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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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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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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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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