Just returned from our two week break, a week in Dorset and a week in Somerset, Bliss. Every night we had a fire going in my new firepit. (Val Barley you may be intersted) http://www.iosss.com/shopping/review.asp?prod=2353
We wont camp if we can't have a fire as it just is not the same as far as we are concerned. As with most things in life there is an element of risk involved but as long as you are sensible and follow a few simple rules the benefits far outway any potential risks.
With the weather that we had I would have been far more worried if I'd had an EHU in the tent (something we never have) as a lot of fellow campers packed up early with streams running through there set ups even had a tin tent pack up early after there awning was flooded . All that water mixed with electricity makes me wince.
So for me a campfire is a delight, in fact it's more than that it's an essential.
I agree with Sharlene on this one, camp fires can be fun & enjoyable in the right hands, with common sense used and kept in proportion with your surroundings. But as soon as they are in the wrong hands then there is a big problem.
Personally I think that the fire at the UKCS meet is taking the P*** to be frankly honest, Guy Faulks wouldn't look out of place on there. There doesn't look to be any safety precautions taken, ie.. fire extinguishers on hand or buckets of water to hand, yes there is a small wall around the base, but is that sufficient for a fire of this size ?
There looks to be sparks flying left, right & centre who knows how far they are travelling.
Sorry to rant on, but what sort of message is that sending out to the newbies who want to experience camping with campfires.... ????
Sorry that I didnt manage to get a photo of all the fire fighting equipment that was provided, silly me, I should have expected that the health & safety brigade would just love to moan, but I can assure you that plenty of water, buckets and fire extinguishers were provided, around 100 people attended the meet, and many were newbies who really enjoyed the fire, also people who were staying on the site but were not on the meet came and joined us around the fire for a chat.
The fire was put off a couple of nights until the weather and wind were just perfect, ensuring that any embers were not heading towards the touring fields, i will ensure that next time I will take photos of the fire fighting equipment, and a copy of the risk assesment that had to be carried out before the fire was held.
The site provided fire pits and you had to burn their logs. On a couple of occasions the adults from a couple of tents got together around the fires and it was magical. Yes we had a drink but we just chatted between us whilst the kids played together. We weren't disturbing anyone as the others were all having their own fires too.
I would defo book another small sight that allowed fire.
It's been very interesting seeing all of the replies. I'm sorry that some people associate camp fires with rowdy behavior but really what it comes down to is responsible and considerate campers and, sadly, with or without a camp fire this can be a gamble.
Regardless of where you camp some people really don't seem to care and some people are just idiots. I camped at the Silverstone GP with no campfires and someone burnt down their tent by cooking inside, then left the tent for someone else to clean up. Alternatively at a campfire permitted site there was a large party going on and I slept peacefully but they were also so tidy I could hardly tell they'd been there.
Personally I love a campfire and prefer sites that allow them but before pitching I always consider where my fire will be to avoid tent and wilderness damage, however regardless of where I stay, I'm saddened when a few people disregard camping etiquette.
------------- Bananas are a good source of potassium
Just got back from a camping weekend.. was VERY wet and really , really windy but we did manage a small fire last night when the wind and rain died down... was really lovely too...
p.s It's so nice knowing that majority feel ok about fires
p.p.s I'm not a drunken lout who stay up till the small wee hours.
p.p.p.s I still stand by what I said about if fires don't agree with you, don't go to sites that allow them
theres pro's and conn's to having a camp fire, I personallely love it, but as stressed by so many its got to be done corectly,saftey of you and others around,a couple of fresh cut logs crackling in the night is fab but a few stray hot ashes is a disaster especially if it lands on the brand knew bit of kit at the other end of the feild owned by somone who hates the fires.
Quote: Originally posted by theclarkes on 15/8/2009
Quote: Originally posted by iw11wfc on 13/8/2009
I agree with Sharlene on this one, camp fires can be fun & enjoyable in the right hands, with common sense used and kept in proportion with your surroundings. But as soon as they are in the wrong hands then there is a big problem.
Personally I think that the fire at the UKCS meet is taking the P*** to be frankly honest, Guy Faulks wouldn't look out of place on there. There doesn't look to be any safety precautions taken, ie.. fire extinguishers on hand or buckets of water to hand, yes there is a small wall around the base, but is that sufficient for a fire of this size ?
There looks to be sparks flying left, right & centre who knows how far they are travelling.
Sorry to rant on, but what sort of message is that sending out to the newbies who want to experience camping with campfires.... ????
Sorry that I didnt manage to get a photo of all the fire fighting equipment that was provided, silly me, I should have expected that the health & safety brigade would just love to moan, but I can assure you that plenty of water, buckets and fire extinguishers were provided, around 100 people attended the meet, and many were newbies who really enjoyed the fire, also people who were staying on the site but were not on the meet came and joined us around the fire for a chat.
The fire was put off a couple of nights until the weather and wind were just perfect, ensuring that any embers were not heading towards the touring fields, i will ensure that next time I will take photos of the fire fighting equipment, and a copy of the risk assesment that had to be carried out before the fire was held.
Well said that man, I was on the Chy Carne meet and the bonfire was fab but as stated before all precautions were taken and everyone was well behaved!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Campfires: Delight or nuisance? Discuss
