Cornwall was our choice In our case we planned to fish around the Cornwall area for, surprisingly, there is now a pretty good selection of first class coarse and trout fisheries in the county, including White Acres, Shillamill and Bake Fishing Lakes and of course, many miles of excellent coast for sea fishing. Cornwall was also an ideal choice for family fun too. We wanted a base which we could return to each night and hook up to a mains electricity supply and which also had recreational facilities. So we were booked into the Looe Caravan Club site which had excellent facilities in the shape of two tennis courts, a swimming pool, crazy golf, play area and very clean toilet and shower blocks. It is a member’s-only site (I was issued with a press pass for the week) but anyone thinking of becoming a regular caravan or motorhome user would be wise to join for they have a network of these exceptionally well run sites all across the UK.
My wife and I are no strangers to motorhomes (or camper vans as they are often called). We’ve had two in the past 17 years, the last one about seven years ago, so we knew all about the positive and negative side to owning one. But we had never had anything like this huge, 24ft long, six-berth Buccaneer Cruiser 750 that we picked up from our local motorhome and caravan supplier on the day before our trip. This was a mansion on wheels, a rolling bivvy like no other. Hot and cold running water, shower, sink, toilet, kitchen with full cooker, TV, dining and lounge area, three double beds – two of them adult size, heating, air conditioning, all windows with fly screens, blinds and curtains. All of it based on the 2.2 litre, 110bhp turbo diesel powered, Peugeot Boxer that cruised effortlessly at 70mph and had plenty in reserve if you chose to use it. It was very easy to drive too, once you got used to the length of it. The one we had was fitted with reversing sensors and they helped no end in tight spots, even registering off leaves when backing up to hedges and other shrubs. It had loads of storage space and there was a compartment under the floor, with access from inside or outside, that was ideal for storing fishing tackle. Ideally you need a big rooftop box if two or more of you are going on a fishing trip if you’re taking a good selection of tackle and baits. Rooftop boxes are also a good thing in which to keep smelly baits, landing nets and keepnets.
Size does matter Of course, I would never have chosen to own a motorhome as big as this Buccaneer Cruiser, at least not for going fishing in regularly. My ideal size would be one about half as big that can more easily negotiate narrow tracks to out-of-the-way waters (and be able to turn around when you get to the end of them!). And one thing to remember, whatever size of motorhome you buy, ideally you need a car at home as well. With so many height barriers around on many car parks you would find yourself severely restricted when doing the family shopping if a motorhome, particularly one of the bigger ones, was your only means of transport. It’s the freedom that makes them great All too often holidays are a case of choosing where you want to go and then placing yourself in the hands of others as to where you stay, what you do and where you go when you get there. But a motorhome puts you back in charge, giving you the freedom to go exactly where you want and stay as long as you like, eating when you’re hungry and not at set times. A motorhome is tailor-made for a couple of nights fishing on one water, three days on another, and then moving on. Currently, sales of motorhomes are breaking all records as more people enjoy the motorhome lifestyle. 2001 saw the highest number of vehicles sold since registrations were separately counted 26 years’ ago and industry experts predict more growth as awareness of the motorhome ‘advantage’ widens. Motorhomes have always enjoyed a big following among the over 50’s. Now this proportion of this age group in the population is increasing, they have more opportunities for earlier retirement or third age life work/life flexibility are all contributing to growing demand.
Get along to the Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show at Earls Court If you’re interested in a motorhome and want to see what’s on offer, why not go along to the Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show at Earls Court sometime from 5th to the 10th November. The show is 50% bigger than ever as it expands into Earls Court 2. Besides the state-of-the-art 2003 motorhomes – the latest in caravans, holiday homes and tents will be on display making Earls Court the place to plan leisure adventure. There’ll be a BBQ Theatre with cooking demonstrations, SAGA show garden and golf putting arena, an interactive Adventure Zone featuring a hot air balloon ride, hang gliding simulator and trampoline bungee. The Show will also host the finals of the first ever World Tent Pitching Championships which will see teams of two battle against the clock and each other to find out who can pitch a tent in the fastest time. The Show is a great day out for visitors of all ages and is excellent value for money admitting a family of 2 adults and 2 children for just £ 18. For further information or to book tickets log onto www.caravanshows.com. Or call 08701 288 288. The show opens daily from 10am until 6pm and prices are, in advance: adults £ 7, seniors £ 6. On the door: adults £ 9, seniors £ 7, children under 15 free. For more information phone the Motorhome Information Service 01444 458889 or email mis@heartford.co.uk. Website: www.motorhomeinfo.co.uk. |
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