Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 24/3/2011
It is of course up to all of us what size and type of tent we buy, but IMO it's not unreasonable that if on a marked pitch site you spread onto a second pitch (or cause them a problem with their fire break) that you pay for it.
Indeed...but that applies to smaller tents as well as large ones - we've come back from a day out before and found a small tent pitched in the fire gap between us and the next tent. No-one should encroach on someone else's pitch - no matter what the size of the tent. I don't think many large tent owners object to paying for their required space - its all part and parcel of owning a large tent.
we have an 8 berth tent and there are only 2 of us, although to be fair the bedrooms only really sleep 2 people. I like to have SPACE and like to be able to get dressed standing up. We us eone of the rooms as dressing room, somewhere to hang clothes and keep sports kit.
In the past we used to take a small 'pop up' for those one night stops on route, and pitch the bigger tent when we are staying for longer than 3/4 days. Last year we used the Decathlon base...best of both worlds, it pops up in seconds AND you can stand up in it BLISS.
The smaller tent is useful to decamp to for the last night, there's nothing worse than taking down a large tent, packing and then driving for hours.
The smaller tent is also useful for weekends.
I have to admit we do seem to take quite a lot with us and find we still use the trangia rather than the cooker. Much to by husbands amusement I take a wicker picnic basket with cutlery, napkins, my SPLADES and wine glasses, a cooker for quick road side snacks. We always take a hamper of M&S goodies on the ferry (have you seen the queues and the food is so unhealthy).
Last year before we set off for the long drive North I cooked a 'RAGU' put it in a wide necked flask, then boiled up some pasta, and we had a fab meal in a beautiful place with a gorgeous glass of bubbly ...how decandent.
I totally agree if everyone pays there way, everyone is happy.......AND doesn't have their music blasting out, but that's another debacle all together.
My original gripe was someone having to pay for 2 tents when they only have one, no idea where the going over on to another pitch came from...noone does that. And, the wind break is for privacy not to mark out territory....
Signing off, no children, no animals just the 2 of us and our bikes, happy campers.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
We wouldn't be pitching the XL in the UK...so many people have mentioned similar experiences. We'll stick to the lovely big areas in France / Italy. Like someone said Big country more land to use for leisure activities.
The Decathlon Seconds Base is only 5'X 5', so this is always going to fit on a pitch.
We were going to head for the hills the wek of the Royal Wedding, but so many people seem to have the same idea, it may just be more civilised at home attending the villages charitable Royal Wedding celebrations.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
I know I'm posting this a year after the last post, but I do so to avoid starting a new thread, and because it's a live issue.
I fully understand Bobcat10's concern.
My understanding is that most campsites are limited not by space but by licensing - the local council permits them to have a certain number of tents. In such circumstances, pitching a large tent is no different to pitching a small one. I mean, do the campsites charge less for small pitches? And a double fee for ordinary tents with extras that bring the total space occupied up to the same as a large tent? (I know many sites do indeed charge for gazebos, but not a double pitch fee).
However we live in a capitalist society and if they want to charge double, they can. I would vote with my feet.
If on the other hand the campsite is instead limited by size, and if your tent takes up the space of two tents (which it may not), then charging double is fair.
We have a Hartford XL. I inform the campsite of that when I book. If it charges double, I go elsewhere. There is no way that I would pay £40 for a patch of grass and access to toilets & a shower. I also confirm in writing that the booking is for a Hartford XL and its official sleeping capacity.
Bobcat, re:
'We always take a hamper of M&S goodies on the ferry (have you seen the queues and the food is so unhealthy).
'Last year before we set off for the long drive North I cooked a 'RAGU' put it in a wide necked flask, then boiled up some pasta, and we had a fab meal in a beautiful place with a gorgeous glass of bubbly ...how decandent'
- if you ever read this, Bobcat, thanks for the tips.
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Topic: Hartford XL/ XXL pitch problems
