A HOLIDAY ON WHEELS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21867, 21 August 1936, Page 16

A HOLIDAY ON WHEELS

HAPPY DAYS IN THE COUNTRY 0» —i ■. i* POPULARITY OF MOTOR CAMPING TRIP TO SOUTHERN LAKES (specially written toe the press.) [By L.E.B.] Although the popularity of motor camping and caravan touring has in-

creased remarkably in the last year or two, there are still many motorists who do not seem to realise the happy days they could have in a 1000 miles trip into the back country. Perhaps they do sometimes think of having a holiday on wheels and believe it would be really good fun; but they are apprehensive about driving conditions they might meet, or the cost the trip would run out at, or they do not like the idea of putting up 1000

miles on the speedometer in a fortnight or so.

These objections are all easily met. In the first place, there are not many Spots—attractive to the average tourist who is just out for a pleasant and rather lazy holiday—which have approaches that may reasonably be described as difficult. Certainly care is needed, but the good driver is always careful. Any person who has reached a standard of driying high enough to enable him to handle a car efficiently in all the circumstances of city driving should have no fear of anything to be met on the roads to most of the better known and more popular places of interest to tourists. Of course, there are exceptions, but it cannot be emphasised too greatly that it is care rather than very great skill that determines safety on the roads. Cost Not Great Then about expense. In ,a mediumsized car running about 20 miles to

the gallon of fuel, a 1000-mile trip means buying about 50 gallons, which would run out about £5. On top cf this, allowance should be made for oil and lubrication, small replacements and adjustments, and, of course, food. In some places, too, there are camping fees to be paid, but these are small ana do not take up much money. The final cost. Of course, can only be determined when the exact route to be followed is known and the number and activities of the camping party are de-

cided on, but it will readily be seen that the expense need not be in any way-great, especially when it is being shared. The objection about running up a big mileage is best answered probably by pointing out that unless the motorist intends to stay at home for his holiday, without taking his car outside the gate, or to go to some place where he will not be needing his car, he will do a pretty fair mileage in

running into the country or out to the seaside or over the hills. And even if he would not, what is 1000 miles to a car in reasonably good condition and with the prospect of an average life? With these few objections to motor camping disposed of, it might be of interest to give a brief account of a recent trip I did with a companion. It was round the southern lakes, which are already a popular destination for motor campers and seem likely to attract miiph greater numbers when the facility with which the trip may be made is fully realised. We left Christchurch at mid-day one Saturday and by evening had reached the shores of Lake Tekapo. Travelling was easy all the way, yet we arrived