Caravanning with the Rivrons
Ben Hackney-Williams, 1st January 2018, Caravan
Known for his music, comedy and television appearances, Rowland is an avid caravanner with wife Monica (author of The Caravan Cookbook) and both can regularly be seen at shows as well as on-site.
In fact, so passionate are the caravan couple about hitching up in-between their hectic schedules, they've modified their Bailey caravan to include a window serving hatch for all of Monica's recipe ideas incarnate, and added a pull-out awning along the tourer's top rail, which is perfect for a bit of shade or shelter from the rain.
Keen to know what makes his touring ticker tick, we caught up with Rowland and asked everything from his favourite food on pitch to what his top trip destination is.
Q: What first got you in to caravanning?
A: We were asked to do a BBC Holiday programme film about a family going caravanning 18 years ago, and we haven't looked back – certainly not in the rear view mirror anyway.
Q: What caravan and towcar do you have, and what made you pick them?
A: We have a customised Pageant from Bailey. We picked them because I got talking with Simon Howard, one of Bailey's directors, at the Motorhome and Caravan Club's Tow Car of the year Awards. We already had the Volvo XC90 to tow with.
Q: What's been your best trip? Or what's your favourite destination?
A: We go to Biarritz every summer on the south west coast of France. Love it!
Q: Have you ever had any horror stories from touring?
A: Driving to catch the ferry at Bilbao, I took the wrong turning and ended up in a town full of very narrow roads. The only place I could turn round was the Guggenheim museum car park – a killer.
Q: What's your best piece of advice that you'd give other caravanners?
A: [Laughs] Avoid reversing at all costs.
Q: Any embarrassing moments while away?
A: In the very early days... A neighbour pointing out we hadn't wound the legs down to stabilize the van, we were just on the wheels and the jockey wheel.
Q: How do you make your caravan a real home away from home?
A: We don't, we want it to be completely different to Grasmere Road. That said, moody night lights are a must.
Q: What's your favourite meal on site?
A: Breakfast, outside in the sun.
Q: Are you a kick back and relax caravanner or do you fill your schedule with activities?
A: Kick back and relaxing. There's always something to fiddle with with a caravan.
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