Practical Motorhome

I’ve just been searching through my computer for something, and as I did so, I noticed some photos that I’d taken at the NEC show in February 2020. It’s quite strange to know now what we didn’t (fully) realise then – that the world, and our industry, was effectively about to shut down owing to Covid-19 restrictions. That enforced break has made me more determined than ever this year to get out and about and enjoy our motorhome freedom – it’s not something we should ever take for granted. To inspire you, this issue we have fantastic articles on the Isle of Wight (a perennial touring favourite), Tewkesbury, and many more! Plus, we’ve a special article on touring for motorhome couples, and we highlight fantastic campsites with brilliant public transport options. And…

Cortina D’Ampezzo, Dolomites what3words ///visor.digitally.crowbars Why tour here? Known as the Pearl of the Dolomites, the renowned ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Northern Italy, served as the venue for the 1956 Winter Olympics. The Dolomites themselves, of course, are something of a pearl in their own right. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this mountain range features internationally important geomorphology and many glacial landforms and karst systems. That’s the geology taken care of, but for visitors to the region, it’s the wonderful views that make the biggest impression – quite simply breathtaking! Don’t miss… Ski season has to be the biggest draw to the Cortina d’Ampezzo and seen from the air, the twisting roads approaching the resort are a wonder to behold. Read about Marcus Leach’s adventures in the region on p54. practicalmotorhomeuk…

letter of the month I read your recent article on staying warm in your motorhome during the winter months (issue 266) with interest. But I was surprised that the section on heating made no mention of the most obvious choice, the diesel heater. I’m writing this letter in my toasty warm ’van, with its blown-air diesel heating system. Vastly superior to the gas version in one important aspect, an effectively limitless supply of fuel! Virtually all ’vans have a diesel engine, so surely, tapping into that huge tank has to be the obvious choice. Our previous ’van had gas heating. Oh, how we would chuckle, waking on a crisp January morning to discover that the gas had run out overnight! No heating and no bacon sandwiches, either! There are also diesel-powered water heaters available, and…

Email your pictures and their stories (40 words, plus name, address and contacts) to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com. The best photo will win these guides: All the Aires Spain and Portugal; All the Aires France (North and South); All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Sea View Camping Wales; Road Trip Europe – The Great War and More; and Road Trip Europe – Go Dutch. All are from Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.com, 0131 208 3333.…

Water-purifying bottle This triple-insulated water bottle comes in three sizes, with patented technology in the rechargeable lid to purify the contents. Price £129.99-£169.99 Web waatr.co.uk/pages/puremax Vango Sizzle Single Induction hob Cook al fresco on this 800W single induction hob. The 25m cable gives you lots of freedom and a fan helps prevent overheating. Price £75 Web amazon.co.uk Travel blanket This cosy set made from velvety microfibre folds out to a 60 x 36in blanket and doubles as a pillow, perfect for extra lumbar support. Price £11.99 Web amazon.co.uk Bucket barbecue Keep warm on the beach while cooking up a storm! The galvanised bucket, with chrome plated grill, also serves as a mini fire pit. Price £50 Web shop.rnli.org Rubbish bag holder This space-saving bag holder keeps your rubbish neatly behind closed cupboard doors and provides an easy way to store and then dispose of your bin bag…

Here’s your chance to win a fantastic smart battery charger from Yuasa, which will help to maintain your leisure battery at optimum performance. The YCXL12 is designed for reliable charging on leisure batteries in motorhomes and caravans and can charge 12V batteries, up to 240Ah, even from flat. It can maintain batteries up to 360Ah. The unit is actively cooled, so it maintains a stable power output and longer charger service life when in use for extended periods. For your chance to win a YCXL12 smart battery charger, go to www.practicalcaravan.com/competitions and answer the following question by 28 February 2023. One winner will be randomly drawn from the correct answers. Q Using a Yuasa YCXL12 smart battery 1 Ensure my battery is in the best possible condition, especially during periods of extended storage 2 Provide…