From Croatia To Bosnia And Then Back To Croatia

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By William Coleman

So we are about a week into this epic journey to Bosphorus and back so now is the perfect time to get up early, spring clean the vehicles and do an inventory of what supplies we have and what needs replenishing.

With 8 men spread across 3 touring homes, two tow cars and a support van you’d think that there would be a lot more cleaning needed. Despite how nice and neat we kept our leisure homes we still gave them a complete top to bottom spring clean. All the cupboards were emptied and wiped down, the carpets got a good seeing to due to the mud we gathered in Italy and Bled.

Once we got through our strikt cleaning regime we went on to do the stock take. No surprise really that we managed to eat almost every scrap of food and use up all the team bags. So as soon as we get to Dubrovnik we are going to need to do some serious shopping, cant have the guys running on zero tea intake.

Today was supposed to be a light driving day with only a 125 mile to get through. Once the day was said and done it took 7 hours instead of the expected 3-4. The large delay was not due to my questionable driving skills or the roads around the mountains. What caused it was the content stopping to take in all the scenery Croatia has to offer. You simply cannot get enough of it as it is no mind blowing. We were about 200 meters above the sea yet you could see right to the bottom, gin clear and stunning.

So what was a supposed to be a light day turned into a long drive through Croatia taking in all the scenery, and then there was our detour to Bosnia. There is not too much to report on this little detour as it was extremely brief. To get to Dubrovnik from Split you have to cross the Bosnia border for around 20 minutes and then back.

We finally got to our site in Dubrovnik and were met by a new addition to the team, who you will meet on our Facebook Live broadcast later on. So be sure to keep checking Facebook as well as Bailey’s.

Motorway Driving With Better Weather Inner City Towing And Cooking

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William Coleman

Today I faced a whole new set of challenges with inner city towing and hairpin bends as well as amazing weather and a massive surprise breakfast that could have fed the spartan army.

Upon waking up at Camping Bled the team were presented with 1 hamper for every 2 guests. What was inside the hamper blew me away. 1 large thermos of coffee, 1 whole bag of chocolate croissants and rolls, chicken pasta salad, cheese, 3 different hams, roast beef, salmon, frape cheese, yogurts, salad and spreads. Now times that by 4.

Another mile heavy day today with 345 miles to get through which is around 8-9 hours of driving. The drive from Bled to Split is filled with the most beautiful mountain views. This is scenery that makes you realise just how amazing the world really is.

Half way through the day we stopped off and decided to finish what was left over from breakfast for lunch. As me and the Bailey team sat there we reflected on what the highlights of the trip so far have been. The Camping Bled meal was the dominant opinion.

As we entered Croatia we were met with a rather unfriendly police officer who made us very aware we were in the wrong lane at passport control, but as soon as we got past him the beauty that is Croatia exploded in front of us. It was here I decided it is my time to drive.

Once I was back behind the wheel of the Skodia Kodiaq I felt right at home. It has enough power and steadiness to make towing feel effortless, but then we came to almost vertical dual carriageways down the mountains. At this point my nerves were trying to kick in and tell me to panic as the speed picked up very quickly once we started to descend down through the mountains. I simply slowed it down and took my time, once that was done all was well.

The one thing that did make me feel somewhat uneasy was the very sharp bends. As you know towing a motorhome round bends requires a little bit of skill. Now try it going down and round a Croatian Mountain, it could make the hairs on your arms stand up every so slightly.

As soon as we got into Split we were faced with some heavy traffic which was full of drivers who have clearly adopted the Croatian way of driving. Thankfully the roads in Split are quite wide with concerningly smalls pavements, probably why there were so many people walking in the road.

The challenge had be set for Wes and I to cook the team dinner, some people angled it as CaravanTimes V Bailey but it worked out as more as a team effort than an interpromotional battle. I opted to make the starter, a nice easy Bruschetta, which seemed to go down well. Wes went big with his beef sausage and chestnut mushroom penne pasta.

Making enough food for 8 men can be a challenge when using the kitchen of a caravan, but not today. We worked well as a team and delivered the goods with smiles all round. For pudding there was red wine and Peroi which helped close what was an amazing day.

After a few twists and turn, which were followed by some tricky maneuvers, we arrived at our site. Stay tuned for the Kamp Galeb review.

Site Review 4 Camping Bled in Bled Slovenia

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This is our second site based by an icon European lake in two days and I think I can safely say that Lake Bled is just above Lake Garda, in my humble professional lake rating opinion.

Slovenia is an amazing country. This is my first time visiting the country and I will be coming back for sure. If I didn’t have to travel to another 14 countries in as many days I would spend all my time here. If you like good food, very friendly locals, amazing photo opportunities and picturesque settings then Bled, Slovenia is for you.

The 5 Star Camp Bled is almost directly on the banks of Lake Bled with stunning views of the Bled Island as well as the whole expanse of water. When visiting you will be presented with more activities than you can shake a stick at. From archery to massage therapy Camp Bled has it all.

So let’s start with the onsite restaurant because it’s amazing. In London there are a fair share of great places to eat. The food served at the onsite restaurant is as good as any high end restaurant I’ve eaten at. I really cannot express enough the quality and presentation of the food. Usually on site eateries can be a bit bog standard and deliver what I call “Harvester” style grub, pre cooked and warmed up to order. There is nothing like this here whatsoever. The meal was more of an culinary experience than just an evening meal.

The 5 course extravaganza started with a baked Camembert pie served with toasted crostini slices and smoked garlic chutney. Without trying to be over dramatic but it was mind blowing. The garlic chutney was served in an edible cheese bowl type thing which I think is the way forward, edible dinnerware. From there we had a cheese soup, spicy shrimp tagliatelle, steak, assorted puddings and ended with an espresso and a shot of a local pear schnapps style drink which you certainly felt as it went down into to stomach. Our hostess presented each course and drink with an explanation of the where each thing came from and a little bit of history on foods. 12/10 for service and food. You will struggle to find somewhere this good at home.

Now onto the facilities. With 3, soon to be 4, large wash blocks the site ensures there is more than enough for everyone. Just past the entrance of the site there is a child’s play area, set a nice distance away from the pitches. There was not a slide or swing in sight. Instead the children can use the table tennis tables, 6 large connected trampolines, trampolines harnesses rides, board game shacks and many other things to keep everyone happy. The showers and toilets are immaculate, modern and very spacious. Too often I find that by the time you’ve finished showering your towels and clothes and wetter than you. But with a good amount of space I was able to keep everything dry.

Camp Bled also have free easy access WiFi throughout the whole site. The WiFi is simple to connect to and does not ask for any kind of login details, simply click and connect. No matter where you are the connection stays very strong and never drops out.

The onsite market is very well stocked with everything you will possible need for a very long stay.

You can see why this site is 5 Star. The only issue I found was that the site is currently under development. But if you think this has taken anything away from my visit you’d be wrong. I cannot wait to see what the site will look like when it’s finished.

I do have one admission of guilt. I was offered to stay in one of the sites newly built glamping hut last night. I could not help myself.

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Welsh Park Awarded David Bellamy Special Award For Flying The Flag For Wildlife Conservation.

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By William Coleman

Morben Isaf Holiday Park has been recognised for its work alongside the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust. The David Bellamy special award has been received by the 5 star site based in Derwenlas for its work with the Cor’s Dyfi nature reserve, more specifically for the “Osprey Project”.

The David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme recognises holiday parks that protect and enhance Britain’s natural environment. The park has held a gold award since 2015 and is also “Honey Bee Friendly”.

Since 2009 the park has supported the local community and volunteers from far and wide in helping to preserve the habitat of the native Osprey, encouraging visitors and holidaymakers to get involved.

The park, owned by Salop Leisure, boasts a plethora of wildlife and has built bridges and pathways to allow tourers to enjoy the scenery and look out for its inhabitants. Here are some pictures from the site.


A Majestic Pair of Osprey


An Inquisitive Water Rail


A Snacking Otter

A Perfect Place to Stay

Sarah Lewis, who manages Morben Isaf Holiday Park with her husband, Ben, said they were delighted to win the accolade.

Rufus Bellamy, who runs the award scheme for his famous botanist father, David, said the assessor had been very impressed by the way the park has collaborated with the wildlife trust to develop the successful osprey project.

“You should take a lot of credit for your positive and enthusiastic approach to this partnership, which is the epitome of good neighbourliness and positive conservation action combined,” he stated in a letter.
Sarah explained: “We are situated in the midst of a number of nature reserves and taking part in the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme helps us maintain focus and plan our work to suit the natural environment around us.

“We are keen to promote conservation in all aspects of our business and are enthusiastic about raising awareness wherever possible. Our customers also appreciate our commitment and work with us to meet the standards and requirements set by the scheme.

“Staff, holiday home owners and visitors all contribute to making our park a repeat gold award winner, of which we are very proud. Participating in the scheme means that we always evaluate ideas and plans to ensure that the ethos of conservation is applied at all times. We have certainly seen rewards.

“The variety of wildlife and birdlife seen on the park is amazing and has in turn resulted in new business as more customers are attracted by it. Many comment on our ability to balance the quality of being a five star holiday park whilst working in harmony with and enhancing the natural landscape around us.”

Kim Williams, Dyfi Osprey Project officer, said: “We really value the relationship with the park and all our neighbours. In return for their support, we survey the park’s nest boxes, so the partnership works both ways.”

We think the work being done at Morben Isaf is commendable and will be arranging to go and see them in the coming months, let us know if you’ve been to see any of the fantastic wildlife on offer and what we should keep an eye out for.

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Another Day Another 3 Countries And Extreme Weather Towing

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By William Coleman

So today has been an eventful day to say the very least. We have covered three countries, well started in one then travelled across another 2, we completed our 1000th miles as we drove through Italy, saw some of the most beautiful terrain through the mountains and then towed through rain that was so heavy you could not see 30 feet in front of you. That will get your heart pounding.

I started the day at around 7am with a brisk walk to the showers, while being showered by rain on the way, to get an early start so we could cross another 3 countries and arrive at Lake Bled in Slovenia at a reasonable hour for dinner.

With a 200 mile drive under my belt today I must say towing on an Italian motorway is something that a thrill seeker would love. Being caught between to large lorries who simply will not move did make me a little anxious, but then the training kicked in and i quickly got myself out of an uncomfortable situation. The Skoda Octavia I was driving today was an absolute joy to use. Thanks to the spot on weight balance in the caravan it made to towing feel effortless at times.

After what seemed like an eternity on the motorway we came off a few miles outside of Austria, which is one of our 21 countries. The views that can be seen on the drive from Italy to Austria are some of the most jaw dropping sights so far. The French Alps were amazing but these vast mountain ranges, with a scattering of gargantuan cascading waterfalls may tip the scales in their favour. Driving through the mountains of Italy toward Austria may have to be best driving experience I have ever had. There were quite a lot of rain crowds but that added to the feel of being in the mountains. Surrounded by misty mountains as far as the eye can see, very Lord Of The Rings. Anyone who is thinking about visiting do not hesitate and make this a priority booking.

We entered the tunnel Karavanke through the mountains to cross the border into Austria, I knew we had entered Austria due to a handy text from EE informing me of the high prices they charge for text messages. The tunnel through the mountain was extremely long (around 5 miles) and seemed never ending. Once we exited the we entered an entirely different landscape, still very mountainous but with a completely different feel to the buildings and layout of the houses and streets.

Aside from the huge amounts of open space it seems not one single house or building in Austria are the same. Each house is very large and seems to be located on its own wide open plot of land which makes the whole place seem perfect to live, very different from the towns and cities of the UK.

I know I have said it a lot recently but this place is beautiful. You can tell that they intentionally leave a lot of open space and shy away from over building structures, unlike most countries around the world.

One thing I noticed about the immaculate town of Faak Am See was that there seemed to be quite a lot of shops, bars and restaurants closed. After a small broken English conversation with a local it seemed the town does not re awaken until the 22nd of April. So as we made our way through the smaller roads of Austria we headed toward to border and eventually made our way into Slovenia.

Slovenia is very similar to Austrin in quite a few ways. The one real difference I noticed was that the area is catered a lot more towards its tourists attractions. Slovenia is known for its white water rafting, castles, town squares and of course the picture perfect Lake Bled which is where we are actually staying.

The Lake Bled site is amazing and actually has an impressive 5 star rating. Once you read my review you will see why. So we have just finished our evening meal where we were totally spoilt by the staff while we dined on a 4 course meal with beer, wine and a lovely dolcetto wine with pudding.

All in all today has been totally fantastic all round. From the mountainous drive through italy to Austria to the Italian service station lunch all the way up to the amazing sights and food of Slovenia.

Swift Basecamp Awarded Red Dot Design Award

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by William Coleman
Apple, Ferrari, Porsche, Sony and …Swift?

What do the above eminent brands all have in common? Well they’re all 2018 recipients of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award.

Here’s a little about the Award from the Red Dot team themselves; “The origins of the Red Dot Design Award date back to 1955. Its distinction, the Red Dot, is established internationally as one of the most sought-after quality marks for good design…With the help of the jury, the internationally organised competition “Red Dot Award: Product Design” appraises the best products of the year. In 48 categories, manufacturers and designers can enter their innovations. The jury only awards a Red Dot to products with a high design quality.”

So how are Swift mixing it with the likes of big boys Apple, AEG, Siemens, Vodafone, BMW? It’s all about The Basecamp.

We reviewed the Basecamp back when it was launched in 2016, watch our video above to hear Caravan Adventurer Neil Greentree’s views on it ( you can find part 2 here . Our first impressions were how versatile it was, although sceptical initially of it being marketed as a “Crossover Camping Vehicle” we soon changed our minds after taking it away for a few days.

James Turner, Swift Group Managing Director, said: “As a British manufacturer we are proud to have been recognised in these prestigious global awards that celebrate the world’s best design.
“Swift has been at the forefront of design and technology throughout its history – from developing our intelligent construction system, SMART, in 2012 through to putting control at people’s fingertips with Swift Command, our smartphone and tablet app for controlling lighting, heating and other leisure vehicle functions. The Red Dot reaffirms our long-held commitment to design innovation – and showcases the talent and creativity of our design teams.”

If you haven’t already seen one of Swift’s newly heralded Basecamps, and you fancy a trip to Essen in Germany, you’ll be able to view it an an exhibition being held there by the Red Dot organisers, it’ll be showcased amongst its peers leading global design. Alternatively you can find out about everything that makes the Basecamp an award winner here

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Bristanbul – Site Review 3 Camping Fontanelle Lake Garda Italy

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William Coleman

Lake Garda is considered by many as one of the most stunning locations in Italy. Known for its crystal clear waters and awe inspiring views it is a must visit location when you’re touring the northern Italy. Rumour has it that even Mr. Ocean’s 11 himself George Clooney has a house on the lake. After a quick google I can confirm that George does have a lake house here. It’s ok we are on first a name basis now.

The site itself sits right on the banks of the Lake Garda so you have a view that makes buying an extremely expensive camera more than worth it. With a circumference of 160 kilometres the site has a perfect location to take in the beauty. Our plots were water front so we got to see it all right from our Bailey Pegasus.

Onsite there is restaurant/pizzeria that service quite a large menu of salad, pizza, pasta and main courses with a Italian wine list that would make Pavarotti blush. Not to mention world class home made tiramisu!

For supplies the site has a mini market that serves fresh warm pastries in the morning along with a lot of Italian goods and a hand full of your normal day to day products. The good thing about sites in Italy is they have a lot of local products so you get to taste the real Italy. And if you have a sweet tooth I highly recommend trying a cannoli or some Baci and Venchi chocolate.

Both pet and child friendly, not that I put the two in the same category, so you do not have to worry if you want to bring the little ones or pets with you. An onsite pool, with plenty of bed chairs and seating, will no doubt keep the kids entertained for hours on end. You could even pop to the onsite gift shop and buy a couple of rubber rings and make the most of it yourself. After all it’s yours holiday too.

Of an evening you can sit at the lakeside bar and enjoy an espresso or the Peroni red label beer that’s is pretty much only sold in Italy and is quite different from the Peroni Nastro Azzurro we get in the UK.

Just a stones throw from the site is the local town where you can visit the castles, cafés, pizzerias and my personal favourite the tradition Italian bakery. With plenty of shops and things to see and do you could happily spend a whole week, or two, on the banks of the lake and touring the town sipping espresso and eating pasta and pizza.

The site boasts all touring accommodation as well as cottages, statics and camping areas. So this site is open to any and every keen tourer.

Todays Adventure 3 Countries In 1 Day And Border Crossings

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By William Coleman

Today is a big day on the tour as we embark on our journey to cross 3 countries in 1 day. Although we are only traveling 10 miles more than yesterday we are still managing to tick as many countries off of our list as possible. By the end of today we will be setting up camp at Lake Garda in Italy, which just so happens to be a destination that is right at the top of my bucket list of places to visit. Happy days!

So we set off from Gigny-sur-Saone at around 9am, it would have been earlier but the decision was made to give the team a bit of extra time in bed to recharge the batteries, to start making our way to land that created Velcro, Switzerland. The journey is roughly 272 miles and took around 7+ hours due to the speed limits we face towing.

As we drove through France toward to Mont Blanc tunnel we entered the skiing town of Chamonix which was amazing. You really do have to envy the folk who get to wake up every morning to the massive mountain range that surrounds them. The pictures I took simply not does not do the scenery justice. Absolutely amazing! For me one of the constant highlights of the trip is just how much you see. Europe is such a massive place with so many different terrains and settings that you are constantly gobsmacked at sights around you.

Once to convoy was back together we got down some lunch down us and headed into the Mont Blanc tunnel. I was in the driver’s seat for this. I will be honest and say there were one of two butterflies in the tummy about driving in the tunnel but like most new experiences as soon as you are doing it you realise that there is zero to be concerned with. Take your time, obey the limits and laws, be aware of what is around you and most importantly, enjoy yourself.

Once we left the tunnel we were in the Italy, somewhere close to my heart, in another skiing town. The architecture and buildings in this town are clearly influenced by their French neighbours and is very much a skiing hotspot. The main hotel even calls itself the Mont Blanc Mountain Hotel. The border crossing was simple, just drive into and then out through the tunnel so no issues or stories on that front.

Today has been a pretty driving heavy day but I was able to take in a lot of scenery at it was not constant motorway driving. To best part of today was trying 3 separate vehicles. First off I was I the support vehicle, the ever reliable and luxury Mercedes Vito, where we were able to catch up with the convoy who had a few miles on us as we opted to go shopping for supplies. Sitting very comfortable on the motorway teetering at the speed limit. The best thing about the Vito is how well it performs at high speed. There were 3 of us on board with a full production kit, luggage and all manner of touring essentials provided by Prima, and you would think you were transporting a bag of feathers. Like most Mercedes this is an absolute joy to drive on any road type or surface.
I spent the second half of the day with Lee Davey in the motorhome and opted to drive the whole distance from the Mont Blanc tunnel all the way to Lake Garda, another place that I promised I would visit at least once in my life.

So after a full 13 hour of travelling, we did have some quick pit stops on the way for tea, coffee and sandwiches, we have arrived at our site located on Lake Garda, Italy. I will not go into too much site detail, as I will be posting up a review once I had spent more time on site but one thing I will say is that this part of Italy is a sight to behold. The scenery is something straight out of the pages of a James Bond novel.

We did arrive a bit late to the site, as we had the lay in this morning and the huge traffic delay through Milan, so myself and Wes from Bailey will be making a three course feast for the team. The third of which is a French apple tart so do not tell the Italians! Wes and I fancy ourselves as culinary skilled travellers so and we put our hands up and nominated ourselves to cook for the team. Unfortunately due to the 1 hour stand still traffic on the motorway through Milan we simply did not get enough time in the evening. Something tells me that the team will not forget the self-nomination and hold us to the cooking challenge we set ourselves.

Once we arrived on site we were hit with pretty heavy rain and were pitching up in quite poor light with monsoon like condition, but that is a part of travelling. The reality of it, like every holiday type that exists, is sometimes weather will work against you no matter how glorious the location is.

So in summary we managed to cover 3 counties in one day with a convoy of three leisure vehicles, 2 of which are being towed, and a support vehicles. Tunnels, snowy mountains, blistering sunshine, we saw it all in one day.

Bristanbul Site Reviews – Camping Château de l’Epervière – Burgundy

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By William Coleman

Our #Bristanbul adventure continues, and we endeavour to keep you up to date all along the way. So here’s our second site review (our first really as last night was a bunk on a ferry).

It really is going to be hard to put this into words (hence the pictures) so let me start by simply saying stunning.
After a 5am start following a 3.5 hour sleep and then covering 375 miles this is just what the doctor ordered. The site boasts more than just impressive looks. The onsite facilities are spot on and plentiful. The shower block has enough showers for everyone as well as separate changing rooms with sinks and benches. The only thing that bothered me was he stop start shower but that’s not uncommon so just a personal snag for me.

There are three pools, 2 outdoor 1 of which is for the children, perfect for the summer dipping, and if it’s a tad on the mild side you can use the indoor pool. The pitches are a very good size and set in idyllic French countryside. For those who want to visit, and trust me you should, you can use both static and touring accommodation. There are also glamping huts available which are located at the front of the park.

Of an evening you must visit the onsite restaurant and sample the home made authentic French cuisine. Simon Howard, Baileys Marketing Director, decided to fully embrace the French cooking and ordered the snails. When in Rome (France). Good size portions packed with flavour that comes with a very, very reasonable price tag. As we are in wine country it would be rude not to try a locally made red wine which was glorious. As was the second bottle.

This is a family friendly site so we do have some children on site which for me personally is never an issue. There are enough activities on site to keep the children happy and entertained while the adults can relax and soak in all the perfect scenery. The site is large with lots of different accommodation types and an onsite restaurant that serves the best French food I’ve eaten in quite some time. So if you like wine country, stunning scenery and generous on site facilities this is the site for you!

You can check out the site in more detail here or look through our pictures below, and remember to check back tomorrow for a review of our next stop in Lake Garda, Italy! You can also stay up to date with Bailey’s Bristanbul trip via our Facebook and by following #Bristanbul across social media.

See you soon!

Take a scroll through here and tell us if you’d like to visit!












My First Day Driving Abroad With Help From Lee Davey And Simon Howard- Bristanbul

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By William Coleman

So when I was first invited onto Bailey’s Bristanbul tour the first thing that popped into my head was that I had never driven abroad in a motorhome let alone towed a full size caravan. I was overcome with a sense of nerves and doubt, after all driving on the right side of the car on the wrong side of the road is a very daunting challenge when you have a caravan following you. So how does one prepare for something like travelling across 21 countries in 21 days? Get stuck in, do you research and listen to the professionals like, fellow veteran caravaner, Lee Davey and Bailey of Bristol’s Marketing Director, Simon Howard.

Following my towing refresher course I had last week, big thank you to the Caravan and Motorhome Club for helping me arrange that, it was decided that myself and Wes Terry, Bailey Marketing Assistant, would spend all of day one driving the Bailey Advance 76-4 motorhome to get use to the European roads before we start to tow the Pegasus and the Pursuit.

As soon as it was my turn to drive, which was about 100 miles into France once we left the ferry, it did not take long for my driving skills to kick in. As soon as I joined the motorway from the rest stop I felt totally at ease and any apprehension that I had soo vanished. Without trying to sound too overly dramatic the thought of doing something as big, well big to me, as driving a good sized leisure vehicle around France for the first time was quite intimidating. As soon as I applied the training and advice I was give any fears or doubts that I had went away. So before I share the advice I was given, as I feel this will help many people who may be wary of towing abroad, let me just say a massive thank you to my co-pilot Wes and tutors Lee and Simon.

William Coleman- Before we set off I was somewhat apprehensive about driving such a big vehicle in another country as I have only done this in the UK. Right side of the car wrong side of the road. Any advice you can give to ease my pain?

Lee The best bit of advice I can give people who are doing this for the first time is that as soon as you get off of the ferry hang back in one of the laybys so you follow the traffic so you’ve got all the ferry traffic to follow. Once you follow that out onto some roundabouts, some smaller roads and then out onto the motorway chances are that would help you dial in. Simple as that, hang back, follow the traffic and get the hang of the road. That will help you enormously.

Simon First of all well done for today. The first time abroad in a motorhome of this size and abroad, so you’ve taken down two birds with one stone and no pedestrians. We have arrived in the beautiful region of Burgundy in France. We’ve covered 375 miles today without incident so fair play to you. Obviously some of the advice and Bernie’s training as rubbed off on you (Bernie is the instructor who trained me last week at the CAMC towing experience).

Lee From that it just goes to prove that if you have not driven a motorhome or towed, the value of taking a course. You’re not going to learn everything but it will demystify a lot of it and you will realise it is not that scary. Some people may be worried about towing 10 miles away from their house but you have properly been thrown into the deep end. 375 miles on the wrong side of the road, in a vehicle you are not familiar with, we are on a schedule with a deadline and having not slept that well you’ve done exceptionally.

Simon- To put it into perspective we’ve covered 375 miles, 4 vehicles and we have 4 new drivers today towing vehicles and driving large motorhomes. Having a co-pilot always helps as driving solo is always a little more daunting, especially in a foreign country. Bring a friend as it always helps. Especially with changing lanes and manoeuvring.

William – For the UK holiday makers who are used to towing around Britain what do they need to be aware of when embarking on their first driving trip abroad?

Simon Become used to the way that other countries drive as sometimes It can be unpredictable.

William OK, so someone who have been towing for years around the UK and is pretty seasoned can they just get off to say Germany, for instance, and just get along issue free?

Simon- You really do have to try and anticipate as some drivers may not behave on the road the same way that you are used to. Reduce your speed, allow plenty of time for your journey and try and anticipate what people are going to do. Today for instance we had people joining the motorway from the right hand side, which is totally alien to us. So you just need to take your time. And most importantly be a bit more passive and calm that what you would be when you are at home as you are having to adapt to their style of driving.

Lee Simon’s advice there spot on. Things maybe happening too fast that you are not used, simply slow it down and take your time until you build up that confidence. It’s then where you can speed up. Everyone is on this trip to enjoy it. So if you are planning a trip like this and you are unsure of what things you may need you can visit the Caravan and Motorhome Club site and go to the advice page everything you need is listed there. If you combine what Simon just said and check what requirements you need for each country there is nothing stopping you from booking for your trip abroad.

William I think it is safe to say that a lot of people’s apprehension is simply that, apprehension. It is fear of the unknown. Now that I have tried it I am extremely confident on completing another few thousand miles.

So there you have it. With just a little bit of confidence and training there really is nothing to fear from driving and towing abroad. Especially with help from the pros.

At Bailey HQ Gearing Up To Leave On The Bristanbul Tour

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By William Coleman

So the day is finally here! Today I will be embarking on a multi country tour covering 21 countries in 21 days with the Bailey of Bristol team. I am currently sat at Bailey HQ going over the mountain of kit we are taking away and to say I am slightly excited is an understatement.

I set off from London this morning at around 7am and was quickly met by a storm of thick traffic on the M25 which made the journey 3 hour and 40 instead of the pleasant 2 hours 20 I have become accustomed to.

Once I arrived at Bailey HQ in Bristol, at around half 10, I meet the guys and see what preparation we needed to do before we set off for Portsmouth to hop on the ferry over to France. I have done my fair share of holiday prep work before but I certainly underestimated the work needed to get three touring vehicles and 2 touring cars for a 21 day tour across Europe and back, a tip of the cap for the sheer amount of work that has gone into planning this trip. The guys at Bailey really have thought of everything and were still working away crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s when I arrived.

One thing that Bailey have provided all of us going on the tour is a goodie bag full of touring essentials. When travelling across the 21 countries I am sure we will encounter many different types if weather, so we have been provided with a waterproof coat, and size up jacket, caps and 2 different towels, for those rainy days. As well as that we have 2 watcher bottler, thermos and a fantastic backpack to carry it all in. They are taking great care of the crew going and we have not even turn an engine on yet.

At this stage we are almost all prepped and ready. Now the Pegasus, GT70 Ramini, Pursuit 550-4 and the Advance 76-4 are all packed with the gear we are almost ready to drive away. We are completing some final safety checks and making sure we have not left the kettle unpacked. At 6pm you can tune into a Facebook Live Broadcast on Bailey’s official Facebook page, CaravanTimes will also be sharing the broadcast to make sure everyone gets to see it.

Tyco BMW Pick Up Their Auto-Trail 2018 Comanche

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By William Coleman

I have said it before and I will say it again, motorsports and leisure vehicles go hand in hand. Having spent a weekend at the races with both Auto-Trail and the BWM Tyco Team, whom are sponsored by Auto-Trail, we can see why the two companies work so well together. In continuing their support for the BMW Motorrad team Auto-Trail have supplied them with a bespoke 2018 Frontier Comanche, which has been modified to suit the needs of a Superbike rider.

This brand new 2018 Comanche has been built on the market leading Fiat Ducato platform but has an uprated 5000kg Al-Ko heavy duty chassis. Out of the entire Auto-Trail motorhome range the Comanche is the largest. Due to the amount of travelling, and hard days on the track, this makes for the ideal touring home for the Tyco BMW team. After spending all day racing hundreds of laps you really do want a high end luxury space to lounge and relax, something the Comanche provides perfectly. Another important factor Auto-Trail have considered is the storage space the team need when on and off the road. To help the guys and gals out they have added a much larger 8.73m chassis for added room, storage and flexibility.

Christian Iddon, International motorcycle racer and Tyco BMW Motorrad team member, has used the team’s previous motorhome in 2017, the Frontier Serrano. Christian, who has owned caravans before, is now an avid motorhome user and enthusiast and was more than excited about the team’s new upgrade to the Comanche. Once he saw the large Island bedm walk-in shower and L-shaped kitchen he knew there was no turning back and could not wait to board his new home away from home.

When designing the Comanche Auto-Trail left nothing out of consideration. The Comanche truly is an uncompromising luxury leisure vehicle for extended tour. Making is the best choice for the British Superbike Championships.

Russell Hensman, Auto-Trail’s Marketing Manager says: “Everyone here at Auto-Trail is thrilled to continue to support one of the most recognisable international motorcycle teams on circuit. Tyco BMW Motorrad are looking on great form this year and we wish them all the success throughout the 2018 season.”