we have been caravaning for 20 years and have never joined a club does that make us any the less caravaner's surely if bob feels that he has not got value for money from joining a club that is his opinion and he can air it without having to take personal attacks from club members defending their club you dont have to be a member of any club to enjoy a caravan i thought that was the point of having one to do your own thing when you want . i have never felt that not being a member of a club made me less interested in caravaning im not a member of a football club and i still enjoy a good game .
What has annoyed folk is that Bob chose to join the Club after asking about it and receiving a lot of information, but having received the welcome pack he is now condemning it without even having given it all a go.
For example, he says: "As far as rallies go - not my scene, i value my independance even though i enjoy being sociable on site." How does he know they are not hs scene if he hasn't tried them? In fact on a rally he would be no less independent than on a site he had booked on his own, but there would be more opportunity for him to enjoy being sociable.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
We used to be in both clubs. We droped out of the C&CC purely on economic grounds, and remained with the C.C. because we have Green Flag through them, and our van is insured with them. Both clubs are very similar in costs and assistance, including going abroad.
As we, and the friends we meet up with, are retired, we tend to mostly use "adults only" campsites. We are going to France this year, and the C.C. has been more than helpful with several questions; since our last trip abroad was about 10 years ago.
Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 17/2/2008
What has annoyed folk is that Bob chose to join the Club after asking about it and receiving a lot of information, but having received the welcome pack he is now condemning it without even having given it all a go.
For example, he says: "As far as rallies go - not my scene, i value my independance even though i enjoy being sociable on site." How does he know they are not hs scene if he hasn't tried them? In fact on a rally he would be no less independent than on a site he had booked on his own, but there would be more opportunity for him to enjoy being sociable.
Exactly. Each to their own, but at least try something before publicly declaring you don't like it. Rallies come in so many varieties.SWCC alone have a reversing competition rally, an easter rally, last year we had a rugby rally (big screen watching world cup, not a trip to rugby) a childrens treat rally, a christmas rally (with father christmas on site!) a new year rally, a summer holiday rally (more like winter but even the welsh cannot control the weather) Mothers day rally... the list goes on and on. They don't all appeal to everyone, but there is something for everyone. Also worth remembering is that some of these rallies are at other attractions to which we have a huge discount and get to stay onsite. A privaledge not available to the general public and we get to pay less than they do too! There are also rallies on commercial sites, with big savings. If you don't want to mix with other members you don't have to, but you can always be sure of a welcome and a warm smile when you do see them.
BOBABBEYUSER you could go to B&Bs and save your £££s as you can tell caravaning is not your way of life as £1000+ a year to run a caravan out personal attackpersonal attack
Different big sites book to me as well Caz. I'm not really into rallies with themes either but at least we tried it before deciding, I love the temporary holiday sites where you can socialise as much or as little as you choose. We have had some great and cheap holidays courtesy of the camping and caravanning club and continue to make good use of their certified sites.
------------- Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
Caz i suggest you try putting in 'dogs welcome' you might find only x2 on Anglsey.
This used to be a friendly site with plenty of tolerence shown for different points of view. I've already apologised for sharing my unresearched experience of joining a club!. I didn't expect a character assasination with judgemental comments.
I stand by my original disapointment of the merits of Joining the CC&Club. As i've said earlier the lesson i've learned of researching to match your needs is essential & is equaly valid for those starting out on Caravanning. I have not set out to condenm clubs & equally respect those that use them.
I well remember when i started out on caravanning with x3 kids & a very tight budget thinking will i be able to manage without joining a club. I found i did mainly because true campers are a friendly bunch & allways ready to jump in & help a fellow camper when in need. Like the time i struggled to put up my 1st awning it wasn't till someone pointed out i'd been supplied with the wrong poles did i give up. Otherwise without that friendly helpful advise i'd have struggled to carry on to no avail, probably being stressed out & with tempers frayed. Hopefully over my 20+ yrs of caravanning i've returned the favours consistantly without impossing my opinions on anyone.
I had to titter when somebody mentioned coming across some Hitlers on club sites this tallied with my thoughts of not wanting to be regimented - but lets be fair even i appreciate you meet the occassional bossy character in all walks of life & i wouldn't let it adversly influence me.
This UKCampsite is invaluable for all campers from all walks of life with differing values & needs. Long may it be so - i am newly retired with limited mobility, we have a toy poodle and value the support & comradeship we have consistantly enjoyed from this site. Thanks again for all the constructive comments on this thread, i hope no newcomers are put off by the occassional nasty remarks i have received on this occassion. I've not come across it before on this site but perhaps club membership seems to be an emotive issue, as someone said every one to their own.
It's been a long winter with lots darks days- thank goodness for the glorious sunshine we are having at the moment!
Happy caravanning Rob & Chris from a truly sunny Rhyl
There's 2 that say dogs welcome and have EHUs. I have found in the past that sites that accept dogs don't always show themselves as dogs welcome - they usually put that if they have faciities for dogs - i.e. a dog walk. Also, if you rang and said you only have one small dog I'm sure many would be ok with that. The thing is most of the sites on Anglesey are on working sheep farms, and understandably they would be wary of someone with a couple of big dogs.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Come on people. It's time to stop bickering. You can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time. It would be a poor world if everyone enjoyed the same things. Live and let live!!!
whoops! it's gone quiet- i hope everyone is still talking to me?
Thank goodness we can see signs of spring. the daffs in my garden are blazing in all their glory - roll on Easter, St Annes here we come on our 1st outing of 2008.
I'd better get my CC&Club sticker in the window & while i'm at it i'll get my UKCampsite sticker as well, i have a feeling that will be longer lasting.
We'll see this time next year, in the meantime i promise not to bring up the topic of club membership till then.
Enjoy your caravanning Bob and Chris. I am sure there are no hard feelings on this site. As you say Spring is in the air and everybody is raring to go to wherever may take their fancy. Hope it is a better summer than last year.
bobabbeyuser
I would have thought that the C&CC sites would be ideal for you considering they have a discount for the over 50's - their age concession rate - in mid and low season and all the sites we have visited have had disabled toilets and showers etc (although as we have never used these I cannot comment on how good they are, but their ordinary toilets and showers have always been very clean and well-kept so I would expect the disabled ones to be the same).
Most of their sites welcome dogs and many have dog walks and as far as I am aware they don't charge extra for dogs.
Enjoy your caravanning wherever you go but do give the C&CC a try - I think you may be surprised. If however you don't like what you find just don't renew your membership next year.
Fat Bum
Post last edited on 17/02/2008 23:11:56
Post edited because I spotted a spelling mistake - sorry!
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: Which Club does what?
