by Joe Jeffrey
John and Jenny Marsland crowned Caravanners of the Year in BBC2 show
A caravanning couple have been crowned Caravanners of the Year during a new two-part television programme.
John and Jenny Marsland battled it out with two other couples to scoop the title in Caravanner of the Year, organised by The Caravan Club and televised on BBC2, after donning 1960s attire for the grand finale screened last night (Wednesday) which saw the couple host a 1960s themed party.
The Marslands, who have been wed for 38 years, attributed their win in part to their retro-styled 1963 Cheltenham Waterbuck which has helped them undertake many adventures over the years together since purchasing it in 2000.
John said of the caravan: “It’s quite sophisticated now, it has a gas monitoring system that is probably better than most cars have,” he said. “How many caravans have a harddisc drive recorder on board? We do.”
The retired duo, who spend 80 days a year on the road, have trips lined up to Sicily and back, as well as a trip to Norway for a Northern Lights excursion.
Of the couple’s caravan, affectionately named Waterbug, John continued: “This van will be with us until its 70 or 80 years old, I’m sure. I’ve got no desire for a modern van.
“You sit inside them and think it’s very nice but they are too heavy and too complicated, we can handle ours single handed even in our dotage.”
Did you catch last night’s Caravanner of the Year final? If so, what did you think of the judges’ decision? Let us know in the comments below.
