JOYS OF CARAVANING.

Shannon News, 13 November 1923, Page 4

JOYS OF CARAVANING.

"Who free as I —beneath the sky? With face of tan, snug in my van; Daily I roam, never from home. Happy my lot, if cold or hot; Simple my f fish or hare. >. My dog and I scorn passers-by; Quietude's best, fresh air and rest. . Tame other life, breathing of strife; Resist it who can, the life of the van." . \

"Caravannersare frequently seen m England, and in a district the Jersey from Liverpool is a "caravan town" where many people live in caravans, who are unable procure houses. ** Whatever may be said to the contrary, Britishers, more than any other peoples on this earth, are born suffering from- what -the Germans / call "Wanderlust." we cannot help it, for it is our nature, and in passing, we may be thankful ' that we do suffer from this disease; it. has resulted in the greatest sea-power the world has ever. seen, and the mightiest Empire beneath tho sun. It may be argued that the millions of people who cam v thcir bread within the narrow confines of offices and workshops, provide a rather embarrassing contradiction to this statement, but it must be remembered that few of us follow our natural ■ inclinations'.' -The only outlet provided for the odd millions who live their work-a-day lives 'in close, attendance to 'business, is the annual holiday. Then'they'are free for a'short space, to follow their natural bent. Some desire to pass-4he all-too-swiftly-moving days which comprise. their holiday in a populous resort, crowded with the means for enjoyment that appeal to their natures. Others, and it is to thosewhom this article is particularly addressed, desire to wander across the countryside at their own free~will, and taking as much time as they.wish over ■it- - ■■ ''.. . ■. ■ To those people caravanning has a very strong appeal. There is something so alluringly attractive about the prospect of a holiday in which one obeys only the dictates of one's heart. Life "in a caravan for/no matter how short or long a period,, is life free from the trammels of- convention, free from the, petty cares and worries and strivings of the Battle of Life. holiday for jaded, worried and over-worked men. This is true, and one has only to contemplate the many and manifold joys that, such a cruise in a land-yacht provides to realise the full meaning of that statement. Think of the cool, 'leafy lanes that are just waiting to be explored; think of the clean, fresh air, and the constant change of scenery that each mile of the way holds fOr your-view. Think of the still nights, spent under the stars, far away from the noise and rush and smoke of the cities; nights spent in exquisite peace and solitude, with onlv the cool breezes and the rustling of the trees; think of thpso things and you will,, understand a little of the magic of the open road. • Caravanning is a civilised and comfortable reversion, to the life led by our remote and nomadic forefathers., They wandered*of necessity, and we, their distant progeny, wander for pleasure, '•and' find pleasure ajad consent in our wandering. _ ' , It must npt be imagined that to live for a time in a caravan is to discover the meaning of the phrase "to rough it." A caravan is a house on wheels, and is as comfortable as a house on foundations of brick and stone. * The architecture is of course greatly restricted, . for one must take into account both size and the possibility of locomotion; but though the, size is restricted, th'e comfort is not. Space which in a.house is more or less wasted, is utilised to the fullest extent in a caravan. It is very much like life on a ship, a place for -everything and everything in its place. Great .strides Jliavc been {made- ,ln recent years in the construction of caravans, arid in the,season, quite a number driven by motor-power are to be seen on the road. But we are dealing with th'e horse-drawn variety. To be enjoyed to the full, the choice of fellow-, voyagers must be considered, for with them rests the power to enhance or to mar the holidav. The ideal companions are good, hearty and cheerful fellowmen; men who look on life as a joy, and who arc prepared to treat any small calamities that may befall as a joke. With such company tire success "of the holiday is assured. . The following rules , will be of great help to the comfort of the caravanners: — .- ! Rise early, and tidy up the van before breakfast. It is a good plan to detail each member of the party to a certain duty, for when this is done, breakfast may be prepared by one person, whilst the others are tidying up. Always "wash-up" directly' after the meal, and before any further move is made. Unless this rule is strictly adh'cred to, the dishes will never be washed. Before leaving a pitch, see that no rubbish is left lying about, -for it is unfair to other people and reflects no credit on the caravan. Waste paper should always b'e burned. Keep to your right side of the road> and do not'obstruct the highway. ■ Always ask permission of the owner before pitching camp in a field. See that the water tank is kept full. It is quite probable that on parts of the journey water will be unobtainable. Great care must be taken in choosing the horse that is to be our companion during the holiday. One inclined to be at all frisky should b'e sedulouslv shunned, for in caravanning, speed is immaterial, and twenty-five miles per day is a good average "trek"-to maintain. From this if will be seen that the more stolid and phlegmatic the horse, the bettor it suits our requirements. It is best, if possible, .to secure a horse we know, for the fact that a steady one is might mislead the amateur into mistaking age -for "steadiness. -Above all things the horse should bo sound. It is easy and cheap enough to keep, for it will obtain most of its own food from grazing in the fields; still, it j is advisable to. give the horse a little corn each day." Horses should always be watered before feeding and not after, I as they' are peculiarly liable to colic,

■■ . \ which is a much more serious ailment with: them than with us.

The last consideration is, what clothes we are to take with us. It is a habit with Englishmen to load them-. Selves with luggage. This is all very well if a holiday is to be spent at some seaside .resort, but luggage is apt to prove troublesome in a caravan, and,' furthermore, is superfluous. What is required is one good suit, sufficient socks, shirts, etc.- Good waterproof boosts or shoes, but preferably the former, are a necessity. There is plenty of walking connected with caravanning, and there is nothing .more disheartening than footwear which cannot be Another thing, no caravan--ner goes without is a good mackintosh; it is essential as good boots. In addition, towels,' soap, tooth-brushes, and shaving gear are of course to b'e carried. If these, few rules .are observed, a holiday on the road is bound to be a success. '■• i '