Club Member 5 Thousand Mile Walk For Charity

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By William Coleman

I once travelled 5,543 miles on the Bailey #Bristanbul tour, but we used cars and motorhomes to get us around. One Caravan and Motorhome Club member is covering the same amount of miles on foot to help raise money for two different charities.

Covering over 5000 miles is no small task, it is literally from the Bristol to Turkey and back, so I could not imagine undertaking that adventure on my own two feet. One person who is certainly not afraid of the challenge is Caravan and Motorhome Club member Commander Jane Allen.

Jane will be doing a solo walk and covering 5,500 miles while walking around the coast of mainland Britain, raising money for two naval charities. Accompanied by her former Royal Marine husband Frank in their self-financed support motorhome, known as the Victory Van, Jane is staying at a number of Club sites on the way.

Jane, who served for 37 years in the Royal Naval Reserve, is raising funds for two causes close to her heart – the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust.

“Between us, Frank and I have almost 70 years’ service in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, from Aden to Afghanistan,” said Jane. “The Victory Walk seemed a good way of marking the end of my career, by taking on a year’s challenge and ‘giving back'”.

Jane’s trek started from Portsmouth, outside HMS Victory on 21 October 17, Trafalgar Day. Walking anti-clockwise from Portsmouth, Jane arrived in Scotland at the end of April 2018 and returned to England six months later.

In Scotland alone she walked 2,183 miles, wore out four pairs of boots and the Victory Van covered almost 4,000 miles in support. She crossed back into England on Sat 10 November and then headed down the north west coast to enter Wales before Christmas 2018.

Disaster struck in February when she suffered a fracture and severe dislocation of her right shoulder while on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. After 10 weeks off the Walk, she restarted again at the end of April.

Initially doing short distances and maintaining a strict physio routine, Jane clocked 4,600 miles just before crossing over the River Severn back into England. She has now turned towards Land’s End and will walk the South West Coast Path as she heads back towards HMS Victory in Portsmouth – she hopes to arrive this summer.

Speaking about the challenge that Jane has undertaken, Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “We are always delighted to see our members getting out in the great outdoors and raising money for special causes by going the extra mile, let alone 5,500 miles!

We’re pleased that Jane and Frank are able to enjoy some well-earned rest at some of our sites along the way and it just shows what amazing adventures you can have with a motorhome.”

To find out more about Jane’s Victory walk, visit www.victorywalk.uk

To make a donation, visit Virginmoneygiving.com/victorywalk17-18

The On Site Plastic Pollution Revolution

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By William Coleman

In the news and on social media recently you may have seen some public unrest over the choice McDonald’s made to remove all plastic straws from their branches to help reduce the increasing wave of plastic pollution. Now it seems the world is embracing this eco spirit as one site bans the plastic straw to stop further damage to the environment.

I think by now we have all seen the images and videos animals in the world who have been killed due to the plastic straw. Following the recent shift in straw usage Trevornick Holiday Park in Holywell Bay are encouraging guests to join them in going green this year.

The five-star family caravan and campsite, located behind the sand dunes at Holywell Bay, was the first in Newquay to install Oltco walkways made from a combination of recycled plastic drink bottles, food packaging and straws.

Being fully aware of the impact they have with their usage of plastic, the area surrounding the pool used the equivalent of nearly 100,000 straws alone, they are now taking a stand to do all they can to reduce their plastic usage.

This sustainable re-use of materials can be seen throughout the business as they continue to increase their efforts in becoming even more environmentally friendly.

The park has joined the Final Straw campaign, replacing plastic straws in the three onsite bars with paper alternatives.

Staff also organise their own beach cleans on Holywell Bay to ensure the location and its wildlife remain unharmed by plastic waste, whilst also encouraging guests to adopt this mindset and asking them to leave the beach as they find it.

“We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world and it is our responsibility to ensure it remains this way,” said Trevornick Park Manager Adrian Tribe.

“We have all benefited from the increase in tourism as a result of hit TV shows like BBC’s Poldark much of which was filmed at Holywell Bay and we feel we have a duty to highlight the dangers of single use plastic and its effect on our beautiful coastline.

“This year we have introduced initiatives such as the ‘Drop & Swap’ station where guests can leave their beach toys and bodyboards to reduce this type of waste, as well as joining the ‘Re-Fill’ app which highlights locations nearby where people can fill up their water bottles,” he added.

Other measures the park are taking to reduce their single use plastic waste and improve their recycling capabilities includes easy access to recycling points throughout the campsite for camping and touring guests and trialling recycling waste such as crisp packets and bottle tops which aren’t widely recycled and can be made into things such as children’s play parks.

5 Star Park Newest Addition

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By William Coleman

When picking the ideal caravan park for the holidays you can sometimes find yourself having to juggle cost, location and a family friendly location. I have found that it can sometimes be a bit more challenging than it should be to find the right one. To help make life easier this new site have made a big investment to keep the kids and family happy.

On site features are so important when taking the little ones away. I have been on site before and see some children bored to tears, which obviously has a knock on effect on mum and dad. So be sure to find a site that has enough to keep the kids entertained, a bit like the Evans family owned Islawrffordd Caravan Park at Talybont, near Barmouth.

A new £275,000 seafront play area, which opened at Easter on a five-star caravan park on the Cambrian Coast in Mid Wales, is going down a storm with customers.

Opting to invest in new playground facilities after asking customers what improvements they would most like to see on the seaside park the site should now be a family favourite.

The new playground will be a smash hit with the kids with its swashbuckling Spanish galleon pirate ship, Santa Maria, as its centrepiece, the play area boasts a scooter track and a range of play equipment to suit all ages.

The site as also made sure that the design is totally inclusive and will have a special roundabout for children using wheelchairs.

Ray Parry Playground Services from Shrewsbury designed, supplied and managed the installation of the equipment. All other subsidiary work, such as turf laying, tarmacadam, erecting fencing and stone walling, was undertaken by local contractors and the park’s ground staff. Entrance to the facility is via an electronically controlled gate.

Upon receiving the final design from Ray Parry, architects Pritchard Bond put forward a planning application to Snowdonia National Park who granted consent in time for work to proceed last September.

The official opening took place on Easter Sunday with children hunting for 200 Easter eggs hidden within the play area. Everyone that took part also had their name placed in a draw for a large, fluffy rabbit named Harvey which was won by Ellie Ryan.

“I am delighted to say that the new play area has been a roaring success and the general feedback from customers is that they love it,” said Dylan Evans, a director of Islawrffordd Caravan Park.

“We already had facilities that provided adults with a five-star experience and now we have a five-star play area for children to maintain that high standard. The aim is to give children the ultimate play experience in a safe environment where they can enjoy themselves.

“Whilst we are very proud of the park, it’s important that we improve our facilities continuously to ensure that all our customers have a great experience when they stay with us.”

Ray Parry said his business had been working with Islawrffordd Caravan Park for 20 years. His son, Thomas, put together a design proposal for a “stand out” play area on the seafront that would keep children entertained and happy.

“The play area is up there with some of the best we have designed and installed and I was delighted with the finished product,” he added. “The owners and staff at Islawrffordd were fantastic to work with.”

The park’s other facilities include a swimming pool complex with a jacuzzi, sauna and luxury toilet block, 40-cover restaurant and bar area and an entertainment complex.

The 25-acre park has 201 pitches for caravan holiday homes and 75 fully serviced hard standing pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes.

Islawrffordd has invested more than £4 million over the past 15 years to maintain the park’s rating as one of the finest in Wales. The park won the AA Best Camping Park in the Principality for 2012.

Among the caravan holiday home owners on the park is British motor racing legend Nigel Mansell who has holidayed there with his family since he was four years old.

£4M Splash At Suffolk Park

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By William Coleman

Families staying at two top Suffolk holiday parks this spring helped to celebrate the opening of over £4 million worth of new leisure facilities by Park Holidays UK.

Carlton Meres Holiday Park near Aldeburgh, and Broadland Sands Holiday Park near Lowestoft, have both seen major investments in the run-up to the 2019 holiday season.

Their official opening took place this May, and won a unanimous thumbs-up from holiday guests and the owners of holiday caravans and lodges on the parks.

At Carlton Meres in Carlton Saxmundham, a new architect-designed indoor swimming pool with a host of fun features is already proving a major hit with adults and children.

The park’s £2.5 million of extra facilities also include a high-tech entertainment centre where top-class acts will appear, and guests can relax in its new bar-restaurant.

The features are in addition to the park’s outdoor pool and sunbathing area, tennis courts, fully equipped gymnasium and recently re-equipped children’s play area.

Open 11.5 months of the year, Carlton Meres is also a lure for anglers thanks to its well-stocked fishing lakes which form an attractive centre-piece of the landscaped grounds.

Meanwhile, at Broadland Sands in Corton, there’s also a spectacular new £1.6 million swimming pool with a 45-metre flume and an adjacent paddling pool.

Additional thrills are provided by a new dinosaur-themed adventure golf course, and an exciting new climbing wall providing a range of challenges for all abilities.

To these are added a new pottery workshop, and a state-of-the-art family entertainment centre which also includes a sports bar and lounge, plus a restaurant and takeaway.

Both Carlton Meres and Broadland Sands are set amid some of Suffolk’s most glorious countryside with easy access to popular beaches and a raft of different attractions.

But despite the huge investment made by Park Holidays UK at the two parks, the group says that the cost of holidays will remain extremely competitive.

Families of up to six people can enjoy stays at Carlton Meres and Broadland Sands in fully-equipped two-bedroom holiday homes from less than £100.00 for everyone.

And for those wishing to take breaks throughout the year, holiday home ownership is available from £17,995 at Carlton Meres, and £9,995 at Broadland Sands.

Whether visiting or owning, however, families will have full use of the parks’ new leisure facilities, and the all-day and evening entertainment on offer.

Park Holidays UK says that both parks are already receiving rave reviews from this year’s guests – and that early booking will be essential to get the best choice of dates and locations.

Holiday Habits To Help Save The Planet

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By William Coleman

Taking the caravan and motorhome abroad for a quick weekend or even a couple of weeks has become a lot more popular over the past 4 years. What with the price spikes in flights, accommodation and package holidays more and more youngsters are taking the caravan instead. But what does this mean for the environment?

Recent studies have shown that the carbon footprint of overseas tourism is three to four times higher than it was previously estimated, not good news for the tourism world or the actual world.

A stat that shocked me was that as of 2019 the above info actually counts for around 8% of global carbon emissions, but what does this mean for the caravan and motorhome owners?

Not for a second should you think about reducing your holiday times or destinations. There is a solution which should have little impact on you but massive positive impact on the environment.

Changing Holiday Habits

By making a few alterations to the way in which you take your trips you can actually reduce your carbon footprint by around 980kg per trip.

According to Away Resorts, who sell luxury caravan and lodges, it’s simple, and they have created a carbon footprint calculator to prove it.

Change of Location

Passionate about both staycations and the environment, Away Resorts used their calculator to compare a list of popular overseas family holidays to their favourite UK destinations.

Results showed on average domestic holidays can help reduce your carbon footprint by 490 Kilograms each way, which is the equivalent to heating a UK holiday home for 79 days.

Kate Watts, Holiday Home Sales Marketing Manager at Away Resorts, said: “As people have become aware of their carbon footprint, they are making the decision to cut down their impact by flying fewer times a year or choosing to holiday in the UK exclusively.”

Investing in the UK

Increasingly, the term ‘Fly shame’ is being used by travellers who feel guilty as they knowingly contribute to climate change. Many have taken action, such as committing to going air-free in 2019 and investing in trips closer to home.

Dr. Arunima Malik, Lecturer in Sustainability, says: “Air travel contributes significantly to emissions from tourism. Flying less is definitely a greener option.

Negative impacts of air travel come not just from flying, such as the consumption of fuel and the upstream supply-chain impacts of the production of fuel, but also from the expansion of infrastructure, such as airports that are often carbon-intensive.”

So, when you look to book your next holiday why not check out Away Resorts’ calculator and find out how you can reduce your carbon footprint by staying in the UK.

Keeping It In The Family With 3G

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By William Coleman

When you hear the term ‘3G’ you would automatically think of the internet that your phone has, or had as we now on 4 and 5G. In the world of caravan holidays it is being used to describe multi generational based holidays where the whole family go away together.

The five-star Trevornick Holiday Park, near Newquay is a site that is embracing holidaymakers of all ages to have a ‘3G’ holiday. Grandparents can spend quality time with the kids, plus mum and dad can join in with the family as well as take the odd night off whilst their parents take the reins.

As a child I was often taken away on caravan holidays by Nan. She would also bring a hand full of cousins too, very capable of handling all us kids was dear old nan. For me it was the greatest part of my Great British summer time, but it could have been better is mum, dad and aunts and uncles were all there too .

Now I am a little bit older I see the importance of keeping the family together and using every excuse you can to spend more time with your parents, after all they will not be around forever.

Another important aspect is getting Nan and granddad together with the grandkids. This will strengthen the bond between the generations and it will give mum and dad some time to themselves, something that can be a rare commodity in parenthood.

Cornwall is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations and is a hotbed for caravan holidays. For those who are thinking about a family get together who have relatives that are quite far away and do not fancy the drive can get a flight to Newquay from various locations throughout the UK, mean getting together in this scenic part of the South West couldn’t be easier for extended families.

As well as the extended family Trevornick welcomes the four legged friends too, so there is no need to try and find separate accommodation for the family pet. The site is very dog friendly and has dog walking fields, ‘Bark and Bathe’ dog wash station, a local doggy day-care service and ‘perfect for pooches’ touring pitches, Eurotents, static caravans and holiday cottages. Trevornick is actually one of the most dog-friendly destinations in Cornwall.

Combining contemporary and beach chic accommodation, the recent additions to the static caravans at Trevornick feature a relaxed atmosphere, outdoor space to enjoy dinner and everything the family needs to make a base before heading out for a day exploring Cornwall.

For grandparents keen to relive the fun of camping under canvas without the stress of having to put the tent up, Trevornick’s Eurotents are the ideal solution. Fully equipped with beds, a kitchen, a picnic bench and even a TV. Sleeping up to six this accommodation is hassle-free fun.

Trevornick offers a wide range of amenities meaning there’s something to entertain every member of the family. For the sport lovers a round of golf on the 18-hole par 3 course overlooking the sea, a peaceful fishing trip at Trevornick’s well stocked ponds or surf lessons down in the breaks on beach will make for a fun bonding experience.

Whilst those looking for a more relaxing break can unwind in the tranquillity spa, float in the heated pool or take part in a yoga class and forget the stresses of daily life for a moment.

Youngsters will love Trevornick with kids clubs and daily entertainment, a forest trail to explore and even mermaid and merman lessons in the pool

To find out more about Trevornick Holiday Park, Holywell Bay you can visit them directly at http://www.trevornick.co.uk/

Experience Freedom- Yurt Glamping

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By William Coleman

The best part about taking your holidays at home here in the UK is the sheer amount you can do with just a short drive from your front door. This past weekend I took advantage of the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Experience Freedom brand and spent the weekend in a yurt.

When I first heard the word “glamping” I did turn my nose up at it as I heard it on a TV that I loath, mostly because of their butchery of the English language. What I did not realise, at the time, was that it would take the touring industry by storm and has become one of the most popular weekend away alternatives.

Over the past 2 years at the NEC the increase in glamping accommodations on display has almost doubled. From the high end 5 bed luxury tents with a private hot tub to the small 2 bed pods, the world of the alt holiday is a strong one.

Not only is glamping accommodation featured heavily at shows but they are quickly making their way to caravan and holiday sites up and down the country.

After going through the options for a “weekend with a difference” me and the other half decided that the ideal accommodation for us is the safari style yurt. The main reason for choosing the yurt was pretty much based on how they look. They just seem so cool and adventurous, with a hint of camping luxury.

The yurt has everything you would need to spend a few days out in the country with the comfort of a caravan with the space of a very large tent, with the only bugbear being you have to walk to and from the wash bock everytime you need the toilet.

The yurts and waterproof and very well insulated, which is good as the heating is provided by a small plug in radiator. During the summer months you really will have no need for the radiator as the heat is maintained so well inside the yurt.

Inside the safari tent you have an extremely comfy king size bed with very soft and fluffy bedding that provided one of the most comfy evenings I think I may have had in a very long time.

You also have 2 more beds inside the yurt should you choose to bring the little ones with you. What looks like a very high sofa is actually beds 2 and 3. If you are just a couple the second bed doubles up as a perfect sofa with a lot space for relaxing or a card game or two.

One of they key things that really impressed me about the yurt was the sheer amount of space you find inside. Plenty of room for a family of 4 with luggage, storage and a prep station for food. You also have a fridge with ice box, kettle and toaster.

Around the yurt there are large porthole style windows, you cannot actually open them as they are clear plastic covers but you do have an inner and outer cover to keep the light out of an evening or early morning.

The only real issue I had, which is and always will be a part of camping and outdoor living, is how much natural light the yurt lets in. If you like a total back out in the morning you may want to pull the covers up a little higher.

Outside the yurt you have the ideal setup for a summer evening enjoy the weather and some alfresco dining. The Club provide you a BBQ pit, a table with 4 seats and a parasol for those sunny afternoons. You can bring you own BBQ set up or use the small disposable ones that is provided.

All in all I would strongly recommend a weekend in a yurt. It is ideal for couples and families who want to try the luxury side of camping. All the fun of outdoor living without having to put the tent up and take it back down again.

If you are interested in staying in a yurt, it is a bank holiday coming up after all, then head over to Experience Freedom, but be warned, they book up fast.

Travelworld Add Windscreen Division To Their One Stop Shop

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By William Coleman

Back in February of this year I was invited to visit the grand opening of the brand new Erwin Hymer centre by Travelword. The new state of the art Travelword HQ is a one stop shop for the motorhome lover. Now following their latest addition they really do have everything all under one roof.

Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld has set up a new windscreen repair and replacement division headed by the company’s former customer services manager, Annabel Edwards.

The new division offers customers windscreen installation at the new service centre, as well as many UK addresses. Customers can also opt for a supply-only service and the new windscreen team will even speak to insurers on behalf of customers.

Annabel said: “My 20 years as customer services manager taught me a lot about the very specific needs of customers. They simply don’t want the headache of finding insurance paperwork, dealing with several different parties or travelling long distances to repair a simple crack, chip or leak in their windscreen.

They want ease and one point of contact who they can deal with directly and who will see the process through until it is complete.”

The opening of the new 5.5-acre site in February complete with 20 bay service centre, Class 7 MOT bay and impressive customer showroom and lounge, has been a further driver behind the launch of the new division which further enables the concept of a one-stop-shop for the premium brand motorhome dealership.

Coupled with Annabel’s decades of unrivalled experience encompassing the installation and supply of American RV, Hymer, N+B, Dethleffs and Carado screens and side glass, the new set up is the next intuitive step for the company.

Leading the customer services team is newly appointed Claire Hastings who previously co-ran her own family business franchise. Claire said: “It’s the perfect time to start my new role, everything is fresh and lots of positive plans are in the pipeline, Travelworld is an exciting place to be right now.”

The site really is state of the art, not to mention absolutely gigantic. No matter what you may need for your motorhome this location has it all.

Using Touring To Keep Your Mental Health Healthy

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By William Coleman

Life can be, at times, quite stressful. Whether it be something as simple as getting a tad stressed by something at work or even something more serious like issues with a friend or loved one. No matter how small it is these things can cause a dip in your mental health. So to help raise awareness of mental health, it is Mental Health Awareness Week after all, we want to provide some tips to keep calm and relaxed.

One of the most calming situations for me is being in the van on a rainy day with some comfort food and a big mug of tea while it rains. The pitter patter of the rain drops just fill me with a nice warm calm feeling. A great way to remove stress from your mind and lead to a more enjoyable break.

I have done some research into what things in life are naturally calming and have applied them to the caravan holiday. I hope these help anyone who may need to ideas to keep calm and carry on.

Becoming One With Nature

It does sound a tad cheesy but studies show direct links between getting out into the great outdoors and mental well-being. Fresh hair helps clear the mind and provides a lot more clean oxygen that the body needs to help recovery, sleep and calmness. This sounds like the perfect excuse to get away more.

Another reason getting out more helps with mental health is the exercise aspect. Exercise releases endorphins into the body that helps lift spirits and positivity. Not to mention weight loss which is one of the greatest motivators there is.

The Sound Of Running Water

I would always recommend a site that is located near the sea, river network or some lakes. Water is a calming element and it provides some fantastic views and days out.

If you are by the sea side take your shoes off and go for a paddle and just let all your stress wash away with the water.

This also works with the sound or rain, you can even get apps and CDs with the sound of rain due to its calming impact on stress and other mental well being issues.

Switch Off

I can be very guilty of not actually relaxing enough during my leisure time. At times I just can’t help checking my work emails, looking for news and just generally not switching off and letting myself relax during my “down time”.

This seems to be quite a common occurrence which does have an adverse effect on the mind, body and soul. So when you are on holiday lock away the phone, tablet or laptop and just simply relax. You will thank yourself when you return to work with a clear mind.

The Scent Of Calmness

Your senses can lead your brain directly to being in a good or bad mood so why not surround yourself with positive sensory items.

The main sense that can lead to mental well being is the sense of smell. One thing I invested in during the warmer months was a large lavender plant, and candles, fabric spay and tons of other lavender scented products.

Fresh lavender will make the caravan smell wonderful and helps with deep sleep, which is one of the main things that contribute towards mental stability and calmness.

These are just a few tips to help you with keeping calm and relaxed while away on holiday.

As 1 in 4 people will suffer from some kind of mental health issue I feel it is important to shed more light and raise awareness of the topic.

It has been something that has been somewhat taboo with an attached stigma, especially in men. If you are struggling with mental well being or if you see someone who is just reach out and ask if they are ok. It could change someone’s life.

Air Conditioning The Hidden Benefits

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By William Coleman

There was a time when I had a 1997 Renault Clio, this was in 2006, no electric windows, no power steering, tape deck radio and no air conditioning. Now I am a little bit older and cars are a lot more advanced, and i am not in college, there are certain fittings and fixtures that I couldn’t do without. The main one being air conditioning. Something that is becoming a lot more popular as an aftermarket fitting for caravans and motorhomes for a multitude of reasons.

As popular as on board air con is becoming there are still a lot of people who are not interested in installing it, yet can’t go without in their day to day car. Having spent a fair bit of time with caravan and motorhome air conditioning I have found some hidden benefits that can make it very worthwhile.

Keeping The Pets Comfortable

It is always a pleasure taking your pets on holiday with you and for many leaving your cat or dog at home is just not an option.

When you are making the most of the great British weather and going bike rides, swimming or other non pet safe activities you do sometimes have to leave the animals in the van for a few hours during the day. As we know the caravan can sometimes get rather warm and be extremely uncomfortable for anyone inside.

Having air con means you can set I cool temperature to ensure your animals can relax and put their paws up and enjoy their own little private staycation.

Safety & Insurance Benefits

Off the back of the setting a pet friendly temperature you may also want to consider what you may do without air con to keep the pets cool. Keep a window open, pop open the sky light to keep the air flowing through the van.

These options can lead to quite a few unpleasant situations for the caravan owner. In some cases leaving windows and skylights open can invalidate your insurance in the event of an incident taking place. Not in all cases but it does happen so I strongly suggest checking your insurance paperwork as it is always better to be safe than sorry.

This also presents the perfect opportunity for the would be thief looking to get his hands on your goods. So imagine leaving a window open and then having someone break in to then find you have invalidate your insurance. Doesn’t bare thinking about.

Drying

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the site you’re staying on where you can wash your clothes but not dry them? I have found myself in that situation quite a few times over the years.

This is where air con can save the day and have your clothes dry in no time at all. An air con system will take the moisture out of the air and blow dry air around the van and help speed up the drying process of your clothes.

Pop the clothes up, turn the air on, go out and enjoy yours and then come home to bone dry clothes.

Climate Control

The weather in the UK can be very unpredictable, despite what weather reports might say. One moment is it nice and warm with not a cloud in sight, then moments later your in a full on downpour running for cover.

Once you return to your home you are going to want to get right into a warm van and dry off. If you do not have climate control then you will sit and have to play the waiting game, which is very unpleasant if you are soaking wet.

Climate control acts as a sort of “smart air con” system that allows you to not have to worry about changing any temperature settings.

No matter the outside temperature the climate control will use sensors to ensure the air con output maintains the chosen setting. So if its 32 outside and you want the van at a cool room temperature of 21 the van will maintain the cool temperature throughout the van.

Dealing With Humidity

So back to drying clothes inside the van. Without having a third party plug dehumidifier on one of your counters you may start to experience damp being caused.

A lot of people I know use their vans all year round and do a lot of outdoor activities such as canoeing, mountain biking and other various sports that can get you soaking wet. Bring soaked clothes on board and letting them air dry inside unassisted will, over time, cause some real headaches.

The aircon, as I mentioned before, will take away the humidity in the air and keep everything dry and comfortable. So if you are into your water sports it may just save you a lot of hard work down the road.

Caravan Guard Awards Nod

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By William Coleman

Having vehicle insurance brings with a peace of mind that is well worth the cost, but how do you know that you have the right cover for you and are buying from the right provider? How about looking at a well trusted multi award winning company for your next policy?

Caravan and motorhome insurance specialists, Caravan Guard, have been named as one of the finalists in the 2019 British Insurance Awards for UK Insurance Broker of the Year.

Caravan Guard will be going head to head with some stiff competition from five other UK insurance brokers at the distinguished national awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London in July, where the industry’s top performing companies will also be headlining.

The Halifax-based company has also been shortlisted for Broker of the Year at the British Claims Awards, which celebrates the achievements and progress made by companies on behalf of their customer claimants.

Caravan Guard showcased its passion to deliver brilliant service and highlighted excellent customer feedback scores and high levels of customer loyalty, as well as growth when entering the British Insurance Awards.

To reach the finals of the British Claims Awards, positive customer feedback and the ease of making an insurance claim was key.

Caravan Guard’s Managing Director, Ryan Wilby, said he was delighted the family business had once again made the shortlist for two national insurance awards.

“It’s a fantastic accolade to be recognised on the national stage at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside some of the big players in the insurance industry,” he said. “The competition is fierce and having made the finals before, we’re keeping everything crossed that we can bring the trophy home this year.”

The British Insurance Awards is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and aims to put the spotlight on companies that are embracing innovation and positively transforming the world of insurance.

For more information about Caravan Guard’s specialist insurance cover for motorhomes, campervans, caravans and trailer tents visit www.caravanguard.co.uk.

CAMC 100 Years Of Towing Celebration

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By William Coleman

It really is crazy to think that we have been towing for 100 years! As the 100th anniversary of the irst commercial caravan to be towed by car, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is witnessing an eight percent rise in bookings for 2019 with many people venturing out in their caravans this Bank Holiday to mark the start of the summer season.

With site bookings at an all-time high, Harvey Alexander, director of marketing at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “The continued political uncertainty, together with last year’s fantastic summer and the warm weather we have seen so far this year, means we have seen a real surge in demand for our UK site network as people choose to explore what is on their doorstep this summer.”

With additional incentives such as kids under five stay free on all UK Club sites and dogs also being able to stay for free, holidaying closer to home becomes even more economical.

With average prices for a family of four (kids between 5 and 17 years old) at £31.20 for one night at peak season and for two adults at just £26.30, it is hardly surprising that given the current currency uncertainties, many holidaymakers are choosing to stay in the UK this summer.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s insurance sales are also up by 20 percent for motorhomes and campervans and nearly 90 percent of members have renewed their Caravan Cover so far this year, ensuring members are covered for any and all eventuality.

It’s not just those who own caravans, motorhomes or campervans who are staying in the UK in 2019. The Club’s Experience Freedom brand, open to non-members, offering tent camping as well as the iconic Airstream caravan, yurts, camping and glamping pods on selected sites around the country, is also experiencing a surge in demand.

Celebrating its 2nd birthday this year, Experience Freedom is expanding with ten new glamping pods now available for summer in Brighton.

Experience Freedom prices start from just £39 a night for a camping pod sleeping two and £59 for a glamping pod, sleeping up to two adults and two children.

Tent camping bookings are also up by 12 percent on last year and tent pitches are available on over 50 sites, with an additional six UK sites added for 2019.

Alexander continued: “It certainly looks like this year is set to be a bumper one for UK stays and it’s gratifying to see that demand is well up for all of our UK products. Wherever our members, or Experience Freedom guests, choose to stay they can be guaranteed a high standard of site and accommodation. The excellent customer service we offer will ensure they set off benefiting from our expertise and safe in the knowledge of our support.”

To help celebrate the 2 year birthday of the “Experience Freedom” brand I will actually be spending this coming weekend at the The Club’s Daleacres site in a yurt for the weekend. So stay tuned for some more coverage on that over this coming weekend.