Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish to explore Scotland by campervan for new series

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Emma Dodd

Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish are to take to the road in a campervan to discover their homeland for a new TV series.

Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham will chart the adventures of the duo as they explore the food, culture and history of Scotland.

McTavish, who plays Dougal MacKenzie in Outlander, introduced the idea: “A land that is cut through with lochs and mountains that weave like some kind of tartan kilt: Scotland.”

Airing on the cable network channel Starz, Men in Kilts will consist of eight 30-minute episodes with the series launching on February 14th.

As suggested in the title, the two presenters will be wearing kilts as they travel across their home country meeting artisans and experts along the way.

Outlander fans will be able to spot a number of locations from the show that have been pivotal in the history of Scotland.

These include Inverness and the site of the Battle of Culloden, as well as Glencoe, where a major clan feud was played out.

Expect plenty of sweeping scenic shots as the stunning landscape of Scotland takes centre stage, reminding caravan owners of the incredible roadtrips they could enjoy after lockdown.

Christina Davis, president of original programming at Starz, said: “The genuine curiosity and passion that Sam and Graham have for the landscapes they visit and the stories they uncover while travelling through the heart of Scotland makes Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham a truly enjoyable journey of discovery for the audience.”

The friendship of the two actors is also evident throughout the series, as they enjoy banter in each other’s company in contrast to their relationship in Outlander.

First broadcast in 2014, the historical drama with a time travel element has proven popular and continued for five seasons to date, with series six now in pre-production.

Cumbria park looks to re-imagine the staycation

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By Emma Dodd

Looking ahead into 2021, the boss of one Cumbrian caravan site is determined to tackle the challenges of a post-Covid world in a positive manner.

Henry Wild, who is the director of Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in the Lake District, is using the winter months and renewed lockdown situation to make changes to the site.

He is throwing out the rule book and swapping traditional ways of doing things with innovative solutions to modern-day issues so visitors can have the best possible holiday experience when Skelwith Fold reopens to the public.

No area of the business has been neglected in Mr Wild’s grand plans, with everything from eco-friendly buildings to an exciting forest trail for youngsters being brought to fruition.

He said: “The old order has now changed forever, and holiday providers are no exception to the need for re-examining how we go about our business.”

The family-owned caravan park has learned from experience in 2020 and is ensuring that all development work takes the need for greater distance between guests into consideration.

Located in an area of incredible natural beauty, Skelwith Fold Caravan Park will be doing its bit to preserve the environment going forward.

Mr Wild explained how the new three-storey extension to its reception and office building will achieve this vision.

He said: “The building also recognises the importance of clean energy, which is why we are installing high-efficiency solar panels and an air source heat pump to reduce our carbon footprint.”

One of the main aims for the site going forward is to make it a go-to destination for families keen to enjoy the great outdoors.

A £150,000 play zone was installed at the caravan park last year and the new additions being built this winter will increase its pulling power for younger guests further.

Mr Wild said: “It will be great fun, but once again draws on lessons learned that being outdoors in the fresh air and staying active is one of the best tonics for physical and mental wellbeing.”

National Geographic includes caravanning in its 2021 travel trends

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By Emma Dodd

Prestigious magazine National Geographic has included caravanning in its roundup of family travel predictions for 2021.

The publication highlighted the increased desire to get back to nature and escape the incessant news cycle as a key factor in this trend.

Camping and caravanning is the perfect way to do this, whether you have your own touring van or opt for luxury options like an Airstream or a glamping pod.

National Geographic said: “Plan your trip ahead and go off-grid in the likes of Shropshire’s Wrekin Forest for a back-to-nature experience and woodland walks on your doorstep.

“Alternatively, pitch up in the grounds of Somerset’s award-winning Earth Spirit Centre, on the edge of Compton Dundon, for a tranquil rural retreat.

“For family-friendly excursions, mystical Glastonbury and the Wookey Hole caves are around a 20-minute drive away.”

An uptick in staycations, which began in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, is certainly something many travel experts are predicting to continue well into this year.

With even local travel being off the agenda at present, smaller trips closer to home will feel all the more precious and caravanning is a good way to make them happen.

National Geographic pointed towards this in another one of its predictions, which it called ‘Adventure on your doorstep’.

A number of travel companies well known for holidays to far-flung destinations are expanding their offerings to UK and Ireland trips, reflecting the new appetite for holidays at home.

Planning a self-driving tour of the Wild Atlantic Way, for example, is a great way to add a real sense of adventure to your holiday plans without going too far afield.

National Geographic also acknowledged the need to stay within bubbles or support groups, which is likely to continue well into 2021.

Caravanning is an easy way to achieve this sort of seclusion, as well-appointed vans are effectively self-contained holiday facilities.

The publication reminded readers of the importance of helping tourist destinations and the hospitality industry recover from the pandemic by returning to these much-loved places.

Now is the perfect time to embark on a caravan makeover

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By Emma Dodd

With the country being plunged back into lockdown, your caravan might be the last thing on your mind right now, but it’s a great place to look for hope and to focus on the future.

Lockdown projects have proven popular in the first and second wave of restrictions and there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be the case now we’ve been asked to stay at home once more.

In fact, now is the perfect time to give your caravan or motorhome a fresh new look, as the vaccine offers hope you’ll be able to get out and about in it in the not-too-distant future.

While many people who had not embraced the touring lifestyle before went out and purchased vans to do up, we think it’s a trend firmly confirmed caravan aficionados can embrace too.

Why now is the time

Since none of us are supposed to be going very far from home, you can start a fairly large DIY project in your caravan safe in the knowledge you won’t be caught out with an impromptu trip away.

Spending some time thinking about your beloved leisure vehicle and planning the changes you want to make can offer focus at a time when so much seems out of our control.

It will represent an investment in all the future trips you’ll be able to enjoy once the coronavirus pandemic is over and touring can return to normal.

Tasks to give your caravan a new look

  • A lick of paint – use a specialist product that is designed to cover materials like wood veneer and MDF to give your caravan a totally new vibe.
  • Replace the soft furnishings – it’s amazing how new curtains and reupholstering your van’s cushions can make it feel like a whole new caravan.
  • Brighten it up with new lighting – depending on the age of your caravan, switching bulbs for LEDs may be a task you’ve put off for a while, but it will make your vehicle a lot brighter.
  • Add extra fittings – over the years you might have thought about adding extra shelves, mirrors or other fittings to your van and now would be a great opportunity to get it done.
  • Invest in accessories – from microwaves to awnings and new sound systems to trendy cookware, there’s plenty of ways to add a little luxury to your leisure vehicle.

2021 Touring Resolutions

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By William Coleman

Well, last year certainly was one for the books. Now we have a fresh new year ahead of us we look forward to bettering ourselves and plan for a brighter touring future.

It’s safe to say that 12 months ago we looked at the new year with a tad more optimism than we may do this one. With that in mind, the CaravanTimes team are smiling and very much looking forward to making 2021 the best it can be.

Our main focus of 2021 is to get outside as much as possible, all while sticking to the guidelines set out by the government. We all may have to stay in or stay close to home but we can still better ourselves. Why not cook that one dish you’ve avoided or dust off the guitar and finally learn to play?

With all that in mind here are some of our New Year’s resolutions to keep this year bright and wonderful.

Getting active and fit

It seemed that during the various 2020 lockdown periods people went one of two ways: slimmed down with exercise or raided the biscuit tin a bit too often – we shan’t name names. Now that we have a new year ahead of us we can use the fresh start to reduce the waistline and look and feel your best.

There may be changes to the rules on going outside and where you can visit, but Boris and co urge you to exercise and stretch those legs.

Emma Dodd of CaravanTimes said: “My resolution for 2021 is to get outside every day. I live on the coast and enjoy stunning views across the Firth of Forth to Fife. Whether it’s going for a brisk half an hour walk on my lunch break or a coldwater swim, usually at the weekend, I always feel better after going outside.

“Looking out of the window at the Scottish weather can sometimes be off-putting, but as Alfred Wainwright said, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing’. So, this year I will endeavour to step outside my front door at least once a day no matter what the elements throw at me and irrespective of how many layers I have to put on!”

There are so many advantages to getting outside and staying active. Its been proven that your mental wellbeing is positively affected by both exercise and being in the wilderness. If you ever have anxiety, a brisk walk in the woods is the best medicine. Now you can see why caravan holidays are becoming so popular.

On top of that, the healthier you are the better your body can fight off colds, the flu and other types of illness. This is a win-win resolution that we all should take up.

Try a new activity

As of right now, travel has a slight question mark over it due to the spread of Covid, but we have our fingers crossed that at some point this year we can travel freely to destinations right here in the UK and try something new.

One CaravanTimes videographer, James Lee-Warner, has taken up long-distance cycling and had planned several road trips last year that he was unable to complete. He has vowed to take at least one of these adventures this year once travel is safer.

“Last year I had to cancel a lot of cycling trips due to not being able to mix with other households. This year I will be reducing the numbers of people I’d planned on travelling with and stick to those I live with.

“Once the rules ease I will be hopping on the mountain bike and cycling from the Isle of Dogs down to the Jurassic Coast. After the 127-mile ride, I am hoping to find a fossil, but I would settle for a cold pint and a big bag of fish and chips by the sea”, said James.

Whatever you want to do this year, look back at 2020 and live every day to the fullest. Take nothing for granted and set yourself some life goals that are going to make you happy and healthy.

Why your caravan is your biggest home schooling asset

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By Emma Dodd

With parents in England and Scotland having been told their children won’t be going back to school until at least February, you’ll be glad you have a caravan.

That leisure vehicle sitting on your drive represents the biggest asset you could possibly wish for when it comes to home schooling.

An extra room, separate from your house

The beauty of your caravan is not just that it offers you more space, but also the ability for your child to ‘go’ to school.

Keep it as a distraction-free area where they can get into the right headspace to work, away from toys, games and the comforts that define home.

Stock it with all the resources they’ll need and use it to display the best examples of the work they complete while being schooled from home.

Divide and conquer

Depending on your family dynamic, you’ll want to organise your home schooling arrangements in varying ways, but giving members of your family their own space will be imperative.

It could be that you have two parents at home both trying to work and therefore taking your child off to the caravan will allow them to get some tasks done without interruptions.

Alternatively, your main issue could be siblings being disruptive while their brothers and sisters are practising their handwriting or learning algebra, so take them off to the caravan.

Everything you need to hand

Decisions to close schools happen quickly and parents don’t tend to have a lot of time to plan and organise their kids’ learning resources or keep things tidy.

Before you know it, school books are hidden under piles of toys and the precious time you’ve assigned for working with them has been used up on hunting for resources all across the house.

Using your caravan as a classroom means you can keep all the learning paraphernalia in one place and don’t need to pack tasks up that can be completed the following day, making everything run more smoothly.

Looking ahead to glamping holiday deals for 2021

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By William Coleman

Next year is when we really need to make the most of the freedom a touring holiday provides and try new experiences. Why not treat the family with a glamping trip to look forward to?

We all like to wake up on New Year’s Day and say “new year; new me”, but do we have a plan in mind to make the following year the year where we try something different? With your glamping trip, you can tick off a new holiday experience.

As devout tourers, we did not immediately rush to pods and yurts once the craze kicked in a couple of years ago. Now that there are several different glamping holidays available we strongly recommend that everyone gives it a try.

The Airstream gives you an insight into how the Americans tour and the safari tents show just how luxurious a tent can be. With the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Experience Freedom brand, you can try all of these holidays all over the UK.

To help make new holiday memories the Club and Experience Freedom are discounting glamping trips for 2021. You can save up to £20 per night in the Experience Freedom glamping sale from now until January 31st.

Offers and savings for 2021

Use code WINTER20 to save £20 per night on glamping pod stays in January and February, making them £39 per night.

Use code SPRING10 to save £10 per night on stays in a glamping pod, glamping cabin or yurt in March, April and May, meaning stays start from just £49 per night.

Use code SUMMER10 to save £10 per night on Sunday to Thursday night stays in a glamping pod, glamping cabin or yurt in June and July, meaning stays start from just £49 per night.

All of these offers are based on a minimum two-night stay. For the full terms and conditions visit the Experience Freedom website offers page. Happy camping!

British Canoeing partners with Caravan and Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

Caravan holidays go hand in hand with outdoor pursuits and keeping active. To help its members try new things and stay healthy, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has announced a new partnership with British Canoeing.

Being a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club provides access to hundreds of attractions and activities around the world. Following a recent deal, British Canoeing is now an Official Accommodation Partner of the Club and will be introducing deals and offers to all of those with a Club membership.

Brian Morgan, head of events and communications at the Club, said: “We are beyond pleased to be working with British Canoeing. We know that 2020 has seen a huge resurgence of people taking part in activities on the waterways.

“Many of our members enjoy canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, so it’s great to be able to offer even more choice of activities with such a renowned organisation as British Canoeing”.

This new partnership is a strategic one for the Club, which is looking to promote outdoor activities in 2021. Club sites will be added to British Canoeing’s PaddlePoints website to help paddlers plan their trips and accommodation.

Meanwhile, Club members will have access to discounts on British Canoeing products and services in the new year. Members will soon be able to head to the organisation’s website to see how to access these benefits.

Mr Morgan added: “The Club offers a choice of some 2,700 beautiful campsite locations, many by waterways, both in the UK and Europe. There’s a perfect destination for everyone wanting to get out, explore and have adventures. This new strategic partnership aligns perfectly with both audiences and will have mutual benefits for members of both organisations.”

Samantha Rankin, head of membership and customer services at British Canoeing, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Caravan and Motorhome Club to the British Canoeing family. This partnership has many mutual benefits to each organisation’s respective members, and will go a long way to linking our outdoor enthusiast paddlesport family with the ability to access some of the best touring sites available in the UK and Europe”.

Are you planning on expanding your outdoor activities list in 2021? We have made it our mission to try at least one new thing next year on our touring adventures. Make the new year one of activity, fitness and health.

The Bailey team continue to supply amid changing lockdown rules

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By William Coleman

This year has been a challenge on many fronts for companies within the leisure industry. One struggle, which seems like a nice one to have, is being able to supply enough vans for the ever-growing demand. To keep the wheels turning, Bailey of Bristol has been adapting its business to ensure vans are ready for 2021.

During the first lockdown, the headlines reported a surge in toilet roll sales and a shortage of building materials and hand soap. What was not reported was the difficulty manufacturers would face securing spares and parts for leisure vehicle production. Even now, months after production plants have reopened, sourcing all manner of leisure vehicles parts has become challenging.

Due to the three-month break during summer, a lot of caravan and motorhome companies struggled to fulfil build quotas and pre-orders sales. Fast forward to November and the sales numbers for new vans had grown substantially, resulting in lead times for new vans doubling in some cases. This has led to the second-hand market becoming almost as strong as the new van market.

Not wanting to slow production, but realising the severity of the current Covid situation, Bailey of Bristol went to great lengths to keep the production line moving.

As the November lockdown set in, it was decided that closing, or even slowing, the roll-out of new vans would not be an option. Bailey, which fully supports and follows government steps to go into another lockdown, has seen its stock levels drop by 75 per cent, the lowest figure in over a decade. Having such low levels of motorhomes and caravans is not a viable option for Bailey.

The company fully reopened in July and saw that the demand for both caravans and motorhomes had risen significantly. With low stock count and large demand, Bailey had to take action to safeguard the future of the company, as well as the wellbeing of its staff.

Once the leisure industry was able to fully reopen, Bailey saw that customer feedback on new 2021 models (particularly the Phoenix+ and Pegasus Grande SE caravans plus the Adamo motorhome range) had been extremely positive. Due to demand, the Bailey retail forward order book now extends well into the New Year.

Needing to fulfil orders, and above all else, keep staff safe, it was decided that stricter Covid measures would be put in place. During the November lockdown, Bailey was able to keep the manufacturing side of the company open, while maintaining the majority of office-based staff working from home.

In order for the Bailey business to be able to continue operating in this way, it has required the implementation of a series of new working practices. These include hygiene, social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment, which ensured Bailey remains a safe place to work.

Having vans ready to send to dealers is such a vital part of the UK leisure industry. Not only does Bailey need to sell these vans, but dealers also need the retail stock to keep the doors open and the lights on. These delays can have a real knock-on effect that could see some dealers close.

A lot of businesses across the globe have had to make wave after wave of changes to keep to the ever-changing guidelines set out by local governments. The impact these changes have on a business can make or break them, so it’s great to see Bailey keeping its head above water and making sure we get the vans we work so hard to buy and use.

Post-Brexit continental driving

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By William Coleman

With Brexit just a few weeks away, we Brits will have to make a few adjustments and be on the lookout for driving changes in Europe once the deal, or no deal, is done.

The CaravanTimes crew are no strangers to driving across the European continent and leaving EU countries to then re-enter the EU a few miles down the road. These crossings presented quite a few challenges that we were not ready for. Let’s just say it was lucky we had cash in our pockets and beer in our fridge.

It looks as though we may not have the same freedom of travel we’ve been used to for decades, so we’ll need to make sure we have the right paperwork to cross multiple borders while travelling.

Before Brexit, when travelling through different EU countries you didn’t have to have any additional paperwork for your vehicles, it was only when entering a non-EU country that you needed to have additional green cards and insurances.

Having driven through countries like Albania, Turkey and Bosnia we realised each country requires you to buy a green card and separate insurance to drive legally. This could now be the case for all European destinations on the continent.

To help guide us all through these slightly confusing times, StressFreeCarRental.com has revealed what to look out for when driving in continental Europe in 2021, as life for British motorists will be very different.

A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “With a deal still being negotiated, there is a lot up in the air with Brexit and what changes we may, or may not have to adhere to in 2021.

“If Brits are planning to drive around Europe for work or holidays next year, then they need to be prepared, as Brexit is likely to affect their plans.”

Will you need an International Driving Permit?

From 1st January 2021, we may need what is called an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in some European countries. We purchased them for each team member for the Bailey Bristnabul trip to ensure there were no driving issues.

The UK Government is currently involved in negotiations with the EU about this and has promised more details later this month.

In the meantime, if you have overseas travel booked we’d recommend buying an IDP from a post office for £5.50. Be sure to take a passport photo along with you and check to see if your chosen post office does them; it took us five attempts to find one that did the IDP.

Will your current licence be accepted?

EU and EEA licences will continue to be accepted in the UK for visitors and residents. The EEA is the European Economic Area, which is the EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

Will you need a green card when driving abroad?

British driver’s UK car insurance is still valid for visiting the EEA during the transition period. But after this period, you may also need a green card. This is a document from your insurer to prove your car is covered if you’re driving in Europe.

The government’s official advice is: “You should plan to carry one for the vehicle you’re driving in the EU and EEA, including in Ireland, from 1 January 2021.”

Please note that separate green cards are needed for trailers and caravans.

Do you need any additional car and motor insurance?

Under the European Union 2009 motor insurance directive, any vehicle legally insured in one EU country can be driven between other European nations on the same policy. So Brits will still be insured under their current providers, but if you drive through Europe without a green card, you might face a fine or have your vehicle seized.

What about a GB sticker on vehicles?

The UK government is recommending that you have a GB sticker on your car, even if there’s already a GB symbol on the number plate.

Anything else I need to know?

British drivers need to remember to carry their V5C logbook with them if they own the car. If it’s a hire car, then you’ll need to get a VE103 form to show you have permission to take it out of the UK.

Motorhome review: Elddis Autoquest 196

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By William Coleman

As this year comes to a close, we wanted to get one final motorhome review done before Father Christmas pays us a visit (we hope; we’re sure we’re on the nice list!). The Elddis Autoquest 196 seems like the perfect van to review for this time of year, as it’s a van for all the family.

The motorhome has slowly been catching up to the caravan in terms of popularity over the past three or so years and it seems that if the current trend continues, the sales of motorhomes could rival that of caravans.

Elddis motorhomes are always a pleasure to use and with vehicles like this being brought to market it’s easy to see why motorhomes are becoming a top seller.

The Autoquest 196 is a low-line model with a sic-berth capacity and features six seatbelts, which is something of a rarity for motorhomes of this size. Usually, there are just four seatbelts, which can make the extra two beds a bit redundant so it’s good to see that Elddis has added more belts so larger families can all go away together.

Exterior

Like most of the Elddis motorhome catalogue, the 196’s exterior decals and stylings are by the numbers and not too flashy. It seems the changes to the exterior of Elddis vehicles are more caravan based than its motorhome-orientated.

There has, however, been a change to some of the exterior lighting with the addition of a new large LED awning light. Despite being a low power light, it is extremely bright, but not overpowering like some LEDs can be.

As standard you get the bike rack bars pre-fitted, which will save you some money when shopping for a rack and a lot of hassle when fitting one. We prefer factory fitted racks over adding third party ones due to the amount of human error we’ve seen over the years.

Interior

Once you step aboard this motorhome you can instantly see that Elddis has engineered it toward families. The first thing you notice is the four belted passenger seats that sit on the driver’s side, directly behind the driver’s captain seat. The two bench seats are opposite one another with a table separating them. We can see long trips getting a bit tiresome when all four passengers are sat directly opposite one another, but this is the trade-off you have to make when you want six seatbelts inside a motorhome.

The 196 has a huge selling point when it comes to the space inside the van. By day there is not a bed to be seen, which would make you question where all the beds are. How Elddis has utilised this space is perfect and you get two totally different vans for day and nighttime living. The innovation aboard this mobile home shows that the manufacturers are listening to its consumers. Motorhomes have come a very long way in the past decade.

This motorhome is very well lit using a combination of LED lighting and lots of large windows that provide great amounts of natural light to flow throughout the entirety of the living spaces.

Day and night living

If you liked Transformers when you were young or if the kids love them, you’ll want to see this motorhome in action. The 196 totally transforms from a spacious living area by day to a large bed filled mobile home come nighttime.

During the day there is plenty of space throughout the van for the entire family and each section feels well spaced apart. If you are in the rear lounge you can relax with your feet up while the kids make the most of the three bench seats and table towards the front.

It feels like Elddis missed a trick by not adding two rear doors to this Autoquest model, but it does not take anything away from its day-to-day use. We just feel that it would have made a good addition to an already impressive motorhome.

Six of the four beds need to be made up, which is really not that much hassle as they all use pull out slats. Beds five and six are perhaps the most concealed, and coolest, of the lot. The 196 features an electronic drop-down double bed that sits over the front bench seats.

Driving

Motorhomes of this size tend to carry quite a bit of weight, and the 196 is no exception. With an MTPLM of 3500kgs, you need a fairly strong engine to ensure you have a pleasurable drive.

The Autoquest is a very smooth drive, even on tricker terrain, and has a Peugeot Boxer 2.2 140 bhp HDi turbo diesel engine. The six-speed gearbox and Euro 6.2 engine provide fantastic fuel economy, even with all that extra weight.

It was surprising to see that the cab had not changed much to reflect more modern needs. A lot of 2020 and 2021 motorhomes feature better stereos and media options, such as GPS, LED touch screens and Apple CarPlay features. Although this is not the be-all and end-all it’s still nice to have, especially with a price tag that doesn’t give much change from £50,000. At this cost, you’d expect more from the entertainment side of the van.

Verdict

As more families turn to staycation holidays we foresee vans like the Autoquest 196 becoming extremely popular. The six belts and six beds make this motorhome an absolute winner.

The cab could do with some more modern updates and a bit of a facelift and we’d love to see more doors added for ease of access, as well as making loading and unloading easier.

Being able to take away the kids and their friends all at once without compromising on living space is exactly what the industry has strived to achieve for years, The Autoquest 196 is proof that we are finally there.

The definitive caravan Christmas dinner

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By William Coleman

The modern caravan kitchenette is well equipped for cooking large meals and it doesn’t get much bigger than Christmas dinner. But you are limited on cold storage and space to keep all your cookware, so what is the ideal variation on the caravan festive feast?

Do you have to have turkey? Are pigs in blankets a sin? It seems that every family has a different adaptation of the Christmas dinner. Let’s look at the best version that can be cooked with the tools and space inside a caravan.

We wanted to make sure that this menu was a collaboration of options from the entire CaravanTimes team, as we all had very different opinions on this topic. To keep things fair and democratic we all voted on each section of the menu, and yes things got a tad heated – it’s not Christmas without some bickering.

The trimmings

In the CaravanTimes kitchen, we use the term trimmings for every item apart from the meat and the vegetables. We do limit the number of dishes here as we do not want to overload the fridge and have too much food to prep and cook. Oh, and we need to keep an eye on the waistline too.

  • Sage and onion stuffing: We suggest this is cooked outside of the bird, should you have turkey or chicken, with some grated parmesan in the mix. The cheese gives the dish a nice tang. Cooking it on its own means you can season it to taste and add a few additional herbs and spices.
  • Pigs in blankets: M&S do the pretty good one if you do not want to make them from scratch. We would suggest finding a local butcher as they make the Elddis of pigs in blankets.
  • Bread sauce: Again from the packet as prep space can be limited.

You may have noticed that the Yorkshire pudding did not make the list. What are your feelings on this? Does it have a place on the plate?

The vegetables

This is where a lot of the internal office debate came into play. It seems each member of the team has a very different opinion on what veg a Christmas dinner should contain. Who knew greens and peas would cause such a kerfuffle?

Oven cooked veggies

  • Roasted parsnips and carrots with brown sugar, cinnamon and garlic cloves: These can be oven cooked from raw but it’s best to steam them for around 15 minutes before baking. You can steam them on the hob, which we’d advise as you won’t have much space for an electric steamer.
  • Goose fat roasted potatoes: A little trick to make your roasties come out amazingly is to season them very well before they go in the oven. Toss them well once boiled, as this will make them fluffy, and add salt, pepper and Jamaican all-purpose seasoning. You will not regret this addition of the seasoning.

Hob cooked veg

  • Steamed sprouts with smoked pancetta and walnuts: Parboil the sprouts before adding them to the bacon and nuts.
  • Pan-fried red cabbage with cinnamon and nutmeg: Slice the cabbage very thinly and fry in a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. You are looking at a cooking time of around 20 minutes. Once the cabbage turns soft, take it off the heat. Cover the cabbage in foil and let it steam itself to remove any crunch.

The meat

This is where some of you may get upset with what the team chose. The turkey was voted out very early on in this discussion. This year it was roast beef and a ham joint that scored the winning vote.

A roasted lamb shoulder almost took the top spot, but it was decided that lamb is just not festive enough for the big day.

You may be wondering the reasons for putting beef at the top of the list? It was the beef juices if you can believe it. The gravy you can make from the juices that run out of a good quality beef joint is second to none.

Let the fats and oils ooze out and add them to a warm pan. Once the meat juices are on the boil add your gravy granules and let it bubble away for around ten minutes. Do not forget to stir every 30 seconds or so.

The ham joint works well for touring as it is pre-cooked and can sit on the fridge for quite a while. All you need to do is slice bits off as and when you need it. Ham for breakfast, lunch and dinner is what Christmas is all about.