How unsafe would you have to feel to move on from an aire?

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violet

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We are normally fine staying at aires, though have moved from some that seemed a bit dodgy, perhaps if we felt very isolated or there were some people creating a disturbance, or indeed if the TV noise from other vans was far too loud! However we had one night at Appelbo in Sweden where we actually felt in danger, though we probably weren't. There were 2 dedicated small sites to choose from and we chose the one by the river near the town centre. We chatted to locals who came to bath and shampoo in the river and when everyone had gone we settled down for the night. Strangely we felt uneasy and didn't leave the driver's seat swivelled but returned it to the driving position. Just before midnight we heard loud voices and shouting, it didn't sound distressed just 'having fun'. Then about 15 minutes later we heard men's voices, low and whispering outside our little van. Then we heard very strange dragging noises as if something very heavy was being moved across the grass. We quietly got up, not so quietly started the engine and drove straight out of the site with the expanding roof still up. Difficult to know what to do but we eventually drove into what we thought was a youth hotel and parked there for the rest of the night. In the morning we had to return to the aire as we had left our bikes chained to a tree, (luckily not chained to the van) and there was definite evidence of unusual activity, the wooden table was covered in mud and footprints, the grass was churned with long 'slides' in it. What would others have done? Left? Stayed? Joined in? Under what circumstances would you leave an aire?
 
We have never had anything so exciting, the van is pretty secure, and nobody has been unfortunate enough to try to break in.

That said I always have look round and if I don't like it move on.
 
Had an interesting stop over in Scotland.
Not far away from the border is a truck stop and a bit further on is a kind of heritage place.

Anyway we were in a car park with wooded area around us.

No phone signal etc and it sounded like people being murdered in the woods.
I presumed it was kids as it went quiet after about 10pm ?

So all good ?
 
I would have little say in the matter. Management would issue clear and precise instructions that I would follow to the letter. As always.;)

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We stopped at an aire in Spain earlier this year and if there hadn’t been another couple of vans there, we would have driven away.
there was even a gunshot that stopped the local dogs barking, but it seemed they were just starting a football match!
Then, shortly after, we pulled up at another aire, still in Spain. We had lunch then drove off. It didn’t feel very safe and another 2 Spanish vans went as well.
These are the only two occasions I remember and the first time we visited Spain in the van.
 
Sounds like the locals were going to have a party. Probably wise to have moved on if you wanted to sleep. Given Appelbo is in the middle of nowhere I think you were just very unlucky.

We've never felt the need to move on after settling down somewhere but we have stopped at a few aires and said to ourselves "nope" and drove away. The usual reason is an aire in an urban area which doesn't look safe and/or attractive. Proximity of benches where locals might gather to drink especially on a weekend are the sort of things we look out for - in order to avoid. :)
 
We stopped at an aire last year where a very swish looking van next to us had an odd security camera in the door, lots of young people were visiting the van in the early afternoon and we realised they were dealing drugs.

We were just about to move on when another guy cycled up on a fold up bike, stuck it in the garage and they drove off and (luckily) didn’t return.
 
We moved on pretty quickly from a port site next to a beach at Portrieux after noticing a distinct lack of other m'homes and following regular circuits by the local police. I had found this site when searching the Northwest coast of France on Googearth where the site was full of m'homes.
 
Moved once in Germany the Stellaplatz was next to a place called Midnight Disco as there was no sign of activity didn't think it was open. Then at Midnight all hell let loose, at 1 am I drove the van down to the Leisure centre in the altogether. Went back to service in the morning, the other vans had moved to the far end with grumpy bedraggled Motorhomers wandering around.

A Carpark Croatia when we left the van to walk into town there were a couple of women with big German Sheppards wandering about so ducked back a couple of times to check. When we got back to the van came to the conclusion they were the security patrol. Got woken up a few times during the night by loud people looked like we were where the local junkies hang out. Went back to sleep, no problems.

If I see broken glass I move on also wary of skid marks from boy racers, the last thing I want is some kid losing control and sliding into my van.

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violet said:
We are normally fine staying at aires, though have moved from some that seemed a bit dodgy, perhaps if we felt very isolated or there were some people creating a disturbance, or indeed if the TV noise from other vans was far too loud! However we had one night at Appelbo in Sweden where we actually felt in danger, though we probably weren't. There were 2 dedicated small sites to choose from and we chose the one by the river near the town centre. We chatted to locals who came to bath and shampoo in the river and when everyone had gone we settled down for the night. Strangely we felt uneasy and didn't leave the driver's seat swivelled but returned it to the driving position. Just before midnight we heard loud voices and shouting, it didn't sound distressed just 'having fun'. Then about 15 minutes later we heard men's voices, low and whispering outside our little van. Then we heard very strange dragging noises as if something very heavy was being moved across the grass. We quietly got up, not so quietly started the engine and drove straight out of the site with the expanding roof still up. Difficult to know what to do but we eventually drove into what we thought was a youth hotel and parked there for the rest of the night. In the morning we had to return to the aire as we had left our bikes chained to a tree, (luckily not chained to the van) and there was definite evidence of unusual activity, the wooden table was covered in mud and footprints, the grass was churned with long 'slides' in it. What would others have done? Left? Stayed? Joined in? Under what circumstances would you leave an aire?
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If I know Swedes, they were being ultra polite in needing the bench but whispering around your van so as not to disturb you, and then carefully dragging the bench away to carry on their midnight party ! xroll:
 
I left a place once whilst wild camping but i cant actually remener where it was but just remember lots of teenage kids turning up load music and reving car engines so moved on as alcohol and teenagers with cars dont mix.

Just out of interest i do not use a silver screen as i do not like the idea of not being able to just drive away if needed, do any others not put the outside screens on if wilding due to safety reasons
 
DBK said:
Proximity of benches where locals might gather to drink especially on a weekend are the sort of things we look out for - in order to avoid. :)
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Yes, the aire also had stacks of ready cut wood for campers to use in the firepit but I think it was locals who used it. After that we avoided aires with similar party possibilities. Would say that tha aire was not a free one, it was paying, so perhaps the local authority could have told locaks to go elsewhere to party!
 
Jewellbags said:
Scares the crap out of me this thread
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Don't worry about it. The chances of having to move are pretty slim. We've only felt the need to move once or twice in the nearly 20 years to using Aires.

Denise

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Stopped on an Aire in small town in France. We felt a bit isolated. There was no one else until about 10pm when a French motorhome parked on the other side. That made us more relaxed. About 1am a car parked nearly next to us and a French couple got out having a domestic and appeared drunk about carrying all the bags from the car. She stormed off and he threw the bags down over the car park wall and then followed after her gesticulating in French. Couple of minutes later we heard one bang like a gun shot. We were terrified. Then the French motorhome drove away. What should we do? We dared not go outside so we stayed. Our motorbike trailer chained to the back and our steady legs down. No sleep at all. As soon as it got light we had a quick breakfast and we're pleased to be on our way. It could of been a car back firing but the fact the French motorhome left quickly made us very nervous because we didn't know what all the shouting was about.
 
Drove onto a Stellplatz in Germany amd lovely guy in a Hymer moved his van to let us in. Bit embarrassing though as I asked OH to move on as I didn’t feel comfortable with other neighbours ...

In France, didn’t like a couple of CCP aires in towns ... looked uncared for and deserted ... so drove on and found somewhere else ...
 
denisejoe said:
Don't worry about it. The chances of having to move are pretty slim. We've only felt the need to move once or twice in the nearly 20 years to using Aires.

Denise
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Yes but it seems to be getting worse from the reports on here.
Look what's happened at COE

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Could they have been possibly a hunting party who had been skinning and butchering their catch, maybe deer or elk? This might be somewhat distasteful to us but perfectly normal to them as country folk.

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We have only moved on from two places, both happen to be in Portugal

First one was at Cape St Vincent in the far South West. Wife just didn't like the feel of it. Could have been because it was on the top of a 100ft cliff with no barrier! So we moved on and found a lovely spot at a little cove with a beach near Sagres. Good move as we had a lovely fresh fish meal at the beach bar 100yds away and then fell asleep to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach,

Second one was at Coimbra. Nice Aire in a Park within walking distance of the beautiful City Centre which is the home of Portugal's most prestigious University. Trouble was it was the end of the exams. The music in the next field started at about 10pm and by one o'clock the place was heaving with cars parking where they could and people still arriving. We realised that this was going to be an all nighter and we would get no sleep. So we drove out in our pyjamas and headed out another 20 miles or so to another Aire.

Otherwise we have never had any problems at any Aires. And that included the one at Cite Europe where we always used to stay at the beginning and end of each trip. Now it is closed we will have to find another one. Must make sure it is somewhere that lots of people disapprove of, so that they can complain about my choice, even if they have never been there themselves .................. :giggle:
 
We once stopped on an Aire in France. We were still in the cab, when a truck pulled in next to us. I glanced across at the two guys and a wave of fear shot through me when I saw the size of the knife one was holding. It was a surreal moment, as in “that’s not a knife, this is a knife” if you follow me. We didn’t hang around.

We never stay anywhere if either one of us feels at all uneasy. No discussion, we just move on.
 
peterc10 said:
Otherwise we have never had any problems at any Aires. And that included the one at Cite Europe where we always used to stay at the beginning and end of each trip. Now it is closed we will have to find another one. Must make sure it is somewhere that lots of people disapprove of, so that they can complain about my choice, even if they have never been there themselves .................. :giggle:
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Good point. We used Cite Europe many times and never felt uncomfortable or had any problems. We had a week in France late December and really missed its convenience and location.
 
The only place in England that someone has tried the door, was in the rather posh town of Lymington. It was in the middle of the night. I heard it and the dog barked, Mr Sponge didn’t even stir!
 
I parked up in a wood near a beach in SW France ( somewhere north along the coast from Pyla Dune) There were a few cars there when I arrived but soon loaded up with families and I was left alone. Wasn’t bothered until I noticed a yellow car ( so he wasn’t going for stealth) which drove around the parking area and out, then reappeared, did the same thing, then again. I was just thinking I’d leave when he didn’t reappear. Put the dogs on their leads and out for a walk round, wee etc.. and man in car reappears. I took my phone out, squinted as if I was reading his plate and pretended to use the phone. I think that combined with the dogs was enough as he was gone, didn’t reappear. I slept soundly.
Only other weird experience was parked up in a rural carpark in South Wales, just off the A road that bypasses Merthyr Tydfil. Few cars late evening, realised there was a public loo in the carpark so assumed people stopping to use that. Just falling asleep and noticed flashing lights. A Land Rover parked up flashing its lights. Began to think I’d parked up in a dogging area. Decided to just ignore it, they’d go eventually. They did.

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