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MOTORHOMENEWS

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

MOTORHOMENEWS

Monthly Archives: August 2017

The Dusseldorf Show. Simply the Best.

27 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows

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#motorhomes, Christopher Macgowan, Dethleff, Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf Salon, Fiat DUCATO, motorhome, motorhomenews

Time spent at the Dusseldorf show is time well spent I reckon.

Many new products were launched – but this concept e.home from Dethleff caught my eye. Covered in photovoltaic cells (solar panels to you and I) it also had its own dedicated Alexa which arpart from her other well known capabilities controlled all the main functions. Even changing a frosted glass door panel into a full length mirror….

“All in Caravanning 2018” is an industry wide initiative to attract a new audience – much like the Discover initiative we have in the UK.

Three or four thousand motorhomes and caravans pitch up in the grounds and it is a thoroughly social occasion with beer tents, food stalls and live music and good facilities for those who prefer them. The exhibition area with its giant halls is under the Dusseldorf airport main flight path so you wouldn’t book here for a few quiet days away from it all. I know that nearly all followers of this blog themselves travel extensively and see different standards of pitching and site administration in their travels. This is a slick and fast pitching operation which it needs to be but cautious spacing is not on the agenda. 


Some general observations which might be of interest:

1. The number of van conversions on view has reached bewildering levels. 

2. The show has a large number of bespoke vast military pedigree four wheel drive motorhomes which are far removed from the very welcome appearance of the new Fiat Ducato four wheel drive variant. Also, the show features F1 style motorhomes many of which keep a top of the range BMW Mini is the garage.

3. I noticed that more and more manufacturers this year were adopting the marketing policy of separate stands for separate product groups. So van conversions would be in one place and motorhomes in another completely different part of the show in order that potential customers can easily focus on what they want. It is not new thinking – just more of it.

4. On motorhomes, minimalist white interiors are the order of the day. Out with the wood effect….

5. One of my grandchildren thinks it incredibly cool that there is a Dexter van conversion – obviously named after him he feels!!
WIDER DUSSELDORF COVERAGE.

For much fuller video coverage by the talented journalist Andrew J Ditton do click HERE or enter this next link if clicking freaks out your computer. 

https://youtu.be/KWFfXj7sxuk  

Andrew is producing a series of video blogs from Dusseldorf of which this is the first; his manager Dougal puts in the occasional appearance much like Alfred Hitchcock did in his films. 

It truly is an enormous and stunningly informative show. Last time I went I hooked it up to a few days holiday in Germany which is a good use of time but this time it had to be a there and back affair. None the worse for that.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

No words – just some photos from our lovely weekend in Bath.

20 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

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Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Wyatts Covert in Denham does it for me.

13 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

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#motorhomes, airfield, camc, caravan and motorhome club, Christopher Macgowan, Denham, hardstanding, Houghton Mill, hymer, lake district, motorhome, motorhomenews, motorhomes, pitch, road safety, wyatts covert


Simples really. Open all year. Fifty hardstanding pitches. An oasis north west of London and within the M25. Immaculately maintained by wardens Marie and Paul. Bus actually comes into the site for local travel. Small private airfield adjacent if you like something to watch.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Take the kids to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

09 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

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#motorhomes, Beaulieu, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, Hampshire, motorhome, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, Top Gear

Source: http://www.theguardian.com

Written by Kari Herbert

In a nutshell

The grand family home of the motoring-mad Montagu family in the New Forest and the site of one of the finest collections of cars, motorbikes and motoring memorabilia in the world. There are more than 250 vehicles on display, from early motor carriages and 1920s “gangster” cars to legendary land-speed record breakers and motoring marvels, such as a giant orange on wheels. There’s also a full-size caravan made from Lego and familiar TV show cars, too, such as Del Boy’s Reliant Regal from Only Fools and Horses and Wallace and Gromit’s Anti-Pesto van.

There are costumes to try on, cars to climb into, knobs to turn and buttons to press and a new interactive crash-test-dummy challenge. Jack Tucker’s garage recreates the sounds and smells of the 1930s and in the “World of Top Gear” there’s all sorts of crazy contraptions created for the TV show.

Fun fact

Beaulieu was a top secret base for special agents during the second world war. More than 3,000 spies were trained here before undertaking daring missions behind enemy lines.

Best thing(s) about it.

The monorail at the museum. We loved riding the monorail high above the gardens of the abbey and, ingeniously, through the roof of the motor museum itself. But getting up close to the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was our daughter’s favourite.
The abbey and the gardens are stunning, and have a brilliant new Alice in Wonderland topiary display. There are fascinating exhibits for budding spies in the Secret Army exhibition and in Palace House costumed guides make you feel as though you are guests of the family – you may even see the cook rustling up a favourite family dish in the newly-restored Victorian kitchen.
What about lunch?

There’s a covered picnic area and benches beside the children’s Dipstick playground. Alternatively, the Brabazon Cafe serves good food using produce from the estate gardens: a kid’s picnic or hot meal, such as jacket potato or fish and chips, costs £4.75; a kids’ hot chocolate with smarties costs £1.75; adult meals, such as large salads from the deli, start at £7.50 (soup £4.60) and a cream tea is £2.50.
Exit through the gift shop?

Yes, with a huge selection of model cars, books and motor-themed gifts, as well as homeware, clothing and toys. A radio-controlled Ferrari costs £39.99 while pocket-money-priced toys, such as pencils and rubber balls start at £1.
Getting there

Travel by train, ferry or bus for all or part of your journey to Beaulieu and you get 20% off standard admission. Take the train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst, or the Hythe Ferry across Southampton Water to Hythe. The New Forest Tour’s green route links Beaulieu with Hythe Ferry, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Lymington. By car, take junction 2 off the M27 and follow signs to Beaulieu.
Value for money?

It’s pricey, but you could easily spend a full day here. Advance tickets cost £19.50 adult and £9.50 child, for entrance to The National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House and gardens, Beaulieu Abbey, the Secret Army Exhibition and unlimited rides on the monorail and veteran bus. Under 5s are free.

Opening hours.

Open daily 10am-6pm (27 May-24 September) and 10am-5pm (25 September onwards, closed Christmas Day).

Verdict

8/10, well put together and a great family day out.

CLICK FOR THE WEBSITE

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Nice – as lovely as ever.

06 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places, Travel

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#motorhomes, Christopher Macgowan, France, french, motorhome, motorhomenews, Nice


Enjoying time in Nice.

A recent survey revealed Nice to be the city most French citizens would love to live in if they had the choice and I can see why.

A tad hot for us Brits. 34 degrees C slows me down and results in more bars being visited when of course I am here primarily for the culture……

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Grove Lock Marina CL on the Grand Union Canal.

03 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

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#motorhomes, caravan and motorhome club, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, CL, Grove Lock Marina, motorhome, motorhomenews


This week I spent time at Grove Lock Marina CL on the Grand Union Canal near Leighton Buzzard. It is CL number 11 on page 283 of the 2017/2018 Caravan and Motorhome Club Sites Directory and Handbook.

The reason I like it so much is the setting; on the canal, part of a narrow boat marina with the very good Grove Lock Public House (a Fullers house) adjacent to the marina with your own key access to it from the CL and the marina. Excellent facilities, WiFi and the grass pitches have electricity and water to hand. For the security conscious it has electric gate access and since the last time I stayed here the owners have opened up a thirteen pitch site adjoining the CL but separate from it.

As a train enthusiast I love seeing the Virgin passenger trains and quite a few freight trains coming in and out of Milton Keynes but I know there will be some motorhome owners who would find that a tad noisy so I guess I am a bit biased on this feature.

The same company owns CL number 1456 which is the Kings Orchard Marina near Lichfield. The owners, Pridewater Estates Ltd, can be found HERE

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

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