Yep it's good advice, and IMHO just not worth the risk, I guess it must be very tempting if you have a caravan or motorhome, to just pull of onto the autoroute services late at night and spend the night there, I guess it saves both time and money, but at what cost.
The family in the article were car only, so no excuse really, just stupidity and bad planning in my mind, although not there fault for becoming victims, they were just one of the unlucky ones.
Our modus operandi is to do 3 overnight budget hotel stops in France on the way to the Cote d Azur, yes it uses a lot of time up, and adds to the cost of the holiday.
We are are usually of the autoroute's by 5pm so even if we had a caravan or motorhome, I would then find a nearby campsite to spend the night.
I have always believed that you can never remove the risk, for these kind of events, but you can do a lot to reduce the risk.
Quote: Originally posted by missmally on 20/7/2016
OP you were very unlucky and it is the thieving scum we should be blaming, not you.
I'll second that!
Thanks to the OP for taking the time to remind us all to be a bit more careful and vigilant. It's a horrible and shocking thing that's happened to you but absolutely not your fault and I think you deserve a bit more empathy.
I hope you don't let this put you off going away in your caravan. There are far more good people out there than bad, you were just very unlucky.
Well said Lidds0 I think some of the posts have been a bit harsh on the OP who has been good enough to post a warning for everyone. I know everyone means well but we don't all perceive risk in the same way. They have had a very frightening experience at a time when they shouldn't have a care in the world and be relaxing.
Lets all just be more mindful whilst away from home as I am certainly guilty of thinking everyone on campsites etc are the same as me just there to holiday but unfortunately now a lot of people are not like minded. I for one will be more vigilant with keys etc after reading this post so thank you to Lovemycaravan who only joined the forum in July 16 probably to post this warning.
Sue
------------- sue-k
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
sorry to hear this, im always so weary even when i stop for a toilet break i leave on adult in the car! perhaps im just paranoid, i am unlikely to stop at an aire overnight as i have a TT.
dont let it put you off, it doesnt sound like there was much you could do, you just happenend to be in the same place as the theiving twats at the right time :(
OP, it will always happen, every week of every year but thanks for highlighting it. Folks look at fitting doors and windows with the magnetic alarms, cheap as bloody chips, and if the noise doesn't wake you it will certainly scare the thieves. I overnighted in Aires for twenty years but now use municipal or ACSI sites, gives us chance to charge to chill out comfortably.
I think this thread serves as a warning to everyone.
We will continue to overnight in Aires, where it's essential (usually at the start of our journey after a late crossing when we have the caravan with us) but what we won't do is leave any valuables anywhere on show.
I think that's the warning everyone should take from this - whether on a campsite or an aire - don't leave money, wallets, computers, handbags, passports, and car keys (let alone your jewellery, antique paintings and large amounts of cash) anywhere except a very safe place! There are so many places in a caravan where things can be hidden - in ours there are several places that only the caravan designer and us will know about - and at the worst tuck things under your mattress!
Antique paintings are hung in the van with pressure pad alarms fitted.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
That's what our American friends thought when camping at a folk music festival in this country, but they were robbed of all of them one night, without being aware, despite being surrounded by other campers ( and before it's said, they are strictly tee total, and very camping savvy).
I'm surprised that anyone can sleep through a hand feeling about under a pillow - I certainly wouldn't! But even so, if you hide stuff under your pillow then put it inside the pillow case and turn the pillow case flap towards the inside of the bed on each side.
Did your camping friends consume a little too much 'folk festival smoking stuff' or buy some of those 'interesting cookies'?
Not at all. They are over 60's retired businessman and his teacher wife who just happen to love the music of the band who runs the festival. He will sometimes drink a pint of beer but can't understand how we Brits consume such vast amounts. She is strictly tee total and clean living.
W'd heard about it happening before but, like you, didn't believe it could happen. They still marvel that they slept through it. They thought they had been supercautious putting things under the pillow. They were on separate sleeping mats. We were in our van but the rest of our party were in tents very, very close ( no rules about minimum spacing at festivals), and no one heard anything, though several other nearby tentts had a similar experience the same night. It happens a lot at festivals, carried out by practiced gangs, and is a huge problem for organisers trying to prevent it. Current advice is to sleep with valuables inside your sleeping bag, but not at the bottom as the thieves have now learnt this and cut the bottom of the bag.
There's been no suggestion that gas is involved yet though 😉
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: Overnight stops in France
