Newsletter Oct 2024
Our first RP Newsletter includes a taste of our Balkans Odyssey the first RP Adventure tour, a meet the owners section and a round up of developments and news from RP.
Steve & Jaye on their Balkans Odyssey
Welcome to our first RP Leisure Group newsletter. As our business and customers continue to grow and evolve, we feel now is the time to start a regular correspondence through which we can share more of the RP journey with you.
It’s hard to believe that this all started ten years ago when we built our very first van on the drive at home. We never imagined it would quite reach this point. Fast forward to 2024 and we have built over a hundred vehicles for a wide range of customers, each eager to see the world in your own way, united by a desire for quality and a brand that you can trust implicitly.
It’s not always been the easiest of journeys, especially not in the early days, but the greatest vindication that we are moving along the right track came earlier this year when we were awarded Great Britain Small Series Type Approval. This means that we are fully recognised vehicle manufacturers, and the only one in the UK building on Mercedes AWD vehicles, giving our customers total confidence that we will continue to build vehicles of the highest quality to match your adventure needs.
On that note it was a real joy to head out to Montenegro recently and join up with our first RP Adventures trip, aptly named ‘The Balkans Odyssey’ to not only see our vehicles ‘in the wild’ but create some special memories with the owners who were part of this fantastic adventure. Stay tuned across our social channels for some exciting news for upcoming trips in 2025.
Finally, we have taken the decision not to be at the Caravan and Motorhome Show at the NEC this month, opting instead to focus all of our resources on progressing and finishing the exciting developments we have in-store for next year. We will be back in February though, ready to showcase what we are working on, so be sure to stop by.
For now all that’s left to say is thank you to each and every one of you for being a part of the first ten years of what has now become RP Leisure Group. We look forward to the next chapter together.
Steve & Jaye Young
A Balkans Odyssey
The sun slowly emerges from behind the vast face of rock that forms one side of the imperious canyon that we find ourselves in. With it comes a welcome warmth, the hitherto frigid morning air gradually rising in temperature as the sun ascends ever higher towards what will be its eventual zenith in the brilliant blue sky.
From below comes the perpetual roll and rumble of the river, whose waters have, over countless years, carved out Tara Canyon, Europe’s deepest at over 1300 metres in some places. With the emerging sun comes signs of life on our campsite, built over two levels on what land there is to be found here at the bottom of the canyon, as soft chatter and the alluring aroma of freshly brewed coffee begins to fill the air.
We are in Montenegro, although only just as here the river marks the border with neighbouring Bosnia & Herzegovina, on the edge of Durmitor National Park, a region whose natural beauty is quick to win not just my heart, but those of my travelling companions too. The most impressive views of the canyon are from above, where one can see the turquoise waters of the river snaking their way through a green oasis of thickly wooded precipitous cliffs, home to rare, primaeval black pine forests.
The beauty of the landscape is reason enough to venture to this remote corner of a country that is, by modern standards, relatively undeveloped, with great swathes of land as nature intended them to be. Although, as we will discover with some delight in the coming days, there is far more to Durmitor National Park than its imperious canyon. But for now the focus is on the river, where we will spend the morning rafting.
At this time of year, it’s mid-September, the rapids are not particularly violent, graded as level two plus, and so over the course of the fourteen kilometres there are periods where we can relax, paddle gently and admire the canyon from a different perspective. Autumn’s gentle hand has already begun to touch the landscape, little pockets of rusty brown shrubs and trees with teardrop leaves the colour of caramel contrast with the verdant greens of the forest we float alongside.
‘All paddle’ comes the urgent command from Jacko, our vigilant guide. Ahead the river froths and erupts in plumes of white, a thunderous roar filling the air. We set to our task, carrying the raft quickly towards the start of the rapids before we are swept into them tossed this way and that. The front of the raft rises up, the horizon suddenly filled with the calm blue of the sky before slamming back down again, cold water showering those sat at the front, much to the delight of those further back.
The great contrast of Durmitor comes the following day as we head up from the canyon and take the thin ribbon of road that meanders through the heart of the mountains. The road gradually rises, picking its way up and through great slabs of rock long since jettisoned from the mountains that tower over us on either side, until without warning it arrives at a point where we are forced to stop. Not because the road is blocked, but because the sheer scale and brilliance of the mountains requires it of us.
We stand lost in reverence, for the landscape we find ourselves in is surrounded by mountains that appear to have violently wrestled themselves free from the depths of earth, jutting high into the sky. We will travel no further, instead opting to wild camp in the bosom of the mountains, the spell of Durmitor well and truly cast upon us. Night brings yet more magic, an ink-black sky carpeted with stars, wisps of the Milky Way and the crackle of our campfire providing the perfect end to a day few will ever forget.
To watch more about what we got up to click the button below.
Meet the Owners
It was Hans Christian Anderson who once said that ‘to travel is to live’. Words that RP owners Peter and Jane Reynolds are the very epitome of in their retirement, seeking out a life full of travel and meaningful moments in their Rebellion 2 AWD.
Having dedicated many years of their lives to work, in which they built and ran a highly successful green grocery business, they are now making up for lost time, fully embracing what it means to live a life full of meaningful moments together on the road. Only they’re in no great hurry, their travels through Europe are very much at their own pace and firmly eschewing toll roads.
“You miss so much when you’re on the toll roads, all these lovely little villages and places that otherwise go by in a blur,” Jane says. Places where they continue to meet all manner of colourful characters, experiencing authentic moments that add so much richness and depth to their adventures.
“Travel has been a revelation to me,” she adds. “I had only been to France once and on a walking holiday in Spain, so I hadn’t travelled much before getting the van. I can’t believe we’ve now been to all these different places, countries like Italy, Montenegro, Bosnia and Slovenia. It’s been such fun, and we always have a laugh together.”
They have only had their van for a year, but in that time they have packed plenty in, both with UK-based travel where highlights include time spent in the Outer Hebrides, as well as travel through Europe and being on the inaugural RP Adventures trip to the Balkans recently.
“When we bought this van it was to be used,” Peter explains. “That was why we spent the money on it, to be able to see the world. For me it’s about learning, exploration and having fun.”
Had it not been for an online video review of a Rebellion 4 they might not even have discovered RP in the first place. When they had a chance to sell their Auto Sleeper motorhome at an unexpected profit, after months of being unhappy with it, Peter took it upon himself to design the van that he wanted. It was while researching ideas for his van that he discovered RP, and the rest as they say, is history.
“I’d gone as far as designing my own van before I came across the Rebellion 4 review video on YouTube,” Peter says. “We then went to see Steve and Jaye and we just loved the quality of the vans they were producing and, what’s more, that they listened to our needs and requirements and could build us the van we wanted. That was it, we ordered one there and then.”
It’s not always been plain sailing though, with the first months after taking delivery of their van very much a learning curve for them both.
“There’s so much technology in it and we are still learning now,” admits Peter. “If I could give one tip to other owners it would be that you really do need to use your van regularly.” It’s a sentiment that Jane agrees with. “You forget things,” she adds. “So the more you use it the more comfortable you are with how everything works.”
Embracing travel in the way that they have has not only given them memories that they will cherish for many years, but it has forced them to step out of their comfort zone, which, as they admit, isn’t always easy.
“I think I have surprised myself a bit,” confesses Jane. “I was so worried about it (travelling) because when you don’t do something that change can be scary and you think you might not be able to cope. I would tell myself that ‘I can’t do that’ but I keep embracing everything that travelling entails and I find myself really enjoying the little moments, going into foreign shops, trying to speak different languages and meeting new people.”
While travelling for long periods provides a raft of daily highlights and memories, there is one experience above all others that stands out for them. It came on the Balkans Odyssey during the time the trip spent in Montenegro. With most of the group heading white-water rafting on the Tara River, both Peter and Jane opted to head off on an organised photography safari.
“That was a really special day,” Peter says. “Being out in the real countryside, meeting real people, such as Dragan (a local living in Durmitor National Park), seeing real farms and ways of life.” As a lover of photography it gave Peter the time to be at one with nature, with Jane and their beloved sheepdog, Tiny, at his side, tinkering with his cameras trying to capture the moment, one that Jane holds dear in her heart.
“We were so perfectly happy and content in that moment,” she says. “I had a little tear in my eye when we stood there together.”
With an ever growing confidence, both in themselves and their van’s ability to venture further off the beaten track, they are already planning the next chapters in their blossoming travel story, one that will, to Hans Christian Anderson’s words, ensure they continue to live life to the full.
Habitation Checks
If you have had your vehicle for close to a year, then it’s time to get your habitation check booked in.
We have slots available on both Mondays and Thursdays and you can arrange yours by contacting us at info@rpmotorhomes.com
Why is it important to have this done? Well, aside from the fact that it means we can make sure everything is as it should be, including any little adjustments that are needed, it protects your warranty.
All of our vehicles come with a two year warranty. However, in order to ensure the warranty is intact for the second twelve months, you need to have had a habitation check at the end of your first year.
So get in touch with us and book yours today.
Overland Rebellion 2 Front Lounge AWD Exclusive
This is our award winning RP OVERLAND Rebellion 2 Front Lounge AWD as seen at the Motorhome and Campervan show at the NEC. It boasts a fantastic specification and is ready to drive away today.
For sale we have the 2024 Overland Rebellion 2 Front Lounge with our fantastic elevated rear lounge and up and over door garage space. This fully loaded model includes the front lounge option adding a versatile additional lounge area. This model includes our Advanced Power Management giving massively upgraded electrics and providing a truly off-grid all electric habitation experience. Additional upgrades include the composting toilet, self-levelling, top level Alpine audio, Scorpion S5 tracker/immobiliser and many more highly desirable cooling and refrigeration upgrades.
This is a showroom condition vehicle having been driven to the NEC and back. You will be the first registered owner keeper with the vehicle having 500 miles on the clock.
The specification as detailed at the NEC Motorhome and Campervan show is shown below including some additional upgrades we have done since then:
On the road price: £210,000
This includes £42,000 of extras on the standard Rebellion 2 AWD Exclusive specification
For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact the RP office
0113 250 9826 or info@rpmotorhomes.com
Overland Rebel AWD Exclusive
This is our award winning RP OVERLAND Rebel AWD Twin from the recent Motorhome and Campervan show at the NEC. It boasts a fantastic specification and is ready to drive away today.
For sale we have the 2024 award winning Overland Rebel with a twin lounge and including the off-grid system, composting toilet, Scorpion S5 tracker/immobiliser and many more highly desirable upgrades.
This is a showroom condition vehicle having been driven to the NEC and back. You will be the first registered owner keeper with the vehicle having 500 miles on the clock.
The specification as detailed at the NEC Motorhome and Campervan show is shown below:
On the road price: £164,000
This includes £29,500 of extras on the standard Rebel AWD Exclusive specification
For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact the RP office
0113 250 9826 or info@rpmotorhomes.com
Owners Forum
Our first RP Owners Forum hosted at Woodbridge in Suffolk runs from Friday 5th July to Sunday 7th July. Join us in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, where you can meet new friends, unwind over a few drinks, and share in the camaraderie of our community.
We asked you to save the date, and now we’re excited to share some more details of our first RP Owners Forum get together.
What’s it all about?
At RP, we are excited about fostering a sense of community among our valued owners. We are dedicated to creating a space where like-minded individuals can come together, forge meaningful connections, and enjoy engaging social interactions. We’d therefore love you to join us in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, where you can meet new friends, unwind over a few drinks, and share in the camaraderie of our community.
We really want our Owners Forums to be fantastic occasions for making memories and cultivating lasting relationships.
Where is it?
Woodbridge quayside, showing the famous Tide Mill
It’s being kindly hosted at a private estate in Woodbridge, Suffolk by generous RP owners. We’ll be effectively pitching in their back garden, although it’s a pretty big back garden! You’ll have access to emergency water but this is not a serviced site, so come prepared to enjoy a bit of off-grid living. Steve and Jaye will be there as hosts for the event and to provide a lead for our activities. Well behaved dogs are very welcome.
When is it?
You can arrive from 3pm on the Friday 5th July and you’ll be directed to a pitch position on arrival. We have events planned throughout the weekend as you’ll see below. We’ll be packing up and clearing the site by noon on Sunday 7th July.
What does it cost?
We’re asking for £50 per vehicle to confirm a spot which will also get you £50 credit at the Sprokers Arms Bar. The bar is being provided ‘at cost’ and there’s something for everyone including our own owners event cocktail! It’s open Friday and Saturday evenings. The drinks menu can be downloaded here.
What are we planning?
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Champagne Reception on the lawn of the lodge, followed by informal bonfire and drinks (no catering for the first evening, so come prepared)
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Organised events, candle making in the barn or guided walk around the grounds
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Evening meal with entertainment from 7pm
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Bacon sandwiches on the lawn
Now what?
Get in touch with Jaye at RP by email or phone or simply click the ‘Sign Me Up’ link below, complete the form and we’ll get you signed up immediately and get in touch to collect your £50 bar tab.
Looking forward to it,
all the best from Team RP.