USB Socket

This may seem a bit obvious and many people have probably already done it, but to give yourself a USB socket at the front put a USB to cigarette plug into the front cigarette socket.

You could double it up with a double USB plug if you like.

Happy Christmas to all my reader(s) and see you all in the new year. 

Ian

CMC Chapel Lane & the NEC

Well sat here on the Chapel Lane site after a visit to the NEC show yesterday. 

SWMBO is snoring and rain is hammering on the roof. 

It has to be said that this site needs a bit of TLC, most of the tarmacced areas are breaking up leading to very large puddles and the toilet blocks, whilst clean, could do with upgrading. 

We enjoyed the show although it did seem rather quiet compared to previous years. 

As usual we looked at motorhomes, this is where SWMBO'S heart really lies, but they are so expensive. 

The Cadiz soldiers on and I can't see any reason to change just for the sake of it. 

The latest model Cadiz is all very nice but at £35k or so it should be but basically it is little different to ours.

This is our last trip for this year so the Cadiz will be tucked away in storage over the winter. 

I am having it professionally cleaned and surface treated in February so it should look like new when we hit the road again in March. 

Got a weekend away shortly to see the Chatsworth fireworks but having a bit of luxury in a hotel so we have that to look forward to. 

See you all in the new year. 

Ian

Cat Flap

You don't see many caravans with a cat flap.

Ian

Car Damage

My reader(s) may recall back in Norfolk I had a coming together with a wall.

Well after a very reasonably priced visit to Chips Away Wakefield this is the result:-

Very pleased.

Ian

CMC Chatsworth Park

We are at present on the above site amid glorious weather.

Had a visit to the house yesterday,been before but always worth a return visit. 

Site is busy as it usually is but did notice one or two empty pitches which is unusual here. 

No caravan issues encountered , shouldn't have said that should I, prepare for a disaster. 

Next outing may be to Blackpool as SWMBO has a desire to see the illuminations. 

Ian

CMC Scarborough West Ayton

We are on the above site at present with two grandkids in tow and very a pleasant site it is.It has had an upgrade since we last visited two years ago and is much improved with upgraded toilet blocks and premium pitches which appear very popular.

Having said that there are lots of empty pitches and generally the site is very quiet, unusual for a seaside site in the middle of August.

Having said that, Scarborough itself seemed quiet as well.

The caravan has been fine.

Have fitted the replacement NSF window blind which eventually arrived after the first one arrived damaged.

Curiously the screw holes in the new one didn't exactly match the ones in the van so had to fashion a couple more,anyway all seems OK now.

That's all for now,home tomorrow and Chatsworth in a few weeks.

Ian

CMC Norfolk Broads

Just coming to the end of two weeks on the above site which is at Ludham Bridge to the west of Wroxham in Norfolk..

It is a lovely site,very well kept by the hard working wardens,can recommend a visit.

It has been very quiet with lots of empty pitches when for these weeks they have previously been full.

The warden commented that the whole area is quieter than usual.

The Cadiz has been fine.

Received the new window blind but it was broken so it will be a further four months or so for a replacement.

Had "a moment" with the car managed to scrape the rear bumper on a wall in Eccles on Sea,a bit of a weird looking place.

Going to be sorted in a couple of weeks.

Again on the car front had to get Mayday/Green Flag out as we got a stone trapped in the NSF disc,what a racket.

Felt a bit embarrassed as it took him about two seconds to fix.

Anyway it's Scarborough West Ayton in a couple of weeks or so with grandkids in tow, can't wait.

Ian

Vu Plex Review

Have just used the Vu Plex I mentioned in a previous post.

It is really good and disguises small scratches well.

Very easy to apply,I even tried some on my phone screen and it worked well on that also.

After one application there is plenty left so should be enough for further use.

Ian

Curtains For Sale

I have a full set of original Unicorn 3 curtains for sale.

This is the colour/pattern.

They are freshly laundered and ironed.

From a non smoking environment.

Price:£100 inc. postage.

Payment by PayPal preferable.

Ian

CMC York Rowntree Park

Having put my name down at birth we have just had four nights on this site.

The site itself,whilst being up to usual CMC standards,is nothing to write home about,it is a converted car park after all,but its USP is that it is a short stroll to the centre of York and not much further to my favourite place,Wetherspoons.

Once again the Cadiz has been on its best behaviour.

I must remember to level it properly right to left in didn't notice till it was too late with everything set up.

Managed to bugger up my TomTom Europe Camper sat nav trying to download a new map and promptly lost data half way through which has corrupted the map.

Another little problem to sort out when we get home.

Was talking to the chap next door who had a Unicorn Series 5 Cabrera.

The build was evidently very poor,they forgot to connect the sink waste up for one, the van got flooded.

Much the same with the shower.

Was treated poorly by his dealer as well who couldn't have cared less.

I thought Bailey had got their act together over the last year or two but evidently not if this is anything to go by

Then again it's not just Bailey,heard a sorry tale regarding a Swift last time out.

Got a break now for a few weeks then its off back down to CMC Norfolk Broads for two weeks.

Ian

Loose Handle

Have had an email from David Mantell regarding a loose Handle to the right inside the door.

I will quote it in full then nothing gets missed.

"Just thought i would mention that the grab handle on the rhs as you enter the caravan was getting loose on my 'van.

Bailey, in their infinite wisdom, put the machine screws in from the fridge side of the panel, meaning you need to remove the fridge before you can tighten them up!!!!

However, in the design of the handle, they have put 3 unused countersunk holes each end which can be used for normal woodscrews. I suggest drilling pilot holes in the panel and ensuring the screws are not too long as they will damage the fridge.

I did mine yesterday and its really tight now."

Ian

CMC Hawes

Finishing four nights at this delightful site in the Yorkshire Dales.If you ever come here try and get a serviced pitch as they are separate and secluded from the hoi polloi filling their Aquarolls.

No problems with the Cadiz subsequent to its service.

Watched a You Tube video recently which imparted a bit of wisdom I wasn't aware of.

When moving the van with the motor mover don't have the jockey wheel extended as it can become bent,especially if going over rough ground,and lead to premature failure.

Wind it up to just clear the cut outs that way it might last a bit longer.

There you are,tip of the week.

Ian

Service

Just had the Cadiz serviced on storage by DTH Caravan Services ( meaningless to anyone outside West Yorkshire ).

Everything hunky dory and dry as a bone fortunately.

Ian

CMC Durham Grange

Four nights at the above site is coming to an end.It is a lovely spot just adjacent to the A1 making it an ideal stop off for those travelling north and south.

One minor gripe,I wish the CMC would introduce some consistency in their site shops.

When we were in Norfolk the site had a fully stocked shop taking both credit and debit cards as well as cash.

Here there is zero,nothing,not even an ice lolly,why the big difference?

Anyway onto matters Cadiz of which there is nothing to say really.Fixed the faulty window stay with a genuine Bailey one but still waiting for a replacement window blind.

One thing I have stopped doing is putting additive in the toilet flush and just relying on water.

Saves toilet fluid and prevents all the bits occurring which can block the pump.

All seems to work OK.

By the way it's been sunny!!!

Ian

.

CMC Norfolk Broads

Coming to the end of eleven nights at the above site where we have been many times before.

A perfectly lovely site well worth a visit,the weather could have been a bit kinder but it is what it is.

Must have caused a bit of hilarity putting the porch awning up on a very stiff breeze.

Cadiz wise the none Bailey window stay that I replaced came to grief as the screws pulled out.

The moral of this tale is that if you want a replacement stay get a "genuine" one from Prima Leisure,buy cheap buy twice.

Only problem is the delivery time is a bit lengthy

Everything else has been OK,still awaiting the replacement front side window blind.

Onwards and upwards,Durham Grange in a couple of weeks

Ian

E Mail

I have been receiving the odd e mail to an account I don't use much.

I think I have sorted it out and any e mails should,I hope,come to:-

i_broadhead@hotmail.com

Here's hoping.

Ian

Window Stay

Replaced the offside rear window stay today.

The upper part is easy to remove,just two screws.

The bottom part looks like it is bonded to the glass but there is a small hole in the plastic catch.

If you put the blunt end of a 2mm drill in the hole and lightly press the fitting slides off.

Now the replacement stay was not from Bailey but Kenmore caravans.

Bailey ( Prima Leisure ) couldn't despatch until July, ridiculous

The replacement fits on with the two screws from the original fitting.

Reattach the top and all done.

Couple of pics here:-

NEW STAY

ORIGINAL STAY

The stay length is 300mm.

Ian

CMC Knaresborough

Just ending four nights at the above site,a very pleasant place despite the wind and rain.

Handily there are bus stops outside the site with buses to Knaresborough,Ripon,Boroughbridge and York which cuts down on the diesel use when you have an old folks bus pass.

Had a problem with the nearside front window blind,the one on the side not the front,as the string has snapped.

E mailed my service man who gave the opinion that a new blind is needed which is what I thought as the string is under tension so there is no slack to join it together.

The preliminary despatch time is mid May and if previous experience is anything to go by it will be longer than that.

I suppose we are entering that period when things will need replacing after eight years use,cheaper than buying another though.

Have received the new window stay as mentioned previously so will have a go at fitting that shortly.

Since ordering it of course I have discovered that you can just buy the "thready bit"on its own at about half the price of a new stay.

Unless the Postcode Lottery coughs up I am never going to be a rich man.Whoever said that having a caravan is an expensive way to get a cheap holiday had it about right.

Ian

Milenco Platinum Mirrors

Had cause to replace our towing mirrors recently ( don't ask ).

Decided on a pair of Milenco Platinum Mirrors and now having used them I can report that they are excellent.

Field of view has been improved as has the clamping system,no vibration either.

They aren't cheap but are worth it if you are up for a replacement.

As usual this is not a paid for review,bought with my meagre pension.

Ian

New Curtains

SWMBO had a desire to replace the curtains in the Cadiz.

We decided to go with Bailey for a replacement set,not the cheapest but at least they fit,the pattern is Brompton.

Bit fiddly to put up but all done now.

The quality seems a little better than the originals.

Ian

York Beechwood Grange

Just coming to the end of our first outing of the year.Despite what a lot of the country appears to have had we have had minimum snow,just a light covering yesterday morning.

Haven't had any dramas apart from a strong wind unhinging the Isabella door canopy and blowing over the satellite dish at 2:30am one morning.I heroically ventured out like Captain Oates and rescued the situation,such is the life of a hero.

Have ordered a new knob for the window stay as I have come to the conclusion that the thread is knackered for some reason,anyway we will see when the new one arrives.

I must admit that Alde heating is superb is wouldn't buy another van or motorhome without it,it has been down to -3C but we have been snuggly warm.

Ian

Alde Delayed Start

There is an interesting article in the latest Practical Caravan about Alde Delayed Start which I didn't know existed.

Worth a read.

Ian

Window Stay Knob

Has anyone else had a problem with the window Stay Knob coming out and not screwing back on?

It appears they the thread on the knob is too short but can't see a reason for that and nothing seems to have broken off.Bit of a mystery.

Replacing the stay doesn't seem to be the easiest job either as the lower end seem to be bonded to the window.

Ian

Hitch Cover

Decided to give the old girl ( that's the van not SWMBO ) a new hitch cover after eight years.

About £14 or so from Amazon.

Ian

Job Done

The jacking brackets arrived from E Bay and fitted them yesterday.Pretty easy job even for me,torqued up to 86Nm and job done Wheel now back in its rightful place.

Ian

Tale of Woe

Today decided to remove the winter wheels and put the real wheels back on. 

Anyway I neglected to make sure the jack foot was directly under the jacking point, the jack moved a bit and bent the jacking point. 

So another pair ordered from E Bay at about £60 or so, £130 from Prima Leisure.

Oh well one lives and learns. 

Ian