I tend to worry about people walking across our pitch in case they rip their flesh or clothes on the barbed wire fencing we erect around the tent
Seriously though, I don't mind anyone walking across, providing they don't get so close that they trip over our guy ropes & rip them off of the tent. We never use a windbreak, and are happy to talk to anyone passing, but respect campers who do use one.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 02/8/2012
Quote: Originally posted by TraceyD on 01/8/2012
Why do people always assume if you put a windbreak up you are hiding?......What really annoys me is the misconception that because you put a windbreak up you are antisocial, we're not antisocial in the slightest we put the windbreak up for the benefit of us, other campers and ultimately Bailey, so perhaps those who moan about us 'antisocial' campers would be better off considering why we do what we do instead of judging.
I have to agree with the above. When I was with my ex OH we would put a couple of windbreaks up round the front of the tt so the dogs could mooch about without constantly being tethered, and far from being antisocial we would say good morning or chat to anyone whenever the occasion arose.
Since I've been camping on my own I've never used a windbreak, never wanted to or needed to, that was until May this year. Two families arrived on site and started to pitch across from me, while the adults were busy sorting out their tents their kids were riding their bikes and scooters close to my brand new awning even though they had the rest of the field to play in. Now, my previous awning had been damaged on three separate occasions by kids and I wasn't having anything happening to my new one, so I went to the local shop and bought a 25ft windbreak which I put up as soon as I got back, it did the job nicely and kept the kids away from the awning. I wasn't being antisocial, I was just protecting my new (and not exactly cheap) property, and in actual fact I got chatting to the kids' parents later that same evening.
Maybe some campers with windbreaks are antisocial but why do others seem so bothered by it? If that's the way they want to be then fine, let them get on with it, after all, there's no rule which says all campers have to be sociable. But just consider that not all campers with windbreaks are antisocial - most, like me, use windbreaks for a reason.
Fair enough. If that were me though I'd have struck up a conversation. Probably offered to make the newcomers a brew while they were setting up then sneak in a quick " could you ask your kids not to ride to close to my awning, I'd hate for them to get tangled up in my guy lines". Not everyone knows what they're doing is affecting others. Your system would stop it happening to you on that occasion but mine would stop it happening again to anyone. Like I said, each to their own.
I love people cutting across my pitch, stopping to chat etc, it gives me an opportunity to be extra friendly and tell them all about my tent. I admit it, I could bore for England and its not long before they are trying desperately to escape ... I can clear any campsite I visit by Day Two ...
went to a lovely site a few weeks ago. Lovely campers all over, some with windbreaks, others not. There was no feeling of social/anti-social behaviour - just protection from wind a bit of selective privacy hear and there.
What did spoil the vibe was when a gang of families turned up - squeezing 3 tents and a campervan on to 2 pitches and proceeded to spread out to occupy 1/3 of the field by leaving all their cars and stuff all over the place. The site has 25 or so pitches hugging the perimeter and a big space for games, kids and socialising in the middle. The cars filled up such a big chunk of field all their kids proceeded to play football around other peoples tents (their own parents told them to go off an play and give them some peace). The families were loud, many obnoxious and had nothing to do with anyone else. They clearly should have known better on being respectful - the spent half the time telling (yelling?) the children to say 'please' and 'thank-you' but it completely bypassed the grown ups how to be civil and respectful to fellow campers. They had no concern about taking 10 kids through someone elses pitch at 6.30 in the morning while playing and having a loud conversation directly over the top of a 2 man tent. I felt for the quiet couple who hadn't got up yet. Not a windbreak in sight.
This is real antisocial behaviour. Not people who want some personal privacy, or protection from the wind, or keeping their dogs form worrying others.
<<<"Sadly" some campers prefer to snuggle up their tents >>>
<<<Finally, I don't have an issue with "the winbreak hide and seek brigade",>>>
People's perception of why others do things differently to them is often well off the mark and belittling them just because they are different is not what camping is all about to me.
I do not camp the way others camp. I am different, because I am me! There are some rules and regulation that I will take onboard, but others I will avoid at all costs and there are enough rules and regulations on any campsite without the campers making up their own.
Camping "should be" about freedom of choice. If I want to snuggle up in my own unit or sit behind a windbreak, that is my choice and no one has the right to question my motives in wanting it that way.
This is a really interesting topic. This is why I like coming to this forum. Different points of view but no bickering. Makes a refreshing change
I agree with some of the views but I have to say as we are one of the 'new breed' of camper as we've only been going the last couple of years. We are also windbreak users (but we are getting councelling for it).
The general idea of our camping holiday is not as a cheap get away (as it rarely ends up being cheap!), but to get away from it all. We do use our windbreaks as barriers, for us as well as other campers. I'm not sure everyone wants the campers next door sitting and staring at them all evening? We also use it for stopping the wind too.
We are not anti-social, I/we love a good natter with other people and have helped put up tents and repaired air beds etc, but we do like to have a bit of privacy. Is that wrong?
To be fair we've not had a problem with people cutting through 'our pitch' but we have experianced noisy neighbours. Not nice. I do wish the 'all quiet by 11pm' rule was enforced a bit more.
I not sure if we going against some sort of silent rule but we even have a beer in the evening and let our children go to the toilet on their own! These seem to be some of the bigger gripes on here. We allow our kids to do their own thing as it is their holiday too and because we've taught our kids how to resect other people and their surroundings. Simple manners?
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 03/8/2012
<<<"Sadly" some campers prefer to snuggle up their tents >>>
<<<Finally, I don't have an issue with "the winbreak hide and seek brigade",>>>
People's perception of why others do things differently to them is often well off the mark and belittling them just because they are different is not what camping is all about to me.
I do not camp the way others camp. I am different, because I am me! There are some rules and regulation that I will take onboard, but others I will avoid at all costs and there are enough rules and regulations on any campsite without the campers making up their own.
Camping "should be" about freedom of choice. If I want to snuggle up in my own unit or sit behind a windbreak, that is my choice and no one has the right to question my motives in wanting it that way.
I think you have missed the point here.
Snuggling up in your own tent is one of the highlights of camping, especially when the rain is pitterpattering on the roof!
However, when a STRANGER camps up next to your pitch and squeezes it so close to you that you can here them dream, then it's a problem! Like I said, space and openess is one of the reasons we enjoy camping.
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: Is your pitch your own?
