-year sites

11 Wareham Forest Tourist Park, Dorset

+ North Trigon, Wareham BH20 7NZ
☎ 01929 551393 warehamforest.co.uk
A tranquil, 55-acre woodland campsite, close to the Jurassic Coast, with the
delights of Weymouth, Corfe Castle and the Abbotsbury Swannery close by.
Pitches are hardstanding with electric hook-up set among the trees, with fully
serviced pitches available. There are two toilet blocks with fully equipped
disabled facilities, along with showers and individual wash cubicles, a laundry and
dishwashing area. A licensed shop sells all the essentials and a pub is within one
mile. For leisure time on site there is an outdoor pool, table tennis and adventure
playground. Pet owners will appreciate the fully enclosed dog exercise area or
you can take your pet for a walk around the 14 square miles of Wareham Forest.

10 Bosworth Water Park

Caravan Site, Warwickshire
The trails are accessible directly from the park and maps are available from
reception. When you get back you can wash any muddy paws off at the warm
dog wash and then treat your dog to doggy ice cream from the shop!
+ Far Coton Lane, Wellsborough Road,
Nuneaton CV13 6PD
☎ 01455 291876
bosworthwaterpark.co.uk
This is a well-established leisure and water
park with a touring campsite offering 56
pitches, some of which are located by the
waterside and are all fully serviced.
Facilities include a licensed café, beach
area, children’s play areas and acres of
open parkland. The amenity block
includes toilets, showers, fresh and waste
water points, dishwashing sinks and
a chemical disposal point along with a
dedicated family toilet and shower block.
The on-site shop doubles as the reception
and stocks daily staples such as tea,
coffee, milk and bread, plus snacks, toys
for the kids including buckets and spades,
and, of course, ice cream!
Fishing is free to those staying on the
site. This is the place to come if you want
access to a variety of adrenaline-filled
family fun on the water coupled with a
peaceful country park where you can
relax and take a peaceful wintry walk.

12 Oxon Hall Touring Park, Shropshire

+ Welshpool Road, Shrewsbury SY3 5FB ☎ 01743 340868 morris-leisure.co.uk
This award-winning site is set in attractive tree-fringed land yet Oxon Hall has hardstanding pitches and grass pitches with
it is only a short bus ride from Shrewsbury town centre, and electric. There are also fully serviced super pitches. Facilities on
handily the park and ride service is located adjacent to the site include a heated toilet and shower block, a shop, play area
site. The town’s medieval architecture combined with modern and laundry room. There’s also a specific adults-only touring
shopping facilities make it an ideal tourist destination. There are area. Central to the site is a picturesque lake and there’s a
several pubs/restaurants within walking distance of the park, too. conservatory area for guests to relax in that overlooks the lake.

74 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Brand new campsites unveiled.
Go to premier-parks.co.uk
to plan your 2020 holidays

Beaconsfield Holiday Park, & Riverside Caravan Park,

Shropshire Sands Caravans South Wales Tour
nd Warwickshire
Camping, Scotla ing Park,
Wales

@PrmParks @PremierParks @premier_parks

Your campervans | 2014 Mercedes Sprinter

From white panel van to

super Sprogget!
Mark and Paul create a unique campervan
that’s practical, stylish and dog-friendly…
WORDS Carol Kubicki PHOTOS Carol Kubicki & Mark Dooris

I
am always excited when friends see a campervan has always appealed,’ the two
the light and get a campervan as this of them told me enthusiastically. Their first
opens up opportunities for year-round campervan experience had been with a
merrymaking on shared camping trips. rusty T2 borrowed from a friend; this had
Mark and Paul, long-standing friends been fun but confining. Having use of
of mine, have more than made the grade by another friend’s funky vintage Hymer
recently completing a self-build project, motorhome revolutionised their festival
creating a unique and delightful campervan. experiences but it was a big beast to drive.
Although not quite in the DIY Disasters Like many of us, they realised what they
category, my partner, Anthony, and I know wanted was a Tardis; the spacious feel of a
our limitations and have never flirted with large ’van, with somewhere comfy to cook,
self-conversion, so I am impressed by my eat and sleep, and their own toilet and
friends’ one-of-a-kind campervan. I talked shower, all fitting into a small space they
to them about their journey into the could park at home and drive down a
campervan community and wonder if country lane.
anyone else has a built-in bed for their Mark and Paul quickly grasped that even
dog that sits over a composting toilet? a newish basic campervan would set
them back a pretty penny. Older ‘vans
First steps into vanlife were cheaper but they weren’t keen
‘We both love getting out into the to put in the hours keeping a vintage
countryside, whether holidaying or for vehicle on the road. Anyone who
weekend hill walks, so the freedom of having knows Paul will tell you he is one of

Ever y 'van needs a bit of artificial turf! It's

certainly one
step beyond...

those people who always has a project on

the go. Fitting a new kitchen or bathroom
are jobs he takes on eagerly, learning new
skills on the way (he is a handy friend to
have!) so it wasn’t surprising when the idea
for a self-build emerged.
I first heard that they had purchased their
van as we were trundling along an open
road in northern Spain in the autumn of
2017 and Mark rang to pick my brains about
windows, ovens and fridges. Having spent

Best Of course, Mark and Paul said that anywhere with me and Anthony has
to be their favourite trip! We had a summer jaunt to rural Shropshire
months sketching out ideas for a layout and,
after considering several models of van,

trip that was perfect with good weather, excellent walking and a local pub they had taken the plunge. They had been
tempted by the ease of fitting out a
box-shaped van but it was the road test that

76 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Mark, Paul & Murphy
Base vehicle 2014 MWB 313 CdI high-top
Mercedes Sprinter
Owned since 2017
Drive Rear-wheel drive
Engine 2.1-litre turbo-diesel
Power 130bhp
Economy 30mpg
Gearbox 6-speed manual
Travel seats 3
Berths 2
Leisure battery 2 x 110Ah
Length x width x height 5.9m x 1.99m x 2.9m
Equipment Reversing camera, underslung
LPG tank, 92-litre underslung water tank with
frost element, insulation and water gauge,
300W solar panel, 12V fridge, Truma Combi
boiler
Insurance £412 (includes European
breakdown)

COSTS SO FAR
swung it; the car-like handling of the area separated from the cab. The van ..............................................£12,900
Mercedes Sprinter was too good to turn Although some aspects of their
The conversion – estimated (Mark and
down. They also hoped that a three-year-old campervan design were organic, being able
Paul started out by keeping a record of
van with less than 50,000 miles on the clock to make use of the van off-grid rather than costs but lapsed over the 14 months of the
and reliable German engineering would being reliant on campsites and hook-up had conversion!) ........................................£6,000
mean they wouldn’t have to do another always been a priority. It is valuable to know Total costs to date (approx) .........£19,000
self-build for many years! this from the start so that the initial
installation of wiring and piping do the job
Kicking off the conversion for your chosen layout. Paul took a belt-and-
The first step was to strip out the old braces approach, putting in cables for
plywood lining from the walls and remove everything they could think of, with a couple
the floor. Paul acknowledged this was a bit more in strategic locations just in case
disheartening, ‘It was like seeing your new something else came to mind during the
house for the first time, without the pictures build. Pipes were laid for the sink and across
on the wall and the previous owner’s the van for the shower. The guys used a
furniture. The van looked worse than it had two-inch layer of Thermafleece on the walls
in the showroom with more dents and rust and roof for insulation. Paul explained, ‘As a
and lots of dirt under the floor from its days natural material, wool can handle moisture
as a utility vehicle.’ much better than glass-fibre or rockwool,
They cleaned up the rust and grime and taking in and releasing moisture depending
began the transformation. An early decision on the conditions and preventing
was to keep the front bench seat and a condensation, and hopefully any rust,
bulkhead behind the cab. Mark and Paul forming in those hidden places.’ For extra
opted to replace the metal bulkhead with a warmth, Paul used a piece of multi-layer foil
strong birch ply wall (all the better to protect insulation that was left over from another
the cab occupants from flying debris in the project. The piece was only large enough
event of a crash) and create a cosy living for one side of the van but, by cleverly 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 77

Your campervans | 2014 Mercedes Sprinter

separating the nine layers

into threes, he found there
was enough to cover the
walls and ceiling, creating a
well-insulated van without
adding much bulk. On the
floor, Kingspan rigid
insulation board gives
warmth without weight.

The practical stuff

Mark had a dream of a The composting toilet is practical and easil
campervan where the two of y slides out
sofa folds out revea ling the interlockin g slats, from under the dog bed
them could lounge and have The
space to entertain a couple which are very comfortable
of friends. He had his heart
set on an L-shaped seating area and it was Paul had lots of fun creating the kitchen
up to Paul to come up with a design that and I am more than a little jealous of how
would extend from a four-person sofa to this looks, in particular the full-size tap is
an almost king-size bed. He came up with sturdy and looks pretty cool. Next to the
a practical plywood design, using sliding sink there is a worktop for food preparation,
interlocking slats, heavy-duty drawer the under-sink cupboard holds a bin, cutlery
runners and a hinged section that folds out drawer and spice rack and, with a marine
onto supports to easily create a sturdy bed. two-ring hob and oven and a sleek black
With upholstered foam cushions this is a fridge, they have a great kitchen.
deluxe sofa/bed. A Big Blue water filter with two chambers
Whatever he works on, Paul is always and cartridges seemed like a good idea until
thorough – some might say obsessive! they realised they would have to take it apart
He spent hours online over the winter every time they needed to drain it down to
researching equipment for their campervan. prevent frost damage. With a year-round
Having decided to opt for a 12V fridge, campervan this is a chore they could do
rather than cut holes in the side of the without so it quickly got replaced by
van for three-way fridge vents, two ‘big’ something simpler that didn’t require
purchases were a 300W solar panel and separate draining.
two 110Ah leisure batteries to be able to run
this off-grid. Buying a Truma Combi boiler Testing times
was an easy decision; only one hole to cut Mark, Paul and Murphy, their rescue
in the van, one heater to install and one greyhound, joined us in the Lake District for
control unit to set up. a test-run weekend. It was great to see their
Ebay is a treasure trove for self-converters half-finished conversion with just a bed,
and most of the kit came from here, at one kitchen and lighting fitted. It soon became
point deliveries were arriving almost daily. clear that they needed either a smaller dog
Adding up the cost of kit made them realise or a place for Murphy to sleep that wasn’t
that, whilst they were definitely going to squarely in the middle of the ’van!
save a lot of money building a campervan At this point the plan was still to build a
themselves, it was also clear why converted shower room and they toyed with having
‘vans are so expensive. Murphy sleeping in the shower tray. Using
I was as apprehensive as Mark when it the 'van and talking over ideas helped and
came to Paul cutting out the holes in the two important things became apparent;
van’s metal body for the windows. A worried firstly, they really liked the spacious interior
audience can be distracting so Paul waited of the ’van without the floor-to-ceiling walls
until Mark was away on a work trip for a few of a shower room closing in on them, and
days and got the jigsaw out! there wasn’t room for a washroom and a
Liking the look of the bonded windows greyhound sleeping area. Something had
you see on factory-fitted vehicles, they to go and it wasn't going to be Murphy!
had chosen stylish bonded single-glazed The compromise has become what is
windows on the sliding and rear doors possibly the world’s first dog bed with
and two Dometic double-glazed acrylic built-in composting toilet (for human use,
windows on the offside. Paul told me, ‘The Murphy isn’t that civilised, unfortunately).
windows are probably the main thing I wish This innovative and individual design has a
I’d done differently, as Dometic ones all loo underneath Murphy’s bed that slides out
round would have given more options for on rails when needed. Paul had earmarked
ventilation and better insulation.’ To keep the a composting loo as part of the design from
‘van toasty they cut panels to fit the bonded the start, figuring this meant no water or
windows from some spare insulated chemicals. Liquid and solid waste is
underlay. On winter nights these press separated and the liquid is emptied daily.
into place behind the curtains. The solids are covered in sawdust, left to dry

78 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Have you done a self-build
Share project? Share your stories
and photos with us at:

in a biodegradable bag and the odourless
waste removed when necessary. The toilet
is only separated from the rest of the ’van by
a curtain and, in practice, when someone is
using it the other usually takes the dog for a
walk, as having Murphy at your shoulder at
times like that can be off-putting!
The shower didn’t completely disappear
from their plans. Open the two rear barn
doors and there is a showerhead for
outdoor use, glorious in warm weather and,
when Paul has made an awning to fit over
the doors, this will even be private.
The classy look Mark and Paul have
achieved is subdued greys and neat birch
plywood punctuated with flashes of colour;
turquoise carpets, an imitation plant trailing
down the shelves and a colour-changing
strip light above the high cupboard that is
perfect for campervan discos.
Under-cupboard LED spots, LED ceiling
lights and reading lights each side of the bed
give plenty of flexibility for mood lighting.
The conversion also has stacks of
cupboards; wall cupboards opposite the
kitchen hold big and bulky items while high
cupboards take books and doggie items.
They call their new baby Sprogget, a
campervan that they have worked on from
conception to completion. It is uniquely
their own, looks good and, most importantly,
works for their lifestyle. With festivals
booked, a few weeks on the Wild Atlantic
Way in Ireland coming up and, of course,
weekends away with us, Mark and Paul are
all set to become veteran campervanners.

The
beginning

Thermafleece insulation keeps the 'van warm and

is a natural material

Cleaning away the grime of a working van Ready to put the rear windows in


outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 79

Your campervans | 2018 WildAx Pulsar Hi-Top

Urban myths
Having a campervan isn’t just a lifestyle choice
when you need it for work, too. Alana talks
about the pros and cons of urban camping…
WORDS & PHOTOS Alana Hurd

C
ampervanning is a lifestyle often Milly I was in a transitional phase of my life,
associated with sweeping beaches of no fixed abode. I had some experience
and mountain ranges. You’re parked of motorhoming and I knew how to manage
up with your surfboard and a roaring the logistics: campsites versus wild camping,
fire. There’s often beer, or chilled keeping warm, filling up with water, showers,
bottles of wine, maybe a sophisticated toilets, laundry, packing and storage, and
bourbon. There’s no traffic and street how to protect your ‘van from muddy/sandy
parking and yet that’s exactly what my dogs!
campervan road trip predominantly consists In this online world, I am, ironically, much
of, and it’s still a refreshing and liberating better at business in person. I wanted to
nomadic experience. meet thousands of people and I couldn’t
So, I wanted to reflect on the pros and do that by staying in one place, so I needed
cons and see if I can portray urban a home/office on wheels in which I could
campervanning in such a way as to make it travel with my two pooches, Jax and Bud.
an acceptable addition to anyone’s travelling As I decided to head off on the road to
plans. As a reflection of my own raise the £1,000,000 for the Swazi home in
circumstances, I wrote these observations person, I knew that I didn't want donations
with a certain demographic in mind: those to fund the trip, so 'Mill(y)onaire Milly’
for whom campervanning is both a lifestyle became a travelling vegan coffee shop.
and a working choice, not necessarily a fab I now work with Mission Milly partners who
post-retirement venture. pay to keep me on the road, and whose
wonderful products and services I promote
Mission Milly and sell in return.
My adventure started with wanting to make As a result, the project has branched
a difference to eight homeless youngsters in out into all kinds of other areas, and Milly
Swaziland by providing them with a home has become a means of connecting life
for life, and so I stumbled into building them – humans, animals and plants alike. All the
a house. I was then spending so much time products we promote are eco-friendly and Urban events
travelling the UK fundraising for the project cruelty-free, and we sell everything from It’s very hard to sell snacks and refreshments
that a campervan made sense, and that’s bamboo toothbrushes to wildflower seeds, to no one on an empty beach in the middle
where my WildAx came in. My camper is as well as coffee, of course! of winter, so I had to get booked at urban
called Mill(y)onaire Milly, affectionately All the urban camping I do has also events. That has taken me into the heart
known as Milly, and that’s how Mission inspired me to set up Pocket Protection, of many big cities, like London, Brighton,
Milly was born. which involves rewilding small pockets of Birmingham and Leeds.
When I first conceived the idea of Mission urban land in order to offer refuge to I’ve snoozed peacefully overnight just
pollinators and wildlife. off main roads; I’ve got up at 5am to beat
the rush hour traffic and congestion
charges; I’ve found sanctuary in the
gorgeous and remarkable Crystal
Palace Caravan and Motorhome Club
site, complete with friendly urban foxes
and cheeky squirrels! The amenities
there are wonderful, too.
For me, cities combine two benefits:
lots of people to chat to and wide
expansive parks in which to walk the
dogs, and sometimes even wild camp.
I’ve got up early in the morning to walk
the dogs at dawn, and watched the sun
which
I often set up the stand at book launches, rise over a deserted lake, enjoying a cup
peop le This is the view from inside the camper when
are a great way of meeting new I have the of coffee, knowing that later on that
stall set up

80 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Alana Hurd
Base vehicle 2018 Citroën Relay SWB
Conversion type WildAx Pulsar Hi-Top by
wildaxmotorhomes.com
Owned since November 2018
Drive Front-wheel drive
Engine 2.0-litre (Euro 6b)
Power 140bhp
Economy 45mpg
Gearbox 6-speed manual
Travel seats 4
Berths 2
Leisure battery 100Ah
Payload 350kg
Length x width x height 5m x 2.05m x 2.75m 
Equipment DAB digital radio with USB aux
connection, reversing camera, cruise control,
sat-nav, cab air-con, Bluetooth connection,
adjustable cab seats, passenger airbag,
leather steering wheel and gear knob, rear
reinforced twin leaf suspension, cab wood
dash trim, two side sliding doors, three 230V
sockets, one 12V and two USB
sockets, Thatcham Category 1 alarm and
tracking system, custom-designed 80-litre
fresh and waste water tanks, 20-litre LPG
morning I’m booked at a busy book launch he emailed me, “I saw you on the M25, tank, Truma Combi 4 E gas/electric hot water
down the road; a book launch I couldn’t at the A127 exit to be precise.” and blown air heating, cab Remis window
attend if it wasn’t for urban camping. Of course, there are negatives, too. blinds, Prostor awning, solar panel 
I love the anonymity of cities and I’ve Camping in urban places doesn’t offer the
Insurance £789 including EU cover and UK
always embraced the chance to chat to enveloping silence enjoyed at Lake Padarn breakdown cover
strangers who become friends. Milly – at Llanberis, Snowdonia, or the wilds of
complete with swirly decals – catches the Scotland, for example. I don’t think anything
eye but, as I sit inside tapping away on compares to heading out into the orange,
COSTS SO FAR
a laptop, I feel strangely private and burning sunrise on Llanddona Beach, near The 'van ............................................ £50,895
cocooned; a unique thrill coming from living Anglesey, with no one else around, just you Solar panel, awning, alarm and
life on my terms, having worked very hard to and the sea and the gulls; and the peace to tracker................................................... £1,900 
make it happen. ground yourself before a new day. But that’s Total costs to date ....................... £52,795
what holidays are for.
Pimp my ride As far as work goes, parking up on a pier
If, like me, you’re running your own business somewhere with a mix of town and sea, with
from your campervan, hundreds of hotels and residences behind you and cars CONTACTS
pedestrians and drivers are going to notice parked up ahead, is a pretty perfect To enable Alana realise her dream of raising
your ’van if you’re in populated areas, so compromise, I would say. I love having £1,000,000 to help disadvantaged young
it’s a great advertising opportunity, too. breakfast in the ‘van, all cosy, just me and people in Swaziland, or get involved with the
In fact, I’m building a mailing list purely the dogs, watching the waves crashing on urban rewilding project, check out
from converting road traffic into online the beach, then heading off to a local café missionmilly.com
interest. Very few people would notice my for some coffee and socialising, or setting People Power Protecting Land & Life
website on a rainy day parked in remote Milly up for a busy event day – you never MyMillionToOne
Snowdonia but, as one person said when know who you might meet!

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 81

Poplar Motors
Camper Vans
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82 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 1999 Toyota Hiace 2.4D Powervan | Our campervans

Long Way
The

Fi Darby Home
Campervan adventurer
1999 Toyota Hiace 2.4D
Powervan
Conversion type Handbuilt
conversion by a previous owner
Owned since December 2017
Engine 2.4l diesel (non-turbo)
Power 88hp (hamster power)
Gearbox 5-speed manual
Fuel economy Not brilliant!
Insurance cost £200 (with LV)

BEST TRIP SO FAR

This three-night wild camping trip
returning from visiting our son
in Yorkshire was our first proper
Fi and Simon avoid motorway hell by
advanture in our camper, so it was taking a detour through Wales, and
special, and memorable. Our son,
by the way, is eager for us to sell the enjoy a spot of wild camping…
'van... to him!

I
n most households (and campervans) there is one ABOVE our first delight was driving underwater (more a turquoise
person who has the wacky ‘let’s have an adventure’ Somewhere submarine than a yellow one) as we slipped through the
in Snowdonia
ideas and another who quietly suffers the Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel for a mere £1.80. I was
consequences and makes the adventure work. In our BELOW interested to note that tours are available into the
case it is usually me who experiences the ‘eureka’ Warning sign! Queensway Mersey Tunnel for £8 per person.
moment and my husband, Simon, who puts the plan into The trip across the Wirral Peninsula flew by and we were
action. Which is precisely how we found ourselves, instead celebrating our arrival into Wales almost before we knew
of taking the quick route down the M6 and M5 home from it. We headed for the coast along the A55 and enjoyed tea
Yorkshire to Devon, battling across the terrifying M60 by the sea at Abergele; that is, we presumed we were by
and M62 motorway network that surrounds Manchester the sea but could spy only night-time blackness during
to make our way into the very top of Wales. It seemed our short stroll along the prom.
common sense to avoid the motorways and take the long Once back in the ’van, we turned our headlights south
way home down through Wales… and headed towards Betws-y-Coed.
Before we settled down for night one of our three in
Welsh wanderings Wales, we had to do a bit of layby hunting. The perfect
As it turns out, we had an amazing time but I am not sure campervan camping layby allows for a degree of
our adventure could be described as sensible. The journey discretion, offers shelter from road noise and (if you arrive
home from Todmorden should, in theory, take around six in the dark, as is proper) provides view surprises in the
hours and cover 286 miles, but we racked up 479 miles morning. We rejected a few on the way but eventually
and a total of 80 hours! Of course, not all of that time was found one with the added bonus of running water (audible
spent driving. A long way home trip, we discovered, also but not visible in the dark). We were tucked into our
includes a bit of sightseeing and a fair amount of sleeping, sleeping bags by nine o’clock and asleep by half past.
drinking coffee and eating cake. Upon waking up just after dawn, we were thrilled with
For anyone who lives amidst the moors and our views, and ate a bacon breakfast in our sleeping bags
hills of the Southwest, but loves the steep sides with the door open.
and cloud-obscured tops of real mountains, The day that followed was spent exploring
north Wales is a key destination. This was the Snowdonia and started, after a stunning drive
first time we’d approached it from the north, and through the Pen-y-Pass mountain pass, with a 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 83

Our campervans | 1999 Toyota Hiace 2.4D Powervan

Away from all sources of light pollution,

I couldn’t see my fingers in front of my face
compulsory coffee stop at Pete’s Eats in Llanberis. Pete’s
Eats is a well-known walkers’ café, with such delights as
showers (a small charge but a great idea after a wild camp),
a map room, giant mugs and pieces of cake so big that
I felt I should be walking up mountains rather than driving
around them! However, instead of climbing mountains we
took a little cake-absorbing stroll around Llyn Padarn to
see the much-photographed Lone Tree.
We then found ourselves heading back over to
Betws-y-Coed (more stunning views), then south to the
Llechwedd Slate Mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog where we
were the only people to join the Deep Mine Tour. We felt
really lucky to be guided by Brian, who had worked in the
mine, and gave a fascinating insight into the difficult and
dangerous lives led by the miners and their families. We
were also given the opportunity to have a go with some of
the traditional tools. We opted for a very late lunch in the
campervan after our tour but the centre does have a good
café menu, lovely loos and even wood burner-heated
glamping pods.

Into the wild

Camping spot number two was a real nugget of Welsh
gold and definitely a lucky find. After winding our way for
several kilometres down a single-track road, we found a
lovely flat spot right next to a river.
It was on this overnight stop that I remembered exactly
how dark the Welsh sky could be. Away from all sources of
light pollution, I couldn’t see my fingers in front of my face
and our brief head torch exploration revealed only a
bridge, a fast-flowing river and a gate. The rain started
almost as soon as we arrived and, still more used to
camping in a tent, I spent the night (another early one)
wondering just how far up the campervan water could
go before we would float away!
The morning, however, dawned fair and I was out of the far too fast for a swimming attempt so, complete with
’van exploring as soon as there was enough light to see towel, mug and eco-friendly shampoo, I sat in a pool
that I wasn’t going to be wading. The river had risen a about a foot deep, did some wriggly washing and, after
touch and I ventured over the bridge to the previously deciding that quick bursts of cold water from a mug were
spotted gate; what lay beyond looked tempting for a worse than one longer submersion, lay back and washed
morning walk but I was more than relieved we hadn’t my hair. This wasn’t the quickest cold-water hair wash
opened it in the dark, when I noticed the message on the I have ever had (the fjords of Norway have that honour)
sign, ‘Keep to the road, Danger, Explosives’. We did as we but the ensuing ice cream headache did wake me up.
were told. Simon is a keen bikepacker (cycling and camping with
Feeling slightly under-washed is all part of campervan minimal lightweight kit) and knows the trails and forests
life but, by morning two I was regretting not having availed of mid Wales well. I have accompanied him a couple of
BELOW LEFT TO
myself of the showers at Pete’s Eats, and looked towards RIGHT Our chunky
times, walking, and staying at bothies with friends, so I had
the river as an ablution opportunity. I am an outdoor tyres; A swim and a really good idea of where I wanted us to end up for our
swimmer and used to cold water but this river was flowing wash in the river third and final night of wild camping.
This lakeside camp spot took a bit of finding and
involved some fairly precipitous tracks
but we got there eventually, and it was
definitely worth the effort. This time
we arrived in daylight (just as well
because we only had inches of track
either side) and decided to go for
a walk. We wandered around the
reservoir to look at the dam and
Simon recognised it as one that he
had visited, and indeed spent the night
sheltering from the wind, during one
of his bikepacking trips.
On the way back to the ’van we

84 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

exchanged greetings with a man from Welsh Water, partly ABOVE Strata Florida Abbey. I imagine that most people visit it to
expecting to be asked to move on (we would, of course, CLOCKWISE view the abbey ruins and learn about its long history (1164
Simon chilling in
have obliged), but no such request was made and he was the 'van; Lake view – 1539). We did this, but Simon and I had another agenda;
the last person we saw at that spot. Back at the camper, we with a rainbow; we wanted to show our campervan the end of the famous
had fun comparing map notes and I introduced Simon to Liechwedd Slate Strata Florida off-road track. Simon has twice cycled and
the random delights of Radio 4. Caverns once driven this exposed and water-logged route but it is
BELOW An only suitable for high-clearance 4x4 teams (winches are
Don’t come knocking… interesting sign often required) and, despite her very smart BFGoodrich All
The phrase, ‘don’t come knocking if the ’van’s a rocking’ Terrain tyres, there was no way our campervan was going
was in my head as we settled down (at an even earlier half to be up to the task. So, after some ‘look where our
past eight) for what we knew had to be our final Welsh camper is’ photographic fun, we returned to the main
night. I hasten to add that this wasn’t due to any amorous roads and entered our final Welsh wilderness, the Brecon
thoughts or advances but, far more prosaically, because of Beacons on the A470.
the wind’s power as it rushed up the reservoir and directly I would like to tell you that we stopped at Storey Arms
hit the side of our campervan. Sleeping space in our little on the way and whizzed on up Pen y Fan. But we didn’t
camper can only be described as cosy, and it is just as well and, all too quickly, we reached the hills above Merthyr
Simon and I know each other because the wind joggled us Tydfil and were heading to the M4, and home. We were
backwards and forwards and into each other for most of less than pleased to be back on the motorway but it was
the night! a great feeling to know we had turned what could have
Dawn was later waking than I was the next morning so been a very tedious journey into several nights of Welsh
I had some in-bed time to contemplate the advantages adventure and escapades.
of a campervan over a tent; in this situation, the lack of Although we’d had our campervan over a year, this was
breakable poles, the weight of the ’van and the fact that our first real, ‘let’s see what happens next’ escapade and
metal tends to be less porous than nylon, all led to a sense I am pleased to report that we both came out of the
of satisfaction with our accommodation choice. experience wanting to do it again.
As we set off from our lakeside camp, we thought the We only encountered one traffic jam on the entire trip
exploration element of our long way home journey was and that was caused by a flock of sheep that wouldn’t
over but we were fairly quickly distracted by signs for the cross a puddle!

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 85

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86 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
 2015 Volkswagen California T5 | Our campervans

The Secret Campervan

Diary of Gwen,
Paul, Gwen & Sue
Aged 2½
Campervan fans
2015 Volkswagen California T5
Conversion type VW’s own
campervan conversion
volkswagen-vans.co.uk
Owned since 2017
Engine 2.0-litre turbo-diesel
Power 180bhp
Gearbox 6-speed automatic
Fuel economy 35mpg Grandparents
Insurance cost £106
certainly have their
BEST TRIP SO FAR uses, especially ones
Our honeymoon! We spent a couple
of weeks in France exploring the with a campervan,
Loire Valley and northern Brittany
to celebrate our wedding as Gwen explains…

W
hen my grandparents, Papa and Grandma Sue, ABOVE Gwen and The beach was just over the road, and there were swings
asked me to go on holiday with them in their VW Papa outside the and slides and bumper cars and sand and seagulls and ice
campervan
California campervan, to be honest, I thought it cream and, well, everything a child could want, which was
was a bit overdue. I’m two-and-a-half years old BELOW Gwen a relief. My grandparents are as likely to book a site in the
now so I can’t understand why they hadn’t asked holding Foxy Fox middle of nowhere and spend all their time hiking and
and Ducky Duck
me before. Not only that, but my little brother, Evan, was in a ‘hat boat’
drinking wine. Boring!
born two months ago and I don’t think I’m getting my fair The first evening, we didn’t arrive till just before my
share of attention these days. Yes, he’s cute. But he doesn’t bedtime. (Don’t tell my parents but, actually, a little after
actually do much other than eat and sleep. Whereas I can my bedtime.) So Papa and Grandma Sue rustled up some
sing Old McDonald’s Farm, and Baa Baa Duck Sheep. And animal pasta shapes, read me my favourite bedtime story
I can dance. And I can run around in circles like you (Not Now Bernard; something of a children’s storybook
wouldn’t believe… classic in my opinion), and put me straight to bed.
Papa and Grandma Sue’s campervan has a bed upstairs
A trip to the seaside and a bed downstairs. They sleep upstairs and we all
I was pretty excited the day they picked me up from wondered if I might feel a bit lonely in the downstairs
my playgroup, so I don’t think I’d have remembered berth. So they built me a cosy den in the rear
everything if I’d been left to do the packing by myself. compartment behind the back seat; and I snuggled down
Fortunately, my mum packed my bags ready for me to go. to sleep with my favourite toys – Bunny Bun, Ducky Duck,
Papa did comment under his breath on whether we might Lamby, Foxy Fox and Birdy.
require a bigger campervan to fit in everything I need for
a couple of nights away. But, hey, a girl wants a choice of Sea, sand and seagulls
outfits; some means of getting from A to B once we’d Papa and Grandma Sue admitted they’d been a bit worried
pitched up (you can’t go everywhere on Papa’s about the weather. They thought I might not enjoy myself
shoulders!); and a good supply of bedtime stories. if we spent the entire holiday watching lashing rain from
It was a slow journey along the M20. Papa didn’t inside the campervan. Fortunately, we woke up on day one
seem too impressed with the traffic jams, and the to clear blue skies. Unfortunately, the day also turned out
50-mile speed limit along the seemingly endless rather windy. I quite like wind. But not when it’s blowing
roadworks. But, on the plus side, it gave me an sand into my eyes. I may have been rather vehement on
opportunity to point out lots of diggers. this point. By then, we’d already spent an hour or so on the
Papa and Grandma Sue had booked us for a beach making sandcastles, burying our feet in sand,
couple of nights at Camber Sands Holiday Park, and jumping over little waves. So we agreed to
which mainly caters for static caravans but also has retreat to the beach café, where I had a huge treacle
pitches for campervans, motorhomes and tents. tart for my lunch. (Again, please don’t mention this to 

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 87

Our campervans | 2015 Volkswagen California T5

We CAMBER SANDS HOLIDAY PARKS

stayed at CAMBER East Sussex TN31 7RT

parkdeanresorts.co.uk

my parents.) Papa said he was very impressed that I ate ABOVE practice, too.
80% of it and only 20% dropped on the floor. Though CLOCKWISE Me, It had been a busy day so after chasing seagulls off the
on Camber Sands
the café staff didn’t seem quite as impressed. remains of our dinner (“hello seagull”), and another recital
Beach with Ducky
After lunch I felt somewhat fatigued so we decided to Duck; Me and Papa of Not Now Bernard by Papa, I snuggled into my rear
take a gentle meander around the entertainment facilities having breakfast; compartment den and set off for sleepy town.
at the holiday park. I’ve already mentioned the swings and Me on a kiddies'
slides so I won’t bore you with the details. But my favourite tractor at Camber
Sands Holiday Park
Rain, rain, go away!
game of the afternoon was ‘I spy something beginning The next morning it had already started raining when we
with blue/beginning with green/beginning with yellow’. BELOW LEFT TO woke up, so we opted for indoor activities. The holiday
RIGHT Looking at
Oh, or maybe it was waving to seagulls. Or jumping in and park reps had crayons and cardboard for us to make
fish in the Blue Reef
out of shadows with Papa. Or going higher and faster on Aquarium, Hastings; Pipsqueak Mouse masks. Really, I’m a bit old for that sort
the swings. Anyway… My sleeping den of thing but it seemed to make Papa and Grandma Sue
Apparently, I’m too little to drive a campervan on public happy, so I went along with it...
highways. And I must admit, my feet don’t quite reach the It was still raining even after I’d finished colouring in my
pedals yet. So I also took the opportunity to get in a bit of mouse mask, so we decided to head down the coast for
driving practice on the kiddies' go-kart circuit. the Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings.
By the end of the afternoon I was beginning to wonder There were lots of fish with funny names: clownfish,
about the wisdom of my treacle tart lunch, so we headed stonefish, lionfish and – my favourite – the hovercraft
back to our pitch to prepare something of a more savoury cowfish. I liked the fish, but I was a little bit scared of
nature. Papa set up the BBQ while Grandma Sue took me some of them, so Grandma Sue showed me how to walk
down to the beach to draw around our shadows in the sideways like a crab. But what I liked best was jumping like
sand with a stick. Papa hadn’t quite finished cooking our a starfish in front of a blue screen, which made a photo
burgers when we got back so I did a bit more running with lots of fishes swimming all around me.
round in circles on the grass. Did I mention I’m quite good I was hungry again after all my starfish jumping so we
at it…? Yes, there’s some innate talent involved; but it takes went for lunch at Undercliffe House on Rock--Nore Road
(opposite the Blue Reef Aquarium). The waiter was very
nice and he brought me a box of crayons
to draw on the paper tablecloth while we
waited for our fish and chips, and scampi.
Our journey home from Hastings was
more scenic than our route down the
motorway from London to Camber.
The best bit was heading to south London
through Surrey along Fairchildes Lane and
Featherbed Lane. There were pretty views
of hedgerows and across the countryside.
And Papa said I was a fair child, and soon
I’d be sleeping in my own feather bed back
at home again.

88 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

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outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 89

Our campervans | 1986 VW T25

Knit and

natterA crotchety crochet campervan

nights

blanket project…

W
hen I relocated to Lincolnshire for work a few
years ago, I made a pact with my BFF that we’d
stay in touch, not let distance keep us apart, not
drift apart.
We met at university many moons ago, and
our relationship was mainly forged around a mutual
appreciation of alcoholic beverages, and establishments
that sell them. We were housemates; our house parties
were epic. We also enjoyed hiking – provided the walk
ended at a nice pub – and camping, providing we had
a well-stocked coolbox.
However, now we’re all grown up (well, sort of), and
actually have responsibilities beyond remembering whose
turn it is to go to the bar or what time happy hour starts,
we can’t just drink. The other issue with long-distance
relationships is that we have to get in the car and drive if
we want to see each other. So, again, no drinking – unless
it’s the weekend and we’ve having a sleepover. You’re
never too old for those, right?

Sense and sensibility

Yes, we are fans of Jane Austen, too. Nothing better than
settling down for six hours to binge-watch your way
through the Pride and Prejudice boxset while binge- MAIN The most drawbacks of needle-based creations. Sewing is too
drinking your way through a crate of pinot grigio. But awesome dangerous, I concluded. Sewing needles are very sharp
I digress. The point is that we had to find a substitute, campervan blanket, and can easily become lost... Knitting and crocheting are
in the history of
and that alternative turned out to be crafts. reasonably safe, and crocheting is easier than knitting as
campervan blankets
My friend is Norwegian. Her first name is sensible you only use one needle, so it was settled. My incredibly
(Ann Christin) but her surname is some weird Viking thing ABOVE The cat, patient (for a sober person) friend would teach me to
also enjoying the
pronounced ‘idiot’. Although she is an idiot by name, she is blanket
crochet, and I would fabricate the most amazing blanket
not by nature. In fact, she’s very crafty and can paint, draw, for my campervan in the history of campervan blankets.
sew, knit, crochet… you name it. So the plan was simple, BELOW Steve, with
our new base
and would take the shape of taking it in turns to visit each vehicle... A stitch in time
other once a fortnight, on a Tuesday. We would drink tea ‘Crocheting is very easy’, she says. Then I pick up the
and make stuff. needle and a ball of wool and we discover I’m left-handed,
The only issue was that I didn’t know how to make stuff. so it’s all cack-handed. She sighs and rolls her eyes. And
I ruled out painting and drawing immediately on the thinks, while quickly knocking out another crochet
grounds that I simply can’t; past experience has proven snowman for the Christmas tree…
this to be the case. We then considered the merits and But she perseveres with me and I eventually master the
basic stitch. My homework in the first fortnight is to master

Breaking After twelve-and-a-half years of ownership, Steve and I have decided it’s time to
let our dearly beloved classic VW campervan go, and the search is on to find it a
news! new loving home and someone who can cherish it as much as we have.
We will definitely shed many tears when the moment comes to wave it off, but we’re
also looking forward to the joys our new camper will offer, like Eberspächer blown-air heating
and solar panels. Our new camper has not yet been built and here it is in its raw panel van
state, although the high-top roof has just arrived from Germany so it will be heading into the
workshop soon. Watch this space for regular updates...

outandaboutlive.co.uk
 Geneve & Ann Christin
Editor and BF F
1986 VW T25 Transporter
Conversion type Handbuilt
conversion by an unknown previous
owner...
Owned since 2007
Engine Petrol 1,998cc (donor engine
from 1998 Subaru Legacy)
Power 115bhp
Gearbox 5-speed manual
Fuel economy 30mpg (approx)
Insurance cost £322
(fully comprehensive including
commuting, limited to 5,000 miles)

WHAT WE L♥VE ABOUT IT

With the exception of food and
clothes, absolutely everything we
need to go camping lives in our 'van
permanently, so we never have to
plan, or worry about forgetting stuff.
It only takes five minutes to unpack
when we get home, too

the dark art of a chain of stitches. From here we

progress to some proper crochet and soon I am
able to make a square. Before I know it, I know
my double-knit (DK!) from my three-ply wool,
and my Merino from my mohair. I have Pinterest
boards galore and am soon researching patterns
and styles, in order to create the most epic
campervan blanket in the history of campervan
blankets. My friend is impressed. There’s no more
room on her Christmas tree, so she’s progressed
to making a cardigan for her niece…
The essence of my plan is simple. Create lots and lots of ABOVE Individual cartoons with cats and balls of string, right? It’s all true. No
individual multicoloured squares that I will join together at crochet squares sooner would I start to unravel a ball of wool and the cat
start to form a
the end to create a big blanket. Its function is to keep me would pounce heroically from some corner of the room
blanket
toasty warm in my campervan on cold winter nights, so and refuse to let it go. Or I would be mid square and he’d
I opt for pure Merino DK wool, which is pretty heavy duty, BELOW My grab the lot from my hands and hide behind the sofa with
crochet bag and kit
and expensive. it. Or, after playing with a ball of wool, he’d fall asleep on
my lap entangled in it so that I could no longer crochet…
Incidents and accidents I could probably have made three blankets in the
Although pure Merino wool does not come cheap, the time it took to make one, if it weren’t for the cat!
pace of progression of my squares is such that I can afford Finally, I had enough squares for a blanket and
to treat myself to three new balls of wool per pay day, it was time to learn a new stitch in order to join
thus expanding the range of colours in my blanket. them all together, and then another for a fancy
I find I am addicted, hitting the needle when I border… Thank God for YouTube! And, as you
shouldn’t be, outside of our fortnightly knit and can see, I did manage to create a most epic
natter nights, and can’t wait for my next monthly campervan blanket that does indeed keep me
new-colour fix. Blanket progress is good but there very toasty on cold winter nights. So what’s next?
are obstacles, namely my cat. You’ve seen those Matching cushions, of course.

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 91

In the know | Shipping your campervan to the USA

Shipping your camper

to the US of A
Having shipped his VW T5 campervan to the States in order to spend a
year touring North America and Canada, Mike explains what’s involved…
WORDS & PHOTOS Mike Waterman

Solar panels in use in New Mexico

W
ith the launch of a new shipping After three weeks, I got the letter of Insurance and shipping
service last summer, I decided to permission. Arriving in the US by a land Finding an American insurer to cover a
take my campervan across the border, the EPA letter is often not requested, non-resident driving a foreign registration
Atlantic for a year-long tour of the but if you’re arriving by sea it’s a must-have. vehicle can be done for a price. Thum
US and Canada. After the expense Insurance will quote. Only dealing with
of shipping, I wanted to spend more than Across-the-pond essentials motorhomes and campervans, it requires
the standard 90 days in the USA. Canada In North America the mains electricity is photographic evidence the vehicle has two
allows six months at the point of entry but, 110V at 60Hz, while we have 220V at 50Hz. of the following requirements – a built-in
to be able to stay for six months in the US, Most modern appliances function on 50 or kitchen, bed and/or a toilet. The other
a B-2 Tourist Visa is required. 60 current cycles. To solve the 110V issue provider is Progressive; much more
The effort required to get it was not when hooked into mains power, I purchased competitive, but you’ll need to borrow
insignificant. There’s a detailed online a step-up converter. This comes with a a US address from a friend or relative!
application, followed by an interview at the US-style plug input and a UK three-pin The shipping service is provided by
US Embassy in London. The Americans socket output. I bought a short European Grimaldi, now allowing a small number of
wanted to be convinced that I could afford lead, cutting off the female blue plug and passengers to travel on the same ship. The
to be in their country and have overriding around three metres of cable. To the end service is roll-on roll-off so, unlike shipping
reasons to leave after my trip. of this cable I fixed a UK three-pin plug, to using a container, there are no size
The next step in the chain involved the attach the converter to the campervan. constraints. This is a commercial transporter
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When in use the converter lives in a plastic with just six cabins for passengers, called a
A foreign vehicle won’t comply with the box underneath the ’van. My first purchase freighter cruise. Five ships provide a weekly
requirements of the EPA. However, it’s in the US was an extension lead to link the service from Hamburg, calling into Antwerp
possible to apply for permission to campsite supply to the converter. and Liverpool, before crossing the Atlantic
temporarily import such a vehicle as a My budget dictated I camp off-grid as to Halifax in Canada, followed by Baltimore
non-resident, solely for personal use, for much as I am able. Water and food is just and finally Virginia. I left from Antwerp and
a period of up to a year. a matter of space, but boosting the existing disembarked in Halifax, with 11 nights on
The application process is both easy and 65W solar panel on the roof took more board. I booked via Seabridge in Düsseldorf,
free. I sent an email detailing the facts about work. My solution is totally portable, with which specialises in shipping motorhomes
myself, the vehicle and the trip, together two 100W folding solar panels hooked up around the world and is happy to provide
with proof of ownership (a copy of the UK to a Ring 30A charger. It connects via everything in English. A considerable
registration) and proof of non-residency Anderson connectors to permanent wiring advantage of this route is the ability to take
(copy of passport) to the EPA in Michigan. attached to the twin 88Ah leisure batteries. personal gear in the vehicle. The vehicle

92 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 A lovely view from the ship!

The contents of the boot were

placed in a padlocked hitch rack bag

WHAT I SPENT
Visa fee ($160) .................................................................£128

Voltage conversion
3,000W step-up voltage converter...........................£282
Orange lead and UK plug ................................................£13
Storage box .........................................................................£13
US extension lead 20A 100ft ($35) .............................. £28

Solar panel charging

2 x 100W folding solar panels ....................................£380
Ring controller and charger ..........................................£170
The lounge area on the ship Cable and fittings ..............................................................£25

Costs to arrive in North America

Cabin: single use for two (€1,050) ............................. £932
Shipping: VW Transporter LWB (€1,567) ................ £1,391
Marine insurance (optional) ......................... 0.9% of value
Freight forwarder charge (Can$150) ............................. £91
Travel insurance: 12 months ......................................... £748
Vehicle insurance for US & Canada –
12 months ($1,573)....................................................... £1,258

In line for the ferry Total..........................................................................£5,459

need not be empty, but should appear on the ship Atlantic Sun. This can only be The Halifax end went very smoothly.
empty, so all gear must be stored away in completed once the ship is alongside. After Arriving at breakfast, two Canadian border
cupboards, etc. Oddly, when shipping a a taxi back to the Grimaldi quay, I walked up staff interviewed us all individually before
vehicle to Canada or the US, it must be the ship’s loading ramp and was greeted by granting entry. Exiting from the vehicle ramp
clean. Around 2% of vehicles are contested. a crew member. I was introduced to the in the stern we were driven through the dock
In Antwerp, it was a two-day, three-stage captain, shown where meals would be by port staff to the security office. There the
process to get the campervan and me on served and taken to my cabin. This had two guards telephoned for taxis and we all
board. My ’van needed to be delivered to single beds, en suite shower room and desk. headed our separate ways.
the Grimaldi quay the day before the ship My voyage was for a one-year road trip; The next day I was at the freight
docked. In the reception, I completed a however, the other nine passengers had forwarder’s office just after it opened.
delivery note and was given a sticker and a varied reasons. A French family had sold up I paid C$150 (about £90) and collected the
security tag. I drove 100 metres to the port and were headed to Mexico in search of a documents I needed to request customs
entrance and used the tag to get through new life. A Swiss couple had quit their jobs clearance. At the customs office I found
the first barrier to the security staff. Having for an open-ended cycling tour. my ’van had been cleared, although I was
checked my delivery note, they pasted the The price for a cabin is the same from any required to wait at the office while it was
sticker to a side window, told me where to of the three European ports. It is, however, looked over. My documents were stamped
park and advised me to take my key and the more expensive to travel to the US rather and then it was back to the port to retrieve
delivery note – now sporting some extra than get off at Halifax. Passengers share the my transport. I was required to check the
stamps – back to reception. It was all sorted crew facilities. There is a lounge, a laundry ’van over, sign there was no new damage
within an hour. and a small gym and sauna. The crew had and I was free to drive out and commence
even set up a basketball court on a lower my trip.
Plain sailing deck! Three daily meals are included, a Taking a British campervan to North
Reporting to Belgium immigration the next set menu served at a set time. The ship’s America is a feasible undertaking. Doing
day only took five minutes and I received a working language is English and all the it by the freighter cruising option adds just
document stating I was leaving the country crew were very happy to chat. an extra element of adventure...

Useful SHIPPING
Seabridge seabridge-tours.de
US VISA
uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/
VEHICLE INSURANCE
Thum Insurance thuminsurance.com
websites IVSS ivssuk.com how-to-apply Progressive Insurance progressive.com

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 93

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 Winners

Paws
on tour
My four-legged camping buddy is
quite the nosy parker!

Enjoying a spot of reading in our

Ford Transit Custom, in Jura

In association with

Campervanning fun for furry

Betty, having a well-earned rest in our
four-legged friends! VW camper after a long walk...

Best dog-friendly sites

Top dog-friendly pubs this winter Stroud Hill Park, Cambridgeshire
The nippy weather is inpawsible to avoid when your furry friend At the heart of this campsite is a green
enjoys a walk but, fortunately, there are plenty of dog-friendly oak-framed building that houses the
locations where you and your four-legged buddies can warm up. reception and a restaurant, along with This is Chloe, taking it easy on a weekend
toilets and showers. It’s adults-only break in the campervan…
The Bay Horse Tavern, Manchester We are pawsitive that you and there are 60 fully serviced pitches
will love this place. Both you and your tail-wagger can relax on (hardstanding and grass). The site has a
the large sofas or warm up beside the fire. Take advantage of the three-acre fishing lake and adjacent to
wide selection of gins and craft beers while you enjoy the quirky
interior twist of modern and Victorian aesthetics.
the campsite is an 18-hole golf course. Try these...
Public footpaths are easily accessible
Webbox Bulk Chicken & Duck
for great dog walking.
The Lion, Nottingham The perfect place for both you and your stroudhillpark.co.uk Snack Chips Dog Treats
furry companion to enjoy some time out together, while staying Webbox Chicken
warm and enjoying some fantastic music. Jazz up your Sunday Hidden Valley Park, Devon and Duck Chips are
afternoon by visiting The Lion for a roast dinner and it weekly Tucked away in a wooded valley, close a complementary pet
Jazz Club. to Ilfracombe Harbour and food for puppies and
Woolacombe Beach. There are miles adult dogs. These bite-
The Plasterers Arms, Norwich Do you and your furry friend of walks through the woodland and size treats are perfect
have a routine of early morning walkies in Norwich? On frostier the five-acre field used for overflow when on the go! A tasty
mornings, The Plasterers Arms is a great place to stop off for a camping is the perfect place to £5 combination of chicken
hot breakfast or, if you’re heading out later in the day, you can’t exercise pets. Dogs are allowed on and duck, and free from
go wrong with a pizza! most local beaches. On site you’ll find artificial colours and flavours, these wheat
a shop and a bar and a restaurant. gluten-free natural treats are sure to be
The Fishes, Oxford This Victorian pub is a great venue for Hidden Valley has 70 hardstanding adored! Available from webbox.co.uk
you and your pooch to relax after a walk in the surrounding pitches, some large enough for RVs,
woodlands. The Fishes prides itself in providing only the all with hook-up and Premium pitches Webbox Bulk Fish & Crisps
highest- quality food, ensuring that you will enjoy a tasty meal, come complete with full services. Enjoy Tasty Dog Treats
and the head chef prepares seasonal menus, meaning you’ll hiddenvalleypark.com Webbox Fish
never get bored of the same options. and Crisps are a
complementary pet food
for adult dogs. A delicious

Win We’ve teamed up with leading pet food brand, Webbox, to offer one lucky reader a hamper
full of Webbox goodies, worth £50! Containing a selection of four fun toys to suit all dog
breeds and sizes, a variety of delicious treats, a Webbox bandana,
Webbox poo bag dispenser & poo bags and a Webbox treat
combination of fish skins,
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and fruit makes them
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tin, your dog will be sure to be delighted with this bundle of artificial colours and flavours,
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To be in with a chance of winning, send us photos of your of vitamins and minerals. Packed with
four-legged friends enjoying the campervan life! Omega 3, which aids in the promotion of
 [email protected] healthy skin and coat, the rough texture will
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teeth. Available from webbox.co.uk

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 95

In the know | Accessories

Top 10 Campervan Accessories

If Santa laughed in your face when you sent him a wish
list on behalf of the campervan, you’ll just have
to raid the piggy bank for this lot…

Storm Tear-Aid Patch Pack Star

There’s nothing more likely to ruin a New Year’s bash in the
campervan than a hole in the awning, or worse. It happens, Buy
too. Gale force winds, hailstones the size of golf balls, and
sheep with sharp teeth are just a few of the hazards you’re
likely to encounter when camping at this time of year.
Thankfully, these adhesive repair patches from Storm
can be cut to size and are suitable for use on all kinds
of materials including fabric, leather, rubber,
neoprene, metal and plastic. To cut a long story
short, you can throw a really wild party this year
and simply patch up any damage the
morning after.
£10 stormcare.co.uk

GP Discovery Children’s Head Torch £110

It’s common knowledge that kids
£6.98
should get outside more, as
all that fresh air and exercise
Sprayway Kalmar Jacket
is good for their Hiking through the seasons is rather like the menopause,
development, but the isn’t it? One minute you’re too hot, then too cool… and not
trouble with winter is that in a too-cool-for-school sort of way. The British climate is
it’s dark most of time. also to blame, since it can rarely make its mind up. Raining
Cycling into trees or one minute then sunshine the next; sometimes it even does
running into walls isn’t fun, and both at the same time. Scientists around the world marvel
there’s only so much blind man’s bluff one can play – unless you have a head at this phenomenon…
torch. This one from GP is specifically designed for children so it’s small and Luckily, British brand, Sprayway, has this all in hand and
lightweight. It has an adjustable elastic strap and the torch itself is detachable the Kalmar jacket does well to cater for menopausal men
and washable. The only downside is that it runs off two lithium button batteries, who enjoy walking in this country. It’s a lightweight, soft-
which last around six hours, so no staying up all night reading ghost stories. shell jacket made from four-way stretch and rip-stop fabric,
gpbatteries.com so it’s comfortable and keeps the wind out. It’s highly
breathable, showerproof and quick-drying, too.
sprayway.com

Jake & Nayns' Burrito

While we all love a Christmas dinner, who isn’t sick of the sight of roast
potatoes by the time we get to January? All that fancy food and hours spent
slaving in the kitchen… don’t you just crave something simple yet delicious?
Well, following on from the success of Jake & Nayn’s Naanster range comes
the new Burrito range, which is offered in three meat varieties and one vegan.
Choose from Mexican Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Chipotle BBQ Pork and BBQ
Chilli Jackfruit. They can be eaten cold straight from the pack, or hot
after being microwaved for 90 seconds. Perfect campsite fodder!
£2.50 jakeandnayns.com

96 campervan January 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Nomad Vango Star 85 Lantern
It’s up to you to decide whether Instagram As any savvy campervanner knows, portable lighting is essential.
offers a true representation of the The trouble is that there’s just so much choice. From small torches to
campervan lifestyle but, if you aspire to giant flashlights, and head torches, and lanterns, awning lights, fairy
live the #vanlife Instagram dream and lights… the list goes on! So it’s refreshing to find something like the
don’t know where to begin, then this book Star 85 that covers several bases.
is a good place to start. As you’d expect, it’s Thanks to a twistable handle, it can be hung like a lantern or can
crammed with perfectly staged photos of sit flat on a table. As it’s lightweight and cone shaped, it functions
old campers in idyllic locations with all the as a torch, too. It runs off four AA batteries and has two settings
must-have props like copper kettles, – 40 lumens for romantic lantern-lit dinners or 85 lumens for
bonfires and surfboards. The people are finding your way back from the pub.
beautiful and the sun always shines. It’s £11 vango.co.uk
written by the Editor in Chief of the
Canadian House & Home magazine who
doesn’t actually have a campervan herself
but she is on Instagram, so it’s fine... Mountain Warehouse Kids Skiwear
amazon.co.uk We all know that there’s no such thing as bad weather,
only inappropriate clothing… In other words, don’t send
your little darlings out to play in the
snow clad in shorts and flip-flops!
£34.
And why would you when Mountain 99
Warehouse does such funky
winterwear, anyway?
Available for kids aged 2-13, the ski pants are
padded, fleece-lined and waterproof while the
jacket also has a snow skirt, adjustable cuffs and
a removable hood.
Perfect if you’re heading to the Alps for a spot
of skiing, or sledging in Scotland, or even just
building a snowman at the campsite…
£16 mountainwarehouse.com
£35

Snugpak Dri-Sak with Air Valve Roku Express

The advantage of having holes in the bottom of a plastic bag If you can’t be bothered with the faff of
– apart from preventing suffocation if you want to wear it setting up the TV and aerial but fancy
over your head – is that the air can be squeezed out when catching up on Strictly or watching a
you roll something up in it. However, not so great if it falls in movie, then a simple streaming device is
the river. the answer. All you need is an internet
So this dry sack features the usual roll-down hem and connection (a good WiFi signal) to be up
non-freeze buckles, meaning it’s fully waterproof, as well and running, and watching free TV as well
as dustproof, sand proof, etc. as subscription favourites like Netflix. The
But it’s also got a water-tight valve at the bottom, so you can Roku Express has a high-speed HDMI
stuff and compress to your heart’s content. It has a cable so it can be plugged straight into an
40-litre capacity, and weighs just 150g. HD television, while using the app allows
snugpak.com £21.95 you to stream on an Android or iOS device.
Plug in the headphones to create a
personal ghetto blaster.
roku.com

Joie Fresh Stretch Pods #Camp £29.9

9
OK, so the stretchy silicone lids on these pods do make them look like something
the nurse might hand out if you’d popped along for some family planning advice.
And who knows, maybe they are dual-purpose, our tester didn’t say…
Clever
There are four types available – for lemons, tomatoes, onions and avocados
– although you can, in theory, put anything you like in them.
£3.99 They are simply air-tight containers with stretchy screw-top lids that
keep vegetables fresh for days, so are
pretty handy for your campervan
fridge. They are also BPA free
and dishwasher safe. But
not a toy, so don’t play
with them.
Lakeland.co.uk

outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020 campervan 97

 16 J On s
anu
ary ale
In the know | Next month

202

campervan
0

F R E E D O M T O E X P L O R E

In next month's issue

Enjoying Sites

Standing on the top of a mountain in the Lake It's a grand old time of year to be exploring castles,
District is one way to banish the winter blues... so we've put together a list of perfect campsites...

Your Hire Our

Campers Campers

Novice campervanner, Kerry, explains how her James and Sue head to Belgium to explore the Hazel explains how a night in a stranger's
'van has revolutionalised family holidays... little-known region of Wallonia... camper led to giving up the tent permanently...

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