Solo traveller

sweet caroline

sweet caroline

Joined
Dec 8, 2022
Posts
667
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Location
bury st edmunds
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92,809
MH
Boxer Peugot 2001
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newbie
It's been my retirement plan to travel the world 🌎, which I did from Dec to March 2024. Now its time to travel uk.

It's a Bentley van n told great craftsmanship n a real nice van apparently.

Just wondering as a 67 year old fit n healthy, us it safe to do OFF GRID, or should I always go on sites.

I've NO DOG n have no interest in getting one either! But it dies seem to be a pre requisite to have a van n a dog or two or 3? It's my worse nightmare!

Happy with my own company, but need to know of its SAFE travelling around the UK? THANK YOU FOR YR HELP
 
Where 'off grid' do you have in mind if it isn't on a recognised (non EHU) site of some sort? I think that apart from pub car parks, industrial estates and on-street you'll have difficulty finding overnight places, although I believe it's a bit more relaxed in Scotland. The Park4Night website is the place to look for/research places to overnight.
 
Personally, I would stick to sites or pub type stop overs or as mentioned, the THS of the camping and Caravanning club or the CL and CS small sites.
But then I have never been one to want to be in such remote or isolated areas.
Just personally don't feel safe in today's world, sadly, but also as you are a solo traveller, any eventuality of a sudden emergency or breakdown of equipment, or worse, health, could be challenging if you are in such a wild or remote area.
Having possible help around from a site or stop-ovet would give me comfort in my travels, even if only on someone's drive for a night.
But that's just me.
Enjoy whatever you do but please stay SAFE!

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I would suggest that you stay on sites, CL's or pub stops until you've got used to your van and have a bit of experience and confidence, if possible get a vanbitz growler fitted so the van is alarmed whilst you sleep, they also have a panic button so you can set the alarm off if anyone undesirable gets too close to the van.
 
Solo, Freedom Camper, Male.

Some spots are remote but visited by others.

I've been directly disturbed twice in seven years, once the landowner just investiging, the other a Geman motorhomer enquiring if it was legal to park up!.

Certain nights there are boy racers and then the 'courting couples' at night and the 'affairs couples' after work.

There is a risk! But I've never felt that it was worse than walking through some parts of Cardiff late at night.

Do not do, or carry anything illegal! As a Freedom Camper you may be questioned by the Police, so if they found a can of Mace or similar, a knife etc, you would be in trouble.

A spray can of hairspray or deodorant might help reassure you but short of being an expert in self defence, and even then a fit toerag would probably move and act faster than you as there would be a tendency to be less inhibited and faster to act, especially as most amateurs telegraph their intentions.

Having said all of that I try not to worry about it! I apply more than common sense to location and action and get on with living.

Start of on sites to gain confidence in you, your van and immediate surroundings. graduate to known 'used' locations, pub car parks etc, there are guides, again building you confidence in yourself. May try to buddy up with someone for your first forays into 'the Wild,' all you want is another van in the same location no need to socialise, just to be there!

Don't drink!!!! Keep your wits about you. Don't barricade yourself in, it might make you feel safer but they're scrotes so a small fire outside the van will not trouble them.

Some van alarm systems have Personal Defence systems.

Don't look or appear to be a victim.

Don't open doors until inspecting not just who is there but also the surrounding area!

Ask an anyone purporting to be an official for ID and check it.

Sorry for the randomness of my thoughts.
 
Last edited:
During my change of location it occurred to me to add;

I mention to start with some stays on proper sites.

This is to get to know how it works, where stuff is, what noises it makes and just get comfortable being there.

My van can be noisy as it cools in the evening, the random clicks and creaks made me feel that it was about to collapse!

The first time heavy rain or even hail starts banging on the roof will get you up.

Come early morning and a Seagull starts morning parade on your roof.

A nice friendly horse or cow dealing with an itch on your wing mirror will feel like a small earthquake!
 
As a solo 75year old female I love the theory of wild camping. I hate organised sites for numerous reasons. However I don’t feel safe if I wild camp. (I do have a dog but she would lick an intruder to death!) My solution is CLs and CSs. Huge choice. They can be very remote and often empty (max 5 anyway) but always feel secure. I choose the ones with no facilities apart from water and toilet disposal, maybe ehu.
 
Spriddler said:
Where 'off grid' do you have in mind if it isn't on a recognised (non EHU) site of some sort? I think that apart from pub car parks, industrial estates and on-street you'll have difficulty finding overnight places, although I believe it's a bit more relaxed in Scotland. The Park4Night website is the place to look for/research places to overnight.
Click to expand...
Tgata s grat recommendation I appreciate that I'll look it up . N many thanks for bothering to reply 🙂

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Downsie said:
As a solo 75year old female I love the theory of wild camping. I hate organised sites for numerous reasons. However I don’t feel safe if I wild camp. (I do have a dog but she would lick an intruder to death!) My solution is CLs and CSs. Huge choice. They can be very remote and often empty (max 5 anyway) but always feel secure. I choose the ones with no facilities apart from water and toilet disposal, maybe ehu.
Click to expand...
Thank you downsie, I appreciate yr thread
 
The Old Man said:
During my change of location it occurred to me to add;

I mention to start with some stays on proper sites.

This is to get to know how it works, where stuff is, what noises it makes and just get comfortable being there.

My van can be noisy as it cools in the evening, the random clicks and creaks made me feel that it was about to collapse!

The first time heavy rain or even hail starts banging on the roof will get you up.

Come early morning and a Seagull starts morning parade on your roof.

A nice friendly horse or cow dealing with an itch on your wing mirror will feel like a small earthquake!
Click to expand...
I appreciate the above haha. My last sit in fakenham was under some trees n the acorns all night kept me up, n one that felt like a ruddy huge coconut made me jump out of my bed thinking that the bang was my electrics had gone.

It really shook me up. N couldn't wait for the morning. I think wild camping would honestly freak me out even more!
 
Downsie said:
As a solo 75year old female I love the theory of wild camping. I hate organised sites for numerous reasons. However I don’t feel safe if I wild camp. (I do have a dog but she would lick an intruder to death!) My solution is CLs and CSs. Huge choice. They can be very remote and often empty (max 5 anyway) but always feel secure. I choose the ones with no facilities apart from water and toilet disposal, maybe ehu.
Click to expand...
The Old Man said:
During my change of location it occurred to me to add;

I mention to start with some stays on proper sites.

This is to get to know how it works, where stuff is, what noises it makes and just get comfortable being there.

My van can be noisy as it cools in the evening, the random clicks and creaks made me feel that it was about to collapse!

The first time heavy rain or even hail starts banging on the roof will get you up.

Come early morning and a Seagull starts morning parade on your roof.

A nice friendly horse or cow dealing with an itch on your wing mirror will feel like a small earthquake!
Click to expand...
Captain Yoghurtpot said:
Personally, I would stick to sites or pub type stop overs or as mentioned, the THS of the camping and Caravanning club or the CL and CS small sites.
But then I have never been one to want to be in such remote or isolated areas.
Just personally don't feel safe in today's world, sadly, but also as you are a solo traveller, any eventuality of a sudden emergency or breakdown of equipment, or worse, health, could be challenging if you are in such a wild or remote area.
Having possible help around from a site or stop-ovet would give me comfort in my travels, even if only on someone's drive for a night.
But that's just me.
Enjoy whatever you do but please stay SAFE!
Click to expand...
Hi Jon,

Really appreciate yr kind thoughts above.
Like u said best to keep to sites or pubs, wild camping is for the less nervous,n maybe not for a 67 year old lady solo traveller
 
The Old Man said:
Solo, Freedom Camper, Male.

Some spots are remote but visited by others.

I've been directly disturbed twice in seven years, once the landowner just investiging, the other a Geman motorhomer enquiring if it was legal to park up!.

Certain nights there are boy racers and then the 'courting couples' at night and the 'affairs couples' after work.

There is a risk! But I've never felt that it was worse than walking through some parts of Cardiff late at night.

Do not do, or carry anything illegal! As a Freedom Camper you may be questioned by the Police, so if they found a can of Mace or similar, a knife etc, you would be in trouble.

A spray can of hairspray or deodorant might help reassure you but short of being an expert in self defence, and even then a fit toerag would probably move and act faster than you as there would be a tendency to be less inhibited and faster to act, especially as most amateurs telegraph their intentions.

Having said all of that I try not to worry about it! I apply more than common sense to location and action and get on with living.

Start of on sites to gain confidence in you, your van and immediate surroundings. graduate to known 'used' locations, pub car parks etc, there are guides, again building you confidence in yourself. May try to buddy up with someone for your first forays into 'the Wild,' all you want is another van in the same location no need to socialise, just to be there!

Don't drink!!!! Keep your wits about you. Don't barricade yourself in, it might make you feel safer but they're scrotes so a small fire outside the van will not trouble them.

Some van alarm systems have Personal Defence systems.

Don't look or appear to be a victim.

Don't open doors until inspecting not just who is there but also the surrounding area!

Ask an anyone purporting to be an official for ID and check it.

Sorry for the randomness of my thoughts.
Click to expand...
 
Yr do kindcwith all yr thoughts about my wild camping question. I have heeded everything, n will out those thoughts out of my mind n keep to sites or pubs.
Thank you for yr kind thoughtfulness n tine

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I will also quote Franklin D. Roosevelt;

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

Move forward slowly Caroline and take a step at a time out of your comfort zone!
 
Last edited:
Such a very true "Quote". I travelled the world ALONE , and never had any problems, the last RTW TRIP was only 3 months ago after my retirement, so why I am concerned now is because I watch too much news in the UK ! hahah
 
Hi sweet caroline, welcome. I have been Motorhoming for over 35 years and can probably count the number of sites we have stayed on, on my fingers in all that time. I just don’t like sites, they are certainly not safer than anywhere else. Anybody can walk on them and I doubt somebody breaking into a van would be challenged if they were brazen enough. I might add that I am 75 and my wife 81.
I second the fitting of a Vanbitz Growler alarm we always set ours as soon as we stop. The inside alarm sensors can easily be switched off. Go for the full system with the four blue lights, one on each side. As a member here you can get a discount if you register with them. We even threw away the alarm that was already fitted on our current van, in favor of fitting a new Growler.
I think additional security locks/deadbolts are essential as the original ones are usually useless.
Once you have secured your van, and it will cost a fair amount of money todo so, you need to consider how you park ”Off Grid” note the word PARK. That is what you are doing. Nothing outside the van at all. No chairs, tables, ramps, buckets etc. If you are on a picnic spot with a table then by all means use it but, lock your door while outside. Even in France or Spain if we are Sitting outside on an Aire where it is appropriate we lock the door, it is so easy to doze off or get distracted by somebody.
When you park Offgrid always face your exit so that if it becomes uncomfortable you can just drive away without having to turn round. So saying we have only once had to do that but only because the local lads started using the car park as a racetrack.
We once had some drunks banging on the side of the van in Spain on NewYearsEve, so I pressed the panic button to set off the alarm and they scarpered immediately, there was a puddle outside in the morning so I suspect one of them wet himself when the very loud Growler went off.
All the above sounds scary but it is only to make sure that you are prepared. What you fear will probably never happen, the precautions are for your peace of mind and comfort.
We have met very many single women travelers.
If when you try it, you don’t like it, then try sites until you are more comfortable. Weekend rallies with the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Motor Caravan Club are good places to spend the weekend when Park-Ups can be limited. Pub Stops are certainly good although some Pubs are now charging high prices so you need to ask. Park4Night is certainly worth having but check recent comments. It is worth the €9 a year. It is free to install and use but the payment helps them and add’s a bit of usability.
We rarely spend more than one night when wilding, except in Norway where it is almost encouraged. We have just spent 90 days traveling in Europe and Scandinavia and only three of those were paid, one at a Marina to do washing and a Stelplatz/Aire in Germany which our German friend recommended which was €3 a night in the honesty box.
Sorry this reply has become a bit long, don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you like.
Oh! One last thing, we also stay on Motorway services which most people disagree with and have never had a problem in any country. But our Van is a Fortress with EVERY opening alarmed so we are quite comfortable doing so.

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Hi Caroline,

I don’t know if you are a member of the two main clubs, I can recommend joining the Caravan and Motorhome Club, if you are going to travel the UK now out of season you will find some good deals for Solo travelers.

Thanks to the Covid vaccine I have now joined the Solo club and last winter I was travelling about the UK and used a lot of the club sites, I used their facilities and averaged less than £25 a night including electricity. I also recommend using Search for Sites website or app as well as Park4Night to find campsites and park ups. I tend to not book any sites but just turn up and I have had no problems out of season, a lot of the CL and CS sites are out in the countryside and are fine as well as pubs if you looking for a meal.

Google maps and street view to check out the area, if using lay-by’s you might have a lot of road noise. If you are going to be travelling out of season watch out for a lot of sites close over the winter months and keep off grass pitches if possible. Safe travels.
 
:pink:
If you're ever in Cheshire and want a safe spot to overnight in a nice village with pub, bakery and Co-Op give me a shout!
 
OldAgeTravellers said:
Hi sweet caroline, welcome. I have been Motorhoming for over 35 years and can probably count the number of sites we have stayed on, on my fingers in all that time. I just don’t like sites, they are certainly not safer than anywhere else. Anybody can walk on them and I doubt somebody breaking into a van would be challenged if they were brazen enough. I might add that I am 75 and my wife 81.
I second the fitting of a Vanbitz Growler alarm we always set ours as soon as we stop. The inside alarm sensors can easily be switched off. Go for the full system with the four blue lights, one on each side. As a member here you can get a discount if you register with them. We even threw away the alarm that was already fitted on our current van, in favor of fitting a new Growler.
I think additional security locks/deadbolts are essential as the original ones are usually useless.
Once you have secured your van, and it will cost a fair amount of money todo so, you need to consider how you park ”Off Grid” note the word PARK. That is what you are doing. Nothing outside the van at all. No chairs, tables, ramps, buckets etc. If you are on a picnic spot with a table then by all means use it but, lock your door while outside. Even in France or Spain if we are Sitting outside on an Aire where it is appropriate we lock the door, it is so easy to doze off or get distracted by somebody.
When you park Offgrid always face your exit so that if it becomes uncomfortable you can just drive away without having to turn round. So saying we have only once had to do that but only because the local lads started using the car park as a racetrack.
We once had some drunks banging on the side of the van in Spain on NewYearsEve, so I pressed the panic button to set off the alarm and they scarpered immediately, there was a puddle outside in the morning so I suspect one of them wet himself when the very loud Growler went off.
All the above sounds scary but it is only to make sure that you are prepared. What you fear will probably never happen, the precautions are for your peace of mind and comfort.
We have met very many single women travelers.
If when you try it, you don’t like it, then try sites until you are more comfortable. Weekend rallies with the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Motor Caravan Club are good places to spend the weekend when Park-Ups can be limited. Pub Stops are certainly good although some Pubs are now charging high prices so you need to ask. Park4Night is certainly worth having but check recent comments. It is worth the €9 a year. It is free to install and use but the payment helps them and add’s a bit of usability.
We rarely spend more than one night when wilding, except in Norway where it is almost encouraged. We have just spent 90 days traveling in Europe and Scandinavia and only three of those were paid, one at a Marina to do washing and a Stelplatz/Aire in Germany which our German friend recommended which was €3 a night in the honesty box.
Sorry this reply has become a bit long, don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you like.
Oh! One last thing, we also stay on Motorway services which most people disagree with and have never had a problem in any country. But our Van is a Fortress with EVERY opening alarmed so we are quite comfortableThank you doing so.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys for the informative reply, and I will make sure I heed all the above, and will hopefully enjoy all the experiences you have in your many travels. My Dad just sold his MH, he is 89 and only stopped skiing, too , so I am hopefully going to do this a long time ahead. But again, thank you for your kind response above, it was so interesting to read and digest. regards Caroline

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Grasmere9 said:
:pink:
If you're ever in Cheshire and want a safe spot to overnight in a nice village with pub, bakery and Co-Op give me a shout!
Click to expand...
That is so kind of you, and one of the places I am hoping to visit, so definitely will chase you up, sometime next year. This year, it is Norfolk Suffolk and Wales, Gloucester, etc, before hopefully next year
 

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