Quote: Originally posted by John Preece on 25/1/2009
.... I will always say things as I see them, but sometimes people don't like honesty do they? ....
Ok. I'll be straight then. I think that to choose a back to basics site where you can 'tune in' to the environment and the beauty of nature around you but then play a tv in your tent every night is quite selfish. If you put a thin nylon bag over your tv at home how much would it stop you hearing it? Hardly at all. Similarly you can always hear a tv from outside a tent.Therefore, unless you are planning on wearing headphones (in which case, no probs) your tv will be dictating when the others around you can and cannot enjoy the natural environment they have come to enjoy.
A lot of people do enjoy watching the tv when they are camping, that's their choice. But normally they do so on bigger sites with ehu provision and with more going on generally so the noise from a (quiet) tv is both more acceptable and less noticeable.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Each to his own, provided that we don't disturb others. I have never been disturbed by a TV, and only once by rowdy campers who were screaming and yelling until the early hours. Management of this site would go around every morning checking that somebodys pass hadn't fallen off their windscreen in the night, but did naff all about the rowdy morons - hence I will not be going back. Shame because it could have been a nice site, Been a bit annoyed once or twice at other who have had their radios blaring - on various types of sites, not just the large commercial sites.
On the odd occasions I have used the DVD I have gone outside and stood about 10 foot away from our unit to make sure that it can not be heard from outside.
Like so many others with children I have used large commercial sites such as Haven. We have used their facilities like the swimming pool, and I have taken my kids to the kids' shows. I have even sat and enjoyed a drink while the show was on. This does not make me a chav who lets her kids run wild while I get plastered. It simply means that I see the shows as something my children enjoy. They are not children for very long, and will soon be too old for them. We have often been to the children's show in the evening, had one drink while the show was on, and then come back and sat in the tent and done something as a family. Last October we went to Flamingoland - and the kids loved every minute of it. It was delightful ot hear them chatting away as we sat in the camper when the park was closed. We will also go for days out and so on.
We also use quieter sites. However, choosing a site with some facilities for kids on, usually guarantees that there will be other kids on site. This has the double bonus - not only means that my two will be able to play with 'friends' - but while they are doing so I can chill out, and recharge my batteries.
There will always be those that have TVs on too loud/radios blaring and let their kids run riot. Not just on commercial sites. One site we stayed on last year, the kids from one family would be round at our unit before breakfast wanting to play on the DSs, if we went out to the shops, before we stopped the car engine they were there. Now when we are camping is the one time we can guarantee to have our meals together as a family, but most meals were disturbed by these kids. The parents didn't seem to care where the kids where or what they were doing. Dad just sat outside the tent drinking while mum disappeared. This was not on a commerical site.
I say live and let live - just show a little consideration for others.
ok i understand the noise pollution side - its a flogged to death argument now, but why should i not be entitled to go unless i conform to your viewpoint? I think guidelines for campsites are put there for a reason. If what you say is true then they should put "no tv, back to basics only please!". Not seen a site with those stipulations yet. I think you get background noise wherever you are and if thats a tv is that really so bad? I can understand someone moaning if its really loud, but if they are using it so its audible for them (we are not deaf so don't need it ultraloud) so what? We have a different view of what camping is - that is not selfish, thats how me and several other probably go and enjoy camping.
I just think that those that desire quiet are expecting everyone else to conform - that isn't right or fair and selfish for different reasons.
We don't take a TV camping and never will, but if others want to that is up to them.
I don't think anyone would object to people sitting outside their tent with their family & friends, chatting, eating, having a drink and a even a bit of a laugh in the evening, which is what we and many others do when the weather permits.
I have found on campsites (with only the very occasional exception) that TVs and radios make no more noise than this (okay it is a slightly different noise, but the level is not). So long as noise from whatever source stops at the time it is supposed to then there can be no cause for complaint.
Quote: Originally posted by John Preece on 25/1/2009
.... ok i understand the noise pollution side - its a flogged to death argument now, but why should i not be entitled to go unless i conform to your viewpoint? ......
John, you are absolutely entitled to go where you want to go.
And yours is not an unusual pov - I want to go to a quiet orderly site but be able to do exactly what I want when I get there. LOL
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
its ok merry you seem very nice and i am not being obstinate to be a pain in the rectum, i just feel i understand why everyone is saying quiet people don't intrude so why should you, but what i don't seem to be able to get accross is that your position is very extreme - because you are very quiet and like quiet it means there is no room for compromise and i think that is exactly what camping is - a compromise. We all trade comfort and warmth for beauty and nature.
In A lot of senses I am playing devils advocate, because i know what i do would probably not irritate you as no one has complained to me yet. However, i cannot see why people seem so unwilling to have a compromise position over this....
I think sometimes we miss the point of "Degrees" of disturbance, i prefer not to take a TV simply because we enjoy each others company and conversation much better without it, if others want one then why not, the faint music of coronation street is acceptable, to me, but not the thump thump of a rock show at midnight
Similarly, i quite like the faint murmers of conversation emitting from an inpromtu gathering over a bottle of wine, but hate a loud mouth p*ss up until after midnight
I love to hear the happy sounds and laughter of children playing, but not at 6-30 am and not piercing screaming at full volume
The point i'm trying to promote is, there are degrees of disturbance and degrees of tolerance, if we all try to deliver and accept a reasonable degree of both we should all be happy campers
Of course this is only my view and i respect the right for others to disagree and have a different view
Any -Hoo .... to get back to the matter of the title of this thread my ULTIMATE camping set up has to be the kit we have now!!!
We spent a lot of time choosing equipment and browsing internet and retail camping stores to really get what we were after.
That being a tent big enough for the 3 of us with enough room for those days where we have typical british weather and have to have "indoor" entertainment.
We use EHU and have a fan heater if it turns chilly in the evenings, self inflating mats to sleep on as well as some decent sleeping bags, we have a camp kitchen with stove and grill (camp cooking to me is all part of the fun) and use a 3 way fridge to keep provisions enough for a few days (to avoid daily trips to a supermarket- we do enough of that at home!)
We have a day-room- used mainly to keep bugs off our food whilst eating!! and also to cook in and we have a table and chairs in there as well.
Generally we go to sites that are family orientated so that little-un does not get bored, We also like a site that has good facilities and loos (i can't imagine (being 6' 4") peeing in a portaloo!!??
Anyway thats our ultimate set- up and we LOVE camping, we have all the comforts of home only in a portable version...
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: what do you need for the ultimate set up?
