Wot no peg!

huskydog
huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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edited November 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Just returned from a week at Setthorns in the New Forrest , and they don't have pegs on the pitches , was told go find a pitch ,park any way you like and enjoy your stay , we did Laughing,
so , is a peg really needed????

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Comments

  • MidsomerMikey
    MidsomerMikey Club Member Posts: 46 ✭✭
    edited November 2016 #2

    Yes so as to keep within the fire regs the club adhere to & Sethorns is a privately run site & I suspect a different fire reg policy.

    Out of intrest huskydog how to they mark /Set out the pitches?

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #3

    Chatting to the warden here (CC site) and he told us about the caravan fire in the summer.

    The caravan went up within minutes and was completely destroyed.......the m/h next to it (also correctly spaced to the peg) suffered some damage from the heat, but didn't catch fire.

    So, apart from ensuring that your neighbour isn't on top of you......it also stops you getting burned. 

    Sounds like a pretty good reason for having pegs for spacing guidance to me......

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited November 2016 #4

    Are there any other campsites in the whole of Europe that have a peg on each pitch to align the vehicles on?

    I think the C&CC have them but it simply indicates the pitch number as it does in other places.

  • Biggarmac
    Biggarmac Forum Participant Posts: 364
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    edited November 2016 #5

    Sethorns is a camping in the forest site.  The rule is that you have to leave 6 meteres between units.  The assumption is that campers know how far to park apart.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #6

    Incidently, I'm intrigued as to why some people seem to think that certain parts of the gravel on their pitch are better to park on than others.

    Why the reluctance to park with the correct spacing? Why this desire to be closer to your neighbour than what is safe?

    Or do some people simply not like being told what to do? Even if doing otherwise disadvantages them?

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #7

    Yes so as to keep within the fire regs the club adhere to & Sethorns is a privately run site & I suspect a different fire reg policy.

    Out of intrest huskydog how to they mark /Set out the pitches?

    The pitches are marked out in the trees with either bracken or logs and generally further apart than CC pitches

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #8

    Sethorns is a camping in the forest site.  The rule is that you have to leave 6 meteres between units.  The assumption is that campers know how far to park apart.

    Reading the setthorns leaflet ,it says " you must pitch at least 3 preferably 6 metres away from anyone else" ,so why is the CC saying 6 meters?

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #9

    Sethorns is a camping in the forest site.  The rule is that you have to leave 6 meteres between units.  The assumption is that campers know how far to park apart.

    Reading the setthorns leaflet ,it says " you must pitch at least 3 preferably 6 metres away from anyone else" ,so why is the CC saying 6 meters?

    So that, if one unit catches fire, they don't set fire to their neighbour.

    Same reason that awnings shouldn't face each other and thus reduce the spacing to less than 6 metres.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #10
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #11

    Incidently, I'm intrigued as to why some people seem to think that certain parts of the gravel on their pitch are better to park on than others.

    Why the reluctance to park with the correct spacing? Why this desire to be closer to your neighbour than what is safe?

    Or do some people simply not like being told what to do? Even if doing otherwise disadvantages them?

    Ian , it's not about being told what to do ,but when coming back with the M/H it's a case of just pulling on to your pitch (or reversing)without this need of being inch perfect , but still having plenty of space between units , this is a very informal site,
    but very safe 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #12

    Camping in the Forest sites, what used to be the Forestry Commission sites are lovely. Beddgelert in North Wales used to be top of every (proper) campers list of great places to stay. Bit more organised now C&CC are involved, but still good. We have toured
    for 30 plus years, mainly on sites without little pegs, and somehow seem to have survived totally unharmed, and have never seen a fire or other life threatening situation. 

    CC does a great job of catering for its main demographic group, those who love to be totally organised, carefully shepherded, parked up inch perfect and happy to queue. Nothing wrong with either spontaneity or careful management, you just have to ensure
    you pick your happy zone accordingly!Happy

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #13

    We stayed on a CC site recently where the ground in front of the pitch was rather muddy, so we chose to park a little bit away from the peg, this moved us further away from the pitch to our right and a bit nearer to the pitch on our left, however there was
    11 paces between us, well over the required spacing. Just as OH had finished manoeuvring into position and on the chocks the warden said "you'll have to move that your not on the peg" SurprisedYell we
    did explain why we had don't that and pointed out that we were not breaking any fire regs, no he was not having it "move it" says he rules is rules. OH hates arguing so he moved it.

    Now we have used that site before even that pitch and its strange but the PEG was not at the back left (Blue peg) as it has been on previous occasions, it was at the front right, which meant that we exited the van straight onto the grass rather than the
    H/S. I have written a letter of complaint to the CC about this warden as IMO he was nothing but a jobsworth, we were only there for the one night as it happens (should have been 3) others on site were not impressed with him either.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #14

    Exactly,TDA, we always went to Black Knowl at this time of year ,but due to it closing early we sought a different site ,and loved it ,and now Black Knowl has now lost us as a customer ,as Setthorns has won us over Smile

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #15

    If you get the chance, long way for you, but Beddgelert is a stunning place. It was fabulous as a FC site. We have camped and caravaned, before CCC, you just picked a spot you liked big enough to sit your outfit in and happily got on with things! Very very
    busy nowadays, so has to be more regimented, but still nothing like a CC site. Happy

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #16

    Thanks TDA, added to my list Happy

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #17

    Every site is "regimented" to some extent, as they are all rows of caravans and motorhomes.

    But I still cannot see the problem with being well seperated from your neighbour.

    Quite the reverse......I can see many advantages.

    Not being burned to death is one that is high on the priority list........a bit of privacy is also important.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited November 2016 #18

    We stayed on a CC site recently where the ground in front of the pitch was rather muddy, so we chose to park a little bit away from the peg, this moved us further away from the pitch to our right and a bit nearer to the pitch on our left, however there was 11 paces between us, well over the required spacing. Just as OH had finished manoeuvring into position and on the chocks the warden said "you'll have to move that your not on the peg" SurprisedYell we did explain why we had don't that and pointed out that we were not breaking any fire regs, no he was not having it "move it" says he rules is rules. OH hates arguing so he moved it.

    Now we have used that site before even that pitch and its strange but the PEG was not at the back left (Blue peg) as it has been on previous occasions, it was at the front right, which meant that we exited the van straight onto the grass rather than the H/S. I have written a letter of complaint to the CC about this warden as IMO he was nothing but a jobsworth, we were only there for the one night as it happens (should have been 3) others on site were not impressed with him either.

    Write your comments here...I think you may have missed the potential problem if the warden did not ask you to pitch onto the marker. It would seem your pitch had room to do that but others would not . If someone else pitched wrongly on one of those then that person when asked to move could say well that other one is wrong so it is far easier for the wardens to make sure we all pitch correctly. Possibly the warden should have just said that.

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
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    edited November 2016 #19

    Husky, if you enjoyed Setthorns, another CitF site you might like to consider is Postern Hill (Marlborough).  There are no marked pitches at all ... you simply place yourself wherever you like.  I would be very surprised (and annoyed) if anyone pitched anything like 6m from me!

    Open all year. Toilets, (but they are closed in winter). No showers.  EHU, but nicer pitches and much cheaper if you don't need it.  No HS. Much more open than Setthorns. Endless forest, and Kennet&Avon canal nearby.

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited November 2016 #20

    One thing we miss from our MH days was to pitch 2 MH, 1 nose in, one nose out, wind out canopies to form an outdoor area under which to sit, eat, converse and enjoy a holiday. No different than parking in a car park for a brew, or on a ferry where there
    is only inches apart.

    Last time we did similar was at the Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire where we wild camped 2 MH , 1 roll out canopy as the gap in the hillside only just enabled us to pitch that way. No EHU, so used a generator. We live to tell the tale despite thw
    warnings we would surely die due to being too close together Tongue Out

    We've used FH,CitF whatever it's called these days for years. There was only 1 occasion with officious wardens that didn't last long. The locations tend to make you appreciate and subsequently pitch safely. What a strange concept to facilitate individuals
    to actually think for themselves, probably why they are popular Tongue Out

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #21

    Every site is "regimented" to some extent, as they are all rows of caravans and motorhomes.

    But I still cannot see the problem with being well seperated from your neighbour.

    Quite the reverse......I can see many advantages.

    Not being burned to death is one that is high on the priority list........a bit of privacy is also important.

    Bit like flying a plane Ian, sometimes, you just have to do it! Happy

    There are lots of lovely safe sites out there without neat rows and little pegs, a quick look around a place will usually give you a feel about a place, what type of people are around. Most will be like you and me, just happy to be on holiday, doing their
    own thing mainly in safety and using common sense. We stopped using a lot of CC sites for the very reasons you prefer them, pitches too close together, no privacy.... 

    We still like CC sites, most of them anyway, but at this time of year when they are quieter, fewer visitors around. We avoid the busy ones if we can.Smile

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #22

    If you like Black Knowl but don't want pegs go to Aldridge Hill next door (not open very much but quite different in feel.) See here. No facilities or EHU though.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #23

    Forgot to say , that for £3 ,you can stay till 5.30 on your day of departure Surprised

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
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    edited November 2016 #24

    Sethorns is a camping in the forest site.  The rule is that you have to leave 6 meteres between units.  The assumption is that campers know how far to park apart.

    Write your comments here...Same as CC then......

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #25
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #26

    Some pitches are designed to be used that way of course.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #28

    Forgot to say , no warden riding round on a tractor cutting grass that doesn't need to be cut Wink

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #29

    Forgot to say , no warden riding round on a tractor cutting grass that doesn't need to be cut Wink

    Don't get caught out Husky, we thought that one late Autumn, turned out to be week they cut back all shrubs and trees! Trust me, the chug of a mower is nothing compared to the screech and whine of a shredder! Peaceful it was not, despite only five vans on
    a huge site! We went out very early every day!Undecided You live and learn!Happy

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited November 2016 #30

    Thing about Setthorns is that you drive around untill you see a small clearing in the trees. Pitch there ,taking care not to run Bambi over or her mum.

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
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    edited November 2016 #31

    If you like Black Knowl but don't want pegs go to Aldridge Hill next door (not open very much but quite different in feel.) See

    here
    . No facilities or EHU though.

    Write your comments here...

    Ah, Aldridge Hill, with a stream running alongside, open views and natural walks. The pitches are self defined and 100% unregimented too. Who, in all seriousness, would prefer to pitch on a peg in regimented Black Knowel just  quarter of a mile away - Those
    needing EHU and site ablutions I guess.