Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 07/11/2025
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 06/11/2025
Can I ask why you don't want to rejoin CAMC?
Nothing particularly against them, but we found that, with a caravan, we used them very little and there do seem to be a wide range of stopping options available outside of the two clubs. ... I don't know if they would cover a 25 year old motorhome and we don't want to join and find that they don't!
When we had a 25 year old MH, and turned up at a CAMC site as non-members, the manager looked out of the window at our A-S Clubman (still taxed & MOT'd at 31 years old, I'm chuffed to see), sniffed, and said the site was for members only. Untrue, and he could have offered to join us up and save £x per night. We drove away and didn't join for many years, until a CAMC site was the only site in an area we wanted to visit.
I know what you mean, Fiona. Many years ago we had a very elderly van which, at the time, we were towing with an oldish Fiat Tipo. We were members and had already sited our caravan when we went out for a quick recce. On our return we were challenged as to what we were doing there and had to give full details, including pitch number before we could get back into the site!
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 03/11/2025
When you get to France, if you are 'self contained', you could use CampingCar parks, they are all over France now.
I'm looking at these (amongst other options) for our xmas trip.
We are in a campervan with a thetford portaloo, and no shower.
We're also aware most of the CCP's have no facilities block/shower/toilets etc.
Assuming we are well enough (health-wise) to save our No2's for supermarket toilets en route (Other toilet options are available!), and assuming we are "dirty camper" enough to manage with an all-over wet-wipe-down of an evening/morning, would we be considered "Self-contained" enough?
Would our "Self-contained-ness" be policed in anyway? Particularly as we're in a 4.9m swb VW camper with obvious limited space for showers etc!
This option would likely be only for a maximum of a single night, between proper camp sites with full facilities/showers etc. Proper French Camp sites are very much limited at that time of year, as most of us are aware.
... And yes, we are dirty enough to consider wet-wipes being ok for just one night, particularly as we've only been sat in the van all day, travelling!
Mucker, we have similar facilities to you, and no one checks on you, the CCP's are not staffed, so you could stay if it suited you. You can find showers in some autoroute service stations if that's a route you are travelling. And maybe walk or cycle to local supermarkets for other conveniences. (For places we use regularly, we know which supermarkets have toilets).
Also, check out the reviews of any CCP that you might use, some of them say that they were situated near a campsite, and the campsite let them use their showers.....Not sure I would want to ask them.
The CCP's are all differently configured, some are very much like aires, so just car parks where you have little extra space, whereas others are much more spacious. You always have EHU, water, and toilet disposal point.
We have used French Aires in the past, but not for a while now. As far as I have read, to access the CCP Aires, it's no longer a matter of driving onto it and parking up; you need to create an account with them and put credit on it (all done online via the app from what I read). You can also use the app to book a space, you get a code to open the barrier and after the stay the fee is automatically taken from the credit you have. I assume there are still some Aires where you don't need an acoount when the Aire is not part of the CCP network, although from what I've read, the CCP network has expanded a lot.
You don't need an app to use CCP, or didn't this summer past.
We joined the year before, bought a card for 5 euro. The machine at the entrance to the site tells you how many spaces are available and how much it is for 24 hours (or 5 hours if you just need the disposal/top-up), and if there's a space the card lets you in. You then need to top up the card with the required amount from your bank account via online banking, and when you leave, the amount will be taken.
To book in advance there's a 'premium' membership, which was 17 euros or so this past summer. Then you can book and reserve a space. We are stingy and didn't do this.
Otherwise, you can check your designated site online beforehand to see if there's a space but obviously take a risk that it might be full before you arrive. Just like the traditional aires.
Thanks for explaining, franbee. I'd read the blurb on the website and understood (or misunderstood!) that apart from the card you needed their app and you used that to top the money up.
So presumably you have to link the card to your bank account in order to top it up. Might look into it for next year.
I didn't think the machines gave us the option of getting a card this summer.
We just used the app and got a code to enter, also used the app to top up balance.
All in all very successful and very easy.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Well we have rejoined the CAMC after all. This was largely because they gave us the best quote for motorhome insurance. We will, most likely, do our breakdown through them as past experience tells us that they have the necessary expertise.
However, I've read about the way the Club now charges for electricity on its sites, so, coupled with the much higher cost than last time we used a Club site, I can't see us using one except if it's the only option where we want to be!
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 13/11/2025
However, I've read about the way the Club now charges for electricity on its sites, so, coupled with the much higher cost than last time we used a Club site, I can't see us using one except if it's the only option where we want to be!
Not all CAMC sites: not at Banchory (only here because the nicer community owned Ballater was full) or Forfar (convenient stopover) a few weeks ago, or Strathclyde (for a conference nearby) earlier in the year.
The electricity charge thingy is not on all sites, yet.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 09/11/2025
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 03/11/2025
When you get to France, if you are 'self contained', you could use CampingCar parks, they are all over France now.
We are in a campervan with a thetford portaloo, and no shower.
… would we be considered "Self-contained" enough?
Can’t speak for Europe & others have done so. I use the NZ criteria for “self contained”, which must be shown by a certificate on the rear of the vehicle.
They need an on-board toilet, on board fresh water enough for 3 days and a waste water tank, capacity for 3 days. Everything can be emptied & refilled at designated locations, well sign posted, in most towns. I wish we had much more of that here.
Without the self contained certificate in NZ, they can’t stay on designated “freedom camping” pitches (eg car park by a viewpoint). Or if they do, they’re liable to wake up to a fine stuck on the windscreen - which seems very unlikely in Europe, from what I’m reading here.
I don’t know if your van has a sink or not? But a flannel & a bowl of warm water is a bit more effective than wet wipes (binned, not flushed, of course).
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: New to this
via mobile 13/11/2025 at 11:38am
