We're new to this caravanning lark, just our 1st year and reading some of the posts I wonder whether things we do could be annoying for other people but we see it as okay. What are your thoughts.
Kids on bikes - we allow our little one (only aged 4) to ride on the paths and roads around the site near our 'van and tell her off for cutting around vans and cycling on the grass
To get to the shower blocks we cut through if there is sufficient gap between caravans but don't go too near anyones 'van or awning, also if there is an empty pitch between 2 'vans we cut through there
We allow our children to roam free near the play area, this includes calling and shouting as part of playing. We figure that people pitched close to a play area probably have children and are used to/expect a little noise.
If we see children (not our own) causing problems, being unkind to others or getting too close to other 'vans whilst on bikes or with balls, we tell them that they should move/be more considerate.
What should we be avoiding? What should we be doing that we shouldn't?
I personally dont like kids on bikes on site,however your wee ones are at an age where going outwith the confines of the site isnt suitable so i would say this is ok.its brilliant you give them a little freedom toplay safely,but also within a distance to keep an eye on them.too many parents let their kids run riot while they get bladdered.
i personally dont think your doing too much wrong if anything tbh.maybe invest in cheap walkie talkies to give to the kids on site-thats what we have,it works well and they have fun using them too
------------- Who needs travel agents,we have our static
Many kids don't seem to have bells on their bike so make sure they have one and use it. So many come quietly up behind you and without knowing it we step right into their path!!!.
Parents.....Be nice to them. Went on a site recently and all we heard most of the day was some parent or other shouting at their kids. Kids are kids; they are excited on a camp site. They want to help putting the tent up but don't expect them to be all knowing. Calling them "You are an idiot" at the top of your voice is so annoying. Try the Joyce Grenville approach....quietly and gently "Now, Tommy, you don't really want to do that do you?"
Please..Don't let them play football near caravans and when they are asked to use the playing field don't let's have some parent being abusive to the caravan owner.
Try the impossible.........Get them to sleep in till after 8 o'clock. Playing Star Wars at 5 in the morning is a bit much.
Always give the caravanner without kids a bottle of wine as you leave. One group (10 kids) did that to us for being, as they put it, "so patient" with all their kids. Wasn't that nice. If not sure whether red or white try both
Putting the boot on the other foot.....kids are kids and do what they have always done and what we did as kids. They are as much entitled to have fun as the rest of us, only they do it differently. So OP thanks for your approach any difficulties with kids is mostly down to the parents
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
The only thing I would say is dont go between caravans, going across a pitch that has no van is ok, we all do that, but going between two vans that are pitched is a no imho! My kids are 4 and 2 and they are learning the rules from an early age.
They ride their scooters on the paths/road in front of us and we are not interested in getting 'bladdered', just a family holiday and believe kids should be kids, but they do have to have rules and learn respect.
Hope this helps
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
As far as walking between pitches is concerned, I think this is largely a matter dictated by the layout of the site. Sorry if I have offended anyone in the past by taking the shortest route to the showers but I only do this if (a) the pitches are very spacious and (b) not going too close to anyone's van or awning etc. or invading their privacy. If you are pitched close to a toilet/shower block or are on route, I think you have to expect a certain amount of people walking through.
Is that why people build windbreak villages then?
As far as kids on bikes go, I have no problem with it provided they are not speeding around on large bikes in and around cars and caravans. Dangerous for all concerned.
If there is an area set aside for ball games, I would expect the children to use this area and not use the side of my caravan for penalty shoot outs. If the ball games area is not visible from your pitch, then it's up to the parents to properly supervise the children and go with them - something I have done on many occasions with my own kids in the past when they were smaller.
The fact that you ask if you are doing anything annoying means you probably aren't, you are obviously considerate and aware of other holidaymakers around you.
We're only in our 2nd year of caravanning and the only child related thing that did suprise me was the noise early and late, I don't know why but I presumed there would be some mutual curfew, it tends to be loud kids before 8am and loud adults after 10pm.
There was an interesting article in the Caravan Club magazine this month about having a 9pm curfew for kids on site and they had people write in for and against it.
I think excessive noise of any kind is the main bugbear for people be it from kids, dogs, adults, tv's, radio's etc.
Regarding walking across pitches I personally don't like it as to me seems rude but people do seem to naturally walk in straight lines to their destination.
Selfish people walking too close to our unit is one of the real bugbears we have. I think it has got worse over the years. I wish everyone was a considerate as the posters here. As far as we're concerned the principles are fairly obvious and stem from just having respect for fellow campers. This is what we do:
1 Don't expect to necessarily go in a straight line
2 If there is a path or road stick to it where at all possible even though it may take an extra few seconds
3 If because of the layout of the site (e.g. several rows of units without roads or paths between) take the mid point between units in each row, which might mean doing some zigzags, and if a wider gaps is available because of an empty pitch head for that every time
4 Never under any circumstances walk over someone's pitch - that includes the hardstanding and grass strip around it, or a big area if on grass
5 Empty pitches are OK to walk over as long as they don't take you too close to anyone else
There, I've got it out of my system.
As far as we're concerned, we're happy to see well behaved children enjoying themselves, including cycling on the roads (and we do try to pitch away from the playgrounds to avoid the noise). As someone said here it's down to the parents. RussellDavey, I don't think you should have any trouble if you operate as you say, though no doubt there may be one or two real grouches about that you'll never be able to please. Oh and by the way on Club sites and probably many commercial sites there will be notices saying no cycling round the toilet blocks - a lot of children ignore this but I'm sure your children know not to do this.
All I ask is that parents watch what their kids are up to 24/7 and not rely on the site warden - or anyone else for that matter - to watch them for them whilst they're sat supping cans of beer round the barbeque....they know who they are..!!.
Oh....and the parents of that small boy whose voice is louder than any other child on the park....will they ensure he plays in the play area and not outside my door...!!
I don't have a problem with kids per se and by the sound of your rules I can't see a problem with them or their bikes. I don't like bikes near my car or van. Both have been damaged before.
Don't mind kids making a noise - thats what they do. (Don't know why they need to shout to each other but thats what kids do.)Would expect them to be reasonably quiet after the time set by the site.
Don't mind kids playing around the playground. That's what its there for. If there is equipment an adult ought to be about somewhere. Not necessarily all the parents. Kids often play around the toilet block and not so keen on this.
We don't cross other people's pitch and wouldn't expect people to cross mine.
Treat others as you would wish to be treated and you can't go wrong. (probably wouldn't work with Max Mosley)
I'm with the thou shalt not walk on my pitch brigade. It is annoying, especially as all it takes is one to do it and the next thing you know you have a steady stream of people. Empty pitch crossing fine. I must admit that I have strategically placed windbreaks in the past to try and bar entry, but incredulously some people stil can't take a hint. To me it is a bit like somebody walking across your garden because it is a shortcut to the shops.
I would agree that since you are asking you probably aren't causing any upset.
For myself walking between pitches I consider rude as if you are walking on someones garden, to me you pay to rent that piece of land for a week and I hate people wandering past my door peering in. However you have said you walk on an empty pitch between 2 occupied pitches which seems fine to me although I tend to use the paths.
I might be in the minority here but I like to see children cycling around the site provided they stick to the paths and don't cycle on the dog walk. Children enjoying themselves in the fresh air is what camping and caravaning is all about. To me a bell would be an awful idea because that is an irritating unnecessary noise. Plus a child coming behind me and ringing a bell would make me jump which for me is very painful due to back problems. I would much rather they just cycle quietly past.
Free noisy play on the park sounds fine to me as someone else said much more preferable than hearing adults shouting at children.
Agreed footballs around the pitch is worrying, as is bubble mix as it damages the waterproofing on awnings and tents. Personally I don't like water pistols around the pitches but that might just be me being a miserable old bat. However a 4 year old with a small soft sponge ball on their own pitch sounds fine.
What should we all do is greet other campers with a smile, nod or a simple hello just because it makes the site a happier place Treat others as you would like to be treated and you won't go far wrong.
Sounds like most things have been covered, but from a dog owners point of view, kids playing ball near my caravan just winds our dog right up, she doesnt normally bark but the sight of kids running and a ball is just the ticket for her to get a tad emotional, and as for cutting through someones pitch, maybe not a good idea if they have a dog, if its on a long teather and its a bit terittorial you could be in for more than you bargain for!
Gosh we Brits are very territorial, my continental friends just don't get wind breaks and the whole pitch boundary thing but they are used to a more communal approach to life. I think walking across someones pitch is a bit off myself but I don't have a problem with people walking between pitches if it's the only way to get somewhere. Where there is an obivous path I'll use that, better for the pitches to do that too.
Mind you at the last site I was at the ruddy wardens were the worse offenders for cutting across peoples pitches! I will always avoid if at all possible being on a pitch which is on a direct line to the shower block or anywhere near the play area.
Many kids are fine and many adults are responsible, however there are a significant minority who are not and with their kids it shows. I just love the sort whose kids run amuck and when you challenge the adults they inform you they are on holiday so begger the kids!
Dogs left to incessantly bark, football games near vans and kids cycling full pelt between vans and mixing it with vehicles are my other pet hates.
I had one chap drive over the front of my pitch, when he saw me cutting the grass with the mower.(seasonal pitch). I didnt say nothing as it was there first time out with there tent. so i didnt want to spoil there first trip out tenting.
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
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Topic: What is and what isn`t acceptable
Treat others as you would like to be treated and you won't go far wrong.
