The multi-functional caravan from the USA.

OK, folks. You read it here first, but there are some interesting new caravan ideas coming to the UK at the start of next year. And there’s a clue in the current relative weakness of the US dollar versus the good old pound sterling.

First off, check out the name Eterniti, it’s on a range of all-new caravans with slide-out sections. They’re from America but built on chassis from BPW in Germany, using a GRP shell constructed in the US, and promising full UK specifications and reasonable weights. They’re expected to retail around the £20,000-£25,000 mark. Definitely one to keep an eye out for.

Next up is a concept so new it doesn’t actually have a brand name yet. It’s being made under the working title of the “multi-functional caravan”, using a special box-construction chassis and frame, again from the USA.

Here, though, the finished design will feature a drop-down tailgate designed to allow accommodation for wheelchairs, electric bikes, scooters etc, with an interior featuring an equally innovative bunk bed design and more…

There’s plenty more going on to suggest 2012 is going to be a very interesting year for new caravans. I’ve previously mentioned briefly the all-new Artemis folding caravan, from Pennine. Monthly magazine Practical Caravan broke the news about this exciting new venture, and the Pennine company reported instant sales when the Pennine Artemis made its debut at October’s Motorhome and Caravan Show.

Time for something new? Watch this space for future developments on the multi-functional caravan.

For too long now, Gobur has had the folding caravan market to itself with its Gobur Carousel models. Superbly well made, I’ve a feeling even so that – maybe only secretly, Gobur is looking forward to some competition – especially,  as I’m proving here, it’s a chance to talk up the many attributes of such units: fuel- and space-saving, easy to tow, and more, versus a normal caravan.

Meanwhile, a quick update on Automotive Leisure from Dorset, who are now fully affiliated agents for new Eriba Touring caravans from Hymer. These diminutive little tourers – you may recall the iconic Eriba Puck – are available now that full-scale production is back up and running, having switched from France to Germany.

Also, I think an interesting niche that’s set for development is that for “over-width” touring caravans. The UK has fallen into line with the rest of Europe in deeming  2.55m (8ft 4in) as the acceptable maximum width towable by “normal” cars, I’m expecting a bit of demand for relevant Dethleffs Nomads models as well as the highly competitively priced, yet stylish Adria Astella.

But, don’t get carried away thinking it’s all about imports. I know there are new models in the pipeline from major UK manufacturers Bailey, Coachman, Elddis and Swift especially. It’s a bit too early to say too much. But, if I were a gambling man, I’d put money on something like: additions to the Swift Challenger/Eccles Sport line-ups; new fixed single bed additions to the Pastiche and VIP ranges from Coachman; and a stunning flagship Crusader Hurricane from Elddis.
Otherwise, I’m sworn to a bit of secrecy at this stage, so watch this space…

Next blog: Living with the new Pennine Artemis folding caravan.

Caravanning in winter can be a brilliant time to be out and about if you are suitably prepared.

I can’t believe the winter months and the shorter nights are upon us again!

While most put their touring caravan or motorhome away for the winter months, there are those who see this season as an opportunity to explore places when the tourists have all but gone.

Seeing a favourite holiday spot in winter can give you a whole new approach on that view, village or town.

If I get an opportunity to get–away to a favourite place in a tourer or motorhome, then I love to see the difference and how generally quiet it is too.

Of course some caravan parks don’t open after October, but the Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club do have a good number open all year. Private parks do too, so it’s a case of checking out where you need to be and finding out what caravan sites are available. Even though it can be cold in a tourer or a motorhome, it all feels rather snug! Being out in the winter also means you have to take more precautions with regard to keeping warm (and also make sure you are safe to travel, towing or not).

1971 Fleetwind caravan brochure. Can you imagine dressing up in Tudor clothing ?

If you have an awning (and it is in my experience a good idea to use it in winter too), don’t forget it will get very cold. Also condensation is likely so don’t put electrical equipment in there. Always make sure that you scrape snow off if you can. Wet snow especially can cause the roof to strain under the weight damaging the poles. Don’t forget to insulate the water containers with an old coat to keep the frost from getting in the water supply – and make sure your running on red gas cylinders too.  Finally, don’t forget hard standing pitches are advisable.

Changing the subject a little, I was looking through some archive material the other day and it struck me just how caravan manufacturers have changed in advertising their caravan models.

I picked out a Fleetwind 1971 caravan brochure in which all the folk in the shots are in Tudor dress!!! The slogan was “Gracious living in a Fleetwind” somehow I couldn’t see this happening with the caravan industry today. But it shows how times have changed and how about this one from Thomson Caravans back in 1969 – Go Gay The T-Line way!

Skoda Yeti Greenline looks distinctive with good road manners and economical running costs.

I have to admit in being a bit of a Skoda fan, and just recently I was given the Skoda Yeti Greenline to try out.

The 1.6 CRD engine produces 105 bhp but comes with low emissions and the Yeti Greenline is an inch or two lower than the normal Yeti.

So how did I find it?

Well the Yeti is a good car whatever guise it comes in. For those towing a small tourer and wanting a solid well built car with handling to match some family hatches, it’s a sheer delight. 60 mpg and surprisingly packing a fare punch too.

Comfortable ride and roomy enough for five adults, the Yeti Greenline certainly takes some beating.

Does anyone have any useful winter caravanning tips or perhaps suitable winter caravan sites they would recommend to our Caravan Blogger readers?

Broad Lane's 2012 Fairways caravans are based on Swift's Challenger Sports.

While I concentrated on “dealer specials” in the motorhome market in my last blog, this time around it’s caravans where individual dealerships’ limited edition runs of popular caravan model ranges are just as prevalent – and just as good value.

All around the country, you can expect to see more caravan retailers than ever offering their own “special edition” ‘vans

– which is nothing but great news if you’re in the market for a new caravan unit.

Latest news is from Marquis Motorhomes and Caravans, which already sells the upmarket Auto-Sleeper caravans from three of its nine outlets. They will also be stocking ranges of Lifestyle (based on Sprites) and Majestic (based on Elddis’ Xplores), with prices for both starting at around £11,000 mark.

More established “specials” are available in 2012 specifications from the likes of Broad Lane (with its Fairways), White Arches (Archways) and Lowdham Leisureworld (Freestyles, Sportstyles and Sunstyles) across the Midlands, while further up the country Glossop Caravans and Campbells Caravans have unveiled their latest exclusive ranges for 2012 season.

I’ve already had an early glimpse of Broad Lane’s latest Fairways, based on the Swift Challenger Sport range. These really look the business, with enhanced specifications including such goodies as exterior barbecue and mains sockets, Ultracomfort mattresses (on fixed bed models), Omnivent, automatic gas change-over, heavy duty corner steadies, Al-Ko Secure Wheel Lock and simply loads more.

Look out for these kinds of items on all dealer specials, but do note the starting point for each range. For example, at Michael Jordan Caravans in Surrey, their latest Expressions, in six different layouts, are based on Swift Charismas.

In Lancashire, Campbells has two eight-model line-ups – Kudos, based on Swift’s Challenger Sports; and Cosmos, built by Lunar. Stewart Longton’s Safaris (also from Swift) represent another long-term dealer special line.  And Derbyshire’s Glossop can point to three of its own ranges – Festival (from Coachman) and Chatsworth and Celebration (Elddis).  Yorkshire’s Wandahome includes the Elddis Wisps and Ramblers, plus Coachman Wanderers.

Meanwhile, the Bessacarr name lives on at Couplands Caravans in Lincolnshire. Robinsons (with outlets in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire) has its Lunar-built Ultima line-up. Northamptonshire’s Venture Caravans carries out its own work adding key extras to Adrias sold under its Exclusive name. And even Bailey’s most successful dealer, Chipping Sodbury Caravans, has some of its own versions of the company’s bestsellers, badged Olympus CS.

I know there are plenty more examples out there, but hopefully this gives you a flavour. Key to all of these is the extra specifications they all boast. You’ll need to trawl through the lists for yourselves, but take it as a given that all will have their own exterior and interior looks, for starters.

Not only are all keenly priced, and invariably caravan insurance will cost the same as the original caravan models on which they’re based (indeed, less if they boast extra security such as alarms, locks or Al-Ko’s ATC), they usually boast the same caravan warranties and can expect to hold their value well on the secondhand market.  The only downside, without exception, is the extra weight that comes with the uprated specs’.

Next blog: Looking ahead – why there’s loads going on in London next year.

Gene's new friends.

Well the campervan season is now shutting down for the winter and it’s time to start fixing various things in the campervan before they turn into big headaches.

For instance the fridge isn’t working, there’s a hole somewhere in the roof on the passenger side but I can’t figure out where, the sink isn’t pumping water, the reserve battery has died, the hub caps need a polish and the CD player has a mind of its own and has decided to stop playing music now that it’s turned cold.

Any advice on where to get these jobs done will be gratefully received. I’ve really enjoyed writing this campervan blog over the summer and hopefully you’ve enjoyed reading it.

I thought I’d end the season by paying tribute to Gene, my campervan, in a series of limericks – have a good winter and I’ll be back for more Gene Campervan Adventures in 2012:

There was a VW named Gene,
With flowers round the side – quite serene;
She has a cooker and sink,
And a fridge which is pink,
She’s yellow and drives like a dream.

Jessie is the name of her owner,
Incidentally, they don’t live in Dover;
If they did ‘twould be handy,
France is near and it’s sandy,
But they live by a Transit called Rover.

From March til September she drove,
Through village and city she wove;
Always causing a stir,
‘Specially in Edinburgh,
With tea always fresh on the stove.

Gandalf's present to a giraffe.

With festivals happening each week,
They made wellies and raincoats look chic;
So with Gene in 4th gear,
And a fridge full of beer,
They sped along with a song and a shriek.

To Dorset in August with Kath,
Oh! they had such a great laff;
They met Gandalf and Frodo,
And bought a Kimono,
Which they later gave to a giraff(e).

Gene made a new friend called Tilly,
Who was fantastic and wonderfully silly;
They sang songs and they danced,
And drank tea in a trance,
And read a book about an otter called Billy.

Playgroup festival, that was a scream,
Penguins and Bears was the theme;
Playing drums in the band,
Running over the land,
Then drove back thinking it was a dream.

With dark evenings now drawing in,
It is time to shut down for the win (ter);
But not for too long,
‘Cos when the dove sings its song,
They’ll be back up and running for Sprin(g).

The new Swift Challenger Sport 554 touring caravan.

It’s the end of the Autumn school term and the caravan sites seem to have been busy, with touring caravans and motorhomes (plus of course, the weather was generally good too).

I was down in my favourite haunt – North Wales, a superb place to use either a motorhome or tourer. I still discover roads that I haven’t been down. I also visited some new dealers and found some caravan nostaglia.

While away I have been testing a new Swift Challenger Sport 554, the fixed bed end washroom caravan model.

The Swift performed well offering lots of cupboard storage and comfort for three.

I also had the Suzuki SX4 on test not as a tow car (because its limit is set at 1200 kgs and with a kerb weight of just 1150 kgs) towing with the 1.6 diesel is restricted, but a small trailer tent wouldn’t be out of the question. We did 700 miles including motorway and some B road and back lane driving. The Suzuki coped well with combined economy of 44 mpg. Ride was a little hard and some body roll was evident. The Suzuki took us with no problems into Snowdonia and into Shropshire. A car with good all round vision too but boot space a little restricting.

I came across a newly opened dealership South Shropshire Caravans, at Craven Arms in Shropshire. Run by brothers David and Lee Middleton this new set up is in a modern building with ample parking, shop and indoor showroom. The brother’s team set up just twelve months ago have good experience in the caravan trade. David has 30 years in the industry so his experience is essential to the company. Selling used tourers at present the brothers let me look around their premises. One thing I noticed was the friendly atmosphere of the small showroom and the way the caravans were displayed too.

The Adria Exclusive caravan was made as a dealer special for Broad Lane Caravans in 1994.

David told me they were getting repeat custom and that word of mouth meant sales were forthcoming from the day the doors opened. Clean stock and well priced caravans are certain to attract customers. I liked the awning set up on tourers in the showroom plus all the vans are plugged into electrics so all the lights can be used giving a typical ambient feel to the vans on display. While I was at David and Lee’s dealership I found a bit of a rarity. Just sold in fact was an Adria from 1994, in fact it was no ordinary Adria, it was a dealer special named the Adria Exclusive the only Adria dealer special I know of. Made for Broad Lane Caravans this gem was in good condition and had such items as TV aerial and carpet plus oven and spotlights as standard over the base Adria. I reckon no more than a 100 would be made so it’s a rare find.

Just down the road from South Shropshire Caravans is a museum in the centre of Craven Arms. Its named the Land of Lost Content established in Sussex in 1991, it’s since been moved to Craven Arms about 10 years ago. It’s a museum of British popular culture. Being interested in social history I paid my £5 entrance fee and was amazed at just how much history you could get into a three story building! Both my daughter and wife were as keen as me to see the next period of time. Old toys, (including some caravans!) cameras, TV’s, dolls, records, dresses, the list goes on is all contained in this wonderful time warp.

From the 1970s, the Desmo products Cara-Ski designed to get you out of soft ground!

I even found the odd caravan accessory, one of particular interest was the Cara-Ski! Yes back in the mid 70’s Desmo products (who also did other caravanning products such as mirrors) launched this product to help caravanners get their caravan out of soft ground!

The jockey wheel was lowered onto the ski shaped unit. Then you tied the rope around the caravan hitch and car tow ball pulling the caravan out of the mud!

I never saw one in actual use and I can’t remember back in the 70’s seeing one at my local caravan dealership. But here was one still boxed! Few must have been sold and as pitches on sites got better the Cara-Ski faded into oblivion.

A couple of things – those who get Go Caravan magazine will find the December the last issue. Its being superseded by Caravan Buyer magazine – I wish it well but it was a shame to see Go Caravan close its doors. I used to do caravan nostalgia pieces and some tests but who knows you may see me spring up in Caravan Buyer. Also, the NEC at Birmingham for February has had a cloud hanging over it after the Excel show was announced. I for one hope that the NEC show can still be the crowd puller it is and continues to grow, my first visit was in 1985-gosh and since then I have done every one!

See you next week with more news on Discover and more happenings in the caravan world!

Treat no trick. Marquis has already scored sales success with its Majestic 165 special edition.

I’m writing this just before Halloween itself, but I’ve already had my fill of treats and tricks. The big treat was using a Marquis Majestic 165 motorhome for a cunningly conceived Halloween road trip of scary hotspots in the Bath area – staying at Newton Mill Caravan Park (two nights, and perfectly placed for exploring Bath itself) and Brokerswood (one, but a simply super forest-based site that children will adore). The itinerary for this was courtesy of the new Bristol-based dealership, Family Travel Centre, whose suggestions had included Lacock Abbey, Dyrham Park, Prior Park and Brokerswood itself for all kinds of Halloween goings-on. Plus they had plenty more spooky ideas under their wizards’ hats…

As for my accommodation, the Majestic is a “dealer special” from Marquis Motorhomes. Taking Elddis’ rather plain but excellent value (and indeed, highly popular) Elddis Autoquest line-up, the Majestic special editions boast a whole list of specification increases at not much extra overall price.

This was the latest model to the Autoquest line-up, the four-berth 165, complete with fixed rear bed, front lounge and a superior equipment level that extends to microwave oven, Heki 2 rooflight, Omnivent fan, dual-fuel hob, TV aerial and plenty more. There are almost as many cab upgrades – air conditioning, electric mirror, radio/CD, Bluetooth connectivity etc; plus, on all but this early-built demonstrator, Peugeot’s impressive Euro V 130bhp engine.

Like all dealer specials, it also features its own exterior look as well as interiors with different soft furnishings, all as a start point. Thereafter, you really do need to scan the extra equipment offerings to see not just the value you’re getting but whether the extra kit is what suits you.

Quite a few of the UK’s larger retailers order these limited edition motorhomes to their own specifications to sell under their own name, and they generally offer even better value for money than the original models they’re based on.

Indeed, Marquis is about to announce news of another special range. It’s bringing back the Lifestyle name, after an absence of some two seasons, with a line-up of its own versions of Swift’s Escapes.

Lowdham Leisureworld, meanwhile, is taking Swift’s Sundance models and adding a bit of extra seasoning – care of Swift’s Bessacarr and Autrocruise brands – to come up with its all-new and impressive Hi-Style models.  Indeed, Lowdhams take things one stage further, selling its own Eurostyle models, as commissioned from Dethleffs. German build quality with a specification to UK tastes? Sounds like a winning formula to me!

2012 also sees Yorkshire’s Richard Baldwin Motorhomes venturing into special edition motorhomes for the first time. Take it as a sign of the growing success of this very well regarded dealership that it is now embarking into the world of the special edition.

I hope this gives a taster for what’s out there on the market in terms of “dealers’ specials”. You may well see others the more you look around.

If you’re in the market for a new motorhome this coming season, do check ‘em out, especially any that are from a dealer near you.

Next blog: Turning the spotlight on special edition caravans.

Teddy Bear - an entertaining addition to my postcard collection.

So Kath and I woke up in Burton Bradstock on day 2 of our mini campervan adventure. Sadly we had failed to find any milk the previous day for our morning tea so
preparations for the day began earlier than normal.

We de-popped the pop top and ventured out into the big wide world of the campsite to find the teeth brushing facilities.

Bathroom facilities on a campsite seem to be very sociable places so it wasn’t a surprise when a stranger decided to strike up conversation about the weather.

I couldn’t say much as I had a mouth full of toothpaste but she was very fixated on the wind, describing in detail how it had swirled around her tent in the middle of the night and she was sure she had woken up further down the field to where she’d started off. I listened, as that was all I could do, and she was gone before I had the time to respond.

Lyme Regis was our destination for that day, via West Quay where we stocked up on bacon, eggs and the long lost milk. I also added to my postcard collection with some entertaining photos of a bear (see picture). The other ones included Bear in a boat, Bear in a racing car, Bear at the beach and Bear up a mountain. Someone must’ve had a great time dotting Bear around the countryside. I half expecting to see Bear chatting to Gene with a cup of tea but Kath gently reminded me that it was just a teddy bear and Gene is really just a campervan.

So after a scenic drive, we arrived in Lyme Regis. We had to drive around the car park several times as I like finding the spaces which you can just whizz into as I haven’t got power steering and wasn’t up for an arm workout that day.

Messing about in the campervan.

We bundled our swimmers and books into a bag and took off down to the beach. Even though the sun was hiding behind the clouds, and yes the stranger from the morning was right- it was a little windy, it felt warm enough to swim.

Needing a reward after a dip we treated ourselves to a nice cuppa and some Dorset fudge. We plonked ourselves on the beach and an old-ish woman and her daughter came and sat near us.

I don’t normally listen to people’s conversations so carefully but theirs was hard to ignore…

They were having a good old gossip about a man they used to know who was having an affair and ended up moving to Lyme Regis with his mistress because his wife had threatened to kill his dog if he stayed at home.

Then they went on to discuss a man who was in a canoe out at sea and how they were more worried about the people who would have to go and rescue him if the canoe capsized.

This moved onto a conversation about the wind (the same wind as earlier).

Safely back at the campervan for dinner.

In fact it felt a bit like we had stepped into a scene from a Harold Pinter play:

Mother: It was windy this morning
Daughter: Was it?
Mother: Yeah it was windy
Daughter: Oh was it windy?
Mother: Yeah it was windy. I had to wear a jumper. An orange one.

The Mother finished the conversation with a profound observation of the day:  ‘Somewhere must be really empty cos all the holiday makers are here.’

Kath and I decided it was time to move off and get on with our own day. Strangely enough it seemed we had turned into Harold Pinter characters ourselves:

Act 1.

Interior: A bright yellow campervan. KATH and JESSIE are in the campervan. KATH is wearing a red hoodie. JESSIE is wearing a blue and pink stripy top. The wind can be heard whistling through the open windows.

JESSIE: I’ve got a good idea I have
KATH:  Oh yeah what’s your good idea?
Pause.
JESSIE: Well I’ve got a good idea
KATH: Have you got a good idea?
JESSIE: Yeah, the thing is I’ve got a good idea
Pause.
KATH: What’s your good idea then?
JESSIE: We should pop the pop top before we go out so then when we come  back we won’t have to pop it cos it’ll already be popped.
KATH: Well that is a good idea isn’t it
JESSIE Yeah, told you I had a good idea.
Silence.
KATH: Windy innit?

END.

Dining out at West Witterings in the Chichester district of West Sussex.

So in the summer my mate Kath and I, and of course Gene (my campervan)– couldn’t leave her behind, went on a spontaneous adventure to Dorset to escape the influx of Brighton tourists.

Our first stop was not really out of choice but desperate need caused by drinking lots of water in the hot August sunshine.

We swiftly swooped into West Witterings and made use of what it had to offer, as well as a toilet, by going for a dip followed by a classy campervan picnic of pitta, tomatoes, ham, cheese and crisps all freshly sourced from my roof garden – well, the tomatoes were anyway.

Feeling refreshed and suitably exfoliated from the blast of sea and sand (nice change from painful Brighton beach pebbles) we headed onwards in search of our first night stopover, having a quick peek at Lulworth Cove on the way to find some milk for morning tea.

We thought we’d found our luck by coming across the only shop in the village, and probably for miles around, which strangely sold milkshakes but disappointingly not pints of milk.

The woman at the counter proved to be quite a character and could happily have talked until the cows came home – which I presumed they’d have to, in order to keep her shop open.

She had plenty to say about how hot the weather was and how much she was sick of children, commenting ‘Oh I love children but I couldn’t eat a whole one’. Having not heard this saying before I developed an uneasy feeling and had to fight back disturbing images of children’s legs tumbling out of her mouth, surrounded by cows and oversized milkshakes.

I communicated to Kath my need to get out through lots of eyebrow-wiggling and wide eye-opening and we made our excuses and left.  Kath did a good job of suppressing her giggles as she explained to me that this was just a saying. Even though I believed her, I couldn’t help pressing my foot on the accelerator with a little more force than normal as we left The Cove behind.

As I wound down the window to adjust the wing mirror I was sure I heard distant cries of children echoing around the Dorset countryside…

Gandalf and Gene (my campervan).

Having not planned where we were going to stay it took us a while to find anywhere which had space. We probably should have thought about this before we set off but the impulse to get away overtook common sense which is sometimes a good thing in the campervan world.

We ended up in Burton Bradstock – a funny little village not far from Chesil Beach (very good book by the way). After spotting a potential stopover from the road we took a closer look at this campervan site only to be greeted by an old-ish man in slippers and a dressing gown with an overgrown beard like a kind of modern Gandalf but not quite so wise.

The conversation went like this:

Gandalf: Have you got a toilet on board?
Us: No
Gandalf: Well sorry I can’t take you then.

So that was the end of that.

Dinner is served - sausages and "roof garden" tomatoes.

Gandalf directed us to a place up the road – I was slightly disappointed that he didn’t tell us where The Ring was hidden.

And so the first day came to an end with sausages and tomato (from the roof garden don’t forget) and a conversation with a stranger in the toilet about Merve, her 1977 campervan.

We tucked ourselves up in Gene with the sound of Frodo Baggins coming back after a few jars at the Hobbits Arms down in the Shire.

Calm before the storm at Birmingham's NEC, which proved a big success last week.

I hope you enjoyed my blogs from the Motorhome and Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC last week, with plenty of news on the very latest caravans and motorhomes. The show itself can be counted as a success, with record numbers of folk visiting and manufacturers almost unanimous in pointing to sales that were “above expectations”.

The only disappointment was hearing that the dealer group Discover Leisure had finally faltered and fallen into the hands of administrators during the course of the show itself.

Thereby closing its remaining five retail outlets with immediate effect and retaining just 20 of some 250 staff. My heart goes out to those staff who are facing up to redundancy as well as any customers who may have lost deposits. If you’re a recent Discover Leisure customer, you might want to check out other dealers local to you to see where things lie in respect of future servicing and/or warranty work – they all seem pretty keen to help out! Alternatively, you can call the official administrator, KPMG, on 0845 6171490.

Another demise to report is that of the monthly magazine, Go Caravan. It was a lively attempt to make caravanning that bit more glamorous, but just possibly we caravanners are too conservative (or too realistic?) for such a radical concept! It won’t sink without trace, however, as there are plans to replace it with a title called Caravan Buyer which, if anything, is probably more appropriate to current times.

Caravanning magazine sales do indeed face tough times, with the rise of the internet – indeed, blogs like this – as a means of getting instant news, as well as the publications offerings from the likes of both the Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Club. Nevertheless, I remain an avid reader of Practical Caravan as well as Caravan each month.

Shield are one of the exhibitors at the Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show at London's ExCel.

But, talking of the future, if you live in the south-east of England (or simply fancy the chance to get into the capital and see the pre-Olympics developments), keep an eye on the news about the all-new Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at London’s ExCeL, 14-19 February. Advance tickets are as little as £7, with no additional charge for parking, show guide, and even accompanied children can get in for free!

Moving up the country, there’s a new venue for Manchester’s traditional early season show in January, too. The Caravan and Motorhome Show 2012 has moved across the town to EventCity. The organiser is already promising an event that will be “50 per cent bigger than last year”, and again ticket prices start at around £7 with free parking. This four-day show kicks off on Thursday the 19th, with late night opening until 9pm on the Friday.

We also shouldn’t forget the Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show, penned in for 2-5 February at Glasgow’s SECC.

Meanwhile, I’m just about to head off on a “Halloween road trip”, courtesy of Bristol-based leisure vehicle dealer the Family Travel Centre and a rather special version of the latest Elddis Autoquest 165 motorhome, from Marquis Motorhomes. Should be some package.

Next blog: More caravan news, more tips… and a spooky Halloween encounter.

Bentley Indigo motorhome - a quality two berth with super finish and stacks of storage!

A year ago I was on the Caravan Club‘s Sandringham Club site, when I heard of a new motorhome manufacturer building coachbuilt motorhomes across from the manufacturer Autocruise. Bentley Motorhomes as the company is named, makes up its experience from ex-employees of Autocruise Motorhomes.

I was keen to check them out at the show and was glad I did. These mid-priced motorhomes are well finished and come with good spec. I fancied the Bentley Indigo motorhome,  the end kitchen two berth, its low-line and compact dimensions with excellent storage will make this a popular choice for motorhome users wanting quality at an affordable cost.

Of course while there were some superb motorhomes on display at the Motorhome and Caravan Show, it was the long-awaited Bailey models that were to be crowd pullers on the Bailey stand. Along with the new Bailey Olympus 2 and two extra Unicorn layouts plus a new Pegasus 2 twin single bed end washroom model, the new Bailey Approach motorhome  line up seemed to be going well with over 50 units being sold by the end of the show.

Long awaited Bailey Approach motorhome. Interiors are basically the same as the Bailey Pegasus 2.

Big attraction was the cut-away version which showed visitors just how the new motorhomes were made using Baileys own branded construction – Alu-Tech. Prices start at around the £40,000 mark up to £50k for the big six berth model.

A name which hasn’t seen the inside of a caravan show for some years was Carlight Caravans . This super luxury maker had several models on show topping nearly £48k but offering total customer involvement and also a finish in furniture that’s pure retro in looks and craftsmanship. Sales were doing well as discerning buyers chose there layout etc.

Elddis had some new models but the most interesting was the limited Elddis Diamond Jubilee models based on the Elddis Crusaders. Available to order only, these class act models came with the modern interior found in the superb Elddis Aspire motorhome range. With their very different interiors, the limited edition models were constantly being scrutinised by visitors.

I have to admit at being impressed by the new Hobby UK Premium tourer models, extremely good looks with style and priced competitively. These German caravans do excel although the exterior side panel finish is still not in smooth aluminium as UK built models. Trigano Silver pop-top caravans also were present at the show. These caravans are well built and come with stylish interiors. Again niche models but ideal for small car owners, these tourers were again proving popular amongst visitors at the show.

With so much going on in the new model launches the show was simply buzzing. Saturday proved extremely busy and by the end of the show on Sunday, it was obvious that the caravan manufacturers (Coachman Caravans sold more units than last year) had a very good show.

Sadly Discover Leisure hit trouble at the show. The premises at Chorley and elsewhere were shut.

Organised this year by the National Caravan Council (NCC)  it had proved a hit drawing visitors from as far as Ireland and Scotland. My own verdict was it was a superb show and one that’s possibly proved one of the best since it began back in 2006.

The only down side was the Discover Leisure caravan and motorhome dealerships had ceased trading on Friday – sad news but one which to many may not have come as a total surprise.

I will be keen to see what happens to the business but my guess it may all get sold off in lots. When you think back to 2006, Discover Leisure had 15 branches!