Secluded sites - feature in the magazine
The magazine team would like to hear from members who like to get away from it all, stay on secluded sites (both low-facility Club sites and Certificated Locations) and use the facilities in their caravan or motorhome rather than the site facilities (it would be particularly interesting to hear from those members who use solar panel – we’d love to hear about your experiences of this power source).
If you would like to possibly be part of this article in the Club magazine please post your experiences below and if you have any pictures to upload or email to communitymanager@camc.com that would be fantastic!
Comments
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We like secluded sites, and low facility ones are no problem for us - we have always used our caravan to the full, the absence of an amenity block is not an obstacle. Fairly flat pitches, hard standing or well mown grass, and good vehicular access are strongly preferred
Other than that, 10 - 16 amp EHU, water tap, grey waste drainage and CEP are the only on site necessities.
One site we have used as a stop over between Leicestershire and Cornwall is Cadeside, near to Wellington and just off the M5. This site is a good example of ideal access and great, but minimal, facilities.
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Rowena, Why the assumption that secluded sites are low facility sites ?
Here's one which is pretty secluded but has toilets, hot showers, disabled facilities, dish washing, clothes washing and free wi-fi. Look closely and there we are in the distance.
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Care to share that one EuroT? Looks our kind of place
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And ours! Shouldn't say it on this thread - but reminds me of a CS we go to near Malton - has everything listed above except for the Wifi.
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Is this what was hinted at on the thriving without EHU thread? Merve would be great for basic sites, I believe he offered to do an article a year or 2 back. I'll post this as a link on that thread if I can find it 😉.
I note that the magazine had something similar on favourite sites and Goldie was a contributor.
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Yes, I'm afraid this Club only seems interested in promoting and publicising CLs and its own sites.
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Because this Club started life as a body of people who toured the country, staying independently wherever they could, but now Club members who do that are ignored.
When did the Club magazine last have an article about members finding and staying on independent private sites here in the UK? Or an article about motorhomers touring and exploring the network of continental Aires? Or an article about members using overseas sites outside the Venture Abroad booklet?
So yes, you are right the Club has just become as in bred, self promoting and introspective as the Sainsbuy's magazine.
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Fair point ET but I suspect what is required is experiences of within the CMC orbit like no facility sites and CL's. Unfortunately I don't buy into the Greta Garbo approach to camping, I prefer people around me!!!
David
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Rowena, nice to hear from you. Well, I have been asking for this for 3 years. I first asked 3 years ago and for a 2nd time 2 years ago- On both occasions I was promised a contact- I’m still waiting. Folk on here will know that I am completely non EHU and have been for about 5 1/2 years. When I contacted your editorial dept some 3 years ago I asked for a full and unbiased article on the amazing new techs that have come to the world of caravanning over the past few years - innovations that have changed the parameters of our hobby- Solar Panels, LED lighting, Lithium Batteries and refillable gas cylinders such as Safefill which have really addressed the other side of the power requirements of the modern caravan or Motor Home. We always seek out remote CLs and we live on board as though we had an EHU using all our facilities including Microwave, toaster, vacuum, blender etc. We are power independent and we love it. Over and above that we have discovered some of the best sites for peace and quiet because we are non EHU. More than happy to help with an article. I think the club owes it to members to give this information.. We live as though we have an EHU, in fact we forget we haven’t!
A look a Lithium Batteries!
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Well, I think there is an argument there M - the last two articles I’ve seen from the Club Mag were both entitled ‘Back to Basics’ . It’s anything but basic- modern innovations have changed the face of caravanning immensely and made power independence a very comfortable place to be. It doesn’t suit everyone - but it’s there if you want it. I have to agree with Eurotraveller!
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There are those, we among them, who fully use all the amenities in our own caravan, and the provision of low amenity sites (no amenity block), along with significantly lower pitch fees, is a very attractive scenario.
I feel sure that, like ourselves, many members would like more of these sites to be made available. And those not having deep pockets could spend more time/trips in which to enjoy the camping season.
There is also the possibility that the CMC could acquire the means of providing these (additional) sites more easily, given that no extensive building work would be involved, and ease the pressure of more visitors than pitches available at peak periods.
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Rowena It is great news that the magazine team are considering an article in the club magazine on secluded sites and members who use solar panels. Lets hope they can steer clear of negative references like “basic” and “Non-Ehu”
As an owner of an Off-Grid CL it can do no harm to perhaps promote the 425+ Off-Grid CLs in the network.
Members that prefer to use this type of site are not even able to use the Clubs CL search filters to find them!3 -
Good post John. . It was in 2016 that I spoke to Nick Lomas at the CC stand at the NEC. I explained this exact problem of putting ‘No Facilities ‘ in the search engine and it brings up every facility going!! and was told that he would have a word with the IT dept and try to get it resolved. ......I’ll say no more!🤣🤣
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We use all types of sites and I think I can honestly say there is none we have not tried both in the UK and on the Continent. We don't specifically seek out secluded ones although if they are accessible I do prefer them. We are all equipped to use our own facilities which even on a full facility site are mostly used. These include a 120w solar panel, a 750w pure sine wave inverter and hydraulic leveling so we can easily cope on the most secluded of sites. Access and concern over ground firmness are the chief inhibiting factors to use of many more such sites.
peedee
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Thank you so much everyone. I really feel it adds value having our members feedback, advice and experiences in the magazine and I love seeing member photos.
Merve, I have also forwarded your 'how to survive a non-240v EHU sites' discussion to Gary, the Editor of the magazine.
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Your microwave claim while off EHU confuses me a bit. Microwave ovens have a fairly low efficiency, hence a domestic one, rated at 700w output will draw around 6.5 Amps from a 240 volt supply. To supply the same Wattage from a 12 volt supply requires a massive 130 Amps, with a supply cable and an inverter, to match. These are industrial weight requirements - you imply that you are using LiOn batteries, which have remarkable power to weight capabilities. It would be interesting to understand more about your installation.
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