FUN AND FROLICS
ON THE OPEN ROAD
Tedd and Liz Walmsley take to the road in a luxury motorhome for a fabulous, five-star adventure
With foreign travel firmly off the radar Liz and I continued with our staycation theme – no 5* hotel this month but an equally enjoyable 5* experience. This was courtesy of our first ever motorhome adventure with a borrowed luxury home from James Alpe Ltd.
As converted vehicles go, the Mercedes Sprinter is arguably ‘best in show’. This award-winning van has a nine-speed auto gearbox making it a pleasure to drive but it is also kitted out with an impressive array of technology and gadgetry – but more of that later!
As we are very much motorhome novices, we researched our sites carefully and packed the van with a combination of clothes and goodies – it helps when you can stock a full size fridge with plenty of wine and fresh food. Wells in Somerset was our first stopover and the drive down was effortless, notably due to the comfort of the bespoke leather seats. There were many versions of the converted van on the sites we stayed at – VWs, Peugeots, but none turned heads quite as much as the Mercedes.
The weather was kind – a stunning late October evening meant we could sit back, relax and take advantage of the tranquillity of the site. This was also an opportunity to check out the technology of the van. Our spacious interior was accessed by the electric sliding door and had been kitted out so thoughtfully. Our TV magically appeared from its electronic riser housing and we also had fun hooking up to the entertainment system and trying out the lighting system.
We of course got chatting to fellow ‘staycationers’, who were keen to take a look and we were only too happy to give them a tour. The electrochromic windows offering privacy at the touch of a button and the electronically operated king size double bed and remote-controlled electric awning were probably the highlights.
Wells is a beautiful small city and well worth a visit – the Bishop’s Garden and nearby cathedral were simply stunning and our day was complete following dinner at a local restaurant, and a short cab ride back to our home away from home and the perfect end to our second day.
There are so many benefits to owning a motorhome and the ‘F’ word was the most popular way to describe it – freedom, flexibility, fun and fabulous – just some of the watch words shared by our fellow travellers over the days we were away.
A second stop in Sidmouth completed our short four-day trip – it was our first but surely not our last motorhome adventure. These bespoke conversions by James Alpe Ltd need to be seen to be believed. If this idea is appealing, then be sure to get in touch.
01200 444455
jamesalpe.co.uk
