• BIOGRAPHY

MOTORHOMENEWS

~ A personal take by Christopher Macgowan on tourism, travel and motorhomes.

MOTORHOMENEWS

Monthly Archives: May 2011

THE HOSTE ARMS AT BURNHAM MARKET, NORFOLK.

22 Sunday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in This and That

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christopher Macgowan, The Hoste Arms

20110522-073600.jpg

Faye and I have birthdays very close together and recently we have preferred sliding off together for a weekend present rather than trying to think of a present to give each other which is very likely to end in tears. My long since departed mother used to say for years that she “had done with earthly possessions” and whilst I have not quite reached that point, I know just what she meant.

So this weekend we are at The Hoste Arms in Burnham Market, Norfolk and a wonderful spot it is too. There is something about being away that makes you relax and prevents you from worrying about all the things you should have done but have so far failed to do.

Whilst here the subject of super injunctions has arisen and been all over the news. One evening down in the bar I was challenged to see if I could quickly and effortlessly find out the name of the footballer we all know who, allegedly, has taken out a super injunction. This I did in under sixty seconds and whilst I was at it also secured the name and CV of the woman who, allegedly, was party to an affair with a top banker (yes, all the vowels ARE correct!) with a bank that I seemingly partially own – along with everyone else of course.

This rapid search proved two things. Firstly in this internet enabled world secrets are a bit difficult. Secondly, results from an iPad even in a bar are staggering although of course having your iPad to hand in a bar says lots about you and none of it particularly favourable…..

Until the next scandal!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

HIGHCLERE CASTLE

22 Sunday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christopher Macgowan, Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle, Motor Caravan Design and Drive Awards, motorhomenews, The Caravan Club

20110522-072716.jpg

I was at Highclere Castle this week for The Caravan Club “Motor Caravan Design and Drive Awards” run to coincide with Warners’ Southern Motorcaravan Show at the Newbury show ground – a stone’s throw from Highclere. A fabulous destination and followers of Downton Abbey would have felt they were in one of the episodes – but in modern dress!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

LAKESIDE, DULVERTON, DEVON SOMERSET BORDER.

22 Sunday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christopher Macgowan, Dulverton, motorhomenews

20110522-071750.jpg

Lakeside is a gorgeous 80 pitch site in rolling countryside near Dulverton right on the Devon and Somerset border. And with the weather as it is this week it really does not get much better! And The Anchor pub within five minutes walk as well. Bliss.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter motorhomenews

BALTIC WHARF CARAVAN CLUB SITE

18 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Baltic Wharf, Bristol, Christopher Macgowan, motorhomenews, motorhomes

20110518-105450.jpg

One of The Caravan Club’s most popular sites is Baltic Wharf in Bristol. Open all year with 55 pitches all of which are hard standings, this city centre site is a motorhome dream. There is even a door at the back of the site taking you straight into the wharf and a pub within 50 metres as well! You just have to book ahead as it is quite obviously so very popular.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter motorhomenews

FIAT DUCATO

16 Monday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in Motorhomes

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christopher Macgowan, engines, Fiat DUCATO

Now in its fifth generation and celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Fiat Ducato is to be fitted with a new range of fuel-efficient 2.0-litre, 2.3-litre and 3.0-litre Euro 5 compliant Multijet ll diesel engines.

The 2.0-litre 115bhp will not be coming to the UK as it’s not compatible with right-hand drive vehicles however, Fiat Professional in the UK should be offering a 2.3-litre 110bhp version (in lieu of the 2.0-litre) as well as 130bhp and 148bhp models. The flagship model will be a 3.0-litre 177bhp variant.

All feature a Diesel Particulate Filter and come mated to a six-speed manual transmission, as well as the option of a six-speed semi-auto manual gearbox for the 3.0-litre.

Fiat claim fuel consumption improvements in the region of 14% over the current Euro 4 engines, whilst service intervals for the new powerplants stand at an impressive 30,000 miles.

Other upgrades include a redesigned dashboard, controls and instrument pack. Options include the latest load-sensing ESP system which can incorporate a new selectable Traction+ function for those operating in low friction environments.

The Euro 5 Ducato goes on sale across mainland Europe at the end of June, with right-hand drive models available in September. Prices are expected to be a fraction up on the models they replace.

Christopher Macgowan

CHELTENHAM

16 Monday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cheltenham, Christopher Macgowan, motorhomenews, national hunt racing

20110516-075229.jpg

Hard to beat Cheltenham if you are a serious motorhome enthusiast AND enjoy your National Hunt Racing!! Or indeed if you just like a site with a difference.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter motorhomenews

WARWICK RACECOURSE.

11 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, The Caravan Club, Warwick, Warwick Racecourse

20110511-071353.jpg

Staying at The Caravan Club site at Warwick Racecourse. Delightful spot within a stroll of beautiful Warwick.

I lived in this area for twenty one years and it is always nice to be back. The site is pretty full with about half the pitches being taken by motorhomes – I am on a grass pitch which is always fine by me anyway but just at the moment I would suggest my grass pitch is absolutely rock hard as there has been no rain here for ages!

Within three minutes walk is The Four Penny Shop pub which I love with a good choice of ales and good food as well.

I may be here some time!!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter motorhomenews

STAY SAFE!

11 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christopher Macgowan, road safety, The Caravan Club, UN, UN Decade of Action, United Nations

20110511-065422.jpg

The UN Decade of Action for Road Safety beginning on 11 May 2011, aims to substantially reduce road deaths around the world. The ‘Decade’ has gained support from a broad base of stakeholders, including governments, government agencies, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), national motoring clubs, safety organisations, charities and companies. The campaign gives The Caravan Club an opportunity to align itself with the aims of the project, which themselves align well with the interests of Club members.

The Decade of Action is based around five ‘pillars’ or topics of focus:

Road Safety Management
Safer Roads and Mobility
Safer Vehicles
Safer Road Users
Post-crash Response

Concentrating on these areas, the Decade aims to achieve the following safety improvements:

To stabilise and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities around the world by 2020. Currently nearly 1.3 million people die as a result of road collisions around the world each year (more than 3,000 per day). By taking action, some five million lives could be saved over the course of the Decade, compared to the forecast worsening situation which is anticipated if no action is taken.

The Caravan Club has made a specific commitment to undertake activities which support the aims, and which will help deliver the required goals.

To promote the safest possible choice of car, caravan and motor caravan models for Club members and others undertaking caravanning in the UK.

To encourage the safest possible usage of caravans and motor caravans on UK and overseas roads through the provision of effective and comprehensive advice and guidance.

To provide caravanners in the UK with focussed advice concerning the safest selection and usage of roads for their holiday journeys.

The Caravan Club’s Technical Manager, Martin Spencer, comments, “The Caravan Club is proud to announce its commitment to support the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. The Club’s members are road users first and foremost, and, as such, road safety is a priority for them. It is The Club’s aim to build on its long standing record for providing comprehensive high quality advice and information to its members, and to those contemplating taking up caravanning.”

Lawrence Bate, The Caravan Club’s Director of Marketing, says, “The Caravan Club works closely with like-minded partner organisations such as the FIA and the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), to encourage and deliver road safety improvements. The Club is also a signatory to the European Road Safety Charter and has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Highways Agency to work together on areas of mutual benefit.”

For further details on the UN Decade of Action http://www.decadeofaction.org

Christopher Macgowan

BERLIN

08 Sunday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Berlin, Christopher Macgowan, Felsted Ten, tourism

20110508-033853.jpg

Every year the Felsted Ten pushes off somewhere for a long weekend and this year it is Berlin. In wonderful weather we are enjoying a classic tourism hot spot; knee deep in history, top bars and restaurants, museums and art galleries, spectacular architecture and a river running through it.

This goes down as one of the best trips on record. So far we have been to Dublin, Venice, Budapest, Rome, Barcelona, Seville, Marrakech and Prague.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter motorhomenews

SALFORD QUAYS AND THE LOWRY

02 Monday May 2011

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christopher Macgowan, Manchester, Salford Quays, The Lowry

20110502-065559.jpg

I am visiting my daughter in Manchester this weekend and had a chance to pop in to Salford Quays – home of The Lowry, Imperial War Museum North, a chunk of the BBC formerly in London and lots, lots more.

It is quite a place and I urge you to visit. This must be one of the best examples we have in the UK of a city rejuvenating itself. I used to spend a lot of my time early in my career in Manchester in places like Salford, Barton Dock Road and Urmston. As we all know such places have changed beyond what any of us could imagine and much of it due to old industries collapsing, horrible redundancies and an urgent need to reinvent and rejuvenate. It has not been easy and certainly not without considerable pain, but on a gloriously sunny day in Salford Quays you have to acknowledge the considerable achievements that have been delivered and which look superb.

Christopher Macgowan

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

What I’ve been up to – so far.

May 2011
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Apr   Jun »

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,928 other followers

May 2011
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Apr   Jun »

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

  • Follow Following
    • MOTORHOMENEWS
    • Join 1,928 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • MOTORHOMENEWS
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar