Respect and best wishes to the campsite owners, who have made this decision.
There may yet still be more to follow, and I include campers as well, as some of the more seasoned campers amongst us may not choose to return for a good while, as it appears to be "much less enjoyable" for many of us, who know what we like, and why we like camping.
I'm a great believer in "Choosing the right site", but that approach has almost gone out of the window for now. Camp sites are desperate to secure bookings (understandably so) but just have no idea what type of "customer" is about to turn up. They can hardly advertise "Respectable people only"!
From my limited experience thus far, since lockdown was eased (5 nights/2 sites), the sites have been extra busy, and the facilities have struggled to cope, both in number and hygiene levels, despite claims from site owners that "Extra cleaning/sanitising is in place". There's only so much you can blame on the site owners, and the finger of blame really should be aimed at our fellow campers... for want of a better phrase!
It's just about been bearable for us so far... but we have been lucky on both occasions, being pitched in quieter areas of the sites.
We are currently planning to give it "one more try", in September, when we have a fortnight booked off work. The kids will be back at school in theory, or at least, many families will have taken their previously booked holidays from work, so I'm hoping things will quieten down by then.
If it goes badly, and my main holiday get's ruined, I fear UK camping may no longer be a favourite pastime of ours, and we'll just return to the continent, or not at all.
There's far too many large groups. Far too many selfishly playing music (it doesn't NEED to be loud to disturb neighbours on a campsite!). Far too many partying into the wee small hours. Far too many leaving food scraps in the washing up sinks, wee on the floor, mud and grass on the shower walls, and 5h1t around the rim!
Far too many clearly not following accepted hygiene protocol when entering and leaving common areas/facilities etc.
Far too many not following social distancing protocol too.
Far too many kids, doing what kids do, but in totally the wrong places/areas.
Camp site owners also need to play their part. Set the rules. Set the punishment. And put the two together. If folk need to be evicted at 3am, they need to toughen up... their future livelihood is at stake, and all this extra income they are currently enjoying won't last them long. They need to keep the long term, committed campers on their side. Let's face it, the scum will eventually return "to the Costas"!
It really doesn't bode well, as long as UK camping remains pretty much the only chance for us all to holiday for the foreseeable future.
Personally, I can't wait for winter, when they all **** off, and we can get our campsites back (if it's not too late by then!)
We've been committed to not going to the continent this year (and maybe next!) since the start, way back in March, but there appears to be many that have, and many that are claiming "It is so much quieter and safer over here". It doesn't take a lot to imagine how things are over there, as many of us have already experienced it, and the good vibes being sent back somehow seem to be very believable... and very tempting!
If it wasn't for the need to quarantine on our return (not retired, sadly!), I'd be very tempted to make a last minute change of plan in September, and stick a large swivelling middle finger up to UK camping!
Here's to September being somewhat more relaxing, and somewhat more like what camping should be like!
I've been on one basic site recently & it was spot on. Not saying where it was - not going to jeopardise it for others. Only went as a participant of a social weekend otherwise wouldn't have risked it Apart from that we've been wild parking, arriving late, departing early in remote spots. Given the behaviour of some folk during the lock down & what I've read re camp sites & certain 'wild' area's I won't be considering any camp site or popular area's until September. Love to go back to France but it's noticeable the tourist area's are seeing the covid spikes. Seems daft to contribute to the influx until things are better.
Quote:
I'm a great believer in "Choosing the right site", but that approach has almost gone out of the window for now.
I think it still applies. I've just had a few days in Scotland. I chose to go to a site in an area not known as much for tourism as some, which had publicised that pitch numbers had been drastically reduced to avoid queues for facilities. And it was brilliant! All folk on the site kept a distance, the facilities were spotless and I didn't have to queue to use them once. The site was pretty much silent by 10pm, definitely none of the "Magaluf" crowd that I've seen reported in the Lakes and west coast of Scotland.
We have a camping group made up of friends and families. We are always careful to observe rules of any campsite we are on and make sure that we leave sites clean and tidy when we leave. We do enjoy each other's company and enjoy being outdoors together. We obey quiet time always.
I think this comes down to manners and how people treat one another. There is a lack of respect for other people and also for the campsite owners who are trying to give people the chance of a break in a very difficult time.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Does anyone know if these problems have also been happening on C&MC and CCC sites? Or has the necessity for membership, and the usually very efficient wardens, protected club sites from this unpleasant influx?
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
The site I visited recently was only accepting bookings, and from people who had stayed there before; there was no turning up at the gate with a hopeful look. Also, numbers were being very limited, so our experience was really good, I'm happy to say.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Currently on a CCC site with toilet block closed , probably only half full . Only 2 tents , a folding camper and our trailer tent , rest are all caravans and Motorhomes . 1 of the tents were using the hedge boundary as a urinal , but drive into town to use public toilets for anything else, didn’t realise facilities were closed when they booked . Only seen wardens when guided to pitch or when they are cleaning water points and dishwashing area .
------------- terry
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 18/8/2020
Respect and best wishes to the campsite owners, who have made this decision.
There may yet still be more to follow, and I include campers as well, as some of the more seasoned campers amongst us may not choose to return for a good while, as it appears to be "much less enjoyable" for many of us, who know what we like, and why we like camping.
I'm a great believer in "Choosing the right site", but that approach has almost gone out of the window for now. Camp sites are desperate to secure bookings (understandably so) but just have no idea what type of "customer" is about to turn up. They can hardly advertise "Respectable people only"!
From my limited experience thus far, since lockdown was eased (5 nights/2 sites), the sites have been extra busy, and the facilities have struggled to cope, both in number and hygiene levels, despite claims from site owners that "Extra cleaning/sanitising is in place". There's only so much you can blame on the site owners, and the finger of blame really should be aimed at our fellow campers... for want of a better phrase!
It's just about been bearable for us so far... but we have been lucky on both occasions, being pitched in quieter areas of the sites.
Camp site owners also need to play their part. Set the rules. Set the punishment. And put the two together. If folk need to be evicted at 3am, they need to toughen up... their future livelihood is at stake, and all this extra income they are currently enjoying won't last them long. They need to keep the long term, committed campers on their side. Let's face it, the scum will eventually return "to the Costas"!
It really doesn't bode well, as long as UK camping remains pretty much the only chance for us all to holiday for the foreseeable future.
Personally, I can't wait for winter, when they all **** off, and we can get our campsites back (if it's not too late by then!)
We've been committed to not going to the continent this year (and maybe next!) since the start, way back in March, but there appears to be many that have, and many that are claiming "It is so much quieter and safer over here". It doesn't take a lot to imagine how things are over there, as many of us have already experienced it, and the good vibes being sent back somehow seem to be very believable... and very tempting!
If it wasn't for the need to quarantine on our return (not retired, sadly!), I'd be very tempted to make a last minute change of plan in September, and stick a large swivelling middle finger up to UK camping!
Here's to September being somewhat more relaxing, and somewhat more like what camping should be like!
Stay safe, folks.
Before you give up on UK camping you should try here Mucker
Quote: Originally posted by iwalani on 19/8/2020
Does anyone know if these problems have also been happening on C&MC and CCC sites? Or has the necessity for membership, and the usually very efficient wardens, protected club sites from this unpleasant influx?
We were away for 3 weeks in July. For 2 weeks we were on 3 different CMC sites and for the final week we were on a CCC site and all were fine. We didn’t experience any issues at all on the sites and everyone was very respectful of the rules and of each other.
Edit - I’ve just remembered that on our final day a rowdy group of 4 families turned up on the CCC site and allowed their children to basically run amok but we were leaving the next day so didn’t see how it was dealt with.
Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 20/8/2020
The snobbery & generalisation about folk who holiday on the Costa's really sum this site up rather well.
LOL spiritburner!
I've got friends who permanently live at either end of that stretch of coast in the 'posher bits' just outside of the major resorts, I've visited them there, I've other 'acquaintances' who holiday in the Costa resorts, and all I can say for 'generalisations' is, EXPERIENCE! It won't apply to everybody, but it's dominant, and a world apart from what one normally finds on UK campsites (which is why I generally holiday on UK campsites and NOT the Costas! )
I have been to 3 sites since they were allowed to open and have had 3 good experiences.
The Cool Camping website has a search filter for sites that have COVID measures and guarantees, and you can find which sites have cut occupancy down. 2 sites I have been to have cut occupancy significantly, with huge gaps between tents.
None of the sites have had rowdiness, despite 2 being popular with big groups.
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: Stonethwaite Temporarily Closed
via mobile 19/8/2020 at 5:25pm
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