New Bailey Phoenix

For those that aren't aware,Bailey has dumped the Pursuit for 2019 and produced a new range entitled the Phoenix.

Bailey Phoenix

I have not seen one in the flesh yet only the pictures that are on the Bailey website but first impressions are that the Bailey line up seems to becoming homogenised or "samey" for want of better words.

The new van looks perfectly satisfactory but looks very much like the Pegasus and the Unicorn with the differences down to bits of add-on kit like ATC and washroom carpets.

The main difference is that the Phoenix comes with Truma heating whereas the Unicorn has the Alde.

Looking at the photos,one thing I wish they would address and haven't is the front slide out table not being level with the front chest when pulled out,not a massive problem but one I find annoying and it appears it has been carried over to the Phoenix.

Bailey don't seem to shy away from scrapping a line of vans that don't seem to be selling well as the Pursuit seemingly wasn't.

I recall the Orion being launched in a blaze of glory and a fanfare of trumpets yet in three years it was gone,the Orion Evo ( remember that ) only lasted a year.

I would think part of the problem may lie in the fact that people when starting caravanning tend to go for a cheap second hand model,use it for a few years and are then ready to move up a notch to the Pegasus or even Unicorn,if buying Bailey, giving the base model a miss altogether.

Lets see how it goes.

Ian

Excellent Service From Whale

A couple of days ago I posted on Caravan Talk that the Whale external pump plug kept slowly sliding out of the Whale socket.

Not a major problem as I nudge it back in when passing but anyway,

Had a reply post from Whale asking me to send my phone number and they would be in touch.

They rang today and suggested that the "O" rings may need changing and would put two in the post.

Excellent customer service from Whale.

Ian

Hawes CMC Site

We have just enjoyed four nights at Hawes CMC site in the Yorkshire Dales a lovely well kept site up to the usual standards of the CMC.

If you like cheese a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery is recommended where you can stuff your face with free cheese till you are sick.

Those who follow my Twitter feed will be aware that both SWMBO and I had had a touch of the threepennys whilst we were there but thankfully all resolved now.

Also the day before we set off I blew the jockey wheel tyre up,they do go off with a bit of a bang it has to be said,luckily I had a spare jockey wheel.

Apart from tightening a loose furniture screw all was well with the Cadiz but the mains inlet cover has broken a hinge so that needs replacing at some point,not urgent though.

Ian

Toilet Repairs

Just came across these Thetford toilet repair instructions which may be useful to somebody :-

Thetford Repair.

Ian

Cadac

For a good while SWMBO has been hankering after a Cadac,personally I can't do with this mania for barbecuing,cooking is what ovens and kitchens are for,but anyway a "happy wife is a happy life"as they say so eventually I purchased a Cadac Safari Chef Lite.

I must admit it is a neat piece of kit,it doesn't come with the gas tube though and if connecting to the BBQ point on the Cadiz you will need a quick release connection like this:-

They are three pounds or so off E-Bay.

I am sure when we bought the van there was one provided in the little gas tap locker but naturally I can't find it now.

If you are thinking of purchasing the Cadac the cheapest I could find was Go Outdoors at £90,if you are a member of the CC&C you can get an extra 10% off but of course I didn't find out about this till later.

Anyway will give it a try on our next trip.

Ian

The Firs and Additions

Came back yesterday from five days at The Firs CMC site near Belper in Derbyshire.

We have been before but just to reiterate that this is a cracking little site,spotless with very friendly wardens,the glorious weather helped of course.

Even got the satellite dish up and running.

( Incidentally I recently read of an easier way to set it up to get Astra 2.
 When you get it set up with the dish pointing south turn it as far east as it will go then slowly bring it back and Astra 2 is the first satellite you should hit as there are various others up there to confuse things ).


Nearby is the Tramway Museum and Heage Windmill both worth a visit.

Nothing of note Cadiz wise but here are a couple of recent additions to my caravan gizmo's.

Decided to equip the Avtex TV with an Avtex soundbar which projects the sound forward as the Avtex like all slimline TV's these days has the speakers at the rear.

It fits with the provided bracket to the bottom of the TV using the holes where a stand would fit.

Works very well plus we also use it on the TV at home in between trips.



To keep the Aquaroll water clean and just as important the van pipework free of biofilm I have,since we started caravanning,used Elsil.

Nothing wrong with Elsil at all but I get through a fair few bottles a year at about £7-£8 a time so it works out quite expensive over the year plus you have to remember to add it.

Decided to go down the route of an Aquaroll Filter which is not a filter as such but uses silver ions to do much the same as the Elsil does.

Just drop it in the Aquaroll and it does its wonders for a whole season.

If purchasing try E-Bay first as mine was £21 wheras on the Aquaroll site they are £39.

Ian