Curtain twitchers
and .... this is lighthearted and tongue in cheek. Credit to the site management who were excellent but had to "follow up".........
Curtain twitcher
A species of camper mostly found on sites belonging to the two main clubs.
An introverted species, often to be found inside watching television rather than outside enjoying the camping experience or even further out enjoying the outdoors experience.
A species known for being obsessed by rules and absorbed by other peoples activities.
I was on a site for just two days and had two complaints to the wardens 
The first "report", this morning, was that we were exercising our dogs on the site roads: It turns out we were observed disappearing down another site access road away from the one on which our units are parked with our doggies on leads. All became clear as we stood, heads bowed, in front of the warden. We had just come back from a nice long walk, Jo spotted someone putting up an awning similar to what she wants for her caravan and we went over to say hello and ask advice. Exonerated by the warden!
An hour ago we had another visit. If we are going to "live" in the camper as well as the caravan we need two pitches. I uttered a deep sigh of irritation. I have been cleared by Grinstead towers, HQ of the authority on high, the Caravan Club ruling elite, that as long as gas is switched off, no cooking is being undertaken and only one hook-up in place, it's all ok, just another awning.
"Ah yes" said the warden, before referring to notes from counsel for the prosecution, "but you were observed plugging in the camper as well"!
Not quite. Whilst we were out for a couple of hours walking our dogs I disconnected the Caravan hook-up and plugged it into the camper to top up the leisure batteries as with my fridge being used as a freezer there's quite a drain on them. Only one hook-up in use. Second exoneration of the day.
You just have to smile and feel sorry for the lesser-spotted curtain twitcher.
Comments
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Hi, OJ.
We've seen a few posts recently about the activities of other campers and you have to wonder why some people go vanning. They could curtain twitch at home and save the site fees.😁
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Oh dear. They unfortunately live amongst us and the main problem I find with this species is that they look "normal". You can't tell who the blighters are, and they'll lie directly to your face if you so much as dare to suggest or ask if it was them (then report you for infringing Rule 206.58, subsection 3.)
Glad it gave you a laugh. At least you'll be on first name terms with the wardens now.
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As I have said many times, and I live by it, what others do on their pitch is really totally up to them, provided I can enjoy my pitch and stay what others do is really of no importance and they can just get on with it.
As said above I've no idea why people do this or what enjoyment they can get from 'reporting' any such activity, and observing in such detail as well, but obviously they must somehow, does it make them glow with a warm feeling of hatred?
You can pitch next to me anytime Jen.
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There’s usually at least one on every Club Site, and they specialise in anything less than ordinary. You are prime target material touring as you do with two (perfectly legal) outfits, and then there is the added bonus to the twitcher of being in charge of a canine. Like a red rag to a bull.....
Best to ignore. I think they are a bit of a dying breed nowadays, it doesn’t seem as rife as it used to be, but they are harder to spot as well.
Our all time record was a mere minute after pulling onto a pitch at Marazion, Warden came across and asked if we had a Doberman as “someone” had reported seeing one running free. The answer was “no, but would you like to say hello to our three tied up, sat quietly Airedale’s?” The Warden just laughed, we had a great stay after that. 😁
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I don't think twitching is in decline at all.
What has happened is that net curtains have been replaced by CCTV. The reason we see so many outfits all closed up with blinds drawn in late afternoon is that the occupants are sitting watching the site activity on their screens, and telephoning their string of complaints to the poor wardens on their mobile phone emergency number.
I suspect they also have live video feeds going with their associates on other Club sites throughout the country, and this is what makes the wi-fi speeds so poor.
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I have to admit that I enjoy a bit of "people watching" when we're away. No twitching of curtains though - just gazing out the window, or looking around when relaxing outside (glass in hand).
No sneaky intentions - but living on a farm with no neighbours or people wandering by, it makes a change!
And if others want to watch us (but not when the curtains are closed), fair do's. Or even talk to us!
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There'x nothing wrong with people watching at all Goldie. We do it, I suspect everyone does it. You can't go around with blinkers on.
I take "Curtain Twitchers" to mean people who sit there waiting for someone to step out of line so they can report them to "teacher".
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Watching shouldn’t be dismissed as a bad thing.
I've been very grateful when some has seen something I’ve missed and popped over and told me before it’s become a problem.
likewise, I’ve learnt a lot from seeing how fellow caravan/Motorhome users do things.
Think it’s saved me a lot of time and wasted money on buying those must have essentials, that normally end up living in the shed .
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The Warden was smiling as he came across, he could see our pooches were no problem. I suspect the person who reported us got short shrift.
We people watch. There are few places as diverse for entertainment than a camp site. Quite sure we have entertained others as well😁
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Dark sunglasses are the way forward, just have to limit the headturning impulse then.........😂
Some Sites can seem a tad like this🧐, but then we appear to be more like this🤪. In fact this is us😁😂
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Me too!! I absolutely love watching others arriving on site and I will also admit to commenting (only to my hubby of course) on their choice of caravan/motorhome/awning/car/dog breed and even method of setting up😀! I usually conclude that our choice of the aforementioned things are far superior😂!
But I've never yet felt the need to report anyone for not doing things our way......
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Live and let live, non of us are perfect, most of us just go caravanning /motor homing just to enjoy ourselves and the fact that we can do that
We all have to tolerate things that we don't agree with, that's life!. Just enjoy and get on with it. .
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I think an earlier post may have been a dig at me because I commented on the behaviour of some campers on a different topic, and got accused of being a certain twitcher.
The funniest thing that I have seen is a person looking for non existent dog poo.
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Is the OP – 'OnlyJen' – the same as 'GrannyJen' who has been bringing life to the VW California Club forums ?
Good grief Jen, how on earth are us curtain twitchers supposed to live our lives in the shadows if you keep bringing our grievances out into the sunlight ?
Wardens love to see and hear our views on your foibles, and all the other people shortcomings, and we consider we enhance the experiences and lives of said Wardens.
Where would this Club be if we failed in our duty to stop having the rules flaunted time and again by people using their common sense and they started to enjoy the life of the wide outdoors ?
I'm sat here at this moment watching a neighbouring Club Member taking his cassette to empty it and I've noticed he isn't wearing gloves to do the task.
This is, obviously, likely to lead to an outbreak of diseases throughout the campsite if he touches any public facility after disposing of his waste effluence and I must dash and inform the Warden asap.
Sorry, but must go,
Argus Panoptes (All-seeing)
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More twitchers please. Perhaps less vans would be stolen if folk were more observant and reported a potential theft. Assuming the police could be bothered to attend.
Interesting point about the Doberman on the loose. Would you not want it reported to the warden in case the dog might be a danger to kids? If the warden was not aware who owned the dog, would it not make sense to approach any newcomers first if he had not seen a doberman on site previously.
First line of defence for wrongdoers is to insult the person who reports any actions.
Strange that on the one hand, we are told by the supporters of poor behaviours to report it to the warden and not complain on this forum, but whenever this happens the innocent become the target of abuse and name calling.
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