January 2005, 8am: a dull, yellow light barely penetrates the net curtains. You switch on the radio. Rain and gale-force winds have brought travel chaos to the UK. Freak tides have left much of the South Coast flooded. You turn over and try to go back to sleep. But there is another way…
It is January 2005, 8am: you open your eyes. The rooflight reveals a square of pale blue sky. You open the caravan door and breathe in the scent of pine needles. The air is fresh, but it's not cold. Sunlight slants through the trees, bringing with it a touch of warmth. Yesterday, the mercury touched 21 degrees at lunchtime. You even had to apply a bit of sun-tan lotion as you sipped an ice-cold sherry and feasted on tapas.
So which of these two scenarios would you rather be experiencing in a couple of months' time?
If you've often been tempted – but never quite dared – to spend the winter abroad, now is the time to stop dreaming and start preparing.
Eddie Willerton, 72, and his w
ife Ethel have spent the past six winters rallying in Spain and Portugal. "We've fallen in love with Valencia," says Eddie. "There's an awful lot going on there in winter. And that part of Spain is
fantastic if you love the mountains.
Most days we'd just go up into the hills and have a picnic."
If you're looking to spend winter on the Continent, there are so many places you can choose from: France, Spain, Italy and Portugal are all popular choices. As an example, we are focusing mainly on Spain, but follow our guide and the world's your oyster.
Preparation is the key
Before you set off, there are things you'll need to do. Some regulars argue that there is no need to prepare your van for use during the winter months, because the coastal temperature never drops below freezing point. But while this is true for the coast, if you plan to spend any time inland, or in France, take a few steps to ensure you don't freeze up. The Caravan Club (tel 01342 3269440) has a winter caravanning leaflet including a list of suppliers of essential
cold-weather gear, such as heaters and pipe laggers.
Think about how you will use your caravan as
a long-term home. If you are buying new, a fixed-bed can be a welcome feature. While slotting in cushions and unrolling duvets might be fine for a two-week holiday, it is a colossal struggle for any greater length of time. Katy Woolf and her husband, Paul, have spent the past nine winters down in the south of Spain. They opted for a fixed bed in their five-metre Swift instead of an end bathroom. "We have never
had a problem with using the shower blocks down
in Spain," says Katy. Remember, the facilities will
be far less crowded than in the summer, and
considerably less smelly. And it doesn't come down
to a choice between a fixed bed or a washroom: many twin-axle caravans offer both,
with a transverse washroom behind the fixed bed.
Awnings come into their own in winter, especially on the Costas where the mild weather means you can often cook and eat al fresco. Eddie Cryer says: "We find that we live outdoors and only go into the caravan to sleep. We set up a mini-kitchen in the awning." Separate kitchen tents are also popular on the Continent and are available from larger supermarkets.
Money matters
If you are spending the winter abroad, don't bother with Traveller's Cheques. Hole-in-the-wall cash machines can be found in all but the tiniest villages, while Visa cards and some debit cards are widely accepted in restaurants and supermarkets (although you might need to show proof of identity).
If any of your caravan's equipment goes wrong, don't panic. Spanish and Portuguese caravan dealers are easy to locate, since most of them are situated on the main coastal roads and they can order in spares and carry out repairs that will be paid for, or
reimbursed to you, by your UK insurer. It is always useful to check out the location of a few dealers,
on the internet, before you set off. Most caravan
insurers will permit overseas travel for up to six or nine months of the year, so it is unlikely that you'll need to pay further premiums, but again, check before you go. Also, you will be surrounded by
like-minded people with few demands on their time who will be only too happy to help you out.
One easy way of paying for your stay at Continental campsites is by using Camping Cheques. These are widely accepted and often entitle you to discounts. They last for two years, so it doesn't matter if you don't use them up in a single visit. Check out the
website at www.campingcheque.co.uk for more details.
home and health concerns
One reason some people are reluctant to spend
the winter away from home is the thought of leaving their house empty for an extended period. There
are simple measures – not too different from
normal pre-holiday precautions – that will give you peace of mind. First, inform your insurance company that you are going away. You shouldn't have to pay higher premiums providing the property isn't left entirely empty. It should be enough for insurance purposes to have a neighbour regularly come in, switch on the lights, and open and close the curtains. It is also a good idea to get your mail redirected to
a friend or relative – the Post Office charges around £15 a quarter for this service.
People also worry about what happens if they
fall ill while they are away. Hospitals in Spain are first rate and if you do have the misfortune to need medical attention you will probably be surprised at the speed with which you are seen. Although most hospital staff speak some English, it is nevertheless a good idea to brush up on useful phrases. Also remember to take your E111 form with you.
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