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MOTORHOMENEWS

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

MOTORHOMENEWS

Monthly Archives: February 2012

BETTER FARES ON CALMAC WESTERN ISLES ROUTES.

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in Travel

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Barra, Caledonian MacBrayne, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, Harris, motorhomenews, Road Equivalent Tarriff, Scottish Government

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More Scottish islands are set to benefit from reduced ferry charges after trials encouraged a third more journeys on Caledonian MacBrayne’s western isles routes. The Scottish Government used the pilot to work out how the current ferry fares system can be improved to bring cheaper travel for islanders, tourists and businesses across the country.

A report published late last year showed clear indications that the ‘Road Equivalent Tariff’ (RET) pilot scheme has boosted journeys by up to 31 per cent, benefiting tourism and local business. The Scottish Government has now confirmed it will continue RET as a permanent feature on the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree for passengers and cars, including small commercial vehicles and motorhomes.

Ministers also promised to provide greater inter-island connectivity by extending RET to services between more islands, including Barra and Harris, and roll out a further RET pilot for cars, small commercial vehicles to Colonsay, Islay and Gigha from October 2012 and in 2014.

Road Equivalent Tariff Minister for Housing and Transport, Keith Brown, said: “We made a commitment to continue with RET on the current routes and look to roll out RET to the Argyll and Clyde islands in light of the Western Isles pilot.

“While we will see a further roll-out of the scheme between our islands and the mainland – as a government we want to see more island-to-island routes included, linking communities right across the Western Isles.

“The RET pilot has had a positive impact since it was introduced in October 2008, boosting the local tourist trade and local economies as a result and we want to see that continue, that is why we are continuing with RET on the current routes while extending it to include new routes. Tourism is just one benefit the RET pilot has brought our thriving island communities and we expect this continuation to bring further positive results to the additional routes now being included.”

Source: Out and About Live

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

Encouraging start as London caravan show pulls in the crowds.

23 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows

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caravantimes, Christopher Macgowan, ExCeL, James Martin, motorhomenews, Simon Coe, Tom Lowenstein, Vincent and Flavia

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Source: http://www.caravantimes.co.uk
by Tom Lowenstein

With the dust still settling after this year’s Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show came to an end on Sunday, the event’s organisers have revealed that it proved even more popular than they had hoped. Bringing to an end the drought of shows in the south, it became the first event of its kind in the capital for six years and the anticipation showed.

Across the six days the show spent at its new home in the Excel London, a total of 43,356 visitors made their way through the doors to see more than 600 different caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes on display.

The total attedance figure well surpassed what the organisers were anticipating, with the number of brand new caravan models on display, such as the Bailey Retreat and the new Venus caravans, attributed as one reason for its success.

Other highlights of the show included the appearance of celebrity chef James Martin who entertained the crowds at the Cookery Theatre with his trademark Saturday Kitchen banter.
Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent and Flavia also wowed onlookers by dancing the ‘Argentine Tango’ as part of the Caravan Club’s Club Day festivities.

Simon Coe, exhibition project director, commented: “Staging a new show at a new venue is always a challenge but we’re delighted to have hit our attendance target and feedback from many visitors has been encouraging.”

Next year’s Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show is scheduled to be held between February 12th and 17th 2013.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

MARKS HALL

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in General

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chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, Marks Hall, motorhomenews

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The snow drops are spectacular at Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex.

Well worth a visit and loads of parking with no height restrictions!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

ExCeL

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows

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chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, ExCeL, motorhomenews

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Last day of the show which seems to have gone very well. Just waiting for the attendance numbers so we have something factual to go on. The launch of Club Together was certainly a great success.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

ExCeL SHOW OFF TO A FLYING START.

14 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows

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chrismacgowan, ExCeL, motorhomenews, The Caravan Club

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London’s first big caravan and motorcaravan show in a long time got off to a good start today at ExCeL in Docklands. It is a great exhibition location and each time I visit there seems to be more development than before – and of course it is getting geared up for the Olympics in August.

The atmosphere at the show was very buzzy but I think I can reasonably award the prize to the happiest couple who tipped up in full wedding gear on their way to the church and thought it would be a nice touch – it being St Valentine’s day – to have some of their photos taken in front of a caravan encrusted with red roses care of The Caravan Club!!

My photograph captures a rather more somber subject. The important work The Caravan Club does at shows training drivers to improve their manoeuvring skills and keeping people at the top of their driving abilities.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

NO SIGN OF THE SNOW GOING YET!

10 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in Uncategorized

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chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, ExCeL, Felsted, motorhomenews

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The roads are clear here in Felsted but the snow shows no sign of melting anywhere else.

See you at ExCeL whatever the weather!!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

SOMETHING TELLS ME I AM NOT GOING VERY FAR TODAY!!

05 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in General

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Christopher Macgowan. chrismacgowan, motorhomenews

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Well! The snow did indeed arrive last night and quite a lot as well. I think it will be a day for staying at home!!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

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