Pitch availability

dave the rave
dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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edited March 2018 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

On two occasions 1 Feb.1 march. I have needed to book a pitch at the Gatwick site for family health and now funeral reasons.On each occasion I am informed by the website that some of my required dates are not available!First visit I had to use a cl some 20 miles away!This time for the funeral I need somewhere close to Crawley.Does anybody have any recommendations?

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #2

    Try ringing the site, DS, it often works. The warden knows best.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited March 2018 #3

    Thanks I will give it a try tomorrow.Trouble is it,s a 500 mile tow for us so actual arrival times are difficult to predict.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited March 2018 #4

    Are you saying you are going to do a 500 mile tow in one gosurprised ?

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #5

    Simply explain it all to the warden, DS, and take it from there.

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666
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    edited March 2018 #6

    Try using the UKCampsite search engine

    http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/

     

     

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited March 2018 #7

    Yes! Done it many times but have to admit it is getting harder!Some might say that it is irresponsable but with modern roads and towcars it is not as bad as it used to be.A  steady speed and use of motorway type roads makes it perfectly possible.Leave home 4am.drive 60 miles on main roads with no traffic.Join M6,A66,A1 all they way to M11 ,M25.M23.Should arrive at Gatwick around 4pm.dependant on hgv blocking lane 2!!!!!!!One stop for coffee etc in van usually.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2018 #8
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #9

    I did Irun to Benicassim in a day, in the MH, 600+km and 7 hrs driving on some of the most deserted but wonderful motorway roads in Europewink

    After leaving, 8 ish, we stopped for late brekkie, then lunch and a further coffee stop along the way yet I still knew we had done a very long (but not stressful) trip...

    when working, I sometimes did Somerset to Kendal, meetings/lunch/meetings and then back home in a day.....with no caravan on the back.....knackered...

    for something like a funeral (unless moving on to tour elsewhere) I'd be thinking about a Travelodge/hotel and letting the train take the strain.

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited March 2018 #10

    Please be careful putting too much info online.

    Had a funeral recently, the 2nd in 2 weeks. Whilst out for the day with a 400 mile round trip, returned my mother home to find she had been burgled. House trashed. Not good for an octogenarian.

    If the CAMC Wardens can't assist, try a CL direct explaining your need.

    We had similar need last year when father in law passed. A CL owner fitted us in on a phone call. It can be done,

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited March 2018 #11

    My longest tow in a day in the UK was 330 miles and 380 on the continent. Wouldn't want to do any further. The 500 miler proposed is quite tiring even when solo.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #12

    Alderstead Heath CAMC site 30 minutes north of Crawley, only shows Good Friday as unavailable in March.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #13

    12 hours towing.......?

    The Collision Investigation Report should be interesting after your crash......frown

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #14

    I am sorry you have to go to a funeral. If it were me I would be looking for a room in one of the many hotels around Gatwick  airport rather than a caravan site. Good wishes. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #15

    DS, I wish you well. I don’t known why people are shocked at your proposal when you clearly know what you're doing and have done it many times before. I hope all goes according to plan. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2018 #16
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  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited March 2018 #17

    Thank you Tinwheeler.At least one person can see the logic.My wife and I find hotels/lodging houses are not generally sufficiently home like for our needs.We could stay with family but that would be overcrowded and so our caravan is home from home.(and it will carry all of the things that the other half might or might not need!)After speaking to Gatwick site.(full).I have booked with a cl we have used before.Owner really acommodating and allowing us to use a grass pitch as all hard standings booked.As for Tintent,s comment.....words fail me!I assume that when he sees a caravan outfit approaching at 59.9 mph he will swerve into my path at 29.9 mph and brake hard!Thank you everybody else for your sympathy and other sensible comments.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #18

    I’m glad you found a site, DS.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited March 2018 #19

    Just a quick update..........Gatwick said that they left a message after an answerphone took my first call.....not true.Second phone call recipient told me that site was full but she would see what she could do and phone me back.......no call.......CL owner said all hard standings taken but could accomodate me on grass pitch...I agreed.Today owner phoned to say that he had spoken to other units and all had agreed to slightly close pitching on hard standing due to ground conditions.I have to say that cl owners are the best and cc site wardens obviously are not.!!!!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #20

    That’s what you call accommodating!

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited March 2018 #21

    "Slightly closer pitching?"on hardstandsundecided

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #22

    What’s the problem with that? Would you rather sink into the mud? frown

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited March 2018 #23

     Have you seen results of "slightly" closer pitching when there is a fire on proper spacingundecidedfrown 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited March 2018 #24

    We have no idea how close the outfits are though

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #25

    Do you know this site and the normal spacing arrangements, JV?

    I think you're jumping to conclusions.

    'Proper' spacing, as you call it, is a recommendation and not law which is why many, many commercial sites allow less space per pitch than the clubs. How many fires do you hear of in a year? Very few so I wouldn't be overly concerned in the OP's shoes.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited March 2018 #26

    Some people jump to conclusions!!!!a.....I am going to have a crash,b...I am going to be involved in a fire!!!!!!!!!JVB does not know this cl ...it is more than capable of using the hard standing area for several outfits and I am very grateful that the owner has managed to accomodate me. END OF.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #27

    Good on you, DS. Don’t stress it. cool

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited March 2018 #28

    I have calmed down now.........2 large G & T,s........Tinwheeler .....you are the type of person that I dont mind chatting to at the tap......Easy T ....you seem ok too.JVB.....no comment!!!!!!!!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #29

    Cheers, DS. See you at the service point. smile

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
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    edited March 2018 #30

    No comment +1