What a liberty

[Purrfecttune]

On a a nice campsite above Granada (Las Lomas) and a German turned up two days ago and struggled to turn onto the pitch next to us (there were other, easier choices). The trees were a bit low for him and it was a tight turn so he climbed on his roof with a hand held cutting device and trimmed the trees before fully entering the pitch.

His vehicle was only slightly taller than ours but definitely shorter, so probably about 3.5m high and 6.5m long, so loads of other, more appropriate pitches to choose from.

He’s leaving today and out came the tool to trim some more!

I went to reception to report it and have never seen anyone run so fast in this heat! He was formally told to leave the trees alone.

Another of those people who feel that they can do whatever they like

 

[Deep Owl]

We were on that site last June; the German opposite started trimming his hedges. Is it Germans, or was the height above sea level affecting his brain?

We had a late afternoon booking for the Alhambra, so asked how late the bus ran. The lady replied “this is Spain, not England!” The last bus was around 11pm and quite busy. We had churros, hot chocolate and brandies while sitting in a square in Granada watching a free flamenco show; a great day but tiring after walking up the opposite hill to see the Alhambra from above.

 

[funflair]

Maybe he was just doing the maintenance that the site owners should have been doing, if the pitch wouldn't take a 3.5 tall van without potentially damaging it they should be getting the pruners out, OK maybe the camper shouldn't do it, or some might say shouldn't have to.

 

[monzer]

Maybe he was just doing the maintenance that the site owners should have been doing, if the pitch wouldn't take a 3.5 tall van without potentially damaging it they should be getting the pruners out, OK maybe the camper shouldn't do it, or some might say shouldn't have to.

At least ask first, surely?

 

[funflair]

At least ask first, surely?

Seems fair.

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[Deep Owl]

Maybe he was just doing the maintenance that the site owners should have been doing, if the pitch wouldn't take a 3.5 tall van without potentially damaging it they should be getting the pruners out, OK maybe the camper shouldn't do it, or some might say shouldn't have to.

The OP said there were suitable pitches that didn’t need gardening. I can understand that a Morelo would need adequate headroom .

 

[CazPaul]

Is there any notice on the booking website or in the campsite office to warn of low branches?
There should be if not.

 

[funflair]

The OP said there were suitable pitches that didn’t need gardening. I can understand that a Morelo would need adequate headroom .

A lot of places don't even have headroom to get into the site never mind the pitch yes I did read that there were other suitable pitches, I guess you needed to be there to really understand the situation but seems a bit selective if you can only go on a few pitches.

 

[Lenny HB]

We were on that site last June; the German opposite started trimming his hedges. Is it Germans, or was the height above sea level affecting his brain?

I've seen Germans doing it on Aires.

 

[dpsuk999]

I have been known to prune offending branches, either with my telescopic pruners or my battery operated chain saw I’ve even had fellow campers come up to ask if they can borrow them.

I specifically ask at reception if there is any access restrictions for the size of my motorhome and if they say no then that’s my permission to cut what I see fit down so it does not damage my motorhome

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[Purrfecttune]

Yes, there were many pitches to choose from with easier access (i.e. no tight turns) with no foliage above (which is what the German was cutting)

We have the pitch next door and it was tight for me at 7.5m plus bike rack, and I had to do a multi point turn to get in, avoiding the foliage and a tree (my choice, I liked the spot but I also had other options).

It was either that or choose a different pitch, cutting back the greenery (which is what most people would want from a pitch for various reasons) would never be an option!

 

[Purrfecttune]

Surely it is the visitors responsibility to ensure a site is adequate for their needs before they turn up, without expecting that they have the right to re-landscape it on arrival to suit themselves?

 

[Purrfecttune]

A lot of places don't even have headroom to get into the site never mind the pitch yes I did read that there were other suitable pitches, I guess you needed to be there to really understand the situation but seems a bit selective if you can only go on a few pitches.

Accessing the pitch, he could have easily got on it with a small amount of effort had he bothered trying, just like I did. The most that he would have suffered (and then only possibly) is a light brushing from above along one edge.

 

[Purrfecttune]

I have been known to prune offending branches, either with my telescopic pruners or my battery operated chain saw I’ve even had fellow campers come up to ask if they can borrow them.

I specifically ask at reception if there is any access restrictions for the size of my motorhome and if they say no then that’s my permission to cut what I see fit down so it does not damage my motorhome

Most staff will know their sites very well, so if someone has an access problem it might be down to their driving

Just saying

 

[dpsuk999]

Most staff don’t give a damn

Just saying

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[funflair]

Most staff will know their sites very well, so if someone has an access problem it might be down to their driving

Just saying

That doesn’t really match my experience but on this occasion you were there so possibly true.

 

[The Old Man]

At least ask first, surely?

What's the saying;

It is easier to seek forgiveness than to get permission?

 

[Purrfecttune]

This site has won many awards and actually had a huge delegation from ACSI visiting yesterday.

They have many staff constantly in evidence, including grounds people, so a very well maintained and attractive site (until somebody starts hacking at the greenery).

But as we all know, people have various levels of self-entitlement regardless of any rules

 

[CazPaul]

This site has won many awards and actually had a huge delegation from ACSI visiting yesterday.

They have many staff constantly in evidence, including grounds people, so a very well maintained and attractive site (until somebody starts hacking at the greenery).

But as we all know, people have various levels of self-entitlement

It can be that good unless they have signs in the site office and the website warning that some pitches are not suitable for higher cabs due to low hanging branches.

 

[dunnah01]

Why would you need to trim what are presumably just twigs . If your Moho roof is that susceptible to damage then there's a much bigger issue that needs sorting out

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[funflair]

This is one of the pitches, the tree on the left looks pretty substantial to me

 

[Miggs]

I honestly don't blame him, I'm sick of of lazy site owners not clearing low branches, had it on several sites on our recent trip. Now got lots of scratches in our big sunroof panel.

 

[The Wino]

Is there any relevance that the tree trimming motorhomer is German? Someone on here has already said they sometimes do the same.

 

[Ditcha]

I've seen Germans doing it on Aires.

What right there in front of you ! they just don't care, you can't apply the " if the vans a rocking" rule then that's terrible

 

[Minxy]

I have been known to prune offending branches, either with my telescopic pruners or my battery operated chain saw I’ve even had fellow campers come up to ask if they can borrow them.

I specifically ask at reception if there is any access restrictions for the size of my motorhome and if they say no then that’s my permission to cut what I see fit down so it does not damage my motorhome

No it isn't, that's your permission to look for a suitable accessible pitch, if there isn't one (excluding crap manoeuvring ability) then you go back to reception and ask them to come and sort it for you - you 'adapting' the pitch to suit your MH isn't on ... where does it stop ... would you cut down a tree completely to get in? It's vandalism pure and simple.

The ONLY time we've ever cut anything is if there's a wayward bit of growth that's obviously 'out of the norm' from the rest, eg a bit of bush/tree that's obviously grown since it was last pruned back to where it should be (determined by the rest of it).

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[CazPaul]

No it isn't, that's your permission to look for a suitable accessible pitch, if there isn't one (excluding crap manoeuvring ability) then you go back to reception and ask them to come and sort it for you - you 'adapting' the pitch to suit your MH isn't on ... where does it stop ... would you cut down a tree completely to get in? It's vandalism pure and simple.

The ONLY time we've ever cut anything is if there's a wayward bit of growth that's obviously 'out of the norm' from the rest, eg a bit of bush/tree that's obviously grown since it was last pruned back to where it should be (determined by the rest of it).

That’s a fine line though, cutting back something that hasn’t been pruned to a scenario you suggest about pure vandalism, who decides whether it’s a small twig/overgrown stem etc etc

 

[Minxy]

That’s a fine line though, cutting back something that hasn’t been pruned to a scenario you suggest about pure vandalism, who decides whether it’s a small twig/overgrown stem etc etc

Often something like a bramble stem sticking out or just a single piece of wayward growth, certainly nothing more.

 

[Purrfecttune]

It can be that good unless they have signs in the site office and the website warning that some pitches are not suitable for higher cabs due to low hanging branches.

There was no problem with branches (anywhere that I could see). In fact there were motorhomes that were much, much bigger than me on some of the pitches, some like coaches, (sorry, not knowledgeable enough to name makes )

Not subscribing to the ‘nanny state’ I would expect people to use their own common sense and choose appropriately.

The German was trimming foliage with a hand held hedge cutter, not chopping branches, therefore totally unnecessary. Perhaps he was too tight to pay for EHU and was simply clearing it for his solar panel?

 

[Purrfecttune]

Bottom line as I see it (for us personally)

Check that the intended destination has appropriate pitches
If you don’t like it, don’t stay
If at a campsite and there is a problem, speak with reception, that’s what they are there for

It’s a bit like staying in a B&B:
Not enough space? Just chuck a few items out in the corridor
Don’t like the colour? Nip down B&Q for a tin of paint

 

[dpsuk999]

No it isn't, that's your permission to look for a suitable accessible pitch, if there isn't one (excluding crap manoeuvring ability) then you go back to reception and ask them to come and sort it for you - you 'adapting' the pitch to suit your MH isn't on ... where does it stop ... would you cut down a tree completely to get in? It's vandalism pure and simple.

The ONLY time we've ever cut anything is if there's a wayward bit of growth that's obviously 'out of the norm' from the rest, eg a bit of bush/tree that's obviously grown since it was last pruned back to where it should be (determined by the rest of it).

When I book a pitch I always provide all 3 of my dimensions and ask for a suitable pitch. If they allocate me one which requires pruning then I will prune. I’ve seen plenty of campers pruning over growing branches all across Europe and in the UK.

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