Practicising to make perfect - it's always worth a trial run putting up your new tent.

Your touring holidays this year. Are they all booked and confirmed, or do you like to wait for last-minute deals, or just head out on a whim?

I’m a bit of all that, really – that’s what the leisure vehicle lifestyle is all about, surely; whether you have a caravan, motorhome or tent (or, in my case, all three).

All the signs are the UK is going to be pretty chokka again, especially during the peak season.

The new NCC Events: Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at London's ExCel.

I made it down to the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at London’s ExCeL venue… only to find a real mixed bag. But, it was certainly a great opportunity to explode some myths in this caravan blog.

Myth One. ExCeL is a nightmare to reach if you drive.

Simply not true. Even with roadworks on my approach down the M1, my sat nav glided me in perfectly, coming round the North Circular ring road and straight into the Docklands home of ExCeL. Of course, I avoided rush hour, but returning to my Midlands home having left the show at 6pm on Friday was a doddle, with not a single hold-up. Lucky me?

Streamlined looks and tinted windows for Outwell's new Ambiente tents.

Because Shield Total Insurance can insure any kind of leisure unit, from a humble tent through to the most glamorous of holiday homes, I thought I’d bring you the hot news from the world of canvas.

Even if you have a caravan or a motorhome, you may well want a tent for providing valuable extra accommodation when you’re on site. In that respect, tents can be more versatile – and arguably a better quality proposition – than an awning. Just check with any site, however, regarding what exactly you can put on your pitch – some of today’s tents are simply huge and can fill a single pitch in their own right. There’s certainly no end of choice. And it’s a choice that’s getting even wider, if my early previews of next year’s models are anything to go by.