Bailey 2020 Product Launch- The All New Alicanto

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By William Coleman

Bailey have topped themselves once again as they introduce an all new 8ft caravan that goes by the name of “Alicanto”. We got to spend the day looking at the vans and even have a specification video that we can share with you to give you more of an insight into what you will find aboard the new 8ft’er

Last year Simon Howard, Bailey’s marketing director, made it very clear that his aim for the company was to create a diverse portfolio that would feature caravans and motorhomes that would be able to tick the boxes for all consumers.

By introducing a premium entry level caravan in the Phoenix, the new and improved Unicorn and an all new 8ft range in the Pegasus Grande they certainly showed how dynamic the brand can be. But how are they going to top last year’s showing?

Bailey of Bristol have developed a brand new 8ft van, based off of the huge success of their Pegasus Grande range. What separates this van from the herd is its high level of luxury and finish. According to Simon Howard this caravan is “the most luxurious caravan we have ever built”.

The Alicanto range comes with 3 different layouts; the Porto, Estoril and Sintra. Each caravan comes with an additional 10% extra floor space as a result of having an 8ft shell. There are both single twin axle options available throughout the range.

Each van is lightweight for its size and has a high performance GRP skinned Alu-Tech body shell which matches up well to a lot of different tow vehicles. The MTPLM for the Estoril is 1596kg, 1624kg on the Sintra and 1779kg on the Porto.

After asking customers directly for feedback on what Bailey do well, badly or what could be improved it was clear the consumer wanted more kitchen space to work with. So following this all important feedback Bailey have added an L-shaped kitchen to allow for a lot more counter top work space. The kitchen also features the large Dometic 10 Series 153 litre fridge that opens from both sides. Something that still impresses me every time I see it.

The Sintra layout comes with a transverse island bed and features an end washroom. The Estoril has a twin fixed double bed with rear washroom and the Porto features a longitudinal island bed and centre washroom.

A new curved italian design has been added to the door lockers and they do look really smart. The overall finish of each van is very impressive and the new grey fabric gives it a very modern feel.

One thing to be aware of is that the Alicanto is a maximum 4 berth van, so no 6 berth option this time round.

For a larger high end van they are very competitively priced when compared to what else is similar on the market. The Sintra will start at £28,499, Estoril £28,499 and the twin axle Porto will start at £29,999.

There are optional extras for each van such as the Portobello alternative upholstery, extended warranty and bedding sets all of which come with their own price tag.

Overall these caravans are at the higher end of the quality that Bailey provide throughout their entire portfolio. It did seem like a gamble to reintroduce the 8ft van back into the market but it is one that seems to have paid off, despite a lot of naysayers.

To find out more on the new Alicanto Grande range you can Click Here

Keep Cool And Caravan On

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By William Coleman

As I am sure you’re already aware it is going to reach 39 degrees centigrade here in London today, a record breaker! Seeing as we’ve never faced weather quite like this before, let us give you some tried and tested tips to enjoy the monumental heatwave.

Heatwaves are usually quite welcome here in the UK as we usually have some ok to bad weather for the majority of the year, but 39 with no clouds or wind is something unheard of here.

All the site owners I have spoken to are happy as can be as the warm weather is causing the masses to flock parks and sites booking them to capacity. But this heat can make a caravan holiday a little bit undesirable. So here are our go to methods to keep you cool, calm and collected during record breaking weather.

Keep Hydrated The Right Way

The temptation to fill a pint glass of ice with a splash of water is very real on days where the sun is pounding down like hell fire. But super cold drinks can sometimes have an adverse effect on the body.

Once you swallow freezing cold water the core of your body will think that you’re cold and then start to warm your body up. Which will then lead to you sweating and that will just cause further dehydration. So room temp water is a good idea as is a cup of tea or coffee. Warm drinks cool the core as my dad says.

There is also a rather tasty way to keep cool, oh and it’s actually a healthy option too. You will need to pre-plan this but it will be well worth it. Get yourself a large watermelon and cut it up. Once the melon is in small enough slices chill it in the bottom of the fridge for a minimum of 24 hours.

The body will digest the melon slower than cold water. This will lead to your body temperature regulating lower stopping you from overheating. Who doesn’t love a good slice of watermelon on a scorching hot day. You will also stay hydrated without having to drink pints and pints of water.

Air Con

This is an obvious one, but it is the best. Some vans have pretty good air con on board so you should be living in bliss once you’re set up.

The iNet system by Truma can control the air con remotely so once you’re back from a day out you can step into a very comfortable van without opening the door to an oven like setting.

There are also portable units that are quite pricey, but renting them is an option. The only issue with these are that they are quite large and not the quietest of items.

The Desk Fan

Not all of us can afford aftermarket air con units or flashy £400 Dyson fans that are as silent as a nat’s fart. So here is an idea, not the best but it does work.

First of all you are going to want to get yourself a decent plug in fan, I’d recommend a free standing but a table top one will do the job.

Once you’ve set your fan up fill a large bowl with ice, and about a half pint of water. And just like that you have yourself a working man’s air con unit. The downside to this is that you will go through a lot of ice and you run the risk of knocking over a large bowl of water, which is never ideal.

Use The Insulation To Your Advantage

Insulation is not just for the winter months, as some would think. It also works to keep the cool air within the van. When it’s warm outside you’re more than likely going to spend most of your time outside cooking, relaxing and enjoying the heat.

So while you’re outside use your cooling method to keep the internal temperature low. Just make sure that all your doors and windows are closed.

Use The Shadows

Shade is the world’s best natural protection against the sun, and subsequently the heat. So when you get to site do your best to pick a pitch surrounded by tall trees. This way you can knock off a few degrees and stay a lot more comfortable.

Sweet Smelling Solution To Waste Water On Site

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By William Coleman

The family owners of a Lake District holiday park are claiming success in their bid to prove that flower power can help to keep Cumbria’s rivers clean.

Skelwith Fold caravan park in Ambleside is now treating up to 40,000 litres of waste water every day using specially cultivated beds of sweet-scented iris plants.

The blooms, says park director Henry Wild, do the job of an industrial sewage treatment plant – but use natural processes in place of chemicals to make the water safe.

Now Henry is offering to share his experience with other holiday park owners who want to discover an eco-friendly way of tackling an age-old waste water problem:

“With sometimes almost two thousand people on the park each night, we are obviously asking a lot of our iris plants, but they rise wonderfully to the challenge!” he said.

“They transfer oxygen down to their roots, and this encourages the microbes which clean the water and make it perfectly safe – and even beneficial – to release into the soil.

“We have experimented with other water cleansing plants, and reeds also work well – but irises seem to have the edge when it comes to reducing ammonia, so we now use a combination of the two.

“The iris is a wetland plant, so they love the conditions and also produce a floral display which adds a fantastic splash of colour to the forest glade where the bed grows.

“Our tests on the treated water show this to be the case, and the thriving plants tell their own story about the healthiness of the ecosystem we’ve created,” added Henry.

Henry is keen to share his experience with other holiday parks, many of which – like Skelwith Fold – are located in more remote rural areas and must deal with waste water on site.

The park is a long-time holder of the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, thanks to a raft of different environmental initiatives it undertakes.

Many of these offer benefits to wildlife – and, says Henry, the iris plants also have a role to play by providing vital foraging for honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Skelwith Fold, he reports, is now experiencing one of the busiest summers in his family’s 20-years of ownership, with many guests preferring a greener UK stay to flying abroad.

The park provides luxury glamping pods, safari tents, holiday homes to own, and touring pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes. There is more information at www.skelwith.com

The Bailey Of Bristol All New 8ft Alicanto Grande

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By ‘<' . strtolower('Array')>William Coleman

Today myself and the rest of the CaravanTimes team had the pleasure of attending Bailey’s 2020 product launch in Swindon where we saw the brand new Alicanto Grande range.

I have just gotten out of the car and couldn’t wait to share this video with you guys. As you can see the new Alicanto Grande range has been designed from the ground up to give a fresh new caravan to the UK market.

From a fresh new colour screen all the way to a larger kitchen and bedroom the range really is impressive.

Over the weekend I will be writing up a full break down of the range so in the meantime do enjoy an exclusive look at 2020’s newest Bailey models.

Lunar Caravan Reportedly Go Into Administration

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By William Coleman

In some unfortunate and sad news it has been reported that the Preston based caravan manufacturers Lunar have gone into administration, but all may not be lost as they seek to find a buyer to keep the doors open.

In what is quite a blow to the industry Lunar have now actually entered into administration but they are seeking to find a buyer to help turn things around and keep producing their much loved caravans for the masses.

The saddest thing about this situation is the amount of people who may end up without a job. There are up to 142 people currently under the employ at the Lunar production facility in Sherdley Road who may soon become unemployed should a buyer not be found.

Following some rocky times the 142 short term employees were placed on temporary leave at the end of June which lead to the facility running at a much reduced capacity. This only left 54 full time staff members working.

Lunar are continuing to trade and as of yet they have not made any staff redundant, which is a great sign that they are still in the fight.

All this bad news seems to have stemmed from some cash flow problems within the company following some challenging and competitive times in the market.

As of right now production of vehicles has come to a stop, including their new 2020 models which were due to hit the market later on this year. This has meant that their production staff have unfortunately been let go following the halt.

The troubles facing Lunar are certainly not a representation of the current caravan industry. We currently in a real golden age so it really is sad to see a company having such troubles.

Following a report on this situation an MP has called for the Government to step in and help Lunar continue to trade and manufacture caravans. Nigel Evans, the MP for Ribble Valley, which also includes Lostock Hall, has gone on record and said he will take the case to Government to see if anyone can help with the potential sale of the company.

Speaking to the Post, Evans said: “I was very concerned upon hearing that Lunar Caravans, a stalwart of local business in South Ribble, had entered administration this week.

“It is an extremely worrying and turbulent time for the employees and their families who have been left in limbo by the news and I will be looking to see what government assistance can be made available to potential buyers of Lunar Caravans to ensure minimal disruption of business operations.”

Having heard the rumours flying around the internet of the issues Lunar were having I was hoping they were just that. But now it seems official, which is a very sad state of affairs for their employees and loyal customer base.

The lightweight caravan manufacturer has been in operation for almost 50 years and have a strong reputation as one of the most loved vans in the UK. The innovative and cost effective models have helped thousands of holidaymakers over the last 5 decades and hopefully they pull through this tough time.

Lunar will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this Sunday on the 21st of July. We will keep you posted on the situation and hopefully the next report will be a lot more positive.

Caravan Tourism Boosts Bristish Economy Significantly

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By William Coleman

It has been a bit of an odd 3 years since the decision to leave the EU was announced. The GBP has had its ups and downs, the political climate has been, for lack of a better word, shambolic and the future does still seen quite uncertain. But one thing that has remained strong despite all this chaos is the strength of the Great British tourism economy, of which the caravan world is a firm backbone of.

Following some research from the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance, or UKCCA for short, is has been shown that an outstanding £5,000,000,000 (£5 billion) is due to be spent in rural tourism economies during the summer months holiday park and campsite visitors all over England, Scotland and Wales.

On top of what the holiday maker is set to spend the park and site owners will spend a further £100m each year, for the next 3 years, on maintenance and improvements which will further boost the local economy for the better.

Rory Stewart MP represents Penrith and The Border in Cumbria, a constituency which includes a large part of the Lake District where tourism is now worth £3bn a year.

Mr Stewart said: “Visitors to holiday parks and campsites are vital contributors to our region’s economy, as they are in many other rural areas of Britain – and I am proud that Cumbria is able to provide families with a superb choice of first-class options of places to stay.

“I know from visits to parks in my constituency that providers of such accommodation are committed to delivering the very highest standards.

“The importance of tourism to areas such as my constituency is underlined by the fact that visitors to Cumbria now support 65,000 jobs – a fifth of all employment.

The caravan and campsites sector has many smaller and long-established family-run businesses, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognise their enterprise and hard work.”

Having been fortunate enough to travel to many different sites all across the UK I have found that each season parks and sites seem to be becoming busier each year. This can only mean one thing, we are staying home a lot more for our holidays.

VisitEngland Director, Patricia Yates, said: “This glorious weather has been providing the perfect opportunity to get out and explore our outstanding destinations and visitor attractions, from our coastal towns and vibrant cities to our stunning countryside.

“And it is no wonder more than a fifth of all domestic holidays in England take place in the great outdoors with our huge variety of caravan parks and campsites up and down the country.

The summer holidays are just around the corner and with the ease and convenience of booking a holiday at home, now is the perfect time to book a staycation. This will drive growth from tourism across the country and also boost local economies.”

UKCCA’s research has also shown that holiday park and campsite visitors actually spend, on average, almost £300 per week when on holiday. I can personally attest to this, although it tends to be a bit more than that once all the food and fuel costs are calculated.

Barney Reynolds, owner of The Swan Inn at Hanley Swan near Worcester, said: “The Swan benefits hugely from having two large campsites a short walk away and I anticipate the business they bring in adds £8,000 a week to our turnover. I’m a caravan owner myself and even with the cooking facilities in my own unit, it’s nice to sometimes go out and buy local produce and support local businesses.”

The beauty, some would say the selling point, of the caravan holiday is the freedom you have when away. Being stuck at a resort limits you to what is there whereas being in a caravan you can hop in the car and drive into town for lunch and dinner.

We all know that 2017 was a massive year for the caravan and motorhome world, both in van sales and newcomers to the industry, but it seems that it is now a trend, not a bumper. With the ever rising prices of flights and accommodation, especially during school holidays, it is no wonder people are keeping their holiday and monie here at home.

The Club Support The Princes Countryside Fund and National Countryside Week

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By William Coleman

The Caravan and Motorhome Club are feeling very proud as they once again show their continued support of the Prince’s Countryside Fund and National Countryside Week. This year National Countryside Week will be running from the 29th of July to the 4th of August.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund was established in 2010 by HRH the Prince of Wales with the aim to promote and improve the quality of British rural life and family farming.

Since its inception the fund has raised and provided over £1,000,000 to projects across the UK due to the donations and events, including the National Countryside Week. They also commission research into issues that affect rural and farming communities and provide help to communities in crisis through their Emergency Fund.

The National Countryside Week in the Fund’s awareness week which wants to inspire people to become more aware of the impact we have on nature and then move forward making improvements.

Another main focus of the Fund is to celebrate the countryside, whilst also raising funds for rural and agricultural projects. The theme for National Countryside Week 2019 is focusing on the importance of isolated rural communities and the barriers to development that they face, with the Fund launching its ‘Village Survival Guide’.

As passionate supporters of the countryside, the Club encourages all members and guests at Club sites to take part in the week. Whether members would like to donate to the Fund or simply spend quality time in the countryside, there are plenty of ways to show support. There will be collection tins at sites across the UK for those who wish to donate.

Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “The Caravan and Motorhome is thrilled to be supporting The Prince’s Countryside Fund for another year. Our Club members are all great advocates for the British countryside and we want to ensure we’re doing all we can to help protect and maintain it so that we can keep enjoying it for years to come.”

Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and their members, whose efforts in promoting our work and National Countryside Week for the last 5 years has been simply fantastic.”

For more information about the Caravan and Motorhome Club, please visit www.camc.com

For more information about The Prince’s Countryside Fund, please visit www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/

Is The Worlds First Long Distance Electric Motorhome Coming?

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By William Coleman

Fossil fuel is slowly but surely becoming a dirty word around the world and everywhere you look renewable and recyclable products are replacing old environmentally damaging ones. Now that the electric car is rising to power will we see the electric motorhome that’s up to the task?

I first noticed the rise in the electric vehicle with the Toyota Preuss, then the silent electric London bus and all of a sudden out of nowhere the luxury Tesla sports cars. So it seems like a natural progression that the electric engine will soon be fitted into a leisure vehicle. But are we there yet?

At this point in time the idea is very much a concept idea that, as rumour would have it, that we are only a few years away from it becoming reality. The current issue we face is finding a battery with enough juice to be able to go the distance while carrying the weight on board that comes with a motorhome. It seems as though Tesla may have cracked it.

The idea by Tesla initially started out by creating electric farming vehicles to replace the current diesel powered ones. After doing their research the question was asked would this engine work to power an RV? It looks as though the answer was yes.

There is currently an electric motorhome alternative out there by Dethleffs, which is not currently on the market for sale, which would get a range of around 100 miles before needing to be charged again. A hundred miles is just not enough and I do not know anyone that would want a leisure vehicle with such limitations.

This is where the genius behind the very successful Tesla models come in. The electric RV they are designing would have a range of up to 500 miles, on board weight dependent I’d imagine. With such a large range I could see this becoming quote a viable option for motorhomers around the globe. I imagine the price tag would maybe leave a few of us blushing though.

Last year when Tesla revealed their electronic diesel replacement tractor trailers they realised that the amount of weight that these engines haul would require a lot of power, so they simply designed a battery that would work. That same tech is more than powerful enough to pull around a miniature home away from home.

The current Tesla models that the motorhome would be based/built on have a maximum tow weight of about 36 tons which will have zero issue pulling along any motorhome over the rear axle, as well as anything else you could think of loading on board.

The current models they have released for the farming world comes in a 300 and 500 mile range, which should have different prices attached. These range estimates include towing a trailer so you can just imagine how well it would perform as a motorhome.

So here comes the real punch of this story, the price. Early estimates indicate that the Tesla “Semi” will cost between £120,000 and £144,000, depending on what battery size you go for. This is a pretty punchy costing for a leisure vehicle, but not out of reach for a lot of people who may be using a Hymer or other high end models.

As a visual design it really not very eye catching and would turn heads for all the wrong reasons. If this does come to market, which with the way the world is moving it likely will, it will need a bit of a face lift or it to appeal to motorhome customer base.

Adria 2020 Product Launch And New Lightweight Vans

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By William Coleman

Over the next few weeks all the major leisure vehicle manufacturers will be showing off their new 2020 stock at exclusive product launches across the UK where press, dealers and industry leaders get to have a sneak peak. One of the season’s first was the Adria launch which took place on the 4th of July and here’s what’s new from the Solvenian manufacturers.

This year’s most significant changes to Adria’s range are in their lightweight Altea range. Come the new season the Altea will have an entirely new shape and will feature an increased payload margin in the family models.

Following an English theme the vans will be named after English rivers. The 4 new models will be named the Aire, Dart, Avon and Tyne.

Another large change coming from the launch was the introduction of a twin-axle model into the flagship Alpina range. This marks the first time that a twin axle has been added the Alpina range.

A Very English Van

The new Altea caravans come with quite a few customisation options so you can make yours stand out from any other caravan on site.

The Aire model is 2 berth option featuring a large full width shower and toilet with the kitchen being positioned on the offside of the van which really optimises the interior space.

Replacing the Severn model is the all new Altea Avon which will feature 6 berth options which are made up of fixed beds and bunks. This van comes with a longer body to create more space and has a rear family room.

The Dart model has a rear island bed layout with wardrobes on either side of the bed. In this layout you will find the toilet and shower in the centre with a separate toilet and wash basin. One aspect I am quite fond of is the U-shaped lounge seating that wraps the entire front end. I have always found a U-shaped lounge a lot better for socialising and hosting.

Now for the all new twin bed layout in the Altea Tyne. This van has a full rear shower room that offers a very spacious area for washing and drying privately away from the rest of the caravan.

On board air and heating is provided by Truma and as always features speakers, Bluetooth, plugs and USB ports for all your gadgets.

You will have to wait for the official weights of each van as they were not available at the time of reporting. We do have some early word of what they are expected to be upon market release. The MTPLM should be; Altea Aire 1,300kg; AlteaTyne 1,500kg; Altea Avon 1,500kg and Altea Dart 1,500kg. Again, these are not set in stone.

Now For The US Named Vans

The newest addition to already quite impressive Adria line up is the twin axle Colorado. Newly featured on board will be headrests at the two front corners of the van as well as Alde heating. If you like stocking up on the road you can take full advantage of the 167 litre fridge.

If you are looking for a single axle island bed then look no further than the Mississippi which also has a full width rear shower room.

Adria’s Alpina range is their 8ft caravan so you really are getting a heck of a lot of space to live in for your buck. I know a lot of people are not keen on wider vans but having spent some time in them I could see a lot of people converting should they give it a try.

Aftermarket Air Con Fitting FAQ

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By William Coleman

Across our forums we have been asked quite a few questions over the years about the fitting of air con, what work needs doing, is it worth it and will it damage the van. These are all great questions which without being answered lead to people not bothering with having systems fitting and missing out on the benefits. So let us clear up some of this based on our visit to several on board air con manufacturers.

If you are wondering about having something fitted or you just simply want to know more these FAQs may just help make the decision that is right for you.

Before finding out what work actually goes into removing a skylight and fitting an air con unit I was very sceptical. I mean any cutting of the van roof must be bad news, right?

Now having spent an entire day at a fitting bay and seeing the finished product I can put every doubt out of my mind and assure you there really is nothing to fear.

Fitting must involve cutting into the roof. This cannot be good for the van and possible lead to water ingress?

If installed properly i.e. by a manufacturer trained and approved installer over 90% of installs the air conditioning unit is attached to an already existing skylight by simply removing said skylight. Once that is done you simply drop in the AC unit.

If this is not possible on your caravan or motorhome then it is likely to be an extension to an existing skylight hole rather than a completely new hole cut in your roof.

Water ingress? The way the units are sealed means the weight of the unit may often form a better bond with the caravan or motorhome than the old roof light.

Will adding a roof mounted unit affect the nose weight and towing behaviour?

For motorhomes this really isn’t an issue. However, with caravans it is worth positioning the unit as close to the centre axel as possible. Whilst most modern AC units are relatively light given that it is high up on the caravan having this additional weight over the axle will give the results for towing.

Can the system be taken off and transferred to my new van?

YES – as with the installation they are designed to fit a standard roof light system so simply get your installer to take it out and put a roof light back in. I think you could even keep the one they took out.

If during install you have to the hole widened to accommodate the AC unit then you can still get a standard size roof light to replace where the AC unit was.

Air con is loud. Won’t having a noisy unit on the roof just annoy everyone in and out the van?

Different AC units have different sounds, insulation, fan speeds and noise levels. If you have heard a noisy AC unit then go and see a modern upmarket version – they are extremely quiet.

Additionally look at how it integrates with your heating system – I would not recommend a separate unit, if it can integrate in to your heating and provide climate control you know whatever happens it’s only working to keep you at the right temperature.

If any of these FAQs do not answer your questions do not hesitate to contact us further. You can email us directly or contact us via our Facebook or Twitter.

Are you thinking of having air con fitted?

UK Motorists Warned Of Lower Drink Drive Limits Abroad

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William Coleman

Being out in the caravan seems to go hand in hand with having a nice beer or a glass of wine sat in the sunshine with friends and family. But as we all know drinking and driving is not the best combination. So if you are going abroad with the van this summer here are some changes to drink driving laws you may want to read up on.

We Brits do love taking the ferry over to Europe to get some much deserved sunshine during the summer months, but be warned the laws have changed as to how many tipples you can have before getting behind the wheel.

Statistics show that you are more likely to get to be caught drink driving while on holiday in Europe. Some say it is because local police are on the lookout for UK plates whereas others say that its the following morning where most people get caught out.

I will openly admit that after an evening of festivities and a pretty good nights sleep I have no issues or reservations about getting showered, dressed then behind the wheel. But it is actually likely, in some cases, that you will still be technically over the limit.

The drink driving limits we have here in the UK are a lot lower in places all across Europe, with the exception of Malta. So it is easy to think you’re ok to drive whereas the local law may say something quite different.

The English and Welsh limit is 0.8mg of alcohol per mL of blood (0.80?BAC). However in most European countries including France, Germany, Italy and Spain – as well as Scotland and the Republic of Ireland – the limit is 0.5mg (0.50?BAC). Such a small difference but can make a massive impact the an outcome should you get stopped.

It’s even lower in Poland, Norway and Sweden at 0.2mg (0.20?BAC). And in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Russia there’s zero tolerance.

With France, Germany, Italy and Spain being of our favourite destinations to take the caravan you can see why the police may be on the lookout for UK drivers when it comes to having a beer then getting behind the wheel.

“Taking a personal breathalyser with you on holiday removes the guesswork about whether you’re clear of alcohol,” comments Hunter Abbott, managing director of AlcoSense Laboratories.

“It’s far easier than you think to still be under the influence the morning after a few drinks the night before. If you drank four pints of medium-strong beer or four large glasses of wine, it could take as long as 14 hours for the alcohol to clear your system.

“This is especially important when extra care must be taken driving on the opposite side of the road”.

While being abroad you are also a lot more likely to be stopped and breathalysed by the police, according to some industry numbers released last year.

In Estonia, an astonishing 677 out of every 1000 inhabitants are breath tested each year. The figure for Poland is 466, Finland is 279, Austria is 189 and France is 152 per 1000. So as you can see this is not a simple matter of getting some kip and then carrying on your trip, accidental rhyme there.

There is a handy way to avoid getting caught up in all this different alcohol level confusion. Get yourself a breathalyser. Imagine a little device that you can switch the location on and then tested against said locations drink living laws. Simple and effective.

The AlcoSense Excel breathalyser can be adjusted by the user to any limit worldwide, whilst the AlcoSense Pro comes with a pre-loaded database of European, US and Australian limits.

One ruling that everyone should be aware of when driving in France is that you are obligated by law to carry a single use breathalyser in your car that is NF approved (the French version of the British Standard Kite Mark). If you do not have one you will find yourself in hot water so pop down to Halfords as they always seem to have them in stock.

This is in addition to high viz jackets for each occupant of the car; a warning triangle; spare bulbs; a GB sticker; and headlamp beam deflectors – all of which carry fines for non-compliance.

How To Keep The Creepie Crawlies Away This Summer

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By William Coleman

There really is nothing worse than sitting back with your feet up and then out of the corner of your eye you spot a trail of ants marching across your caravan toward something that has been dropped in the kitchen. Or even worse than that a couple of those horrid little mosquitos buzzing around just waiting for their dinner. Here are some handy little tips to keep the bugs at bay.

A caravan does come with a few built in bug defences as standard such as the bug screen, but we all know that only does so much. During the hotter times of the year you’re in and out the van a lot and who has the time or patience to keep pulling that screen back and forth?

To help your summer days and nights pest free here are some of our top tips to keep bug free on site all season.

Keep Ontop Of The Cleanliness

It is an obvious one but it is also the most common cause of attracting little critters into the van. As with camping you really do need to keep the food waste to a minimum and make sure all the crumbs are swept away.

Always keep an eye out on the sweeter food items, I do have a guilty sweet tooth and tend to like a snack on the sofa which inevitably leads to me dropping food. So be sure to check you’ve not dropped some pastries flakes or chocolate.

Feed Their Sweet Tooth

The most common bug I battle is the little pesky ant, which is usually due to me not being the most vigilant when it comes to cleaning at I go when making food, see previous advice.

But despite how clean I try to be there are still times when they just will not leave me alone so I use the advice passed down to me from the grandparents, the cheap jar of strawberry jam.

Like a moth to a flame! All ants want to do is eat and carry on with their day so leaving them some food it also a god deed. All they want to do is have a nibble and move on about their business.

A little tip is to put it under the van and leave a little trail so can find it easier and not get accidently trod on by people. Or worse yet tread it into the van on the bottom of your feet.

The Ones That Bite

The mosquito has to be one of the most disliked creatures of all the animal kingdom, probably as much as wasps actually. So I go out of my way to avoid these vampire insects.

Not only are the bites extremely uncomfortable and itchy but they can also get very infected, something you really do not want. Or in some cases they can pass on other diseases which can lead down a very bad path.

These little ones seem to be bug screen proof and they always seem to appear when you’re about to get your head down for the evening.

The best way to keep these monsters away is using mint, yes mint. It’s not only for mojitos. If you have any peppermint mouthwash you can splash some around the van as a repellent.

If throwing mouthwash on the ground is not something you feel would go down well on site you can invest in a mint candle. Once it is burning you will get a great smell and zero bites. Both the smell and the smoke really does a great job without bothering any neighbouring pitches.