Motorhomers
Now the club is called the "Caravan and Motorhome Club" I think that more information is required in either the handbook or on the site directories. I will give you a for instance, we recently spent a week at Scarborough West Ayton Site and had a great week but nowhere did it mention that the bus stop was 650 metres away down a steep hill. Yes the sire literature says that the bus stop is that distance away but nowhere does it mention the steepness of the hill. Let me say that going down is great, It is when you come back and are faced with a terrific climb back up, it is not called cardiac hill for nothing.
Caravaners are ok because they have their cars and those motorhomers who tow cars or motorcycles are ok but a number of us motorhomers are getting on a bit in years and are not as good on our legs as we used to be.
Can the compilers of the next hand book please add in the topography of the roads around the sites or get the wardens to add a footnote in the site pages on line as it would help us considerably
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notwithstanding the silly comments you will get (as already illustrated) the club could, perhaps negotiate with the local bus company for a 'request stop' right outside the site, based in increased business?
but back to your OP, the club hasnt really thought very deeply about what MHing is all about, in short, it doesnt really have a clue, its still the CC in all but name.
i dont think youll be getting the sort info you seek any time soon from CC......it wouldnt know where to start
googlemaps (and Street View) is an amazing tool, get yourself familiar with this and youll find out most of what you need yourself, including bus/train times and stop locations etc.....and even steepness of roads with street view.
good luck.
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Yes ,your right OP , the club could do more to give more accurate information to less able bodied members , my wife sometimes needs to use her mobility scooter and I often use google earth and street view to check on the suitability of walks etc
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You check things out for yourself, Husky, as do I. I learnt many years ago not to expect information to be fed to me or to assume anything said would be accurate.
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An eight pound Ordnance Survey Map (perhaps available for free at your local library) will tell you how steep the local topography is. A phone call to the site Wardens will probably be even cheaper. It isn't that hard really to do a bit of research yourself before choosing a site, and I am sorry it inconvenienced you, but sometimes doing a little bit extra yourself will pay dividends. Scarborough, Whitby, Staithes, Robin Hoods Bay, Runswick Bay.....they are all serious hill climbs, that's why they were part of the Tour de France route! Parts of Devon and Cornwall are even more severe, and probably only see a bus per day!
Hope you have better luck with your next site
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Plough through Latest Activity or, if you have an idea who it might be, look at profiles.
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I never said it was simple
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so caravaners never use public transport?
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Ah, inclusivity
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a 'request stop' right outside the site, based in increased business?
A bit trickey at Scarborough as the Caravan Club is up a dead end.
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Gerald
Sometimes you can find a bit more information by going to the site page on this website. More detailed information will be found on the actual site you are visiting when you arrive as of course that information can change especially as the Sites Directory is only published every two years. As some have said you can investigate prior to arrival but I can testify that this is not always as successful as you might imagine. I check out Google Earth for local bus stops and then search for timetables online. Unfortunately it won't show you how steep a hill is although Street View might give an indication. We recently stayed at Tredegar House with the intention of visiting Cardiff from there, something the Club promote as a convenient location. Because we were unfamiliar with the site and despite searching online prior to arrival we discovered that it was rather a long walk to the bus stop, a possible wait of half an hour if we got our timing wrong and then a 45 minute bus ride. So we concluded this was not quite as convenient as we first thought! At least it was all on the level. What we had not bargained for was the Estate has a wall all around it with no short cut access. In the end we decided to take a taxi to Newport and catch the train from there which was a much more relaxed, if somewhat more costly.
David
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Steepness of terrain can be ascertained in Google Earth without recourse two Street View. Bottom right of the screen shows Lat/Long and elevation of your mouse pointer. By moving it along you can see the elevation change if it is not level. I zoom in closely to check how level a CL site is and also see if there is any significant 'drain-off' from surrounding land.
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David, we cycled into Cardiff from Tredegar House along the southern (more quiet) roads, about 10 miles.
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I totally agree with the OP.
The CC have totally revamped the site details leaflets and these are available online. There is however no consistency about them and information is often very generalised and vague.
A few for instances.
Some mention mobiles, some don't. None mention 3/4G availability. Some say, some networks are not available, but don't mention the network.
In relation to TV some say a digital receiver and aerial / sat dish may be required. Hardly startling news. You need a digital receiver even with a site loop. One, I can't remember which, did not even mention the loop.
Some mention the nearest supermarket. What's wrong with adding a post code.
I do all my own research before visiting a new site, as suggested. Making full use of Google maps, street view and digital OS maps. As well as web sites for NT, EH and supermarkets.
However, if I can do that so can the club. If you are going to have an information leaflet make it a decent one. It is available online so can be kept up to date. The wardens could perhaps even be given access to update it.
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See www.cardiffcaravanpark.co.uk David, this is a camping site right in the heart of Cardiff.
Peedee
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I had not noticed that CY. However, almost always use it on my pad. I have had a look but it does not seem this info is available in this format.
As far as street view is concerned. I think it can give a very misleading idea of steepness. (Makes it look less steep) Possibly due to the high camera position.
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