Leaving because unable to book
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I did 24 hours in Penzance Cornwall a few years ago! Admittedly I did go on the train overnight, and then came back towing our old van with OH. Still enjoyed it though. We have done weekends in Cornwall though from home to Fowey, some 350 plus miles in the past. Length of Yorkshire end to end is not far off 100 miles, so we regularly do this as we live in the very South, but love Northumberland/Durham area.
We got to know the areas of Cornwall we visited extremely well, that's Penwith, Restormal districts. We also learned not to be down there in August! A good map and an intimate knowledge of local shortcuts is of great value!
But not with a huge caravan on the back
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Glad you enjoyed a few days at the Autocruise owners club ABM, same time next year for Trevithick Day?
We've definitely got one of the best chippy vans in the south west
JK
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Course we have and oggie shops, too. None of your old black puddin stuff down here.
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This is a myth and the myth is raising its head once again
! If you try to book two sites for the same days the system will flag up that you are double booking and won't let you do this! Why does this myth still prevai, is it that some just wish it can be done because it suits their arguement?0 -
The ability to pack up and take a touring trip seems to over unless you actively book up when booking dates start at the beginning of the year.
many of our mid week to mid week breaks have been marred by a site being full on a Saturday night but having spaces available on the Friday or Sunday night.
seems the club is happier to take £30 for a night and loose £200 for long booking.
tried asking if we could take any cancelled booking, but neither the wardens (why would they, as their computer says no) nor the club are able to manage a reservation system. I am no spending my day sitting punching buttons in the hope I can pick up a cancelled booking on a site I am already pitched on.
rgds
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Why not use CLs and commercial sites then, Tony. There's usually a much better chance of getting on one that you select.
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well maybe the only reason your mid weeks breaks have been marred is that you haven't booked early enough?
Saturday night is always going to be a very popular night, There are the mid-weekers like you, there are the weekenders, and then there are the folk that work for a living and have to take off full weeks. They arrive on a Saturday (working Friday) and to make the most of their time away leave on a Sunday, probably in peak they account for a lot of campers?
Why should any of the above group have preferential treatment? Have it your way and somebody will lose out, are you saying that's OK as long as it's not you? Sadly as club sites are popular you will have to book early like other members.
Oh and btw, other non club sites will have plenty of space, for some reason
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Your points were put clearly enough Tony. Your reasons for leaving are valid. Yes touring has changed over the years and there is no spontaneity in touring with the CMC any more. Its more like a package holiday scenario, which as you can see, suits some on this forum . Still that's the way it is and if it doesn't suit your style of touring, take your business and your money elsewhere like so so many before you. There's a great big world out there outside the gates of CMC campsites which offer better, more scenic locations at a more competitive price.
K
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There's a great big world out there outside the gates of CMC campsites which offer better, more scenic locations at a more competitive price.
That is of course your opinion.
The big world also often does not allow single night booking, particularly at weekends. In some cases at peak a week is the minimum stay. Almost certainly the big world requires a deposit, not always returnable and the booking T&C's have never in my experience come anywhere close to the CAMC.
However you are correct in one respect K. Do what suits, we certainly do.
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There are also commercials out there where you cannot choose your pitch on arrival, you have to go where you are sent. What's more some pitches on these sites are blocked by repeat booking year after year with 'favoured clients' having the choice for certain weeks. Many also demand you stay for three, five or seven night on there site should you wish to 'visit'.
Thankfully the club is not one site, it is a network of sites spread across the country with no minimum night restrictions.
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Commercial is a perjorative word to me. Small independent sites, often CLs which have grown up, with obliging private owners are what I look for. A phone call tells me if they have space tomorrow.
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I agree, a case in point was the old Bingham Grange site recently acquired by the club, £50 non returnable deposit to book there and unsafe fire spacing as well.
And also those sites in that great big world out there is usually always plenty of spaces unlike club site, wonder why?
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Overtherepostitis – the overriding and compulsive need and/or demand to post about overseas travel and touring in UK based threads, no matter how irrelevant
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It is a problem nowadays, not being able to book for some sites but it's part of the overpopulated modern Britain we live in where camping has become a very popular activity.
We've recently sold our motorhome and give up camping for a while, one of the reasons being that I work full-time and when we did w.ant to get away we found it very difficult/impossible. I can't book a year in advance in the main. It's not the Caravan Club, it's everywhere. I'm not cancelling my membership just yet though as I'm missing it already so maybe a small cheap 2 berth caravan to use if and when we can might do the trick.......just have to convince the boss now 😂😂
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We have been members for fifty years, and even with the large increase in the use of LVs and now the "staycation"have always managed to get away somewhere when we were working, and even years ago it was not always"first choice" but have never thought of "giving up",
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I don't disagree, however commitment and the capacity to compromise are also favourable qualities..........
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I think the Caravan and Motorhome Club have one of the best booking systems in operation. I dislike the policy of other clubs (Caravan and Camping Club) that require you to book for two nights- I work so I can only have one night away at weekends and I do not want to arrive and find I do not have a pitch. I use all the bookings I make and if I have to change something I try to do so well in advance as a matter of courtesy to other members. We have on occasion found a site not available when we have needed it- so we have booked a CL instead.
I also applaud the C & M Club on improving our ability to book ahead. I do book in December for December the following year (it is Christmas after all so you are bound to need to plan ahead )and some bank holidays- but I use those bookings and have peace of mind.
I was also under the impression that you could not book more than one site at a time for the same date- so some earlier comments in this discussion are incorrect.
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You are quite correct, TJT. Twice
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yes good post
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+1
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The C & CC do indeed operate their business differently.
And on their popular sites at peak times you have to book for a minimum of 5 nights, I know, we just have.
The CC is very kind to members by allowing one night bookings even over peak periods.
However I suspect that overall it works out ok for them, I will often arrange to arrive on a Sunday to start my hol or leave on a Friday or Saturday morning so that I have a day or two to faff with the rig before work on Monday......
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