OPEN-AIR HOLIDAYS. .

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1551, 21 September 1912, Page 11

OPEN-AIR HOLIDAYS. .

AND CARAVANING.

A Viotorian lady who has just returned from a twelve months' visit Home comes hack enthusiastic about caravaning, which, she avers, is the most delightful way of all to spend a summer holiday, writes "Queen Bee" in the "Australaelan." With three companions, she caravaned down the valley of the Rivor Dart, in Devonshire, just when apple-picking had commenced. Now she has experienced this method of taking a summer outing she'wonders that, seeing how-great a . hold the prosaic open-air camping has taken of people, caravaning has not become popular, as it is infinitely more interesting, just as'healthy, and.costs very little more. Caravans specially built for the purpose and a horse can be hired in the English counties lor £$ per-week. They are very like those that are common amongst the gipsy tribes, low oa tho wheels, -very roomy, with a 3ft. platform in front and a , sheltered frame at the back for provisions and.luggage, which, of course, are kept 'down to the minimum. The weather was so delightful that sleeping out was the rule, but when necessary the bunks— which folded into seats in the daytime— could bo put inside,, and yet leave plenty cf,room. -When on-the move tho old horse made about three miles an hour, which enabled the party to see rural England.to perfection. They did not keep to. the high-roads, but took sidetracks that led them far away from all the bustle of life, they came upon quaint villages, some of whose inhabitants had.never even seen a train, and whose knowledge of the world was months old. The. party did not carry much, food.' Home-baked bread was had at every cottage, and the most delicious bacon and eggs and cream in abundance.. Meat was scarce, but all other things, including lovely fruit, were plentiful and cheap. Some'of, the people Wet with had heard' of Australia. ' "Down under our feet like, where they do be having summer when they ought to be having winter, and where the gold'comes from to mike our. sovereigns, said one villager, who T?as:looked.up to as the wise man of.the

district, and who "had been to London twice, and ' wouldn't go again, and wouldn t advise anyone else to go, as it was a demon ~( 1. ~„ ~,, . Meals'were taken when possible at roadside inns, . sonte of them ' the quaintest place3.it. is possible to. conjure np, with their white-flint walls, thatched roofs, tiny diamond' pane windows,, and doors so low that stooping was a necessity on en~ tering. ; But they were all scrupulously clean, and food, although plain, of the very best, the cider and home-brewed ale —just the colour of straw—being' deli- • cious. ' • ' » ■■■.•■.■ ■' ■■ Distractions by the Way, .. # M'ost-of the time was passed, in (sketching or photography, or in conversation with the many oddities met with. The horse never needed driving.' He went along peacefully by himself, and when he thought he wanted a rest, took it for just bo • long as he pleased. Thunderstorms were frequent, and then the shelter of thft van was sought, with a big waterproof for the steed, and cover, if possible, under a cluster of oaks. In the journey taken very few motors were met with, as motor people prefer the high roads, where they can go fast, but they do not Bee raral J3ngland that. way. . . Iji Victoria some beautiful tours could - be mapped out, and a furniture van, with a few additions, would make an excellent caravan. There are numbers of curiously quaint spots all over Victoria that can only be met with by this method, and for those who are fond of drawing and painting the picturesque is to be had in abundance in a caravan jaunt. For a mixed company two vehicles are needed, the men . taking one and women the other/' Children; enjoy the life immensely, and even a third van for them could be added. In England often a whole string of vehicles 'is met with, containing many families, who pass their summer holidays invariably in this manner in preference to all others, arid cannot afford the expense of hotel life. For those who like the sea there are the shores of the bay to skirt, one of the prettiest roads being from. Geelons to Queenscliff, or from, Melbourne to Sorrento. But ample provision would have to be made in the matter of food, pte, as the wayside inns are few and far between. Managed with reasonable care and forethought, there is little doubt that caravaning can be made one of the most delightful ways imaginable of spending a holiday.