So what did the Club ever do for Motorcaravanners?
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Well put WN👍🏻
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+1
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"Btw, I agree that the thread should have been stopped after DSBs post. Says it all."
It's my opinion that it should have been stopped after the OP as it’s not long ago we had the same discussion and said the same things over and over and over…
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Maybe this is where Pump Kink got the idea from . . . .?
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Husky, I thought you were going to try it for yourself?
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Whilst the 'here' and 'there' aspect of this debate is rather pointless, I would pick up on one aspect of DSB's post. Aires do not need staffing in the conventional sense. Provision of facilities can be automated with only periodic maintenance/supervision required. That has a significant impact on overheads.
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Good post David, (DSB) I see no point in quoting it again but is the Club going to be trapped in the ethos of the tugger for ever? All change is difficult but is it really that impossible? In the right areas, it would get used and would be a way of increasing the member pitch ratios. I can well imagine planning permission is an obstacle but surely in tourist areas there is a better opportunity of obtaining requirements. The Club has obtained planning for yurts etc. These certainly don’t serve all or match the ethos of a touring Club so why not simple sites or pitches for night stopping motorhomes?
As long as it stays civil and on subject, I would sooner the thread is kept open to see if the Club gives any feedback.
peedee
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Not trying to bully you at all David - why would you say that?
What you say about club sites is indisputable (although overpriced is a bit of a stretch when you compare prices with comparable sites in the UK with which the club is competing) and the reason many of us choose to use them. You are entirely entitled to express your opinion, of course you are. Equally, you have to acknowledge that there are many of us with far more recent experience of club sites.
I wouldn't dream of commenting on European sites on the basis of the ones we used when we were camping 20 years or so ago.
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In terms of knowlege of Club Sites, I think Huskydog said it all in a slightly different context:-
when I go I'm not expecting it to be better ,just different
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When reading reviews of members who have commented on sites ,it seems that the comments of said reviewer, is how at the time of the visit it was their perception and mood, as to what the staff were like ,what ground conditions and facilities were like, and anyone looking at reviews will need to look at several to get any real perception of what the site is like , that includes all types of sites in all countries
As is said one man's meat
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Am also hoping to see a response from HO regarding the main point of the discussion some members are advocating (the provision by the club of “Night Halt” facilities).
If, however the thread does get closed perhaps HO would consider a sticky/locked reply with a suitable title so that all could read. IMHO it would be a good way forward in order to avoid the point being raised again.
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good post, especially your last sentence. Wish it could be reciprocated from the over there tourers.
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Of course they are.👍🏻
The pitches are suitable for all units and the facilities first class. Knowing services and facilities are readily to hand makes for easy and pleasant touring with no need to take chances on lesser or unknown sites.
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Post edit to above
Funny how you remember things, I once stayed a week in a friend's ageing Fiat 238 motor home near Torre del Lago in Tuscany.
This was in 1979, but according to the AD principle that means...Oh my goodness, I'm a over there off grid MOTOR-HOMER
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Did I not say that you were, of course, entitled to express your opinion, then David? Or did you miss that in your haste to have a go at point scoring?
It's clear that, as far as stops in the UK are concerned you're more than happy with club sites. Why else would you have chosen Commons Wood to try out your new van and why else do you choose to stop at Bladon Chains each year when there are alternatives in each area? In fact, how many UK nights have you spent on non club sites in the last few years to be able to compare them with club sites?
You clearly have great knowledge and expertise in European touring, but perhaps you might acknowledge that there are many on here with more recent knowledge than yourself of sites in the UK?
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I am still waiting patiently for an answer from DD regarding how many CLs (UK version of a cheap basic stopover) he has tried. Maybe BB might like to answer as well? Nothing sinister in my request, I was just wondering how many have been tried, and what they thought.
This kind of site, along with small private sites, has become our first choice when putting together a UK tour, primarily because we seldom fail to find anything in a location we choose, and the vast range of facilities, prices and very accommodating owners makes life very easy. We use Club Sites, some anyway, but mainly the more basic ones, the Racecourse Sites, and one or two perfectly placed for special events we might be undertaking. But the UK network of small sites is the main reason we remain members, like AD in range of 30+ years. Most CLs offer a very unique stopover, but with a tiny bit of research, probably 99% of CLs and small sites we choose meet our requirements. That’s why I don’t think the Club should spend lots of money on Club Site stop off pitches. Better to lobby local councils and tourist boards.
Classic example of where and who to lobby would be Northumbrian Tourist Board. The Hadrian’s Wall area is sadly rather short of caravan/MH stops in general. We have used the same CL for the last four years because this type of site is so short. Club no longer have a presence close to area, so it’s either C&CC site (if it’s open at Haltwhistle) or Hexham Racecourse (again limited season). We don’t touch former Club Site Fallowfield Dene because it’s just too expensive. So, what did we come across last year? The Sill. Big new visitor centre, and replaced Youth Hostel at Twice Brewed. Just below Steel Rigg, best bit of Wall in area. Huge parking spaces, dwarfed our little MH, number plate recognition system, toilets, showers, shop, nice cafe, all on site. A fabulous overnight stop, mid way along Wall. But no overnight parking other than for YH patrons. We registered our thoughts with onsite staff, who are also concerned at lack of sites in area. If more folks do this, then it’s a custom set up that only needs a tap and a waste outside, which to be honest might already be in place. A true win win for National Park, and visitors.
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But David, it's not just your view, it's that of many of us others too, both caravaners and motorhomers. This fictitious 'surplus to requirement' space, the loss in revenue to the club, the cost to implement even if barren space could be found and all those other reasons highlighted in the thread makes, as you and many others have pointed out, the proposed idea a non starter. As I've suggested we already have the ability to stay just that one night on all sites, given availability, which is at the same cost to all members and this feature is one we should cherish.
Also, no need to apologise for not trawling through the whole thread, you summed up the situation most succinctly. As a result I reckon it could possibly be closed now.
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well I have actually already asked, they reply was;
quote: No digitalizzed, ma appena li troverò lo farò
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I hope the new van is working out well for you, David.
£16 hardly seems "overpriced" for a club site though. And you still haven't made clear how many non club sites you've used in the UK recently to be able to compare them with club sites?
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Well well, quoting Silves, we were at Silves by the castle in January, nice aire but if you think that is better than a club site for facilities and space you need to start taking more water with it. About 6 feet between vans not 6m and the toiltet block, oh no its a shower for a euro no toilet. Please dont insult my little bit of intelligence as once again you have blown your argument out of the water. You must try harder
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