Simply Motorhomes » Seasonal

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

simplymotorhomes — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:50:15 +0000

We have around 6 inches of snow in our garden and at the moment there’s a snow blizzard taking place so it’s getting deeper. It’s pretty much the same throughout the country at the moment so it started me thinking…..

I’m sure there are some hardened Motorhomers out there who must be at a site somewhere in Britain and snowbound. Well if that’s you then please let’s have some Motorhome in the snow photo’s and I’ll publish them.

Of course I’m sure there will also be some Motorhomers who are in sunnier climes so likewise please send me some Motorhome in the sun photo’s and make us all jealous.

If we could take a poll of all Motorhomers at this exact moment in time it would be amazing to hear where you all are and what you are doing. Maybe someone will organise that one day.

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Cold snap puts paid to our Cotswolds trip

simplymotorhomes — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:34:42 +0000

We were all geared up for a trip to the Cotswold’s to stay at the Caravan Club’s Broadway site this week but have now decided against it due to the cold snap. The big advantage for us of going to Broadway is that it’s only about an hour away; the site is very good especially in the winter because it hasn’t got too many trees so when the sun shines you get the benefit; we like Broadway village because of the multitude of shops and pubs and a fantastic Indian restaurant/take away. Last but not least of course are the great many walks you can do from the site and the glorious scenery that abounds. Mind you this was the root of the reason why we’ve stayed at home because the intention was to do some walking but the frost and snow would just have made it too treacherous so we took the health and safety route.

I wouldn’t fancy slipping over, breaking a bone and having to be rescued and it’s bad enough walking on the pavements where we live never mind the Cotswold countryside. Maybe I’m a bit of a wimp!

We’re disappointed of course but deep down we know it’s for the best. Once this cold snap clears I imagine loads of vanners hitting the roads to catch up on lost time, of course there’s always Spain but that’s a different story.

I’m sure there are some braver souls out there that have gone for it so why not let us have your story, it’ll put me to shame.

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

simplymotorhomes — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:11:52 +0000

We’d like to thank all of our readers for coming onto the site and taking the time to read the posts that we have written and we hope that you have all got something useful from reading these. If you have, then we have achieved our number one goal.

Looking back at the posts we’d like to think that the writing has improved and the website has become more informative and going forward we will try even harder to produce posts that have value.

Maybe you think that there is something missing, some extra information that would be of benefit and if this is the case then we would be grateful if you would let us know by posting a comment by filling in the form at the bottom of the post. We’ll be very happy to publish these comments, if you’re happy to do so, as an addendum to the original post providing of course that it is relevant. If you have a general comment about the web site then you can also click the contact tab at the top of the page underneath the search button.

We would appreciate it if you would take the time to post a comment because it’s only then that we will know how to keep improving things and how to increase the value of the information.

Likewise if you have any information that you would like our readers to know then please send in a comment and we will post this on the website.

Please have a great Christmas break and a happy and prosperous New Year and hopefully we’ll meet up sometime next year on our travels.

Regards,

Beryl & Steve

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A winter weekend break to Cambridge is highly recommended

simplymotorhomes — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:48:56 +0000

Back of Kings College

“It is too cold and wet for some of us to be walking in the hills or over dale, so town and city are great options for some sightseeing and shopping.”

We stayed at the Caravan Club site in Cherry Hinton, buses into Cambridge approximately five minute walk from the site.

If you are visiting for the day it is probably best to aim for one of five park and rides spaced evenly around the city at:

Also check with the visitor information centre for times

There is a lot to see and do in Cambridge or else just enjoy a meander through winding passageways and cross some of the historic bridges over the River Cam. Take a look through the college gates and see the courts and some with lovely gardens. Learn more of the history and architecture by joining a guided walk. Also look out for the open top bus giving commentary of the city.

Kings College Chapel is the highlight and a must see attraction (Kings Parade). Look for Rubens’ painting, The Adoration of the Magi above the altar and admire the carved wooden choir stalls. Make sure you walk behind the chapel and turn back to see the ‘famous’ view for your photographs.

Worth a look is the Fitzwilliam museum with shop and café in Trumpington Street, the Botanic Garden in Bateman Street open all year and Kettles Yard in Castle Street.

There is plenty of retail therapy and the latest addition of a John Lewis department store in Downing Street which is part of the Grand Arcade development due to be open later this year.

After all this you will want some refreshments which there is plenty of. The usual coffee shop chains, tearooms, pubs and restaurants – the choice is yours. For the famous sugar-soaked Chelsea bun, go to Fitzbillies in Trumpington Street.

Interesting Trivia

Carrier Thomas Hobson had his stables in King’s Parade and hired out his horses in strict rotation – you had the next horse in line or none at all – hence the expression ‘Hobson’s choice’.

More information

The Cambridge Visitor Information Centre
The Old Library,
Wheeler Street,
Cambridge,
CB2 3QB.

W: www.visitcambridge.org
T: 0871 226 8006.

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One of those winter jobs

simplymotorhomes — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:41:59 +0000

Winterisation

One of the painful duties that most of us have to carry out at this time of year is draining all the water from the van to protect it from freezing. I often wonder if it is really necessary given that our Starseeker has an internal fresh water tank but I still do it all the same.

The waste tank is obviously open to the elements but otherwise everything would seem to be safe. I suppose I could take the risk but the consequences would be expensive. We do use our motorhome all year round and of course when the van is in use and heated there shouldn’t be a problem and it is tempting to leave it full of water when not in use. I often wonder if all motorhome owners do the same so it would be interesting to hear your views. It certainly makes going away for a weekend in winter harder work because you have to fill up when you get to site and then remember to empty when you leave.

I forgot to empty once when we had our Autocruise Starspirit and then panicked after a few days when heavy frosts hit our region. I shot round to the van to find icicles forming from the taps and the water in the tank not exactly frozen but very, very cold. The drain bung was at the bottom of the tank and although I pulled hard on the chain it wouldn’t budge. I resorted to putting my arm into the tank and trying to pull the bung out to release the water but I couldn’t shift the bung and my arm was steadily freezing. In the end I put the heating on to warm up the van and waited for half an hour or so and had another go, eventually it came loose and the water drained off. Not a great experience that one and it made me realise just how painful cold water can be.

I must admit that the Starseeker is much easier to drain because the drain tap is accessible from the outside of the van.

Another question I have is that in the summer the advice is to close all of the blinds when the van isn’t in use, to protect against the fading of upholstery, but is the converse true for winter? Wouldn’t it be best to leave the blinds open or at least the roof ones to allow the winter sun to warm the motorhome as best it can? Do any of you have a view on this and if you do have a particular winter strategy then please share it?

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