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How to Prepare for a Caravan Adventure
How to Prepare for a Caravan Adventure
Come springtime, after a long cold winter, caravan owners are generally itching to hit the open road, making the most of weekends for getting out and seeing the countryside. However, when your caravan has been in storage for a few months, LOOK Insurance believe it’s essential that you carry out these routine checks before leaving home. Using the information below, this is how to prepare for a caravan adventure.
How to Prepare for a Caravan Adventure
Tyres
During winter storage, it’s a good idea to rotate the caravan wheels every now and then so that the van’s weight isn’t exerted over one section of the tyre for a long period. However, even if you’ve done this, it’s still important to check the tyres for any signs of warping, bulging or bald spots and make sure they are at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Also check the wheel nuts are tight and there is no sign of excessive wear.
Damp
A lot of damage can be caused to a caravan by damp or water ingress in the winter months. When you put the vehicle into winter storage, take some steps to avoid the possibility of water damage. Move any non-fixed upholstery out of its usual position, so that air can circulate around it easily, and open up all the cupboard doors and drawers for the same reason. Drain down pipes and the water system so that you don’t risk having any burst pipes during the winter. Keep an eye out for any leaks around windows, skylights and doors – sometimes you’ll smell damp before you see it. Come spring, if there’s that particular musty smell, it should serve as a warning that damp is lurking somewhere. If you find any damp, take steps to treat it immediately, otherwise it will quickly get worse.
Safety and security
When preparing for the first trip of the season, you should test all safety equipment. Things to check include the security and smoke alarmsensors, and if you have a tracking device do a test drive towing your van a few miles before calling into the tracking company to make sure they can locate the vehicle. Make sure that physical security features like the wheelclamp and hitchlock are in good working order. You should have a fire extinguisher in the van in case of emergency. Most fires can be tackled with a multi-purpose dry powder ABC fire extinguisher, but cooking oil and fat fires require a fire blanket instead, so it’s worth having both in situ. Check the expiry date if you already have these items stowed in your van and that you’re up to speed on how to tackle fire in a caravan.
Check your paperwork
Before going on a trip, make sure you have all your paperwork in order. This includes checking on your caravan insurance and car breakdown renewal dates, as well as making sure your passport and travel insurance is up to date. An easy way to do this is to have one piece of paper that has all the renewal dates clearly marked on it. Leave this in the caravan and keep a copy at home, too. If you intend to take your caravan abroad to France, Spain or further afield, make sure that your insurance includes cover in the countries you’re visiting.
Spring clean and service
There’s no better feeling than setting off on your trip with a shiny, clean van – both inside and out. The first clean of the season shouldn’t be too hard, as long as you did a comprehensive clean at the end of last autumn! The better you maintain your van, the more years you will get out of it, and the better value it will hold. It’s also a good idea to run the caravan through its annual service before you head off anywhere. Remember to get all the appliances tested for safety too. Don’t leave booking the service to the last minute – caravan maintenance companies find spring is their busiest time of year.
Once the van’s ready, you can pack in whatever you’ll take with you, remembering to travel light where possible as every kg you carry will reduce your fuel efficiency. If you’re taking bikes so you can explore different areas when you get to them, make sure they’re in good working order too.
Of course, as well as getting the van in tip-top condition and your paperwork in order, you’ll also need to decide on an itinerary that includes everything you want to see and do on your trip as well as making sure it’s manageable in the time that you have available. But then you’ve probably been planning that side of the trip all winter long!
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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.
Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.
Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012
Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Diving expeditions
The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.
Sand Adventures
Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.
Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero
Al Jassasiya
The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.
Sunset Cruise
When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.
Desert Safaris
Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.
Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung
Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.
There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.
This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.
This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.
Bondi is well known for sun, surf, and fun, but what can you do if you find yourself there in the colder months from June to August? Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Sydney’s most popular suburb when the temperature drops.
8 Things to do in Bondi in Winter
1. Go on an art tour
If the weather doesn’t allow for the typical outdoorsy activities Bondi is known for, a tour of some of its first-rate art galleries can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, dedicated to promoting Indigenous art, and the Bondi Art Lounge, where you can view works from local artists or even take a beginner class and create a masterpiece of your own.
2. Take a hike
In crisp cool temperatures, a hike along the coastal cliffs with a view of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean below can’t be beaten. One of the most popular hikes is the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which is 6 km and takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and past plenty of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks where you can stop to rest and take in the sights.
3. Head to Bondi Icebergs for some winter swimming
Even during winter, swimming is not entirely out of the question in Bondi. The Oceanside pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is open year-round, and the winter swims every Sunday from May to September have become a time-honored tradition. Although club members must complete at least three winter swims a year to retain their lofty membership title, non-members who are up for the challenge can pay a one-time fee to use the pool and sauna.
4. Strap on your skates and visit the only beachside skating rink in Australia
If winter swimming is a step too far for you, why not skate instead? Bondi has Australia’s only beachside ice rink, and the ocean view in the background makes for a striking contrast. The ice rink is open from June 27 to July 13, and aside from hosting skating sessions that are open to the public, it also features spectacular ice shows from Stars On Ice.
5. Settle in for brunch at one of Bondi’s decadent cafes
Winter wouldn’t be the same without a few indulgences, and after all your skating and hiking, you’ve probably earned a hearty brunch anyway. Fortunately, Bondi is full of great brunch options, from Trio Café with delicacies like poached eggs with truffle oil and char-grilled halloumi; to the rustic Brown Sugar, where you can indulge in classic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes and English muffins with bacon.
6. Join a cooking class, dodge ball game, or salsa lesson
During the winter, it may seem like most people have gone off to hibernate, but if you know where to look, you can still find plenty of social things to do. Start by checking out the Bondi community page on Gumtree. You can find like-minded individuals to explore the area with or even join a group for fun activities like hiking, biking, or cooking.
7. Score some vintage fashion at Bondi Markets
The Bondi Markets, held every Sunday on Bondi Beach, are known in Sydney for being the best place to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and hip new fashions from emerging designers. Aside from style, you can also shop for art, furniture, flowers, books, local produce, and delicious street eats. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great place to do some people-watching and see the Bondi locals in their element.
8. Stop by the Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion is one of the suburb’s oldest landmarks dating back to 1928 when it first opened, featuring grand dining rooms, a lounge, a ballroom, and the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths. Today, it’s used as an art and cultural center and is home to a theatre group, recording studio, and art gallery. There’s always something going on here, from pottery classes to festivals to open-air cinemas, so check it out if you have a chance.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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