How do you keep warm?

There are two questions we get asked by well meaning friends and strangers when they realise we are living in our caravan. Especially in winter. And while we’re being battered by The Beast from the East!

The first question is: “How do you keep warm?”

How did we combat The Beast from the East in our caravan?

If I’m being mischievous, I’ll probably say: “We light a few candles, throw on an extra fleece and a woolly hat then huddle around the flames, shivering.”

Naughty!

In truth, modern touring caravans are designed for all year use, having better insulation, double glazed windows – and the miracle of Alde Heating!

Now, this has nothing to do with the budget supermarket of the same name. It’s a wet central heating system designed and built in Sweden (where they know a thing or two about freezing weather). Pipes carrying hot water, supplied by a small boiler, encircle the caravan. There’s even a heated towel rail in the shower room. The system is digitally controlled by a thermostat that is programmable.

We're safe and warm inside from the Beast...

When we were up near Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales a couple of weeks ago, the owner came into the caravan to discuss our stay.  As she sat down, a look of wonder crossed her face. “Goodness me! It’s warmer in here than in our house...”

So there you are. How do we keep warm? We switch on the central heating. Easy.

The second question we always get asked is: But what do you eat?” Yes, they actually speak in italics.

People have visions of us surviving off cold sandwiches and packets of crisps, washed down with luke warm coffee from a flask.

Ah – but we have all the mod-cons! A gas oven, grill, 4 ring hob, a microwave, fridge with freezer compartment...

So, what we eat in the caravan is only limited by our culinary skills. For instance, the other night I cooked Steak & Mushroom Stroganoff served with tagliatelle. Heaven...

So while we appreciate your concern, don't worry, we're as snug as a bug in a rug...

(Read my novels; Stench of Evil https://goo.gl/VQOVuS and The Devil in Them https://goo.gl/aS1cjZ in ebook format and paperback...)