New Van, first outing

Tuesday, 9th January 2018

We took delivery of our new Chausson Welcome 610, December 18th, but, a combination of winter colds and Christmas has prevented us actually using it.

We plan to have a week away, to Colchester, to familiarise ourselves with the operation of the various bits and pieces, and, to check for any gremlins. There is also a need to become familiar with driving the van, it has a Fiat Comfort-matic gearbox, which is an automatic. It is simple enough really, but, fifty years of reaching for the gear-change is a difficult habit to break!

First problem, when I attempt to fill the fresh water tank with a small amount of water, to use en-route, I find that as fast as I pour water into the tank, it runs out again from a drain under the van.

Although I do not recall any hand-over information, referencing drains under the van (quite the contrary, I am sure we were told the drain mechanism was in the service hatch). After spending a fruitless hour searching for a tap, which may have been left "open'. A telephone call to the dealer is the next step. Eventually, three phone calls later, it would appear there is a part missing, the fresh water tank "drain bung".

A journey to the dealer, fifteen miles away, and, all is fixed. everything is very friendly and amicable, but, it is irritating that they do not seem to understand that these things just should not happen, clearly they need pre-delivery check list, which is actually used!

By the time we are "up and running', it is too late to make the journey to Colchester, so, we reset the sat-nav and head for York (Rowntree Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Site), roughly 80 miles away, and, "on the way" to Colchester, should we decide to go there. We know Rowntree Park is open at this time of year, but, we also know it is a very popular site, which is often full. Kathleen attempts to telephone them as we drive, but, is continually passed to an answer phone.

Eventually, we arrive, and, things are beginning to go right, they have spaces.

Next problem, Kathleen attempts to rustle up some lunch, only to find that the ignitor for the gas hob is not working. Thus far, two gremlins! Because we have Electric Hook Up, Kathleen is able to use the Electric hotplate on the hob, until we obtain some matches to allow us to use the gas hob.

Although Kathleen, efficient as ever, has a meal "planned" for this evening, after the hassle we have had today, we decide to walk into York and eat.

Next problem (not down to the dealer this one), the TV is not yet fully installed, since I am waiting for fixings. We discover the portable arial, which works fine at home, does not work in York, so, Kathleen is reduced to watching a film on DVD.

It is January, in the UK, so, you cannot expect too much of the weather. We are not disappointed, rain none stop all night, and freezing cold. Actually, we have been to York several times in January, and, there was a period when I was working at an Crown Prosecution Service office in York. Come to think of it, for some reason, in winter, it does seem to be a very cold place, makes you wonder why the Saxons, Romans and Vikings settled here? 

I suppose, as new Motorhome experiences go, today has been moderately successful, one fault fixed, and a second which, although annoying, is not a "show stopper".

Certainly, with this van, as compared to the Autotrail Apache 632 (which was also a Fiat Ducato base vehicle), the driving experience is better. This van has the Fiat lowered chassis and wider track, specifically meant for Motorhomes, and, it feels much move "poised" and "steady", at motorway speeds. Still cannot quite get used to the van deciding when it will change gear, rather than me, but, it will come, i am sure, at which point, I will probably forget to change gear when driving the car!.




Wednesday, 10th January 2018

We return to the original plan, ie, Colchester.

It is a dismal drive of 211 miles, pouring rain, for most of the way, but, as we approach Colchester, the rain stops and, there is even a patch or two of blue sky.

The "good" weather does not last, by 16:30 it is raining steadily.

The campsite is from the 2018 ACSI book, Colchester Holiday Park, Cymbeline Way, CO3 4AG, (N51 53' 32" E0 51'42"). At £18/night, it is reasonably priced. Until very recently, there were very few ACSI affiliated sites in the UK, this appears to be changing, with approximately 40 sites listed in the 2018 ACSI Book.



We are still experimenting with the various cupboards and storage spaces in our new van, so, it comes as little surprise when Kathleen cannot find the book she is reading. This causes me great amusement, since Kathleen prides herself on being "tidy", whilst berating me for being "untidy". The book is eventually found, in the same storage slot as my book. I manage to hide my amusement!