Pariahs
If motorhomers are to avoid being branded pariahs and viewed with the same distaste as some of the travelling fraternity, we need to consider the impact that 'wild camping' has and the impression that it creates with local inhabitants. It is currently a hot topic on a forum for the local community where I used to have my apartment.
The ability to park up for one or two nights in an unspoilt and peaceful location is something I would imagine that most motorhomers would cherish. Spending weeks and months at a time is, IMHO, pushing the envelope beyond what is reasonable/acceptable.
The thread in question is HERE
Comments
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I agree. It depends on local legislation, signage, location and length of stay and of course no waste left behind. Personally we would never do it for fear of the impact it may have on local authorities decision making. I have seen wonderful parking areas both in Scotland and in Ireland where there are height barriers to keep out all but cars and am aware that Scotland has imposed restrictions around Loch Lomond to prevent M/H parking. However, in Scarborough, we have a big-ish car park on the north side. It's free in winter, and many a Sunday morning I have counted 20 plus M/Hs which have clearly been there overnight and I have never been aware of any problems. It does however, amaze me that the local council don't open the meters up in the winter, and instigate an overnight charge of perhaps £5 as most would be happy at that I would think.
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Parking up for one or two nights in an unspoilt and peaceful location inevitably means it is no longer unspoilt or peaceful in my opinion.
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yup my daughter lives and teaches in this region, some areas being used for wild camping stink now of the unmentionables, there was a big article in the Murcia times just before xmas re the unwanted in the Mazarron area, when we stayed in Bolnuevo last year they even had the cheek to sneek into the site via the beach entrance and use the site facilities FOC of course.
Not restricted to over there though, we have one on Lee-Sea-Front, diesel generator running and clearly water under van, knocked on his door only this morning, but of course you only get abuse, local council are cracking down but difficult to police 24x7x365. But not going to say anymore on this subject as we had a massive post and opinion making prior to xmas on this subject, and i am sure the wild campers on this forum would not dream of doing the unthinkable.
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wild campers, like bad dog owners or parents who don't control children well are (hopefully) well in the minority...
we are leaving the 'sanctuary' of a top class camp site nr Lagos tomorrow and will be 'stopping off' at many places of interest as we wend our way along the costa del sol and up the east coast of Spain..
some recognised aires, some well documented parking areas and the odd supermarket car park in amongst the odd site or two....
no more than two nights (usually one) and leave no trace of being there, disposing of (black) waste in the proper place, usually on an aire...
are we pariahs?
also, what many (caravanners) don't know about the relationship between sites and MHers, on the continent, is that MHers are permitted to use the site facilities for a small fee....there is a specific category od site listed in the aires 'bibles' called something like....'sites allowing passage of camping cars....'
so, for a couple of euros or se outsiders can empty water, collect water, and are more than likely welcome to use the restaurant, bar and even other facilities.....so all is not always as it seems with regard to 'freeloaders' on continental campsites....
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I don't know, Alan.....perhaps they're not in the 'right place'?...
France alone has around 8000 Aires but when someone finds that magical beach spot....?
in fairness, we don't do a lot of wild camping, usually when on a long trip and just find a carpark to sleep in and up and away the next morning...
...but I really don't get (or like, obviously) the stories about folk leaving crap everywhere....although, thinking about the posts from the wardens on the 'toilets' thread, sounds like anything goes and doesn't have to be wild campers.....
perhaps it's just the type of person, nothing to do with where they actually camp? sites fair game, too for the uncaring?
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We watched folks spend weeks at a time all along Long Rock seafront overlooking Mounts Bay near Marazion for years. Mix of UK and overseas MHs. Some outfits never moved for weeks at a time, chairs out, etc....... These folks had no regard for locals or other visitors, it was a well known park up via the MH Tom Tom drums network. Council finally put a stop to it and installed a big kerb, and it’s a cycle track now alongside road. There was certainly no lack of camp sites close by, dozens to suit all wallets, but of course not free.
We have done the odd overnight sleep in a lay-by, quiet spot, when travelling, with caravan, solo in back of Land Rover, but not yet in MH. (Not sure if Stratford Leisure Centre car park counts, it was official and not free!) But it was just to beat traffic and get a rest before moving on, not a holiday destination.
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The trouble with Stratford is the HGV's firing up at an uncivilised hour in the morning. Did it last year en-route to the NEC show.
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We have just left Ikea Mecia today after a couple of nights, proper camperstop but just a carpark with dump and fresh water facilities. There were mh there who clearly had been there longer than the prescribed 48 hours, we witnessed dumping of grey waste down the drains rather than moving the mh to the service point.
Not everyone who uses “free” stops abuse the area, we only stop where its a proper aire payable or free, or sometimes a campsite if we cannot find a suitable camper stop. If we are on a free aire with no facilities we stop no longer than 3 days as we need to dump our waste so check in at another camper stop with facilities.
There are alot of freeloading dirty people out there we witnessed dumping of toilet cassettes in the hedge near malaga beach last year as we sat having lunch in the carpark which clearly said no onernight parking but were not all the same
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in one day, today, we've stopped at several places...
Alvor, just parked on the street (loads of room) and walked down to the beach area...huge free car park with very many MHs there....I have no idea what services are there, but if I wanted to overnight there, I'd ask around...
are we pariahs?
Moved up the road to Albufeira, huge Lidl car park with dedicated MH parking spaces and large 'welcome' notice....parked up, then explored beach area on foot and had lunch on the seafront...walked back through the old town, bought a sweater for our GD, then back up to Lidl and did our shopping there, before moving on..
are we pariahs?
we were heading for Tavira but decided to check out Olhâo...again, first port of call good old Lidl....4 camper places......parked up, then set off to explore the town, came across a MH parking area....large sign Campers Welcome 24 hrs gratis. decided the town was worth further exploration and this would be a better spot to overnight than Lidl....(but thank you Lidl, you have the right approach) so we moved the van and are parked up for tonight....breakfast on the prom in the morning..
are we pariahs?
now, we haven't use a campsite (nor will we tomorrow at Tavira) so are we freeloaders as we are not paying for our overnighting, nor spending it on a dedicated campsites?
OTOH, we've spent around €70 today in the local community which probably wouldn't have happened if we couldn't have found the convenient parking that's so gratefully provided.
the camper stop here has possibly 70 vans, spread over 4 seperate parking 'sections', so doesn't feel too crowded....there are a large number of French vans here and I'll wager many owners will be in town (only 300m) tonight for dinner, so the bars and restaurants will do very well.
are they pariahs?
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We had a great night at Stratford. No HGVs, brilliant dog walk, quiet. Mind you, it was November, so dark when we pulled in after 10pm. We just slept, up at 8pm, had a wash, walked dogs and drove down to Evesham Country Park for a lovely breakfast. Few years ago now.
I think you’re missing the point slightly BB. No one is saying stopping the odd night and behaving appropriately is wrong. It’s when a small minority pitches up in an inappropriate place, stays for days on end, doesn’t dump waste as they should and is not spending much in the local vicinity. It’s a different culture, a different form of governance over on continent than in the UK. So no you’re not anything like a pariah. But the ones we saw at Mounts Bay were certainly borderline. Let’s just say I have seen cleaner and more polite Travellers.
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I agree with your overall point, but there are some (certainly on CT) who think MHs should only park in council licensed premises....
..and for someone to say an unspoiled spot is spoiled the minute a MH turns up would be a bit hypocritical if they enjoyed that same spot by driving up and parking there in their car...
perhaps im not looking in the right (wrong) places but, despite using many a car park, I can't say Ive ever seen anyone dumping their toilet in a hedge or anywhere else nasty...
i spoke to a guy in Benicassim a couple of years ago who had a 'prime spot' on the prom and was there for many days....I asked him about this very subject and he said that he just drove up to the aire (2km) and emptied there...
perhaps he was a good freeloader?
im sure you're right and there are certainly some pretty foul folk around, it's just that perhaps I'm not 'wild' enough to see this behaviour.
like many areas, the few will likely kill it for the many....
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The only place we have ever Wildcamped is on the Northwest coast of Mull opposite Ulva and it WAS idyllic, but we only stayed one night and no, we left no trace at all of us being there. My wife is not comfortable Wildcamping but me, I love it, but only in remote places with no other choice. And providing no waste is left behind and no damage done I dont see any problem....Pariahs only if they damage or defile the place they are staying.
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