There was some research done some time ago that showed people tend to park next to other cars, even given a carpark with only one car parked quite a distance away. Must be the same with tents for some people, In Delft this year we went out for the day and came back to find a German couple in their very small camper pitched up right next to us, in a big field with only three tents, and a big empty field next to ours. They were very quiet though and only stayed for two nights.
I had a similar experience. I set up away from the entrance on a large nearly empty field, went to the beach, came back to find a big Outwell* right next to my pitch! Rather than create a scene, I moved - albeit with a fair bit of huffing and glaring - to the far side of the field.
I simply don't understand this weird herding instinct a few people seem to have.
Almost all of the sites I stayed on in France had pitches clearly defined by hedges, there's no argument then, & most of them didn't look all regimented like you'd think. Many had pitches of various shapes & sizes, all available on a first come, first served basis. Bliss.
I always picked a big one, even though it was just me & my small(ish) tent (oh yes, & my car). Now I wonder what that says about me????
Oh, & I always try to park my car away from others, I know how little respect people have for the possessions of others, mine's a classic & doesn't need any more dents!
Four of us went to the to see a film on a rainy weekday night. The place was vitually empty. The whole centre section was vacant so we settled down in the middle.
Two middle aged women came in [film had just started] and sat down in the seats directly behind us. I'm 6'2" so not a great view for them but they stuck it out to the end. Wierd.
I guess it depends, I was in a campsite on Wednesday night with me and one other person, both in single berth tents. The site probably could have accommodated 30 of our size but we weren't more than 20 feet from eachother. I picked my spot first because it was near the toilet/shower block and close to a nice backdrop of a small quarry. He probably picked his for similar reasons, after all it was raining and no-one wants to run further across a muddy field in the rain than they have to!
Whenever possible I actually try to pitch at the furthest point from the loos - quieter, less passing traffic etc. In this case I had done that. I do see that often people can herd around the loos for convenience - but I'm happy to walk a few hundred metres here and there. After wild camping, a flushing loo in any walking radius is a luxury!
Also if I did want to herd, I'd go for some jolly family rather than slightly grumpy old me!
A few months ago, I booked a pitch at the far end of the site. We'd been to the site before, and decided next time we'd be happier there.
That didn't prevent other users from wandering over to check us out.
The next day, another couple with young children, decided to pitch near us (despite many vacant pitches). Whilst the parents were setting up, their children were given a ball to play with.
The number of times it was kicked in our direction were bewildering.
There was a large (no camping) area nearby that would have been sensible to use.
The parents didn't seem to care.
Thankfully, they were a 'one nighter', trying out a new economy vis-a-vis on the level ground.
"There's nowt as queer as folk" goes the old saying.
Just my four penn'orth.
Regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
Don`t they realise that you can hear every noise through the canvass. It can get quite embarrassing at times. e.g. snoring, argueing, farting. bonking. I suppose I should be more considerate.
So thats why people have wind breaks round there tents, not for sheltering while cooking, but preventing the herding instincts of fellow campers who like to cozy up with their neighbours. But not so practical if backpacking.
For cars maybe their owners don't like the thought of them being lonely and need some company while they are away whilst doing some shopping.
It looks as though it will coincide with Half Term, my wife thinks not many families will be using the sites. I'm not convinced.
Either way, the chances are we'll have someone decide to try and mate their pegs with ours. LOL
We don't use wind-breaks as we use the 'KISS' principle.
Though, I did once consider using 4 poles at each corner of my pitch, and looping Hi-Vis cord around them to make a perimeter fence. LOL
Regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
A middle aged couple and their grandson pitched a tent far too close to us. We thought they were novices.
Turned out that though they'd hadn't camped for a while they had years of so called experience and had pitched to use our tent as a wind break.
Spoilt our whole weekend having to speak quietly as not to be overheard.
Quote: Originally posted by James Watt on 17/10/2010
We're planning an outing later this month.
It looks as though it will coincide with Half Term, my wife thinks not many families will be using the sites. I'm not convinced.
Either way, the chances are we'll have someone decide to try and mate their pegs with ours. LOL
We don't use wind-breaks as we use the 'KISS' principle.
Though, I did once consider using 4 poles at each corner of my pitch, and looping Hi-Vis cord around them to make a perimeter fence. LOL
Regards James
I have seen someone install plastic picket fence and then mow the area within - one way to define your pitch, I s'pose. Anyone else take a lawnmower camping?
I hate arriving back at campsite to find someone is too close to you, it totally changes the feeling of the trip, we don't want to be loud and disrupt them and we hope they are not too loud and disrupt us.
It's like those leaning in people that get too much in your space when talking to you that you have to step backwards several times, Space Invaders
Someone parked so close to the back of me, they ripped my towbar cover, i left a note asking them to be more considerate and that I had their registration and would be in touch if there was any damage to my towbar.
We had this problem at the end of september a 1 night camp at coopers farm edale . took the mrs and kids to the pubs back to the tent around 9 to find a small tent pitched right next to ours and between our landy and tent ? to top it off the loon came back at 1am hammerd and procceded to through up all night . i got up early and made breakfast in our landy i must have dropped the pans loads of times and couldnt hear if every 1 wanted tea . kids got up and where encouraged to bounce the foot ball off the offending tent . i wouldnt have been so annoyed but there was at least half an acher to each side of our tent . i was going to say somthing to the occupant but when he got up he was in his 50s and the smell when the tent opened put me off .if he couldnt figure where to pitch a tent by your 50s then id be wasting my breath . oh and by the way when he drove off site i called the police as he was still clearly over the limit .
The moral is spoil my weekend and i will ruin yours . but we had a good days walking
Rob, I guess we're going to come across odd folk more and more in the future.
The number of new tenters that will be taking up space at sites, may well mean we'll be surrounded by inexperienced folk, who know not the etiquette expected.
We think we met some in the first weekend of this month.
On arriving at the site, we went into the 'tenting' area separate from the Caravans and Motorhomes.
The area was totally devoid of tents, so we selected an area away from the woodland walk path that ran through it for other site users.
On our return from our day out we were surprised to see another tent close by. The couple and their dog were not good neighbours, they acted like we did not exist by their loud chatter and laughter.
They spoilt the natural dawn chorus.
We did not change our behaviour, so my making the morning brew and breakfast was as quiet as ever. (I have never used a whistling kettle in 40 years)
It took a bit longer due to only having Butane to burn.
Thankfully, last Saturday, I managed to get 4 Butane/Propane mix canisters for my 'Bistro'.
This coming weekend we're off tenting again to another new site for us. So we'll no doubt have new 'playmates' to contend with? LOL
Regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
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.
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