Perseus the Pursuit!

Two weeks ago saw me once more at the brilliant Baltic Wharf Caravan Club Site in Bristol where my new caravan, a beautiful Bailey Pursuit 430-4 was waiting for me. I know: lucky guy. Last year I toured with the stage version of “birdsong” and lived in a Bailey Orion 430-4 for six months, but when I saw the new Pursuit last Autumn at the NEC I fell in love all over again. The Orion (“Douglas”) was needed for another show and so I took the winter off and now I’m back with “Perseus” - the Pursuit. This name thing seems to have stuck and “Perseus” just seemed to be right: even Bailey’s and my friends at the Caravan Club call him that. If anyone reading has a name for their caravan I’d love to hear from you, it would be good to get a list going.

For those of you who don’t know, this new Bailey model is a mix of the old Pegasus and Orion models. It’s even lighter than the Orion, and my Seat Altea tows it with ease (although I’ve learned over the last year not to take too much stuff onboard when I travel!)

As always on the site I got talking to other members, and a lovely couple, who used to be wardens until quite recently, were very interested in The Pursuit as they were looking for something slightly smaller and a lot lighter to tow. They drove a fuel-guzzling 4X4 and were surprised to see my relatively everyday car could handle a caravan which, although light, isn’t small either.

I loved my Orion - and having lived in it for six months you get to know the layout and space very well. I think it’s a great caravan, especially for people who need comfort, but not a lot of extra weight. The interior design of the Pursuit just improves on a few design features in my opinion: the layout of the bathroom notably, but also the improved heating system and a different fridge. A fridge is a fridge though, right? Well, I was never so keen on the push button power selector on the old model: I was never sure I had it right or switched off properly but the new model has a dial. It points to battery, mains or gas and couldn’t be simpler. For this caravanner, simple is best. For any of you who aren’t fans of microwaves where you need an engineering degree to operate them and heat up some soup, or who are terrified of multi-function remote control devices, you’ll know what I mean. The new caravan has an extra window skylight at the front over the seating area too which gives a nice splash of extra light on duller days.

I’ve never met anything but friendliness on Caravan Club sites, and I had a great welcome again from the wardens ( especially Jenny who wasn’t on duty but came over to my caravan to say hello and have a hug!). This season though, for once I didn’t feel a complete beginner. When I got to the caravan I waited for Simon from Bailey to come over and show me everything. The mains cable and everything was already set-up on delivery to the site before I arrived, but I noticed the electrics seemed not to be working. When Simon and a colleague arrived they started investigations and decided it was probably a fuse problem, or that the cable had tripped at the post. While we were looking at the post an idea struck me and I got hold of the plug and gave it a twist in the socket and heard a reassuring “click”. Not every mains post has the newer kind where you have to lock and unlock the plug- but I’ve used quite a few now. A small thing: but as a still relative beginner it felt good to have actually traced and solved the problem myself!

I shall be out and about a lot with Perseus this year so do say hello if you see me about as I’m always ready to listen to caravanners stories and learn something new. Meanwhile, as I’m based in the North West, if any members can recommend any great CLs in the region I’d be grateful. I’m a huge fan of CLs and looking to explore many more of them.