Longer campervan stays up by 225% this summer

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By Emma Dodd

It’s already been established that demand for campervans has been soaring in the time of coronavirus, but it’s not just the number of trips, it’s the length of those getaways that has increased too.

Online bookings for campervan rentals of four weeks or more were up by 225 per cent between June and August this year, when compared to 2019.

That is according to Indie Campers, a rental company with a 1,250-strong fleet across 14 countries, including the UK.

In response to the demand for longer trips, the company is now offering monthly and annual subscription plans to make hiring a campervan for longer more achievable.

One of the consequences of the pandemic has been moving away from traditional rules surrounding work, with many people finding their working arrangements are now more flexible.

That means heading off in a campervan, perhaps with the family or a partner, is a much more achievable aim for many.

Indie Campers is aiming to take out the hassle and large amounts of investment usually associated with procuring and maintaining a campervan for long-term use.

The number of requests for campervans to be used as workspaces by digital nomads was up by 66 per cent between July and September 2020, in comparison to a year previously.

Pernille Hembre, market representative for Indie Campers in the UK, said: “As the car subscription market is growing in the UK, we are proud to be the first company to exclusively offer tailored campervan subscriptions.

“Thereby allowing people to have the full experience of living in a campervan without the associated costs and responsibilities, whether they want to test the van life or as a more flexible alternative to owning.”

Potential customers can test drive vans at one of Indie Campers’ depots, with locations in the likes of London and Edinburgh, before driving away in one of nine models.

The subscription will then include vehicle insurance, roadside assistance, regular maintenance and customer support.

They can decide whether to hire the van for anything from a month to 11 months, with prices depending on the duration.

Escape to your caravan for a memorable Christmas

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By Emma Dodd

With new coronavirus measures coming into force, it’s not surprising that many of us are thinking about what is likely to be a very different Christmas this year.

Bans on large gatherings mean many families will not be able to meet up and after a tough year, the festive period will represent another challenge for many.

Lisa Williams, marketing manager at Park Leisure, has suggested that turning to your caravan could be the perfect way to have a memorable Christmas under difficult circumstances.

After all, our caravans are happy places with connotations of holidays and time spent enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

Ms Williams told the Yorkshire Post: “I think a lot of people are thinking they are not going to have a big family get together so rather than staring at the same four walls they are going to try and get out.

“They can start the roast and then have a walk down by the beach.”

Many caravan parks are staying open for longer this year in response to increased demand for staycations, as trips abroad have become a logistical nightmare.

Caravan holidays represent a good socially-distanced option, especially as many leisure vehicles are totally self-contained, cutting down the risk of virus transmission.

Spending Christmas in your caravan could be a good way to make this year’s festive period feel significantly different.

If you try and do the same things but without your loved ones and with restrictions on your traditions, it’s more likely to feel strange and unnatural.

The brilliance of a caravan Christmas is the decreased space and more basic cooking facilities lend themselves to simplicity.

You can still have a tree and decorations, as well as a delicious meal, but everything is on a smaller scale, so in turn leads to less stress.

There’s bound to be a great sense of camaraderie at caravan sites this Christmas, so decide whether to stay at home or up sticks and have a totally different festive period for 2020.

10 of the spookiest drives in the UK

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By Emma Dodd

There’s plenty to think about when towing your caravan along an unfamiliar road, but this Halloween drivers are being warned about ghosts. LeaseCar.uk has put together a list of the most haunted highways in the UK, adding an extra spooky element to your half-term getaway.

Blue Bell Hill, Kent

The ghost of a 22-year-old bride-to-be who was killed on her wedding day in 1965 is said to haunt the scene of her road accident on Blue Bell Hill. Of course, she’s still in her distinctive white dress, but if you get out of your vehicle to help, you’ll find she’s vanished.

Stockbridge Bypass, Sheffield

Phantom children were apparently seen playing on the construction site of the Stockbridge Bypass as it was built to connect the M1 with the Woodhead Pass and the A1616. They left no footprints and can still be seen on the stretch of road to this day.

M6 Motorway

Formerly the route of a Roman road, motorists have been said to see Roman soldiers marching along the M6. If you don’t see something quite as vivid as that you may still get the spooky feeling that someone is watching you, as sets of eyes are often glimpsed from behind bushes.

The B519 by The Spaniard’s Inn, Hampstead

Look out for the ghost of an 18th-century highwayman at the sharp turn in the B519 just before you get to the Spaniard’s Inn. He is thought to be the son of one of the pub’s owners, looking to hold up carriages on the road.

A666, The Devil’s Highway, Bolton

Seeing as 666 is the number of the beast, it’s not surprising that this road has gained itself the nickname of the Devil’s Highway. Look out for a hunched-over figure that appears and disappears along this stretch of road.

The Old Tay Bridge, Dundee

Listen out for the screams of the passengers who died when their train was involved in an accident on the Old Tay Bridge in 1879. All 75 people on board perished when the bridge collapsed into the icy water below.

Platt Lane, Lancashire

Phantom coal miners have been spotted plodding along this road and sometimes even dragging coal wagons behind them. It’s not surprising when you realise it is close to the site of the 1910 Pretoria Pit tragedy, when 344 miners were killed.

The A636, Wiltshire

Speculation surrounding seven fatal accidents on a stretch of the A636 known as Sally in the Woods had led to many pointing to paranormal activity. A young girl was once killed there when she ran out into the road.

B1249 between Driffield and Staxton Hill, East Riding of Yorkshire

It’s werewolves you want to be wary of in this area of Yorkshire, as packs of wolves called this area home right up to the 15th century. Having been hunted to extinction, it’s no wonder they’ve come back to haunt drivers passing through their ancestral roaming grounds.

A3 near Burpham, Surrey

Local police responded to reports of a car seen swerving off the A3 near Burpham in 2002, but when they found the vehicle, the occupant had died some five months previously. The only possible explanation is that witnesses saw the ghost reenacting the crash that killed him.

Site Review – Brighton Club Site

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By William Coleman

The CaravanTimes team embrace the extended season this year and take a visit to one of England’s most beloved seaside towns.

The streets of Brighton have always been a hot spot for tourism, whether it’s day trips, a weekend away or something longer, so it is no surprise that the Caravan and Motorhome Club has a site just minutes away from the world-famous Brighton pier.

One major selling point about this East Sussex site is just how close it is to the heart and soul of Brighton, yet you’d never know because of how quiet and tranquil it is. The site is perfectly hidden within the lovely South Downs and you can actually see the sea from the hills that flank the park.

Like most Club sites, Brighton welcomes children and pets, so it is perfect for school holidays or those last-minute seaside getaways. There is even a playground for when mum and dad need a five minute sit down.

Site features and facilities

On-site you have everything you need for both short and extended stays and there is no shortage of pitch choices. All in all, there are 155 touring pitches, 25 camping spaces, two glamping pods, two Airstream caravans and several Swift S Pods.

You are also allowed to have barbecues while visiting, provided they are gas, electric or charcoal fuelled.

There are two wash blocks with disabled shower rooms and facilities, a dishwashing area and baby changing spaces.

During our stay, it seemed like the site staff never stopped. The effort they put into keeping the site postcard-perfect is really impressive. They are also extremely friendly and chatty. We felt very welcome by every staff member we came across.

It is also worth noting that the Covid-related efforts are fully in place and had little to no impact on our stay. It felt very much like business as usual. All you need to do is be mindful of others and follow the Club’s Covid Secure measures.

What’s nearby?

There is no shortage of things to do when visiting Brighton. If anything, you may struggle with fitting everything in.

Having spent several days with the Club in Brighton we can recommend quite a few spots to visit and places to eat, but the best advice is to head into Brighton town and just take it all in.

There are so many small independent coffee shops, sandwich bars, pubs and restaurants that you will be spoilt for choice. Just try not to eat too many sticks of rock or potions of fresh fish and chips.

If you like a cocktail and a quieter ambience, we recommend paying a visit to the Lemon Tree cocktail bar just off of the seafront. It’s a small venue and there are Covid rules in place, but that will not take away from the great cocktail menu and atmosphere of this intimate hidden gem.

Of course, there is Brighton pier with its funfairs, arcades and doughnut stands, but Brighton is so much more than just the flagship amusements.

If you go further inland you will find unique bespoke shops that are a world away from your generic high street stores. The music shops are amazing too. Yes, you can stream things via apps nowadays, but nothing beats scrolling through a music collection and finding a new singer or band.

Depending on the nature of your stay we would advise getting a cab into town, which will set you back around £5-7, and spending an evening strolling the streets of Brighton. There are so many funky bars and restaurants that you may want to have a glass or two of wine.

If you are going to drive in, we would recommend staying away from the multi-story car parks, which cost £15 for just over four hours. On-street parking is a lot cheaper.

The site is also well placed for visiting the beautiful Arundel Castle and Gardens in nearby West Sussex, or the historic town of Lewes. With plenty to see and do locally and extensive recreational grounds adjacent to the caravan park, you’re sure to have a holiday here that will be hard to forget.

Experience Freedom

Over the past few years, the Club has expanded its offering to ensure members and non-members can experience the great outdoors and staycation holidays. The Experience Freedom trips are a great way to introduce new people to the touring world or try something different if you want to rest the van up for a while.

The Brighton site has several different accommodation options other than camping and touring pitches. We would highly recommend trying the American Airstreams for a weekend. They are large, comfortable and look very cool.

If you want more of a hotel stay, try the Swift Pods. They are comfortable, self-contained and very luxurious.

Overall this is a great site to stay at. Within minutes you can be in the middle of all the action Brighton can provide, or you can relax on-site and have everything you need at your fingertips.

Add a spooky element to your caravan getaway this Halloween

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By Emma Dodd

It’s 2020 and all the usual rules don’t apply, which means there won’t be Halloween discos, apple bobbing and endless hours of trick or treating. You can still enjoy some spooky goings on at haunted destinations while away in your caravan, however. Here are some of the creepiest places to visit in the UK.

Bodmin Moor

The wild and rugged landscape of Bodmin Moor is the perfect place for your imagination to conjure up threatening creatures. There have been around 60 reported sightings of a large, black cat with bright eyes marauding around these parts and a number of dead livestock to back up the claim. So, why not spend some time hiking around the grassland to see if you can find any evidence of the Beast of Bodmin Moor?

Stay at the Ruthern Valley Caravan Park in secluded woodland for an atmospheric getaway.

Corfe Castle

Perched dramatically on the hillside, overlooking the village of Corfe, the ruins of Corfe Castle are said to be haunted by the Woman in White. This spectre is thought to be the soul of an individual who betrayed the Royalist Bankes family to the Roundheads during the Civil War. Other spooky occurrences among the ruins include bright lights being seen in the dead of night and the cries of a child.

Pitch up at Sandford Holiday Park, which is located just 20 minutes away by car.

Felbrigg Hall

There’s nothing quite like a ghost with unfinished business to incite ghoulish speculation and William Windham III is one such phantom. He is thought to return to the library at Norfolk’s Felbrigg Hall to read all the books he never managed to complete in his lifetime. That’s because he died from injuries sustained when trying to save the volumes when a fire broke out at the hall in 1809.

Base yourself at California Cliffs Holiday Park to explore the best of spooky Norfolk.

Dunnottar Castle

With a very bloody past, the ruins of Dunnottar Castle in Scotland are said to be haunted by everyone from a woman clad entirely in tartan to a fearsome Viking raider. As well as being the site of many battles throughout history, the castle was also known to hold many prisoners. At one time, there were no fewer than 180 people kept inside the Whig’s Vault. If you listen carefully you can hear their screams echoing around the walls.

Stay at Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Park Caravan Site, just two miles away from the castle.

Pluckley

Listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most-haunted village in England, Pluckley in Kent is thought to be home to 12 ghosts. There’s the Red Lady, who hangs around the local churchyard with her white dog; a hanging school master; and even a complete horse and carriage that can be heard rattling through the streets late at night.

Park your caravan at the Weald View Site, right in the heart of the village, for the best chance of encountering a ghost.

Industry interview – the Adria NEC replacement

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By William Coleman

This year’s caravan shows, dealer exhibitions and manufacturer displays have all had to be scaled back or cancelled altogether. With such a high demand for caravans and motorhome, Adria decided to take the show on the road.

At this time of year, the CaravanTimes team would ordinarily be at the NEC Caravan and Motorhome Show covering all the news and info for the 2021 season. Due to the events of this year, both the October and February shows have been cancelled, but the industry rolls on.

Dealers are open, manufacturers are building vans and touring folk are going away on holiday. So the show must go on and Adria is an example of how to bring the newest offerings to the public.

A couple of weeks ago we reported on the Adria dealer roadshow and wanted to know more about where the idea came from and what Adria hoped to achieve.

This week we caught up with Kirstie Howe, part of Adria’s UK marketing team, about the roadshow and what the future may look like when it comes to showing off stock to the masses.

CT – This year yourself and the Adria team had quite a unique idea to counteract there being no NEC show, can you tell me a little bit about it?

Kirstie – We feel the October NEC Show is such a fundamental part of the launch of the new season products, it seemed such a shame that our existing and prospective customers would miss this chance.

With our demo fleet of caravans and motorhomes already produced and following the success of our Trade Launch in July, we felt the perfect alternative would be for us to bring our products to the customer instead and ensure that a large range of models could be viewed in one place at one time.

CT- Where did the idea come from?

Kirstie – Season 2021 saw the launch of many new products for us including our NEW Generation Coral, Matrix and Adora ranges. These are our bread and butter ranges and following years of development to create such innovative products, we naturally wanted everyone to see them and generate the same excitement as we would do for people willing to travel to Birmingham to view them as they usually would.

Dealer roadshows are something we have been considering for some time and many of our dealers host open events throughout the year but we wanted to try out an Adria exclusive open event where the main focus was on the Adria brand and at the beginning of the new season. To provide our dealers with a demo fleet of vehicles for customers to view at the earliest opportunity, even prior to dealerships receiving their own stock. We also heavily promoted these events through our own channels to generate interest and footfall to the dealerships.

CT – What are the benefits for both Adria and the dealerships taking part in the roadshow?

Kirstie – Our main goal is for the customer to benefit from our idea and be able to have a similar experience to visiting the Adria stand during the NEC, a wide range of products on display and one-on-one time with a salesperson, but at their convenience. However, both Adria and our dealerships see a huge benefit to hosting an event like this to increase brand exposure and generate a large number of sales as they would usually during the NEC Show. We managed to get 16 events booked across the UK through our dealer network, which is a fantastic result.

CT – From what I can tell, Adria is the first to do something like this. Can you see other manufacturers adopting a similar idea?

Kirstie- Whilst the circumstances are what they are, we simply wanted to make the best out of the current times. After seeing the success of this type of event so far and the fact the dealerships are still entering the new season with as much enthusiasm as they usually would it means this may become a more regular thing and other manufacturers may be keen to do something similar. With the confirmed absence of the NEC Show in February 2021, dealerships are already discussing potentially hosting another spring event to compensate for this which would be a positive step into the new year.

CT – How has it been so far?

Kirstie – We have genuinely been blown away by the numbers of attendees and the sales figures during these events. We think the customers quite enjoy the more personal experience and some have booked appointments to ensure they have more time with the salesperson to complete their sale. The response to our new model ranges has been great and people have travelled 100 miles plus to ensure they see them at the earliest opportunity.
This response really does cement the fact we have launched the right products and the dealer roadshows have achieved exactly what we hoped they would.

CT – The roadshow is almost over, how many more destinations are there left?

Kirstie – With a total of 16 booked which started from the beginning of September and move into mid-November, we now have ten events remaining. All of which can be found here, Adria events.

CT – Will you do something like this again?

Kirstie – With the absence of the shows this season, the idea to replace them with these events was intended to be a temporary solution. However, due to their success, this is definitely something we may consider again in season 2022. Bringing the vehicles to the customer has been a different yet incredibly positive experience for them, our dealerships and for Adria and ensured that we all entered season 2021 with the same drive and determination in which we always do.

Newquay doubles parking tickets to campervans this summer

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By Emma Dodd

Twice as many parking tickets were issued to campervans in and around Newquay this summer, bosses at Cornwall Council have announced.

A total of 466 penalty charge notices were handed out to campervans staying overnight mainly at beaches around the town in July and August alone.

This is compared to 223 across the same two-month period a year earlier, highlighting the increased demand for pitches during the coronavirus pandemic.

The bosses said the crackdown on overnight stays, which bring tourism to the region, was a direct response to antisocial behaviour.

Extra restrictions were brought in on a number of Newquay roads, because many van owners were staying for extended periods of time.

The Newquay Safe partnership predicted that more people would be tempted to park up on the roads, as campsites were functioning at reduced capacity in the wake of restrictions being eased.

Couple this with an increased demand for staycations and it was always likely that Newquay – a popular campervanning spot – would find itself very busy.

The partnership tackles community safety issues brought up by residents and many were concerned that inconsiderate parking could hamper emergency service vehicles in the event of a callout.

Cllr Rob Nolan, portfolio holder for environment and public protection, told CornwallLive: “Ticketing is not about generating money for the Council.

“It’s usually a last resort designed to penalise those who will not adhere to the laws in place. Our goal is to stop people parking where they shouldn’t – and wherever possible, our CEOs [civil enforcement officers] will ask drivers to move on, rather than issue a ticket.”

Newquay walks a fine line between relying on tourism to bring revenue to local businesses and keeping its population safe from the virus and inappropriate parking.

A number of local authorities sent out pleas to campervan owners not to set off on a staycation without a reservation this summer, as demand outstripped supply in many parts of the UK.

Campervan equivalent of Airbnb set to launch in UK

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By Emma Dodd

The coronavirus pandemic has seen circumstances change for many people. For some, it has meant holidays at home and for others, finding new areas of revenue.

If you fall into the second category and have your own campervan, you may be interested to hear of a new service being offered by Indie Campers.

The campervan hire company is expanding its reach to help owners of leisure vehicles rent them out when they’re not in use.

This new marketplace will help to bridge the gap between increased demand brought about by the pandemic and those keen to supplement their income.

Tapping into the shared economy model that has been so successful for the likes of Airbnb and Uber, the marketplace is a good example of sustainable travel practices.

In return for signing up to the marketplace, owners will get access to Indie Camper’s infrastructure, which has allowed the business to rent out more than 1,200 campervans at 40 locations across the UK and Europe.

Logistics including where the van is collected and dropped off from, storage requirements and technical elements of the rental process can all be taken care of by Indie Camper’s staff.

The system should be flexible, offering a variety of different types and sized leisure vehicles to suit all sorts of needs from small vans for couple getaways to large motorhomes to house large families.

Optional extras, including sports equipment like surfboards or airport transfers, will also be available at a small additional cost.

Hugo Oliveira, CEO of Indie Campers, told Lonely Planet: “Within the current changing travel landscape, this move enables us to align even more with the ever-emerging trends of the sharing economy, adding to our supply of flexible, authentic and sustainable travel experiences, and matching the growing widespread interest in getting into nature and away from the crowds.”

The Indie Campers Marketplace is expected to be rolled out before the end of the year and interested campervan owners can register their interest now.

Does the NC500 need a campervan congestion charge before next summer?

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By Emma Dodd

Staycations rocketed this summer and the predictions for 2021 are that everyone is still going to be holidaying at home, so do we need to do something about some of the bad behaviour that has been displayed?

Several councillors in the north of Scotland think so, after littering became a problem along parts of the iconic North Coast 500 (NC500) road this summer.

Margaret Meek, community councillor for Kinlochbervie, set up the NC500 The Land Weeps Facebook group after caravanners and campers left rubbish behind in the picture-perfect landscape.

Now, Liberal Democrat Jamie Stone, who represents Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has suggested a congestion charge should be implemented on the route.

He added that campervan owners who want to visit the area should have the charge levied upon them and the money should be invested in improving the region’s roads.

“The Scottish government needs to know the full force of our concerns about the NC500 roads and the impact that irresponsible tourists are having on us all. I’ve always supported our local tourism and hospitality industries, but we need some fairness!” he said.

With the news that caravan parks are already starting to fill up with bookings for next year, it seems likely that summer 2021 will be another year of record staycations.

The 516-mile coastal road, which has become known as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, is likely to be popular again next summer, but more needs to be done to ensure the countryside does not pay the price.

Most caravanners are respectful and leave no trace, but with an increase in the number of visitors, locals have noticed problems.

Whether a congestion charge is the answer, or if another strategy needs to be found, it’s up to the residents and local authorities along the route to decide.

Introducing the latest winter toys from Ooni Pizza Ovens

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By William Coleman

There was a time when the takeaway pizza was the best option for a cheeky slice or two and was usually a rare Friday night treat. Now, with so many portable pizza oven options, you can have as many as you like by taking a nifty gadget with you on your winter staycation.

The caravan holiday has always been about freedom – to go where you want, see what you want and eat what you want. To indulge on holiday is what it’s all about. Why not indulge in a freshly made pizza?

Over the past few years, the generic takeaway pizza has slowly been replaced by fresh hand-made pizzas that are cooked in real woodfired ovens.

As the popularity of fresh pizza grew, the ovens got smaller and portable, which resulted in many people opting to cook at home instead of getting a takeaway.

One company, in particular, seems to have tailor-made a portable pizza oven for the caravan world, even if that was not the initial intention.

Ooni Pizza Ovens, which do a lot more than just 60-second pizzas, are small, light and pack away very neatly. It is for these reasons, and more, that makes them a perfect fit for the touring world.

The Ooni Pizza Oven

The company, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland, started introducing portable pizza ovens to homes, well gardens, in 2012 and have become a global bestseller.

Ooni brought a game-changing tool to the outdoor cooking world, one that can be used in the garden or on-site with ease. The first portable oven Ooni made was a pellet fed wood-fired model, which creates a rolling heat hot enough to cook a 12″ pizza in 60 seconds. We’ve tried it and can vouch that the 60-second cooking time is quite accurate.

These mini ovens are so effective that they get to heat within 15 minutes and reach double the temperature of a conventional domestic oven. With a constant heat in such a small space, you can have genuine pizzeria-quality pizza as often as you like. The wood-burning method makes a world of difference to the overall smell and taste of what you are cooking.

Since 2012, the product has evolved and there are now several different models available. Depending on the size of the oven and your preferred fuel type there will be an option for you. For those who prefer gas cooking, you can try the Ooni Koda, but you will not get the rich smoky flavours associated with wood-fired cooking.

Kristian Tapaninaho, Ooni CEO and founder, said: “We know that even more people want to enjoy the magic of making wood-fired pizza, without the fuss of managing the fuel or fire. The strength of Ooni Fyra is in its incredible simplicity and ease of use – firing up with wood pellets takes all the hassle out of wood-fired cooking, along with the oven’s truly intuitive design, so you can focus wholeheartedly on making pizzeria-quality, wood-fired pizza super fast.”

Darina Garland, Ooni co-founder, said: “We’re so excited to welcome Ooni Fyra into the Ooni family. As the successor to our best-selling pizza oven, Ooni 3, we know that our growing global audience has a real appetite for cooking with wood in any outdoor space. Ooni Fyra makes it easier than ever!”

Take the pizzeria with you this winter

There are a lot of portable cookers out there that can fry, grill, roast or barbecue your food, but the pizza oven is just so fun and can be an activity for the whole family come lunch or dinner time.

During the next few months, we have school half terms, Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night to celebrate and is there a better way than having a pizza party on-site? We think not.

The Ooni Fyra weighs just 10kg, which means that it will make no real difference to your towing weight and is compact enough to be stored either in the tow car or caravan.

As far as outdoor accessories go the Ooni Frya, which we have, is a fantastic bit of kit. With a price tag of only £229, you can make countless memories with family and friends creating your pizza your way. You’ll be very popular among your touring neighbours when they start to smell all those wonderful pizzas cooking.

As we head into winter, it has been made clear that caravan sites all across the UK will be staying open to make up for the lack of holiday time 2020 has provided. During these periods there may be occasions where pubs and restaurants could be fully booked or closed. With a pizza oven, you can extend your outdoor cooking skills without having to leave the site.

Fresh sourdough pizza dough balls

Some people can make pizza dough with their eyes closed whereas others, we won’t name names, struggle with getting the right mixture together for a successful base.

With the Ooni ovens, your dough needs to be very thin, think Neapolitan-style, not like deep pan oven pizzas. If you are not too keen on making this specific dough, Ooni has you covered with its first-ever fresh product.

Having dough pre-made and at the perfect weight will make getting the thickness of the pizza so much easier. Each dough ball is approximately 250g, which will make a perfect 12″ pizza. All you need to do is, erm, knead the dough.

Another upside to having these fresh pre-made dough balls is the time you will save. Making pizza dough is not the most time-consuming endeavour but once the dough is made it will need to prove and be stored until ready. This can take hours and consume worktop space.

The dough balls are made to Ooni’s 60per cent hydration recipe. Once shipped, the Ooni dough balls will be delivered via a specialist 24-hour courier and can be defrosted to be used or frozen for use later.

Keep your spirits up with microtravels

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By Emma Dodd

This year has made us reevaluate lots of things and one of them is travel. We all spent much more time at home in 2020 than we ever expected and that can lead to a desire to escape the same four walls. But while exotic trips abroad are out – and even long drives within the UK are off the cards – we could all benefit from some microtravels. These little adventures may be close to home, but they still help to ramp up the fun.

Backyard adventures

Even if your caravan or motorhome is parked on the driveway, you can still enjoy some time away from home. Make an event of it and decorate your van for Halloween or make it cosy with fairy lights and knitted blankets. Enjoy the simple pleasures of time away in your van, with one pot meals and card games with your loved ones and put everyone’s devices to one side for the evening.

Explore your doorstep

With so much of the world to see, we’ve often neglected attractions right on our doorsteps, but 2020 is the year of exploring closer to home. Perhaps you rarely spend an afternoon on the beach because it’s only a five-minute walk away or you’ve never been to the garden of the stately home just down the road. Pick up the van with a picnic lunch and discover some local gems.

Local caravan sites

You may never have dreamed of pitching your campervan up at a site within 20 miles of your home, but it could be just what you need. It will be far enough away to give you a break from the stresses of everyday life, but not so far that you’re worried about local COVID rates or quarantines. It’s a great way to help boost a business in your area too.

Cook up a feast

If you don’t feel confident dining out at a restaurant but still want to celebrate a special occasion in style, think about a dinner date in your motorhome. A wide selection of eateries have got their act together and started producing meal kits so you can enjoy fine dining in a space of your choosing. So, if it’s an anniversary or a birthday coming up, think about escaping to your motorhome for some peace and quiet away from the rest of the family.

Set yourself a challenge

Many people thrive on a challenge and there’s no reason why you can’t turn your microtravels into a little bit of competition, either with yourself or others. Perhaps you’d like to up your cycling game and do five classic bike routes on consecutive weekends away in your van. Maybe caravan cooking is your passion and you want to test your skills against family members. Setting up a challenge may just give you the focus you need.

Highland Council creates continental-style aire near Inverness

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By Emma Dodd

The Highland Council has announced plans to open a continental-style ‘aire’ near Inverness in response to demand for low-cost parking spaces for caravans, campervans and motorhomes in the region.

Some 30 spaces will be available at the northbound car park and toilet area off the A9 at North Kessock in what the council hopes will be a growing trend in the region.

As many motorhomes are relatively self-contained, it only takes a few additional facilities to host the holidaymakers.

The car park is already widely used as a pit stop on the way to the north Highlands and this season has been among the busiest due to the popularity of staycations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Aires are popular on the continent, allowing owners of leisure vehicles to park up in convenient places overnight and avail themselves of the local amenities.

Now, Maxine Smith, tourism committee chairwoman for the Highland Council, has invited landowners to come forward who might be open to having aires on their property.

She told the Press and Journal: “The aire idea is something we’d like to develop Highland-wide, working with landowners, farmers , even people with big gardens.

“It seems to provide the required facilities that campervans and caravans need. The Kessock aire is on a piece of land beside the present car park that the council owns. It makes complete sense to target holidaymakers travelling north.”

The idea of creating aires has long been spoken about in caravanning circles, but this year’s additional demand for pitches has brought it much more to the fore.

A group known as the Campaign for Real Aires UK (CAMPRA) is hoping the virus will mean more local councils are open to the idea.

Black Isle councillor Gordon Adam has been trying to get the North Kessock aire off the ground for a number of years and hopes it will now be up and running by summer 2021.

It’s hoped that this aire and any others that come into fruition help to boost local businesses and provide much-needed tourism to the area.