Archive for September, 2009
Top Places To Visit In The UK With Your Motorhome
It may have been cold the last few months and you may still be waking up to frost on your motorhome window but summer will soon be here so its a good time to look ahead get out the road maps and plan your next trip in your motorhome.
South East England
If you plan to spend your holiday in the south east of England you wont be disappointed. Famous for its magnificent parks and gardens theres something for every horticulturalist out there.
The south east also played a huge role in our military history and you can experience this for yourself by taking a tour around Dover Castle and the Secret Wartime Tunnels where Churchill and Vice Admiral Ramsey masterminded the Dunkirk evacuation.
Pitch your motorhome at Hawthorn Farm Station Road Martin Hill Dover.
Central England
The central part of England can often feel like just a network of roads and motorways however there are some great places to stop with your motorhome and take in some culture.
Theres StratforduponAvon with its busy market town and of course the home of William Shakespeare. Theres also the stunning scenery of the Cotswolds not to mention the Black Country with its modern architecture right alongside the old Victorian villages.
While youre there why not visit Coventry Transport Museum and see the worlds largest collection of British Road Transport. Its home to some fantastic vehicles including land speed record cars!
Pitch your motorhome at Dodwell Park Evesham Road StratforduponAvon Warwickshire.
North West England
Taking a trip up north? With the stunning scenery of the Pennines and the Lake District theres something for everyone from long walks up in the hills to good food in one of the many cosy pubs and restaurants.
If youre taking the children with you and theyre getting bored of the beautiful scenery and walking in the countryside a great place for them is Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Theyll have hours of fun on the rides and the amusements hopefully give you peace and quiet for the rest of the day!
Pitch your motorhome at Windy Harbour Holiday Park Little Singleton Blackpool.
Scotland
If your travel plans take you over the border into Scotland youll be spoilt for choice with the many destinations and attractions that the country has to offer.
Visit the Tweed Valley which boasts picturesque countryside and quaint towns and villages. If historys your thing then theres plenty of ruined abbeys dating back to the 12th Century at Melrose Jedburgh Kelso and Dryburgh.
Pitch your motorhome at Crossburn Caravan Park Edinburgh Road Peebles Scottish Borders.
Whatever your destination dont forget to give your motorhome the once over before setting off on any long journeys.
About the writer: Caravan Guard specialise in motorhome insurance in the UK. For more ideas for places to visit with your motorhome visit our website and sign up to receive articles by email. For all your motorhome insurance needs visit http://www.caravanguard.co.uk
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Tips For Getting Your Boat Ready For Storage
When winter comes and you are no longer able to enjoy your boat it is important that you spend some time getting your boat ready for storage. Storing your boat for the winter or long periods without use is much different than storing your boat in between outings. During long periods between boat use following a boat storage routine is the best way to ensure the continued usefulness and reliability of your boat. If you are new to long term boat storage our tips will help make getting your boat ready for storage quick and easy.
One of the first things that you should do when preparing your boat for storage is stop condensation from forming in the fuel lines and tank of your boat. To do this you must fill your boats gas tank up completely and then add a good fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. The instructions for adding fuel stabilizer vary from manufacture to manufacture. For this reason it is extremely important that you follow the instructions provided on the fuel stabilizer container with no deviations. Do not make the mistake of assuming that all fuel stabilizers are the same because that is simply not the case. Once you have filled your boats fuel tank up completely and added the stabilizer start the boats motor on flusher and let it run for about one minute so that the new fuel with the stabilizer can work its way through your boats system.
Next you must apply fogging oil to the boats carburetors. Many boats have a fitting for applying fogging oil and you will need to read your boats manufactures guide to find out where it is. In the event that your boat does not have a fogging oil fitting then you will need to find a good place to apply the oil on your own or with the help of someone who is comfortable with boats. Some find it easiest to just remove the carburetor cover for application. Once the fogging oil is applied to your dormant boat expect the motor of the boat to smoke a great deal when it is next used. This is perfectly normal and not a sign of anything wrong. In fact expect for the boat motor to smoke excessively for the first few uses after the fogging oil is applied.
Fogging oil must also be applied to the cylinders before the boat is put into storage. This can be done by removing the spark plugs and spraying the fogging oil directly into the cylinders. Replace the spark plugs that you have removed with brand new spark plugs. Also take some time to clean the housing of your boat and use anti corrosion spray on all electrical connections.
When you are done spraying the electrical connections of your boat with anti corrosion spray check the steering cables in and on the steering columns of your boat. Clean off any dirt or residue that has built up and air the shaft out completely. When you are finished spray all of the cables with anti corrosion spray. Taking the time to do this will help you avoid corrosion issues when the time comes to start using your boat again.
After the fogging oil has been applied it is time drain and completely flush out the boats gear case. This can be done by unhooking the flusher and then draining the gear case. Check the flushed lubricant for water and if water is in the lubricant replace your shaft seal immediately. Do not wait until you return from your trip or spring has come to replace this seal since neglecting this seal can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. After the lubricant has been completely drained and the shaft seal has been replaced if necessary refill the gear case with fresh lubricant.
One of the last things you should do when getting your boat ready for storage is disconnecting your boats battery. Remove the battery from the boat and carefully clean all of its terminals. Then spray the terminals with some of your anti corrosion spray and store the battery in a safe warm place that no one sleeps in. While your boat is in storage it is important that you charge your battery for several days each month to keep the battery in working condition.
When the time comes to officially store the boat place the motor in the downward running position and cover it. Use a motor cover that is not made of plastic since this will lead to a build up of moisture. Always use canvas coverings that let the motor breath while it is in storage. Lastly grease all of the bearings of your boat if it is kept on a trailer and spray all unprotected metal parts of your boat with the anti corrosion spray.
Once you have followed all of the boat storage tips outlined above you will be able to rest knowing that your boat will be in good condition when the time comes to resume regular use.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Simply Self Storage What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.
Tips For Choosing The Best European Cruise
When I use the phrase Best European Cruise I am not referring to the very best vacation money can buy but rather the greatest amount of luxury and adventure to be found without slipping the restraints of your budget. As much as we’d like to be able to ignore our accountants and max out our credit cards it is an unrealistic dream particularly in these difficult financial times. That being said there is nothing stopping you from finding the best European cruise deal you can with the money you have available to you. Here are a few tips to going about that:
1 Determine which ports of call you would like to visit. Though the bulk of your time will be spent aboard the ship the highlights of your trip will be the time you spend visiting Europe’s amazing historic cities. If you’ve always wanted to see Rome or Athens or Barcelona then you need to plan your itinerary around one or many such destinations. Visiting the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome might bring you more joy than the rest of your journey combined so you really need to focus in one this one aspect of your cruise planning more than any other. Don’t just concentrate on the cities in the Mediterranean basin. You can also enjoy wonderful cruises in the Baltic Black or Caspian Seas. European river cruises are also immensely popular and are a fabulous way to explore inland Europe.
2 Decide how long you want to be at sea. A European cruise can vary widely in length from a quick 5 day trip to a voyages that last nearly a month. Obviously the longer the cruise the more money you can expect to pay. This is an important consideration in planning your trip. You don’t want to come halfway around the world just to turn around and head home a day after finally getting over your jet lag. On the other hand you don’t want to have to sell all your worldly possessions in order to finance your vacation. Find a compromise that will make the long journey worthwhile without leaving you in the poor house. If no such compromise exists then you might want to consider holding off and taking the trip at a later date.
3 Figure out what luxuries and amenities you want aboard ship. As I mentioned above the highlight of your trip will be the amazing cities you’ll visit but don’t forget that much of your time will still be spent aboard ship. You want there to be enough to see and do to keep you from growing bored on your cruise. Find out what kind of entertainment each cruise line offers what other amenities such as pools hot tubs fitness facilities climbing walls etc. can be enjoyed and what the dining experience will be like. Depending on the level of luxury the price can fluctuate significantly. Ultimately choosing the best European cruise is in your hands. By following these simple steps you should be able to plan a cruise vacation that you will remember for a lifetime without putting undue financial stress upon yourself and your family.
About the writer: Want more help choosing the best European cruise? Visit us at the European cruise vacation planner for tips and reviews to help you plan your ultimate European travel adventure.