I am turning into a grumpy old woman for not wanting to share my time with other people.
Getting up and be ready for a coffee get-together at 10:00h in the morning to decide what to do for the day ahead?
That's the time I usually start thinking about crawling out of bed!
DK
I would suggest that if you don't want to share time with other people then you don't go on a 'meet'.
That is where my views seem to differ from other people who go on meets and perhaps why I am not a great lover of large meets.
Of the meets I have been on, everybody clears off to do their own thing during the day and a solo camper is left on his/her own...so not much point in being at a meet really except for the evening get together which is usually just on the one evening, Saturday night, if it is a weekend meet. The first night everybody is too busy setting up camp and having a meal before an early night.
I can understand this if it is a family meet because families tend to stick together and do their own thing and don't want a solo camper, who is a total stranger to them at that point, tagging along to the beach or a family picnic or wherever.
However, one would think that on a solo meet everyone would get together in the morning as suggested and decide if they want to do anything together as a group. Those that wish to go their own way can, and those who wish to join in a trip somewhere do so, but everyone should at least be given the opportunity to join in, rather than just being ignored or left to their own devices as seems to happen on many meets.
The best meets I have been on are those where only half a dozen or less turn up. Then they all decide together what they want to do for the day. They don't just clear off in ones and twos leaving others to fend for themselves and feeling left out...and if the organiser clears off and does his or her own thing then there simply isn't any 'meet' really.
That was a tongue in cheek comment directed at the Phoenix Club, as that's what I remember reading from their website.
DK
Ha! Yes, I see where you're coming from now I hadn't seen that before. Definitely not for me, I'll stick with the single parents and solo campers group on here - recently 'renamed' the 'camping for nutters group' as that's what we are Shame you don't live a bit further north DK, you could try one of our get togethers.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I've been on a few meets in my time..Both alone...and with members of my family. All organized by folk here on UKCS. And I don't ever remember feeling neglected,abandoned, or ignored on any of them.Of course people will get off and do things with their families during the day,couples will be off together doing their own thing..The last two meets I was on I spent the days fishing by the pools..Had given notice of my intentions to do so...Told people where they could find me..And had a constant stream of folk round to see how I was doing...I spent more time chatting, than I did fishing...I even took some of the kids fishing on the last one as they wanted to learn about it..
If not off site(or fishing) I will introduce myself to the folk around me(once I establish they are with UKCS)And really look forward to the evening get together as a time to chat and socialize with folk who up until that w/end were just names on a camping forum...And can usually find some good company on any meet I've been on..
Yes it might be a weekend Meet...But its still folks weekend away. They, and myself, should have the choice how to spend it..And not be forced to join in any group activities organized for them during the day.
One more thing...I have never looked upon the "organizer" of any meet as my personal social guru,at my beck and call at all times day or night..Once again those folk are on a weekend break as well..I look on these good folk, who work so hard sometimes, as a focal point for any questions I may have concerning the meet. Before,during,and after the meet...
I have enjoyed every meet I have been on....From 4-5 units sat round a BBQ of a night...To the all singing, all dancing large meets where we had our own party tents with bingo,Kareoke(sp)and quiz of an evening enjoying socializing with folk who up to that weekend had been strangers...And who, in many cases parted as friends...
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
I only attend group meeting when I know the format is come and go as one pleases without any set agendas except for a communal BBQ/meal one evening.
And the group meet has to be of a reasonable size, not just a handful of participants.
Been there, done that, and I cannot say I whole-heartedly enjoyed the experiences.
I have come to accept that I may never find another compatible travelling companion like my late partner.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 14/3/2012
I have come to accept that I may never find another compatible travelling companion like my late partner.
DK
I know just how you feel DK, I think that myself. My ex may have had his faults (as we all do) but as a camping partner he was brilliant. I'd never camped in my life until he took me to Anglesey one weekend, and that was the start of our camping life together. He taught me so much about camping and caravanning over the years and we had many many happy camping breaks together - I don't think I would ever find anyone else like him.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Just because a group arranges a time to meet up at the beginning of the day for a cuppa and a natter and to discuss where everyone wants to go or what they may want to do throughout the day, doesn't mean anyone is committed to attending or taking part in any group activities or trips that they may decide on.
Everyone is free to choose but at least the opportunity is there for people to go out together as a group and socialise, whether it is a group trip to the beach or some other attraction or simply to meet up somewhere for lunch.
The point is they are socialising as a group and that, to me, is what a meet is all about...socialising and doing things together, be it that some may not want to join in and that is their choice.
That is why I say I seem to have a different idea of what a meet is all about. I mean, what is the attraction if everyone who goes there wants to be alone all day long and the only time they actually 'meet' as such is the Saturday night party? Might as well just turn up for the Saturday night's booze up and then go home again...with a sore head
Likewise, my late partner was not a saint, however, we never had a bad day when we went on holidays together, as we had very similar holiday styles and enjoyed each other's company.
Happy memories!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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: Lady camper
I hadn't seen that before. Definitely not for me, I'll stick with the single parents and solo campers group on here - recently 'renamed' the 'camping for nutters group' as that's what we are 
Shame you don't live a bit further north DK, you could try one of our get togethers.
