Benimar Owners Club Magazine
Issue 5 - May 2002
In this issue:- MEMBER'S LETTERS CLUB INSURANCE ACCEO RAMBLINGS OF THE DRAGON RALLY REPORT CHAIRMANS CHAT
EDITORS COLUMN
April has been quite a month for Judy and I. Our youngest daughter was married on the 13th and 2 weeks later it was the AGM !
Judy and I have just returned from a most memorable Birthday Rally at the Peterborough Show. I could have used several words to describe the event - those of you who were there will understand !
The weather could not have been much worse, with very strong winds and heavy showers, but that did not deter 39 Benimar Motor homes attending - which was a fantastic turnout. I am claiming it as a world record as the largest gathering of Benimar Motor homes ever.
The AGM is summarized later in the magazine, but you will notice a few changes to the Committee. I am very pleased to welcome 3 new faces (quite old ones actually). Roy Gill is taking over as Events Co-ordinator. Also Colin Varley and Michael Jackson are sharing the Chief Marshal post on a geographical basis.
You will also notice that we now have an Honorary President - that being the owner of RDH - Steve Reynolds.
We now have 114 Benimars (225 members) in the club after just one year - which far exceeds my hopes when I set out on this adventure. Thank you all for joining and making the first year so enjoyable.
Judy & I are off to Ireland and Wales until mid-late June so will miss the next few rallies, unfortunately, but I look forward to reading all your input to the Magazine on my return.
The next issue is due out by the end of July, so input to me by 20th of July please.
Full Timing Richard Luxford
As a new member of the club I thought you may be interested in our life as "full-timers" in our 6000 Aereo. I won't bore you with details of our travels etc, as most magazines seem to feature someone travelling round the world, but I thought it may be a good idea to give members as insight to living in a Benimar and the changes and extras I have fitted, to, I hope, improve our living standards. I must state now that our van has been excellent and in over two years of full timing lasted extremely well with very few problems.
I will start at the front and work back from there: -
Engine
·Security alarm fitted
·Cruise Control fitted
·Drainpipe from plastic scuttle near windscreen wiper fitted to drain water away and stop overflow onto battery.
·Wire mesh fitted between radiator and grill to protect radiator and oil cooler from damage by stones etc.
·Horn moved further into engine compartment to give better protection from the elements.
Cabin
·Drivers seat changed for Captains Chair (couldn't get comfortable in Fiat seat).
·Drivers and Passengers seat swivels fitted.
·Removable steering wheel fitted.
·Security chains fitted between doors and seat bases to stop doors being forced open.
Living Area
·Extra 240v sockets fitted
·New shower door fitted (folding type) to replace blind that gave up after 12 months
·Removable worktop over door
Entrance
·Yale lock fitted to caravan door Outside
·Rear bumper fitted
·Plastic 25mm x 25mm angle fixed the length of the roof edge on caravan door side to stop water cascading over door when raining (yes, it does rain in southern Spain)
·12v fan fitted to refrigerator outside vent.
All of these modifications are purely personal and would not suit everybody, but I hope these points are of interest to other members, and I must just add that I am not some "boring anorak" who spends his life dismantling his motor home and I can assure you that if we are able to attend any rallies in the UK in the summer, I will not bore you with "Satellite digital T signal strength in southern Spain" or "how to connect a personal computer laptop to a WAP phone to give you internet access" neither items I have the faintest idea about.
Happy Benimar-ing
Super Charger Graham Baines
If you use rechargeable batteries in your radio, sat nav, cassette player, torch etc. and would like to charge them while away but can’t use a mains hook-up, the following very comprehensive battery charger may be of interest.
It plugs into the normal domestic mains supply via a transformer plug, and will accept a 12v input. I use one fed from the cigar Iighter/12v aux socket via a 12volt adaptor plug with current Iimiter.
The unit will charge sizes D, C, M, AAA and the small 9v PP3 and is available from Maplins Electronics Stores. Listed as "Smart Charger", though on the charger itself the name is ‘Vanson Speedy Box’. The Order code is QM84F and cost was £21.26.
The 12volt lead mentioned above is also available from Maplins, order code JY53H.
This is something I have tried and it works a treat. IF IN DOUBT ALWAYS CONSULT A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN.
Happy touring.
Brief email from La Manga - Anne & Ian Robb
Having a great time here at Caravanning La Manga. There are heaps (and some of them are) of Benimar statics and caravans on site and have seen quite a few Benimar Motor caravans on the road, mainly foreign registered. We did spot FE51TEB (Harry Wakerley we believe) before Christmas, we were cycling behind them at the time and waving frantically but to no avail.
The PO Keepsafe and International Redirect service has worked incredibly well thus far - details to follow for the next newsletter.
Touring tips - Dave Amende
1. I only use cab air conditioning in exceptional circumstances (returning to van from mid-day shopping trips etc).
turn it off when hill-climbing then on again for the downhill stretches
2. run as far as possible on an "empty" water tank to save weight with 2 gallon drum for tea & coffee emergency use.
3. ignore water tank level probe, which "alarms" at 5%; look in tank!
4. 6' aluminium stepladder carried in boot locker for cleaning van. use a soft broom rather than a sponge to reduce time. silky is excellent on all the GRP BITS.
5. check that your TV will work in continental europe otherwise it's a dead weight and you soon tire of watching videos
7. pour bleach down the hob and sink plug hole to stop nasty smells coming back up from the waste tank
8. don't park with the van touching any foliage. ants are keen explorers!
9. a 6 foot "snake" of old packets and bags draped along dash board make your van look a mess and a less likely target for thieves when parking alongside other vans in a car park. thread them onto a length of string for quick and easy removal
10. for solo navigating write down key junctions on a post-it to avoid having to read the map whilst driving
11. run microsoft autoroute europe 2000 on a lap top to find even the most obscure locations in france & germany, down to street level on my copy.
12. don't always believe the directions and distances to sites quoted in the caravan club foreign touring book. many seem to have miles confused with kilometres!
13. wetsuit stuffed with newspaper used as a ·sleeping" dummy in passenger seat when parking abroad to deter potential thieves.
14. if the shower head in the bathroom keeps falling into the basin while travelling, secure it with a rubber band
15. don't wash feet in the bathroom washbasin. the plastic is very thin and splits easily.
16. gas water heater will fail if the leisure battery is not charged. don't panic and take the water heater to bits, just run the engine for a bit!
17. front roof light window leaks cured with copious amounts of white silicon mastic. ditto with main roof light as water tends to pond up there.
18. the fuel filler cap will sit in the ready-made hole at the top of the flap whilst filling up
19. in italy you pay the forecourt attendant, the shop only sells sweets etc
20. to by-pass height restrictions in supermarket car parks go in via the exit (pretend to be a confused foreigner!)
21. keep the solar panel very clean to maximise power input (amazing difference on cloudy days)
22. measure the overall height (with boxes & surfboards) and write on a post it note on the dash board in imperial & metric to avoid embarrassing moments with low bridges
23. slow right down for italian motorway exits as most of them have a very tight radius
24.rear suspension kept at 3 bar all the time though no real difference experienced when running at lower or higher pressures
25. check tyre pressures regularly as the van goes a bit faster with more air (bigger diameter & less friction I presume)
26. regularly check the 3" hose from turbo to intercooler at the front of the engine. jubilee clips slowly work loose and just need re-tightening.
27. the rear tail lights have 2 bulbs each, check that both are working.
28/29/30/31. Secure hiding places removed from this version, please speak to author
32. always park on a slight slope to the rear to stop water tipping off the roof above the side door.
33. usually park-up with the side door down-wind so that the awning doesn't try to take off in the wind
34. if awning creaks and groans in the wind, wind it in a bit more to compress the spring in the central spar a bit more and keep it flat not sloping. if you need to pin the legs down with tent pegs it's too windy!
35. clear leaves off the awning before rolling it up as they rot and are a pig to scrape off when dried out.
36. in a gale always park head on into the wind to avoid side to side buffeting and heki roof light becoming airborne 37. dry a wet towel when it's raining- hang it outside trapped at the top in the cab window and the luton keeps the rain off (not recommended when moving or if the door's dirty!)
38. don't bother with expensive plastic wheel chocks ramps - get two 3 foot ·planks" of 4" x 2" and some big lumps of wood. can then level the van on all but the most severe slopes.
39. put ramps under front wheels and drive forwards onto them, I damaged the electric step and waste valve by reversing up ramps
40. always reverse onto a pitch when damp / slippery underfoot as driving wheels closest to tarmac for hasty exit.
41. when stuck with wheel spin on a steep gravel site road, try reversing up as weight distribution better to driving wheels when in reverse.
A Site to avoid at all costs - Graham Lewis
We have just returned, very frustrated, from a short break in Wales. The first 2 nights were spent at Treaddur Bay, which was excellent for £7 per night including hook-up.
We then travelled to the Pengarreg Caravan Park at LLanrhysted, about 7 miles south of Aberystwyth, a site recommended by both the RAC and in the booklet of sites provided with Practical Motorhome last month. The site is supposed to have 75 flat pitches with hard standings for most of them. Unfortunately this is not the case, since we could not find a flat pitch - the nearest we got was 1 % bubbles off flat, even with 4-inch ramps and a 3-inch block under the front wheels. Whilst manoeuvring the motorhome onto the ramps, the rear (non-driven) wheels managed to sink about 6 inches into the so-called hard standing, and we had to be towed out.
The site owner said that he had just added a few feet to the rear of the standings and had used a 5 ton roller, but we didn't believe him, unless the roller was about 50 feet wide. Needless to say we did not remain for long and recommend that this site be avoided by all motorhomes at the present time. I will be writing to Practical Motorhome and the RAC regarding this site, but a word of warning to other members of the club could prevent someone else a lot of trouble.
On a different note have any of you had trouble with the overhead locker doors breaking at the bend? We have had the 2 above the cooker replaced by RDH, one of which broke almost immediately, but was replaced by them the following morning. Since then, the same 2 doors have broken at the same place. The other locker doors get the same, sometimes more, usage, but are still in pristine condition.
Various items
Newsletter features - George & Mary Pennington
We noted Mike Waterfield had disposed of his organ - has Angie managed to dispose of all those knickers?
Ron & Judy - where do you find this passion in France- it's been seriously lacking round here for some time !! Is it sold by the liter or the kilogram? (I think it is by the firkin, but not sure - ed)
We read in MMM that founder of the Laika Club has purchased a Knaus and said farewell after 10 years it is 120 strong and growing. Congratulations to our Ron who has achieved just short of this in under 12 months.
Excellent Service:- On March 26th we phoned Gary at RDH to order a water filler cap and fastener for the locker door. At 7am on the 27th the postman knocked us up "Sorry luv it wouldn't go through the letterbox" I will forgive Gary for getting us out of bed - Thanks.
Security:- As mentioned in the Newsletter and MMM we drilled the cab door lock buttons and put in split pins. It works - on a French motorway service area we found a well chewed passenger door lock, but they hadn't got in.
12v Table Lamp - Sam Black
Want a sensibly priced 12v table lamp? Buy a Dome Desk Lamp from Argos (current cat p361 price £4.89) which is mains operated with a 12v 20 watt quartz bulb and transformer. Replace the bulb with a 10 watt one if you prefer. Wire the bulb directly (cutting out the transformer and switch) using the existing cable connected to a cigar lighter plug. Don't remove the transformer as this provides the weight for the base. Hope you have a conveniently placed 12v socket in your Benimar.
Thanks - Graham & Chris Baines
Many thanks to all who made us so welcome on our first rally. Although we placed our order for a Beni at Peterborough 2001 and took delivery in August, this was our first rally (due to sun seeking in Portugal and France). Good show, pity about the Peterborough weather. Hope to see you at a sunny Lincoln.
(Although this was their first rally Graham and Chris are marshalling the rally at the Lincoln Show - Ed).
PIONEERING VAN BITZ
Van Bitz are now stockists of the awesome Pioneer navigation systems. Imagine talking to your navigation system! You've arrived at your destination safely and easily by telling the equipment where you want to go. For example just specify the post code of the campsite you wish to visit and it will take you there. You then decide that you're hungry, simply make your request and the DVD navigational system will display a list of relevant restaurants, including the telephone number and address. You're then asked if you would like the route displayed to take you there. Don't want to drive? Call up the appropriate section and look for a taxi.
You can build up a complete list of every campsite you have visited. In addition search for historic points of interest, shopping centers, leisure centers, museums and many other facilities.
The system is easy to use and understand. One lady went as far as telling us that it was her idea to have the system fitted so she could fall asleep without being shouted at when "he" gets lost.
The AVIC-60 0 package comprises a 6.5" LCD TFT wide screen display with a separate DVD navigation unit. It is being offered for a limited period on a free installation basis. The colour screen can also be connected to a colour camera with audio to act as a rear view camera.
The system will be on display at all the major open air shows where our sales team will be delighted to demonstrate the system to you in our new purpose built exhibition motorcaravan (a Benimar of course Ed).
For further information contact our sales hotline on 01823 321992 or fax 01823 354946 or email cybernavi@vanbitz.com.
WOMEN'S CORNER
For those of you who are married, about to be married or are contemplating marriage under the assumption that men need (ought) to be trained for marriage, there is a new 2 year degree offered by some Universities, that many of you will be interested in. That's right, in just 6 mini-semesters you too can become a real man as well as earn an MA degree (Male Arts). Please take a moment to look over the program outline:-
1st Year - Autumn Schedule
MEN101 Combating stupidity
MEN102 You too can do housework
MEN103 PMS-Iearn when to keep your mouth shut
MEN104 We do not want sleazy underthings for Christmas
1st Year - Winter Schedule
MEN110 Wonderful laundry techniques MEN111 Understanding the female response to getting in at 4am
MEN112 Parenting: It doesn't end with conception
EA T1 00 Get a life, learn to cook EAT101 Get a life, learn to cook 11 ECOOO1 What's hers is hers
1 st Year - Spring Schedule
MEN120 How not to act like a butt-face when your are wrong
MEN121 Understanding your Incompetence
MEN122 You, the weaker sex
MEN123 Reasons to give flowers
EC0002 What was yours is hers
2nd Year - Autumn Schedule
SEX101 You can fall asleep without it
SEX 102 How to stay awake after sex
MEN210 How to put the toilet seat down
2nd Year - Winter Schedule
MEN210 The remote control; overcoming your dependency
MEN211 How not to act younger than your children
MEN212 Her birthdays and anniversaries are important
2nd Year - Spring Schedule
MEN220 Omitting %&*! from your vocabulary (Pass/Fail only)
MEN221 Fluffing the blanket after farting is not necessary
MEN222 Real men ask for directions
MEN213 Thirty minutes of begging is not considered foreplay
EAT101 Cooking with Tofu
EAT102 Utilisation of eating utensils
EAT 103 Burping and belching discreetly
MEN231 Mother in Law
MEN232 Appear to be listening
MEN233 Just say "Yes Dear"
EC0003 Cheaper to keep her
Just a thought for all the women out there - MENtal illness, MENstrual cramps, MENtal breakdown, MENopause, GUYnocolgist - notice how many women's' problems start with men? To all of the women out there (and men with a sense of humour) a thought to brighten your day - and when we have real trouble it's a HISterectomy
Pip Rowe.
The Club now enjoys the relative security of being covered by Public Liability Insurance. The Committee decided that the best deal was to obtain insurance cover at competitive rates by joining ACCEO. What is ACCEO ? - see below.
The Association of Caravan & Camping Exempted Organisations is a group of over 200 caravan, camping and motorcaravanning clubs all of whom hold a DEFFRA Certificate of Exemption (see below) allowing them to "rally' on unlicensed land.
ACCEO was formed in 1985 as a result of a merger of the National Federation of Caravan Owners Clubs (NFCOC) and the Confederation of Caravan and Camping Clubs (4C's) to represent the interests of groups wishing to rally in National Parks and on unlicensed land.
ACCEO works closely with DEFFRA, local authorities, The Caravan Club, The Camping and Caravanning Club and the caravan industry to provide a single voice for members at all levels, in addition to acting as the National Clearing House for rallies in the National Parks and rallies in excess of 5 days on unlicensed land.
ACCEO provides advice on matters of vital importance to both clubs and individuals, and produces an informative magazine "ACCEO Matters· in addition to obtaining savings and discounts on, behalf of clubs and personal members. As an independent, non profit making, membership led organisation, ACCEO is able to take up matters with manufacturers, and produce a real saving on equipment, sites, ferry crossings, insurance, and more general products and services for all its members.
Personal membership (which covers your family) of the Association can be taken out and will cost you just £3 per year.
For this you will receive a membership card which entitles you to discount offers from National Organisations, at participating accessory shops and sites throughout the country with your own copy of the Association Newsletter mailed to your address.
Currently the following discounts have been negotiated:-
Bakers (Insurance), British Gas Cylinders, Bupa, Martin Kemp (Insurance), P&O, Irish Sea, Norfolk Line, Latitude (Maps), and Specsavers.
If you wish to join you can request an application form from ACCEO, Top Barn Business Centre, Holt Heath, Worcester, WR6 6NH
Tel: 01905621673.
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
The "Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960" provides in paragraph 6 of the first schedule that - " a site licence shall not be required for the use of land as a caravan site if the use is under the supervision of an exempted organisation and is in pursuance of arrangements made by that organisation for a meeting of its members lasting not more than·5 days·.
Properly constituted leisure clubs whose main activity is Caravanning or Camping may apply to the DEFRA (Department of Food Environment and Rural Affairs) to become an "Exempted Organisation)" and subject to giving certain undertakings a Certificate of Exemption may be issue to that club.
The Club holds a Certificate of Exemption and can therefore organise rallies on unlicensed sites. There is a restriction of members only, so unfortunately no visitors are allowed to rally with us.
MOTORHOME MONTHLY
Have kindly offered to supply the Club with 30 free copies of their magazine each month. They will be made available on a first come first served basis at Club events. They are too heavy to post out on request - the postage charge will be nearly as much as the cover price. See the Rally Marshal or the Chairman if he is present. The first batch of Motorhome Monthly was distributed to the first 30 at Peterborough.
HALF A CENTURY OF TEACHING MATHS
Teaching Maths 1950 - A forester sells a truckload of timber for £100. His cost of production is 4/5ths of the price. "What is his profit “
Teaching Maths 1960 - A forester sells a truckload of timber for £100. His cost of production is 4/5ths, or £80. "What is his profit ?"
Teaching Maths 1970 - A forester exchanges a set of timber for a set of money. The cardinality of set is 100. Each element is worth 1 dollar. Make 100 dots representing the elements of the set. The set, the cost of production contains 20 fewer points than set. Represent the set as a subset and answer the following question "What is the cardinality of the set of profits ? "
Teaching Maths 1980 - A forester sells a truckload of timber for £100. His cost of production is £80 and his profit is £20. Year assignment - Underline the number 20.
Teaching Maths 1990 - By cutting down beautiful forest trees a forester makes £20. "What do you think of his way of making a living ? " Topic for class participation after answering the question "How did the forest birds and squirrels feel as the forester cut down the trees?" There are no wrong answers.
Teaching Maths 2002 - A forester sells a truckload of timber for £100. His cost of production is £120. "How does Arthur Andersen determine his profit margin as £60 ? " . Thanks to Pip Rowe for the above.
As St George reads his book here on the Costa Dorada, March 2002, having had a good meal followed by brandies, thinks it's time we made some contribution to the Newsletter, another couple of brandies to oil the wheels and away we go, the first article to bore people to tears!
After 5 years we parted company with our Swift Royale and collected Benimar W659PTV from RDH in August 2000. Our first trip was to Southport CC Site not a million miles from home, to visit the Southport Flower Show (an annual pilgrimage) show off our new van and it's extras to anyone who came near. It must have made an impression as our friends Roy and Sylvia Gill ordered one at the York Show.
Come October we were off to Dover for the start of a journey to Greece. From Calais, up the autoroute to Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, arriving at the port of Ancona in Italy mid afternoon. The plan was to cross to Igoumenitsa, N Greece. After checking the agents at the dockside, the only ferry leaving that day was to Patros. Rather than spend the night on the dockside, plan A went to plan B. We ended up on the camping car deck of the Superfast Ferries, plugged into the electricity, open to the stars, eating and sleeping in the van, with all the facilities of the ferry at our disposal. Some 22 hours later we docked and followed signs for the new national road - not the motorway we expected but a single lane each way. The good part was that the signs were dual English/Greek.
We (forgot to mention that we travelled with friends Shirley and Harry in their Kontiki) visited the Peloponese peninsular, Olympia, Epidavros, Old Corinth, Corinth Canal, Athens, Delphi, the Metora mountains, we went for miles on our Scooters, saw lots of old ruins, stayed an beachside sites, barbecuing in the moonlight - a rear mixture of culture and relaxation. We finally arrived at Igoumenitsa, booked camping deck with Blue Funnel to Venice. This time we were one deck down with open sides.
We sailed into Venice at day break - spectacular. We found a site on the outskirts for a couple of nights and took a bus into Venice to do the sights.
Our homeward journey was via Austria and we called in at Camping Natterersee near Innsbruck for a 2 night break. One evening, sitting with whisky in hand looking at their brochure showing vans in the snow and a Christmas/New-Year programme· don't know whether it was the Greek sun or the whisky that had gone to our heads - we are not skiers, skaters or snowboarders (qualify for Apre Ski though) we like the sun on our backs, shorts on, swimming pools - but anyway the committee decided that we would be back at the end of 2001.
In the meantime we had 2001 New Year in York then in March headed for Mojacar, Almeria, on to Benicasim, called at Peniscola for a wider scooter rack to be fitted to the van. All we need now is for someone to listen and figure a way to stop scooters rubbing and damaging the back of the van - over to Benimar ..
Can't remember when the letter from Ron arrived suggesting an owners' club, we weren't sure - rallies weren't our thing but decided he needed everyone's' support, which saw us at Peterborough. We were converted - great people, so much chit chat and exchange of ideas and trips, a very enjoyable weekend which resulted in us being at the Lincoln and York meetings.
In between we had a couple of trips to France. The first to Isle d'Oleron, Charerlte Maritilne to join up with a French family we met in South of France years ago. Their English is much better than our smattering of French so we rub along quite nicely. From there we went to a little village site in the Dordogne, away from the usual touristy bits at St Antoine de Brewith, how we came to go there is another story - I'll skip that. From here we went to St Emillion on the scooter, well worth a visit. On the map we found a back road to Bergerac some 8 miles away (don't like busy roads on the scooter). Bergerac was in view when we saw signs for a Chateau Mont Bazillac - we diverted for a visit not knowing it was a wine producer - never made Bergerac.. We emerged after samplings with 13 bottles, back to camp with them under the seat, in the boys box and hanging on the hook at the front.
The second trip was to Le Lavendou and Port Grimaud, on the south coast, St Remy de Provence and St Marie de Mar on the Camargue
After the York rally, we started preparing for Austria, extended the Luton bed, suspended a rod on 2 hooks, with a floor length curtain cutting off the cab from the living area, heat kept in the cab travelling, and in the living area on site. Made up the rear bed, hopefully warmer than the Iuton, collected snow shovel, long handled brush, de-icer, screen wash, hot water bottles, fan heater, silver screens, snow chains booked the hire of, all the time thinking "Is this such a good idea?"
Dec 20th saw us heading down to Dover behind Kontiki, all doubts forgotten, crossed to Calais and lost each other before we got round to the arrivals car park where we intended to stay the night. Fortunately we had invested in a couple of those walkie-talkie things and sorted ourselves out.
Next day up the Belgium Motorway it started snowing - didn't expect that so soon, into Luxemburg, then Germany, going round Saabrucken was a nightmare, heavy traffic and heavy snow with a lot of signs blanked out. After a lot of panicking via walkie-talkie , a sign was seen and we were OK, ran onto another motorway, found a lay by and slept.
Off again, negotiated a jack-knifed lorry, more snow, then the German holiday traffic. The M25 crawl had nothing on that. At one of the few German service stations we bought an Austrian Motorway pass, saved stopping at the border. With some 100 miles to go we pulled into a lay by for the second night.
Some 700 miles from Calais we arrived at Natterersee - we had made it! Mr. Georg, the proprietor, welcomed us, he and the tractor driver put our snow chains on for us to get round to the camping area - Harry had struggled to get the Kontiki up the incline, slid back 3 times before the tractor pulled him round.
Once pitched we were soon "at home", fan heater on, Christmas lights, cards and baubles blue tacked up - couldn't compete with the Germans on Christmas tree alley with their real trees, complete with lights, in tubs outside their vans.
First day - Oh what a beautiful morning, blue sky, Benimar external thermometer -15C, frozen pipes, a bottle of water on the cab floor was 95% frozen. The frozen pipes were no problem, the toilet block and washing up area were centrally heated with lashings of hot water .. During our 10 days we were out every day walking in the sunshine, blue skies and snow - a winter wonderland, or joining Mr. George in organised activities from out-door candlelit carol service followed by mulled wine on Christmas Eve, a lantern-lit walk uphill to a local hostelry for more mulled wine, before returning to Naters village where a Christmas market was selling local produce and the village choir entertained us.
We had an evening horse drawn sleigh ride to Axams some 40 minutes away with an hours break in a hostelry (to rest the horses !) An accordionist entertained us as we drank more mulled wine.
We went into Innsbruck, found the ski station, jostled with skiers and skis to get on the cable car up to the first stop at 6,250ft, then a second car to 7,658ft, watching the skiers gliding around made me think that if I were 5 years younger and had the nerve I might have a go. New Years Eve morning saw us slip-sliding over snow covered ice, with snow falling, on the 2 mile walk to Natters station, for a train to Innsbruck - for a coffee - how mad can you get? - but it was the oldest coffee shop in Innsbruck, and it came with a piece of gateau. When we emerged the sun was shining, preparations were being made for the nights celebrations - there was a great atmosphere. A young band on a stage had people dancing, singing and swaying as they played and we joined in.
On the return journey we stayed on the little train for ½ hour after Natters to the end of the valley - it was a picture postcard land - villages covered in snow, pine trees hanging with snow, children sledging, blue sky, sunshine and snow capped mountains. Back at Natters we only had the 2 mile walk back to the site and prepare for the Silvester Celebrations.
We arrived at the site restaurant for 7pm for a 6 course meal, dancing to live music, a tombola, where most people got a prize, then outside at midnight for champagne and a firework display let off from the frozen lake, with the pines behind - spectacular. Back inside to warm up and carry on dancing till 2am. We finally said our farewells to Mr. George on Jan 2nd having had a ball in his winter wonderland. The journey back was surrounded by snow, through clear roads to some 50 miles from Calais.
Natterersee is a great site anytime of the year. Mt Georg Giner and his partner Angelika Lechner and staff work hard to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves and well deserve the European Campsite of the Year 2001 awarded by Camping Cheques
I did warn you that I'd bore you to tears.
Mary the Dragon, ps: St George is still reading.
Cotswolds Water Park
After a pleasant and trouble free journey down to Cirencester from Nottingham on Friday 29th March, we picked up the well positioned and clear boc signs to the Water Park to be welcomed by the smiling face of Dennis, our marshal for the weekend.
The ground was a little soft after the midweek rain, but with a little advice from Dennis we were soon in our pitch, no trouble. Before we could unpack, Beryl, Dennis's wife came over to invite us to meet the rest of the crowd and to have coffee and cake - what a welcome!
The site was just like a picture postcard, with the lake and surrounding trees, even the sun graced us making it almost magical, leading us nicely to the evening when it was fish and chips around the campfire, a chance to catch up on the gossip, and a bit of amber nectar, just to wash the fish and chips down you know, bringing the evening to a very pleasant end.
Saturday morning woke us to the sound of the ducks chattering away, then off to the wash room for a shower with lashings of hot water. The sun still shining, it was time to break out the Beau Claire for an outdoors bacon and egg breakfast. I'm sure the smell got the rest of them up. After a portion of bread pudding, don't know who made it, it was time to walk it oft. Now, those that had more energy than me went for a long walk, with a pub lunch I heard, but we chickened out and had a steady stroll down to the village of South Cerney, where my wife Teresa and daughter Ellie did a bit of shopping, my brother David and I stopped oft at one of the many pubs for a couple. The day passed all too quickly in a very warm and pleasant manner finishing oft with another campfire to round it oft.
Sunday was cloudy and looked like rain, but it didn't dampen our spirits too much, then sadly it was time to make our way home and bring to an end a most delightful weekend.
Many thanks to Dennis and Beryl for finding such a lively site and for their hard work, not forgetting the fish and chips, Pip for the Cake and whoever made the bread pud (that was Pip too Ed) , to the rest of the crowd "Thanks· for making us so welcome.
Mick & Teresa Jackson and family
News from RDH
· RDH are looking to further extend their premises down at Lilac Grove.
· With an eye to the future they are also looking to take on 2 more fitters (one maybe an apprentice).
· Rod has been made Director of Motorhome sales - congratulations.
· Gary (Spare Parts Manager) says he never gets a mention in the Newsletter - so Gary, Gary, Gary.
· Rick tells me that no-one bothered to enter the competition for the 2 sets of Peterborough tickets - what is wrong with you lot?
Fiat - Firestone - Tvres.
I have heard nothing more from Fiat regarding the campaign note mentioned in the last Newsletter. Have any of you received one?
Checking the various tyres on the outfits at the Cotswolds weekend I noticed that the maximum allowable pressure of the various makes was different , and one (Dunlop I think) had a maximum pressure that was less than the 4.75 bar quoted in the Fiat campaign note!
All Benimars are now being delivered with Michelin Camping Car Tyres which are a bigger section and run at a higher pressure (5.5 bar as opposed to 4.5 (or 4.75) bar. That seems to me that either Fiat have been supplying Benimar with chassis' with inadequate tyres, or Benimar have not specified the tyre/chassis combination.