Non EHU site 289
Comments
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Put me down for that too
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Couldn't agree more. Of course you are arguing from a position of knowledge and experience rather than ignorance. Like you if there is ehu I will use it, if a service pitch is offered then I can cope with that as well. But what I don't do is put a high value on either. It's a personal choice. I could spend £40 a night on a full service pitch, but prefer to pay £10 and spend the money saved on doing something I want to do.
Thank you for reading and goodnight, from me in a field somewhere on Anglesey.
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some wont and some will.....however, lets hope they get to debate/question these options sensibly without any undue bias, especially from those who have no experience of the technology being discussed nor any desire to make use of it.
That seems an awfully tall horse BB. Careful when you get down.
I doubt that many on the forum are unaware of the possibilities of going off EHU. Those that choose not to embrace Solar Panels etc and that lifestyle do so because they know that on the types of site that they wish to use that offers no benefit.
I am with you in as much as I suspect that, like me, you believe that all should do as they wish with regard to site choice. If your post is prompted by digs at Merve on the Morrison thread I would say that Merve is probably able to grin wryly knowing that he turned the thread to his own needs and others have had a bit of a dig.
Many are aware of the savings available by using solar and self refillable gas. In some circumstances it is not solely about saving money but about the sites and locations that they desire to use. No doubt there are a few who make the choice to save money. Others who caravan in the UK choose to simply use main line sites where EHU is included. I have no desire to use CLs or to rally and simply choose a site for location. It does not bother me to be on a site with 80 plus folk nor to be on a site on my own therefore I would only choose to go non EHU for financial savings which I truly believe to be available.
Having mounted an equally tall steed BB I shall be careful on the dismount.
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a couple of High Plains Drifters, Alan?
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Nor me. However should I want Solar etc I am aware that it can be fitted and should I wish to DIY I am aware that the info is available.
We successfully use many things for which we have limited knowledge of the workings but a basic awareness of how it does what it does. A satnav for instance. I know what it cab do I simply have to buy and use.
Anyway we are far off topic which I think is a CL in the Lakes without EHU.
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ah, yes, i can see you as Tex Tucker (that takes me back) with your swivelling six-guns
me, a Man With No Name, painting the town red
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Despite all the arguments for and against, it is obviously environmentally better to have refillable cylinders, solar panels etc. I admit also that it is satisfying to turn up at a site knowing that there is no need to get the hook-up lead out as I have everything I need. If you can save a few pounds on site fees as well then it's an extra benefit.
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one of the advantages we like most is the ability to make use of Temporary sites, or indeed CLs, which can be sited close to town centres.
whilst we like the countryside, we also like to be able to get to 'civilisation' without making use of more than our bikes or legs.
often, these sites dont have the full facilities of main sites, regularly (in the case of Temporary sites) without electric.
purely from a personal perspective, if we couldnt make use of these, we would be missing out.....these sites are definitely not for everyone but we like them.
perhaps the fact that some are not interested make them easier for us, and others (who enjoy the simple process of pulling up, handbrake on, sorted) to get on them.
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Well, finally been able to catch up. There seems to be an opinion that I am somehow trying to convert people to non EHU? Nothing could be further from the truth. I have said nothing that I haven't experienced or seen with my own eyes and if the way I use descriptive language upsets some on here, I apologise to you for you taking it the wrong way. I have tried to bring another way of doing things to the forum. That is all. Some have seen it as an insult to them personally which to me is unfathomable . I know of at least 5 people who have benefited greatly from the information, I and others, have posted. As said in an earlier post, the non EHUer is going to become rarer? Yes you may be correct. The Irony of this thread is that Site 289 appears in the closed section of the CL sites update (page45) in the Sept issue of the mag! I suspect however that the site will continue once the sale of the land is sorted out and the new owner gets herself sorted with it. I also notice that 10 out of the 19 closures are non EHU and of the 22 newly listed sites, 2 are non EHU. That may well put a smile on some faces with pure satisfaction! But the point I have made many times- we are all in the same club and if one sort of camping suits you, great! But, would I not, could I not, be accused of dereliction of duty by those I and others have helped to a different and very satisfying way of caravanning had I not posted about the possibilities of new technologies? Is there no room on here for these ideas? For all the brickbats I have taken and all the snide comments, I am of course disappointed, as no lectures or brow beating was intended but of those who are now enjoying caravanning at 1/2 or a 1/3 of the price, I say there is no pleasure without pain! 😂😂😂😂😂. Have a great Bank Holiday everyone.
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Thanks for your reply, one point dereliction of duty
why do you think you have that duty to them? and indeed to anyone to tell us about these new technologies. I often post about new products and ideas, trying to be helpful, but I don't see it as my duty to those I've helped or to anyone. It is a strange phrase to use in this context?
Duty:
a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility.
a task or action that one is required to perform as part of one's job2 -
I find it interesting how different members read a post by a member in different ways , some of the members are passionate about their hobby ,example ,Merve and safefill and AD with his overseas sites ,I don't see these members are trying to convert anyone ,you either read them or don't
I have learnt a lot reading posts ,but weather I doing anything about the subject is anther matter
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I don't want to labour this but just to make it clear, it's not the converting some of us are bothered about (I'm not), and true you don't have to read them. But when people are, perhaps not insulted, but criticised, or even made fun of for the way the wish to use their caravan or MH for example Most suffer with the herding instinct then don't you (or one) have a right to reply?
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Corners, you omitted to mention the repeated use by some of the word 'ignorant' (or 'ignorance') in respect of people who choose to use EHU.
I find that rather offensive as I think others probably do, too. Choosing not to do something a certain way is not ignorance but merely means a person has chosen a different way.
As an example, I drive a diesel powered car. I looked at petrol models but chose diesel. That does not mean I am in ignorance of petrol models but simply that diesel suits me better.
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There is a more salient point here too. One that I have touched on in the past but I will say the full fat version. We elders of society have lived through a time of plenty, a time when greed and avarice was not so obvious as it is today. We have been very lucky. I remember my first caravan purchase. I had said to my wife that the only way we were going to afford a holiday with our 4 kids was to buy a caravan. She was not amused! Some months later she had given some thought to it and had come to the same conclusion. We had a legacy and only a legacy allowed us to buy our first caravan- a ten month old Avondale Leda Penine 5/6 berth. The OH soon realised it was great fun and never looked back but we couldn't afford much as far as sites were concerned so we always went to CLs. EHU CLs. We stored the caravan with a friendly farmer who charged us nothing. We did Mildenhall air show each year at Round Spinney which was non EHU but was only for 2 days so the battery on board just about lasted. Now, my point is this. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was struggling financially but had there been a cheaper way of doing things I would have grabbed at it with both hands. Had it allowed us more time on site, what a great thing it would have been but alas, the van stood idle for many months due not only to work and family commitments but finances did play a part. Some sit in their 50, 60, £70,000 and above motor homes and knock the fact that someone is trying to show the less well off (yes, there are such people)and that there is a way of getting out on site more and try to suggest that I and others are somehow trying to 'bully' them into a new way of doing things! Shame on you! The herding instinct comment was tongue in cheek but still, it seems to have missed the target. Boring it may be to some, but if I and others, by experience, can help to ease the financial burden of some caravanning families or the not so well off solo caravanner who enjoys their hobby through my posts by suggesting a way of camping that does not require £25 and above everyday, that does not cost a fortune to set up and that will save them oodles in the future as it has me, then so be it- knock away! These days, we are very comfortable, but that does not allow me to splash the cash even though I have it. Yes, I do get a kick out of going away, living well, thoroughly enjoying a holiday and paying £300 or so less than the guy up the road on a club site. This is why this section of CT has been so successful- because people from all walks of life find it fascinating in some cases and interesting in others. If you have the money, fine, go spend it how you want to- that is your pleasure and privilege - you have earned it- but please, don't come and knock those of us who simply want to talk about non EHU and thereby spread a little happiness to places where it might not be so abundant. Again, wherever you are and what you are doing, enjoy your bank holiday.
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Very true.
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We've all been there, vanning on a shoestring, Merve, (actually your first van was almost new - what an achievement!) and not once have I knocked the value of economy camping. Good for you for sharing your knowledge.
However, you clearly can't/won't see that you are using offensive terms in trying to convince the masses that your way is right. How dare you say "Shame on you" when it is you who should take stock and carefully consider your words.
I have no issue with you talking about non-EHU and, I repeat, have never knocked it. Just for the sake of harmony tone it down, stop seeing it as your duty and stop using terms such as ignorant and herding.
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but please, don't come and knock those of us who simply want to talk about non EHU
It should not come as a big surprise Merve that you get a little ribbing when you take over non EHU threads to spread the gospel. And I say that as one who is capable of having a little dig in such regard but also as one who sees the potential benefits of being set up to go off grid.
Many of we older members have spent a number of years without EHU or solar and running on gas and (in my case the car's) battery. We were quite capable of going away for a week or two and the last holiday that was not using EHU was 53 days. That was 23 years ago and by that time we could afford to use main sites.
We, like many others of our age, had enjoyed holidays wihout EHU for 15 years and so of course I know that to do so is totally possible and that there are tremendous savings to be had in doing so should one make that choice. Some of course always want sites with facilities which as a long term caravanner I don't fully understand if people are fit and well. Indeed we are all different.
For me I have no interest in saving money which might be surprising to most rational people - however I never made a claim as to being rational.
I think that providing info to people is good Merve.
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We've been set up to run off ehu all our touring lives, well into three decades now, and all for price of a decent battery and the odd gas bottle. The real difference is that we have no need of umpteen energy guzzling devices that others love, meaning that it's either hook up, or do the conversion bit at £x. Which ever way you do it, it ain't basic camping anymore, just a different choice. New technology is great, in it's many forms, but still a choice to have or have not!
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Not sure what the umpteen energy guzzling essentials are. Because we use EHU we use an electric kettle. Because we are on EHU I use the fourth ring of cooker. We also run heating and fridge on electric and charge Tablets. If we did not have EHU we would use gas. If we regularly did not use EHU I would have safefill or similar. Oh yes we have a microwave that often is used twice in 120 nights
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We probably use more electrical items than you do Easy!! And all on batteries 😂😂😂😂 It certainly isn't basic camping anymore as TTDA says. SPs etc have raised the game and really, with a little bit rejigging, both EHU and non EHU are on a par. But not cost wise.
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That's not bad EasyT, only electric kettle, electric cooker, microwave, heating and fridge, and charging your devices!
But most others will have a TV, (or two!) a hairdryer, a toaster, perhaps a coffee maker to plug in. They will need either ehu or some of Merve's alternatives!If we hook up, we use more devices on electric. Be daft not too really!
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The 230 Volt is not an essential to caravanning but the sites that we use are mainly CC and some commercial and always have EHU.
I fitted electric to the caravan that I had when CC started including EHU in the site fees. Strangely the fridge that was fitted was also able to run on mains and so fitted mains lighting, used a kettle and had a fan heater. No TV though.
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I'm not sure it is EU law but it's certainly in UK regulations.
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If only all the passion here on both sides could be converted to boil a few kettles
I'm not joining the "to evangelise or not" debate, but do think it's woeful that the CMC clings to failing to present enough information about ways of going solar, in these days when fossil fuel use is increasingly seen as something we would do well to reduce.
It's not surprising that the vast majority of people coming into caravanning, as we did less than a year ago, and looking for information, simply don't realise the options, and therefore most join the vast majority only using EHU and continuing to keep the power stations running. And of course the main companies are keen to sell the mass market ever more gizmos which bump the price tag up ever more, so they're not going to shout about energy saving and alternative sources too much.So my plea is that having updated its name, logo, signage and all, to prove how it's moving with the times, the CMC catches up with the growing green tide and embraces the new technology. ...To mix a metaphor.
Happy Bank Holiday!
(From a frustrated would-be caravanner currently newly getting over an operation which means I'm not allowed to drive or do anything much for a few weeks
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Sorry to hear you're grounded at the moment, HH.
I'm not so sure that newbies to the hobby aren't aware of the off grid devices such as SPs. They are featured in magazines, on forums and can be found in caravan accessory shops. The 'how to' detail may not be readily available but the basic equipment is pretty much jumping off the shelves at us.
How do you suggest the club helps in this? I can only think of giving people the option of not having EHU.
NB. I am open minded and not advocating on or off grid use but am exploring the points you raised.
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It's not surprising that the vast majority of people coming into caravanning, as we did less than a year ago, and looking for information, simply don't realise the options, and therefore most join the vast majority only using EHU
I would disagree, even as far back as when I started there were solar panels on sale in the dealers. Plenty of advice on them in the caravaning press.
And of course the main companies are keen to sell the mass market ever more gizmos which bump the price tag up ever more, so they're not going to shout about energy saving and alternative sources too much.
Most of the caravans in the Swift group come with a roof mounted solar panel fitted.
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