Mixed messages

[mariesnowgoose]

Barryd, I'm firmly with Caz and don't think this is a particularly serious issue.

I think when the lockdown first came into place people were starting to obsess about whether you should use a moho or camper van to go do your "normal" stuff in case we were 'spotted' and it put us van owners in a bad light.

Think I also might have said elsewhere that we need to be careful not to become too 'anal' and paranoid about this. Just because we happen to own a camper or moho doesn't necessarily mean that the majority of people even notice that we do!

Sure, it is obviously far more contentious to go zooming off to UK holiday and beauty hotspots where a lot of attention has been focused, both immediately before, and since, lockdown and the new 'rules', but I also said the same contentions and objections were also being aimed at car drivers out for a 'spin' somewhere scenic, walkers, runners, cyclists, Uncle Tom Cobbly etc. at the same time.

But to go do your essential shopping? Can't really see what the issue is. I know where we live no one would raise an eyebrow, and if the police stopped the van - which I very much doubt - a check with DVLA would show that we are locals. Pretty much a non-starter. Our vans are just another type of vehicle after all.

Please don't be scared to take your van for a run to the supermarket or DIY store. It might release a bit of lockdown frustration, plus you can always play pretend that you are off somewhere nice as well as giving the vehicle an airing

 

[mjvw]

Personally i would love to bring Shirley home and give the outside and in a good clean, i spent most of the last two year cleaning the exterior up, after she had been stood for a long time unwashed and neglected .Let's see what BJ has to say, i guess bringing her home for a good clean may not be breaking any rules along as i social distance etc.

 

[Pandaman2020]

I take the dog out every morning around 7am, our walk takes us along the beach front and over the golf course, every weekend since lockdown started there has been 1 or 2 campervans/ Motorhomes parked up obviously flouting the regulations.

How do these people get away with it?

Problem for people who live in their Van full time! What do they do with the Lockdown, sites are closed though some councills are allowing permanent/ temporary stays on public car parks!

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Personally i would love to bring Shirley home and give the outside and in a good clean, i spent most of the last two year cleaning the exterior up, after she had been stood for a long time unwashed and neglected .Let's see what BJ has to say, i guess bringing her home for a good clean may not be breaking any rules along as i social distance etc.

Go for it!

If I were in your shoes and felt it would help my mental health to bring the old girl home for a clean, then I would go ahead and do it.
But I'm speaking from a very personal point of view - you must only do it if you would feel totally comfortable doing so!

I also fear we are going to find that the government change of message from "stay at home" to "stay alert", due to be clarified later today, may well be another directive that ends up being open to interpretation, i.e. a 'mixed message'?

I'm thinking that the 'stay alert' will basically mean keep on doing what we've been doing - i.e. hand washing, observing social distancing and staying at home where necessary.

But I could well be totally wrong, so we need to wait and see what is actually said later today!!!

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Problem for people who live in their Van full time! What do they do with the Lockdown, sites are closed though some councills are allowing permanent/ temporary stays on public car parks!

I agree.

It has been a very difficult time for full timers, and people jumping to conclusions about this (and many other things!) has been less than helpful.

There have been stories of 'corona snitches' reporting people to the police when they've had legitimate reasons for being in a camper.

There does seem to be an element of mass hysteria (fear? vindictiveness?) causing some people to overreact in some cases.

Just hope there haven't been too many 'corona snitches' on WC complaining to the authorities about total non-issues!

 

[mark61]

May be different here, but no one looks twice at what type of vehicle is driving about. Apart from me, I yell out "spreader" every time I see a MH
I don't really, that got old weeks ago.
If you need to go shopping or do something, wouldn't think twice about going in MH.
Mine looks pretty much like a van anyway, so lucky in that respect.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

May be different here, but no one looks twice at what type of vehicle is driving about. Apart from me, I yell out "spreader" every time I see a MH
I don't really, that got old weeks ago.

 

[mjvw]

May be different here, but no one looks twice at what type of vehicle is driving about. Apart from me, I yell out "spreader" every time I see a MH
I don't really, that got old weeks ago.
If you need to go shopping or do something, wouldn't think twice about going in MH.
Mine looks pretty much like a van anyway, so lucky in that respect.

I have often though if the opportunity arises to go for a stealth looking van, a know a few people who are currently Fulltime in urban areas with vans that don't stick out like a sorenot like my Shirley.

 

[tin013]

Down here on the South Coast a load of big vans parked along Meon Shore looking out over the Solent. Most have been there at least three weeks. This kind of behaviour reflects badly on motorhomes. The next step will be a total ban along this lovely stretch of shoreline stopping those of us who may stop only during the day. A couple of large motorhomes even parked side on taking up 4 or 5 parking spaces. Please move on.

These people are full timers and have nowhere else to go as all the sites are closed. The local council and the police are aware of them and they have permission to be there. The people who shouldn't be there are the ones who were there yesterday, sunbathing, picnicking and not social distancing.

 

[Deleted member 12051]

We have the motorhome and a moped. I'd be hard pressed to cary our shopping on the moped.

Obviously there would be concessions in place for you to be exempt from a fine As long as it was for that purpose. What Im trying to explain, it is those that are parked up in parks etc. You having proof of having been to your stores would validate you using your van linkhouse if pulled in or aporoached.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Obviously there would be concessions in place for you to be exempt from a fine As long as it was for that purpose. What Im trying to explain, it is those that are parked up in parks etc. You having proof of having been to your stores would validate you using your van linkhouse if pulled in or aporoached.

Linkshouse would be doing extremely well to get pulled up by the police, rotty

Don't think there are any where he lives, lucky so-and-so!

 

[Minisorella]

Its still mixed messages though. If indeed you are allowed to drive your vehicle to exercise then presumably you could legitimately drive your motorhome somewhere and go for a walk or a cycle etc as its a vehicle. Personally I dont want to take mine out, partly because I live in a tourist area in the Dales and seeing some of the stuff on Social media I Dont want to to be stoned to death and if I broke down out here it would put people at risk and be a complete PIA.

But if people are worried about their vans not been used and your allowed to travel for exercise then surely a run to a park or some nearby countryside or even to Tescos would be ok.

I agree, of course you can! Trust me, I'm not speaking as a rebel at all... I'm following the rules faithfully and would honestly prefer not to go out at all if I didn't have to get food and stuff. I don't need to drive anywhere to find a good place to walk but I do have to drive to get to any supermarket, so I take it in turns to drive my car and my motorhome. It makes sense to me to keep everything ticking over and the tyres topped up, etc. If I had to drive to exercise, I'd do the same if there was somewhere to park. I honestly don't think that's against the rules or I wouldn't be doing it. Another thought just occurred to me. With all the cafes and pubs closed and the lack of public toilets, if there's anyone with a bit of a problem, they'd be best served by taking their van out instead of the car don't you think. I know some people are taking liberties but it's just too easy to assume the worst of others.

 

[linkshouse]

Linkshouse would be doing extremely well to get pulled up by the police, rotty

Don't think there are any where he lives, lucky so-and-so!

Nope, no police here. They do visit occasionally but the tom tom drums warn of their arrival (they have to come on the ferry like everybody else) and its amusing to see the pub close on time and the dodgy cars disappear off the roads! Of course I'm referring to normal times here - happy days!

 

[chrismilo]

Provided the walk takes much longer than the drive it is permitted, you can even take your lunch with you.

Your allowed to travel any distance in England providing you don't overnight only fishermen have different laws

 

[antiquesam]

Your allowed to travel any distance in England providing you don't overnight only fishermen have different laws

That was written before the new rules.

 

[ricc]

for us its been the other way round , we use a workhorse panel van, just empty the work stuff , sling in a bed , portapotty and gas cooker when we want to stay away. in current situation a day out anywhere would be van rather than car so we can take the portapotty and gas hob. when were sure toilets and tea shops are open we may go back to car usage... but the views often better from the higher van. in the last few weeks work trips where id normally take the car (and trailer) ive been using the van as likely to get stopped . eithers within the rules but always avoid unnecessary hassle if possible.