There aren’t too many good things to say about winter when it comes to touring the country. The only thing I can find to say in its favour is that you appreciate getting warmed up all the more fervently! This is a feeling experienced to a greater degree when caravanning in our British winters; a time of year that demands a whisper of stoicism to get us through the day.
I have spent quite a lot of time caravanning in the winter months and I have loved every minute of it despite my unrelenting hatred of the cold. Being prepared for all eventualities is the number one priority.
Make a checklist
The following points may seem painfully obvious but I find them useful enough when in a hurry. It’s best to check your car, battery, water, oil, tyre pressure, wipers and screen wash before going on a trip. Keep a warm coat per head in the boot of your car as rummaging in the caravan in the dark by the side of the road is not a good idea.
Also have a fully powered torch just for the car and a mobile phone. It is surprising what we find we have overlooked when an emergency does happen. A flask of tea or coffee helps too; a couple of minutes to make, a life saver if needed. And if you don’t need it you will have it for arrival – a great way to make new friends.
I think it is worth mentioning to bring stands in case the ground is soft on site, make sure your water pump connection and storage container are lagged to avoid frozen water.
And whatever you do, remember that butane freezes…and propane doesn’t!
Awnings aren’t just for the summer
Awnings are definitely as useful in winter as in summer; maybe even more so. They become the dumping ground for muddy boots, wet coats and the stick the dog brings home. They are also a fantastic cool larder for all the things that won’t fit in the fridge.
One Christmas the two of us and our little pooch spent all of the festive season in a lovely caravan. This was on an open all year site, and with our awning up of course. It snowed unexpectedly so we went outside with a steel bucket and filled it with freshly fallen flakes and chilled our champagne the natural way. And you know, I am sure it tasted better! These memories and more make winter a very special time to go away.
Technology
Speaking of keeping warm, has anyone noticed what caravan manufacturer Bailey has done with the Pegasus? They have given a lot of thought to what caravan owners were missing and have come up with a beauty.
It is the first British caravan to be insulated to Grade III classification. The walls, ceilings and floors are 30% thicker- keeping us both cool in the summer and toasty warm in the winter. In addition, they have added extra insulation underneath to keep the heat in.
While other major changes include a reduction in weight and 90% less external fixing points to leave little room for water seepage, for me the single most important improvement is heat retention. It just goes to show that manufacturers are really starting to thinking about all-season caravanning. Thank you Bailey!
There’s lots to do outdoors in winter…
More and more of us are caravanning than ever before and the winter experience which had previously been under rated is becoming increasingly popular. There are lots of sites open all year and cities with events on throughout winter. There is Lincoln with its Christmas markets, Leeds with its choirs, York with its Minster, so there is as much to do out and about as in the summer.
The other advantage of winter sightseeing is there are fewer crowds. Just remember all the practical things before you go, drive carefully, plan your route and remember where you packed the whiskey and hot water bottles. Just in case!
And finally, wishing all our readers a Merry Christmas and happy caravanning in 2010!
Yvonne Turley
