Touring Toolkit

Nothing is more frustrating than being stuck on site or worse, at the side of the road when a problem arises with your tourer.  Be prepared for most eventualities by carrying a simple tool-kit with you.  Here is a list of a few indispensable items.

Screwdrivers
A Phillips screwdriver is a must for all those cross-head screws caravan builders are so fond of.  Then a large and small flat-bladed screwdriver.  If you've got a small electrical screwdriver too, even better.
Pliers
A couple of pairs of pliers should suffice such as bull-nose and long-nose.  Good for gripping hard to hold bits and stripping wires.
Leatherman
It doesn't have to be an official Leatherman, these can be quite expensive.  Any good quality multi-function tool will do.  The possibilities for use are literally endless. Alternatively, a cheap utility knife can do certain jobs.
Tape
PTFE tape is great for wrapping round leaking pipes. Insulating tape is another must have. Duck tape is very tough and cheap to buy and can be a quick fix for tears.
Cable Ties
Ideal for tying anything together.  We lost a vital piece of the metalwork for the awning last summer and cable ties came to the rescue; making sure that the awning stayed in one place for an entire four days. Good for attaching aerial cables to the tourer too.
Rope
Useful for securing anything that a cable tie can't!
Other Useful Stuff
Old rags come in handy for mopping up spills, wiping windows and car lights, checking your oil, and a multitude of other things.
WD-40.  Enough said!
Torch.  Keep one in the car and one in the tourer.  Vital for night-time repairs and upkeep.
Spare fuses.
Batteries.

There are many other things that you could carry with you but then you would probably exceed your curb weight.  This is at least a good starter kit to ensure you have less stress on the road this coming season.

February is here already and thank goodness it is.  January has to be the most depressing month in the year.  Why does everyone insist on dieting, detoxing and generally giving up all enjoyable activities in this dark and depressing month? I think we should save the new resolutions for the summer when there is more chance of us sticking to them.  Although, giving up alcohol in June when it's BBQ season, well, maybe not.

Anyway, February is here and its only 3 weeks until our first excursion.  The new wet locker has been fitted - not a battery box as first suspected - and the van is ready and raring to go.  We have booked the recently re-vamped Bay View holiday park in Bolton-le-Sands near Carnforth.  We have stayed there before but not since the new bar/restaurant was added.  They have also installed super pitches now, so camping there just got easier.

The site overlooks the beautiful Morecambe Bay and is only a ten minute drive into Morecambe itself.  For those of us who like to walk, it is an hours walk along the beach and promenade right into the heart of town.  Here you will see the iconic Winter Gardens which David 'The Hoff' Hasselhoff has just pledged allegiance to.  This amazing structure built in 1897 as the Victoria Pavillion Theatre, staged its last play in 1977.  Since then it has been looked after by the Friends of the Winter Gardens who are raising funds to help restore it to its former glory.

As one of the most haunted buildings in England, it has played host to Living TV's Most Haunted where many strange goings on were heard or seen.  Ghost walks regularly take place here.  For more information about this visit www.thewintergardensmorecambe.co.uk.


Further up the promenade is the magnificent Grade II listed Midland Hotel.  An art deco structure famous for its seahorse figures, recently refurbished by Urban Splash and now the centre-piece of the promenade.  As you step inside and view the amazing spiral staircase and original features, you can imagine yourself transported back in time.

As old sand-grown'ns ourselves, we will be re-visiting all the sites that Morecambe has to offer.  Can't wait.