Am I a poor deluded soul?? (1 Viewer)

horsefreak

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Hi, I've just come across your site looking for information on wild camping.

We are Tracy & Dave with 2 girls ages 8 and 10, we moved from a tent to a caravan a couple of years ago and love the outdoors, I'm happy to rough it and love an adventure, Dave however likes his home comforts.

We have decided to buy our 1st motorhome and although I was quite happy with the smallest cheapest oldest motorhome we could find, Dave has other ideas.:RollEyes:

My idea is just to look out the window in the morning and say "mmmm nice day lets go to.....xxx for the weekend" jump in the MH and off we go, find a suitable spot somewhere nice and camp for the night and go somewhere else the next day.......now I would camp anywhere if I couldn't find an overnight "nice" spot. Dave however thinks I'm mad and thinks we should be booking into somewhere each night.:Eeek:

My favourite saying is "it's easier to beg forgiveness, than to ask permission"

Am I way off the mark or is my dream of being free to roam, about to come to fruition.

Please don't dash my dream, we're off to buy our MH today.....:Smile:

T.X
 
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Some people on here only wild camp, some wouldn't under any circumstances. Basically you will get opinions from one end of the scale to the other. The biggest thing comes down to what you are comfortable with.

For me I would say give it a try, if you don't like it or it doesn't work fall back on CS's and CS's which are the next best thing.

Good luck today ::bigsmile:
 

JJ

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I have been doing what you talk about for over twenty years Tracy... :thumb:

Don't ever go back to a house though...::bigsmile:

JJ :Cool:

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horsefreak

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That's just what I said to dave....We can do a bit of both.::bigsmile:
 

slobadoberbob

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sounds a wonderful life

It sounds a wonderful life.. why have I now found it:Sad:

I have owned an motorhome (mainly RV's for best part of 25 years).. I have wild parked in car parks in France to be woken by the delivery trucks.. lay-by's (fight for space with the trucks that use them to overnight) rocked all night by passing vehicles.

Off the beaten track to have bits of trees and apples falling on the roof all night. Down quite lanes to get stuck in the mud. Aires in France (now they are better on the whole - some are not).

Motorway car parks when to tired to drive.. not good thing to do.

C&C sites that moan if you are 2" to big or your awning takes up to much space.

Oh dreams.. yes love them.... still chasing them.


Bob:Blush:
 

scotjimland

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My idea is just to look out the window in the morning and say "mmmm nice day lets go to.....xxx for the weekend" jump in the MH and off we go, find a suitable spot somewhere nice and camp for the night and go somewhere else the next day.......now I would camp anywhere if I couldn't find an overnight "nice" spot.

If by *camp* you mean parking and sleeping overnight .. that is legal provided there are no signs prohibiting it .. but you may get the midnight call from the local chavs intent on a bit of mischief making ..

*Camping* ie putting out a table and chairs, using an awning etc is illegal unless you have the land owners express permission .. the same rule also applies in Scotland..

For me there is a world of difference.. I don't do off site parking.. I like to relax, get my table and chairs out, light a barbie and chill out .. also bear in mind, you can't risk drinking alcohol if not on a recognised site..



I have used laybys and Mway services overnight, .. but only as a last resort .. best by far is to find a CL or if abroad a motorhome aire..

There are few places in the UK where you can enjoy proper 'wild camping' .. ie, by river, remote beach, etc .. if and when you find a place .. keep a low profile, leave nothing but tyre tracks, take nothing but memories... and keep it secret .. or it will soon be overrun and spoilt ...

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Carol

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Hello Tracey and welcome to Fun, as you get used to your van doing what is comfortable for you, Scotland is a wonderful place for wild camping and as long as you do it with respect you should have no trouble.

I do like your saying, think I will give it a go with my other half. :welcomefunster:
 

hilldweller

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Dave however thinks I'm mad and thinks we should be booking into somewhere each night.:Eeek:
T.X

You are clearly too good for him. Tell him it's all over, you get custody of kids and motorhome and bank balance.

He can keep the Scrabble set.

Go enjoy life and find a Proper Man.
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Hello Tracey and welcome to Fun, as you get used to your van doing what is comfortable for you, [HI]Scotland is a wonderful place for wild camping[/HI] and as long as you do it with respect you should have no trouble.

I do like your saying, think I will give it a go with my other half. :welcomefunster:

Is Barnsley in Scotland now then, are they extending their Empire on the quiet :Eeek:

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estcres

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Are you a poor deluded soul? Well Yes & No.

We have wild camped and used good quality sites so can speak for both.

Wild camping is ideal if you find a nice spot, don't put out any chairs etc, leave no rubbish and move on in the morning, however, there is usually someone who will try and spoil it for you. We parked up one night in a nice quiet spot, lovely view, weather nice, perfect. Went to bed only to be woken up by some "Boy racers" who had decided the nice quiet road we were parked next to was their version of Santa Pod.

Used some lovely sites around the UK and Europe, ideal if you want to stay in one place for a few days, have a shower, do some laundry etc.

Sites are ideal if you want a break without too much stress, park up, stretch out and rest, drink, eat.

Hope you are able to make up your's and his mind soon. Give both a try and see waht suits you.

Remember, One life, live it.
 

gypsylady

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Tracy,

I have a similar problem.

Must be in the name as my Dave is always worrying about being disturbed by chavs, police, landowners, during the night.

However, I often get my own way. (don't we usually?)

We joined the Motorhome Stopover site which lists pubs around the country who will allow motorhomes to stay overnight in their carparks. Doing this has made us quite brazen about asking at other pubs or clubs. We regularly take our 'van for a night out to a friendly working mans club, ask the doorman for permission to stay overnight, have a night out and a couple of drinks, and no taxi cost home.

Other places we've stayed include 3 nights in a wood in Scotland, the rangers drove round to check us out, and left us there.

The carpark down by the sea in Ayr, and in Whitehaven. (lovely sleeping with the sound of the sea)

Aldi carparks have provided a haven, and a chance to stock up in the morning. (oh dear, we arrived too late last night and needed supplies, so we stayed)

The Car Museum in North Berwick where we arrived 10mins before closing so the owner let us stay in the carpark and go inside the next morning (Did the same in France too)

So sometimes we ask, and sometimes we don't. Just be sensible and make sure you are safe, both from other motorists, people up to no good, residents, landowners.

AND
Leave nothing but your thanks.

June

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horsefreak

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Thanks guys great feedback,:thumb:

Like the one about dumping Dave....lol...::bigsmile:..He's not that bad tho really just a bit cautious.

Well We've done it the AutoQuest 180 is due for delivery on the 3rd March, we are so excited, can't wait to get out there. picking it up in the morning, we'll be somewhere else by nightfall...?????

I look forward to sharing our 1st experience with you and reading up on your adventures too. ::bigsmile:

T.X
 

Loujess

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We really look forward to hearing how it went Tracy. One good place we stayed was at the car park by the coastguard station at Crosby in Lancashire (overlooking 'Another Place' by Anthony Gormley, he of the Angel of the North fame. We've also stayed in lay byes. Good luck and just go for it. ::bigsmile:

Ivy

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Wildman

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Hi and welcome to the fun, like the horse mad bit who looks after the horses whilst you are away? We also have horses. I can count the number of sites stayed on (usually for a rally) on my fingers, otherwise been wild parking since 1970's or maybe a bit earlier. Go for it.
 

Carol

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Is Barnsley in Scotland now then, are they extending their Empire on the quiet :Eeek:

Was kind of thinking that when they get their Motorhome, they may just like to go a bit further, though it is often pointed out that geography is not one of my stronger points. :ROFLMAO:

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freemover

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First message from me, I will post more of my info tomorrow

Like it Carol.... especially with little ones.
Just joined this community
and so have just found wild camping.....Hooray.:thumb:::bigsmile::roflmto:

Since buying our motor-home in 2006 we have spent time in England on au-fait sites but I felt ill at ease in England, either jobsworths huffing and puffing, no decent views except of rows of motor homes and manicured little hedges,:Sad: the mowing of grass one Sunday morning whilst having an earlyish breakfast (I won't mention the site - near a very large house in Derbyshire,:shout:). There was never a decent view on these sites, either of country or sea unless you were very lucky, apart from a lovely small one in the Lake District at Coniston where Donald Campbell raced..:Cool:

I never fancied my partners suggestion of just parking up anywhere, cos the scenery was always lacking, and I was scared of yobs and kids with nothing better to do than be drunk. :Eeek:

The other process of parking on a concrete village hall car park and being communal never appealed either, :Doh:I am so anti-social, unless beautiful scenery feeds my soul.

Well, we found it so, so different in France, (in aires as well as sites).
Then in 2010 we visited Scotland, especially Skye where we felt we could breathe at last. :roflmto:

Last year I was so fed up with sites in England, that all we did was stay at our childrens homes on their driveways, releasing their pressure of worrying about making beds up, and giving all the grandkids an upmarket wendy house to socialise in with us. I even had professional haircuts from grandaughters.

So that it wasn't till Sept I agreed to go out again and we visited Northumberland, Hadrians wall and Iona, these also had a different freeer feel, and the experience made me determined to achieve what I was looking for. which is this....lovely site,....wild camping and the benefit of everyones experiences ... motorhome fun thankyou:thanks2::thanks2:
 

Chris

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Like it Carol.... especially with little ones.
Just joined this community
and so have just found wild camping.....Hooray.:thumb:::bigsmile::roflmto:

Since buying our motor-home in 2006 we have spent time in England on au-fait sites but I felt ill at ease in England, either jobsworths huffing and puffing, no decent views except of rows of motor homes and manicured little hedges,:Sad: the mowing of grass one Sunday morning whilst having an earlyish breakfast (I won't mention the site - near a very large house in Derbyshire,:shout:). There was never a decent view on these sites, either of country or sea unless you were very lucky, apart from a lovely small one in the Lake District at Coniston where Donald Campbell raced..:Cool:

I never fancied my partners suggestion of just parking up anywhere, cos the scenery was always lacking, and I was scared of yobs and kids with nothing
better to do than be drunk. :Eeek:

The other process of parking on a concrete village hall car park and being communal never appealed either, :Doh:I am so anti-social, unless beautiful scenery feeds my soul.

Well, we found it so, so different in France, (in aires as well as sites).
Then in 2010 we visited Scotland, especially Skye where we felt we could breathe at last. :roflmto:

Last year I was so fed up with sites in England, that all we did was stay at our
childrens homes on their driveways, releasing their pressure of worrying about making beds up, and giving all the grandkids an upmarket wendy house to socialise in with us. I even had professional haircuts from grandaughters.

So that it wasn't till Sept I agreed to go out again and we visited Northumberland, Hadrians wall and Iona, these also had a different freeer feel, and the experience made me determined to achieve what I was looking for. which is this....lovely site,....wild camping and the benefit of everyones experiences ... motorhome fun thankyou:thanks2::thanks2:


After all that I take it you will be subscribing then??::bigsmile:
 
Nov 30, 2009
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Hi, I've just come across your site looking for information on wild camping.

We are Tracy & Dave with 2 girls ages 8 and 10, we moved from a tent to a caravan a couple of years ago and love the outdoors, I'm happy to rough it and love an adventure, Dave however likes his home comforts.

We have decided to buy our 1st motorhome and although I was quite happy with the smallest cheapest oldest motorhome we could find, Dave has other ideas.:RollEyes:

My idea is just to look out the window in the morning and say "mmmm nice day lets go to.....xxx for the weekend" jump in the MH and off we go, find a suitable spot somewhere nice and camp for the night and go somewhere else the next day.......now I would camp anywhere if I couldn't find an overnight "nice" spot. Dave however thinks I'm mad and thinks we should be booking into somewhere each night.:Eeek:

My favourite saying is "it's easier to beg forgiveness, than to ask permission"

Am I way off the mark or is my dream of being free to roam, about to come to fruition.

Please don't dash my dream, we're off to buy our MH today.....:Smile:

T.X

Hi Tracey and family.
We use the cl and cs sites more than wild camp , but do do it now and again.
Usually in village pub car parks or fields when we've arranged to go for a meal at their establishment. Its amazing how many let you stay overnight once you book a table for 5. One of our favourites is right down by a river. They have a docking area for boats too. If you camp next door on the official camp site it would cost us £35.00. Without the view too.

We go off what ever the weather all year round , most weekends. If you have the coloured panel van type motorhome you are less conspicuous so could wild camp all over. Its a bit harder to blend in , if you have an rv or something big n white like ours.
You will love having a motorhome , its so much easier than a caravan, especially if you dont like sites and like regularly moving about .
 

gypsylady

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Did You Do It?

Come on then Tracey and Dave,

Who won out in the end?

It's been 10 days since the 'van' arrived, so how did the maiden voyage go?

June :thumb:
 

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