Overnight at my place???

[magbrin]

Have been away off and on for the last couple of months (in fact most of the autumn/winter) but having caught up I have a few comments:

• Last summer offered free overnight camping on several forums and had many visitors - it worked, but it does depend on where you live I fear I would not choose to overnight in central Manchester, for example, although there are probably people who would.
• Joined a scheme last year - AirdrivewayUK - and had no-one from it - did you, Tony?
• I am happy to be included in the scheme but could not be exclusive to Wildcamping. I am happy for anyone from any forum to come and stay overnight (free), and have recently joined Britstops - which could be the UK equivalent to France Passion, if it works.
• For what it is worth generally I think the people who came here for free overnight stopovers had "known" me through the fourms and saw me as "friend" and probably were aware that we had something to sell in the shop/nursery which they saw as a "payment". We do not expect everyone to buy, but are more than happy if they do It is, perhaps, more difficult if you are just a name on a list, and have nothing other than a stopover to offer - although some people want something for nothing most of us like to repay hospitality.
• Those of us who prefer to "Wild" are not looking for peoples drives - however there are those who like to "wild" in safe places - and undoubtably drives of "friends" must offer this security.

This may go some way to indicating why I think these schemes are difficult to get going. As far as members of forums are concerned they come and go and although on every forum there is a core of regular contributors - I do believe that the "friends" element is important. If you are seen to post regularly and give opinions, you do become known. I like the idea of a stopover scheme, but as wild campers, is it really what people want
In the mean time from 1st April when the nursery re-opens for the season anyone is welcome overnight - whether or not you buy anything
Brin Herb Nursery - Highland home of herb plants and wild flowers.

 

[Kontiki]

I agree with all you said, as I mentioned in an earlier post I am listed in the MCM handbook as a 'Safe Knight' a scheme where you allow members to stay at your place for free overnight. In the 3 or so years we have been listed only one couple has used us to stopover. We are in North Wales & convenient for anybody wanting somewhere to stopover en route into Wales.

As an idea that I think one of the problems of people getting something for nothing is maybe something that discourages people from cold calling for a free nights parking. What about a (small) donation to the site (thinking in the region of a pound or two, if it too much people won't bother) this would help towards the running of the site & maybe an award at the end of the year for the most used stopover.

 

[tony]

magbrin we had no one from airedriveways . i think it is to hard to find anyplace in that as you must go into each town/village to find someone instead of the county.
i do appreciate most people dont want anything for nothing even in those hard times.
if they feel like giving something towards services ie electric im sure that would be accepted.but i think it should be betweem them & the host.
years ago we were in a bike club with a similar scheme, it was free.
you listed what you had to offer such as a cup of tea & chat,garage for bike & bed for a night etc.
it worked well. we had complete strangers call us & stayed a night or 2.they were all ok as we were all in the club & had the same thing in common.
likewise we stayed with others & they all made us welcome.
we are still friends with a lot of them.
sorry for going on. but it can work if it is let.
tony

 

[magbrin]

magbrin we had no one from airedriveways . i think it is to hard to find anyplace in that as you must go into each town/village to find someone instead of the county.
i do appreciate most people dont want anything for nothing even in those hard times.
if they feel like giving something towards services ie electric im sure that would be accepted.but i think it should be betweem them & the host.
years ago we were in a bike club with a similar scheme, it was free.
you listed what you had to offer such as a cup of tea & chat,garage for bike & bed for a night etc.
it worked well. we had complete strangers call us & stayed a night or 2.they were all ok as we were all in the club & had the same thing in common.
likewise we stayed with others & they all made us welcome.
we are still friends with a lot of them.
sorry for going on. but it can work if it is let.
tony

Hi Tony
I had an email today, perhaps you did too - Airdriveways is going offline. Another good idea bites the dust

I agree, it should work -and I hope it gets going, but in the mean time I am happy to see anyone over the season - although if we get the CS we will have to limit free stopovers to a single night.

Look forward to meeting you and many others

 

[upmarkethippy]

space please?

We are heading across to newark on Friday, traveling from Sheffield on the Thursday.
We are looking for some where to stay some where between the two. We have a low profile Fiat Ducato around 6 ish meters.

Can anyone help please???

 

[tony]

this thread seem to have run out of steam.
any other opinions on the subject ?
are you all to shy.
tony

 

[magbrin]

this thread seem to have run out of steam.
any other opinions on the subject ?
are you all to shy.
tony

It seems not, Tony, but I hope you get it going it is a good idea.
BTW are you still planning a visit to Brin? Gathering is set for 3-6th June but youknow you are welcome anytime

 

[tony]

It seems not, Tony, but I hope you get it going it is a good idea.
BTW are you still planning a visit to Brin? Gathering is set for 3-6th June but youknow you are welcome anytime

sorry we wont make the gathering as we will be sailing from larne to troon on 8th june.
will then be heading for mull & iona then tobermory to kilchoan.
all going well, fingers crossed we will see you after that.
tony