Special pitch (France) advice please
Hi everyone
We are going to France next week staying at two sites on special pitches which is all that were available. We have yet to use service pitches in England so don't know how to use them or what equipment we need to get. Now seems a good time to try them. Any advice would be much appreciated. Many thanks
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I guess if you don’t want to use the added facilities, you don’t have to, so could avoid extra costs of the added equipment.
but basically you will need...
1. A blue fresh water hose (of suitable length - I think mine may be about 8m) and a suitable valve to connect to your water carrier. The valve allows the incoming water to only be drawn in when the carrier is suffiecntly empty to require it. However, depending on your van, you may have an inbuilt valve, which means you can connect said hose directly into water input point of van. This would mean a different fittting for that connection, suitable for your specific vanand make of water connection.
2. A grey water disposal hose, to connect to your waste point(s) to drain waste away into the (hopefully) nearby drain. Grey flexible hose is readily available, and I carry 6m, cut into two parts (4m & 2m) so that I don’t have to use it all if not needed (avoids snaking all over the place). I have seen folk use rigid white plumbing waste pipes, which avoid the inevitable levels/angles issues of flexi pipe, in which waste water may sit. But it’s probably requires a bit more planning and connections to cope with drains which could be any distance and/or direction from your van’s waste point.
taking your van to a dealer should enable you to get all the right bits.
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Personally I would either get a separate extension, or longer than 8m hose. Although generally long enough, it won't always be. It also avoids the need to stretch it across where you might be putting the car.
Also the two sizes of screw tap adaptors and a male / female adaptor for the hoselock type, which your hose kit will come with. One site had female push fit taps, fortunately someone had left an adaptor.
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I was surprised to read your first sentence. Where are you actually going?
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If you've booked in May then there is no need to - and you may be taking up one of the last 'special pitches' offered by one of the clubs, rather than the one of many other 'ordinary', 'special' or 'very special indeed' pitches which are available directly from the campsites themselves. Which site are you staying on?
There are all sorts of discount schemes in low season in France - and May is definitely low season. We've never ever booked at this time of year, and can find lovely sites, with great swimming pools from just 11 euros per night. One of our favourite sites, has good level pitches, some riverside, all with plenty of water and electric points, fantastic views and a lovely pool in the sunniest part of the site - so absolutely no need to book, and pay for, 'special pitches'. We don't use 'fully-serviced' pitches, in France - we don't consider any need as the sites we choose to stay on have great sanitary blocks, showers, and washing up facilities, which we use all the time. This gives you an opportunity to scoialise over the washing up - and your caravan keeps cleaner too! We cook outside too - and use a mini-oven and a two ring hob, sometimes just out on a table top in the open.
If this is a first time in France then you may be surprised just how different caravanning is over there. We hosted a first-timers in France tour for the Caravan Club and without exception everyone found it a very different and much more relaxed way of caravanning.
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I too am surprised that you have to book anything in May but given that you already have then a serviced pitch is always useful for being close to the tap. I have been on pitches with a drain point in France but have never seen anyone using one. Waste is usually collected in a bucket which seems to mysteriously empty itself overnight - generally in the hedge I should think but you could empty it in the drain point.
So, I wouldn’t bother with drain pipe as it takes up too much room but a flat hose might be useful to top up the water container in situ without needing to plumb it in. Either way, it won’t be far to roll or carry the water container when empty: in the sunshine hopefully.
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Thank you everybody very much for your very helpful replies. This is the problem with novice first time abroaders! We decided to make the whole booking through the Caravan Club to facilitate our first trip. We are having three nights in Normandy at Camping Le Cormoran then three nights in Brittany at Camping Domaine du Logis ending up with one night on a site near St Malo for the ferry back.
After your advice we don't think we will bother using the pitch facility. We don't use them here as we always use the on site showers etc apart from the very odd time at a CL which may not have them.
Also after your comments we are now looking forward to experiencing caravanning in France and hope that we will pick up plenty of experience and be in a better position to organise ourselves differently next time
Incidentally, can anyone recommend a convenient site for our overnight stay before catching the early ferry from Poole please
Many thanks again to you all and enjoy yourselves caravanning this year.
Best wishes
Clive and Carole
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Clive & Carole, Our first trip abroad in our caravan was in 2015 and like you we booked all sites through CC. enjoyed it so much went back in the September for 3 weeks but only booked ferries. Go twice a year now and only book ferries through club and just turn up on sites. Always got a pitch so far. You will love it so different to UK sites.
Two weeks to go Hull to Rotterdam and beyond
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C&C, Overnight before you catch the ferry from Poole can be at South Lytchett Manor - about 4 miles away - although many people simply line up at the check ins and sleep overnight at the ferry port itself - the man at the cafe may charge you £10 if he is around. There are toilets and water disposal.
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C & C, why not stay overnight on the ferry dock, many do....we do regularly, easy to get to and no faffing in the morning...you're right where you want to be.
we crossed two weeks ago and arrived at around 9:30 to avoid the outgoing traffic, but the lanes are totally seperate and you can go straight to the departure dock..
when we got there, there was already nearly a dozen vans parked up.
just keep over towards the far wall as you arrive....easy peasy. enjoy
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First time it’s good to book overseas sites. Once you have the confidence you can go it alone. Enjoy!
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Hi all
Once again thank you all so much for your very helpful replies. We are now really looking forward to the trip and we'll certainly have at look at the possibility of overnighting at Poole.
One surprise is the cost of Red Pennant at £99 for nine days, seems a lot when a years May Day is only about £135. Oh well - better get it booked anyway!
Al;l the best
C&C
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