Some folks really don't help us do they ....

[Annsman]

All this angst about a vehicle parked and the family enjoying themselves during a warm Bank Holiday weekend.

It's so symptomatic of the society in which we now seem to live. Little tolerance, and plenty of envy.

If everyone was kinder, more sympathetic and more tolerant this country would be a far more pleasant place in which to live.

The picture at the start of this thread if taken in France, for example, would not have raised an eyebrow.

I think our societal values are all screwed up, and it's high time change was made.

If it was taken in France, there would have been something made of it. You can bet the local gendarmerie would have been there telling them to take their awning in! There is a difference in "camping" and "parking" in France and this example wouldn't even come close to parking! I've witnessed van on chocks being told to take them in, a picnic table out and myself told off for having a camping chair next to my step. I'm all for live and let live, but I don't agree the photo is acceptable.

 

[barryd]

If it was taken in France, there would have been something made of it. You can bet the local gendarmerie would have been there telling them to take their awning in! There is a difference in "camping" and "parking" in France and this example wouldn't even come close to parking! I've witnessed van on chocks being told to take them in, a picnic table out and myself told off for having a camping chair next to my step. I'm all for live and let live, but I don't agree the photo is acceptable.

Now you mention it, the only place Ive been moved on by the Rozzers was France, twice. Probably more likely to take liberties there though as you are under the impression you can park up where you like but its not actually the case in many places.

 

[Annsman]

It's strange y' know, but we were kicked out of "the friendly club" for objecting to being called FLT's, after asking what that meant and finding out that it was "Free Loading Tossers" and when I mentioned that being totally self contained we did not need to pay for services that we had no need of, but would if there was no alternative, the man in the big hat told me that we were no longer the type of folks that they wanted in their coven and terminated our membership, but to be fair, we did get our money back

Can I ask how long ago that was? I'm a site manager for the C&CC and have never heard the term FLT in respect of any motorhome owner on site. Neither can site managers terminate anyones membership. That has to be done by our head office customer services team. The club has rules, but these are endorsed and voted on every year either at the AGM or when members re-new their membership. Site staff have no input into making the rules, apart from being members ourselves, and are just making sure everyone has the same access and availability as everyone else. If you don't get that service, then by all means make a complaint about them. They are looked into by our performance managers and they take it seriously, as they should.

 

[alcam]

Now you mention it, the only place Ive been moved on by the Rozzers was France, twice. Probably more likely to take liberties there though as you are under the impression you can park up where you like but its not actually the case in many places.

You omit to mention why you were moved on .

 

[barryd]

You omit to mention why you were moved on .

First time was around Annecy. On a previous year we had been there on Bastille day and it was just motorhome city. People parking on every available bit of concrete. We ended up spending a few days on some grounds outside a college that was shut for a few days with a few other vans. Came back a couple of years later (not on Bastille day) and parked in the same place. Got a few toots of the horn from what I figured out was the local campsite owner and sure enough next morning the Rozzers turned up and very politely asked us to move. The other incident was in Brittany I think. Bit cheeky really. There was an Aire a couple of hundred yards away but it was crammed so I parked on some grass which was part of a massive parking area for day trippers. Another van quickly joined us and I think we were in view of a house a couple of hundred yards away who must have complained to the Rozzers as one turned up and very reluctantly asked is to bugger off.

 

[Fisherman]

If it was taken in France, there would have been something made of it. You can bet the local gendarmerie would have been there telling them to take their awning in! There is a difference in "camping" and "parking" in France and this example wouldn't even come close to parking! I've witnessed van on chocks being told to take them in, a picnic table out and myself told off for having a camping chair next to my step. I'm all for live and let live, but I don't agree the photo is acceptable.

Strangely I find myself agreeing to some extent with both you and Canalsman.
This young couple only got their van in March, they are new to WC, possibly they don’t understand the issues involved in what they are doing.
I have never taken a Motorhome to Europe, so I cannot comment on what you say other than to say I am surprised. I am not doubting you, I am just surprised.

I am also surprised that on a forum were the slightest infringement of the rules in the past has generated anger, that this photograph generated such considerate responses. Normally on here putting out tables and chairs, windbreakers etc is a hanging offence, and yet we seem to be accepting the ultimate crime putting out an Awning as somehow acceptable. As much as I would love to live in a country were doing this for the day is acceptable we all know we don’t live in a country like that. We have all suffered the consequences of such action.

But Canalsman made some fair points, this country would be a much better place to live if some were not so intolerant and even envious of others. Nigel also rightly pointed out that these people who complain are a minority, most folk have got more important things to worry about. But this minority unfortunately seem to have a greater influence than their numbers should. You only have to take note of what happens you our stop overs on a daily basis to see this.

To summarise, anyone who reckons that putting out awnings in public carparks has no consequences for us in the U.K. are wrong in my honest opinion. Putting out awnings completely contradicts the principles of keeping a low profile, something I used to think was sacrosanct on here.

 

[Robmac]

Can I ask how long ago that was? I'm a site manager for the C&CC and have never heard the term FLT in respect of any motorhome owner on site. Neither can site managers terminate anyones membership. That has to be done by our head office customer services team. The club has rules, but these are endorsed and voted on every year either at the AGM or when members re-new their membership. Site staff have no input into making the rules, apart from being members ourselves, and are just making sure everyone has the same access and availability as everyone else. If you don't get that service, then by all means make a complaint about them. They are looked into by our performance managers and they take it seriously, as they should.

I'm not sure if Peter is referring to the C&CC but rather another motorhoming forum?

I could be wrong though.

 

[Val54]

I'm not sure if Peter is referring to the C&CC but rather another motorhoming forum?

I could be wrong though.

I must admit I thought it was a reference to those fun loving, carefree, we don't spoil it for anyone, members of the Fu****rs Forum

 

[merl]

Strangely I find myself agreeing to some extent with both you and Canalsman.
This young couple only got their van in March, they are new to WC, possibly they don’t understand the issues involved in what they are doing.
I have never taken a Motorhome to Europe, so I cannot comment on what you say other than to say I am surprised. I am not doubting you, I am just surprised.

I am also surprised that on a forum were the slightest infringement of the rules in the past has generated anger, that this photograph generated such considerate responses. Normally on here putting out tables and chairs, windbreakers etc is a hanging offence, and yet we seem to be accepting the ultimate crime putting out an Awning as somehow acceptable. As much as I would love to live in a country were doing this for the day is acceptable we all know we don’t live in a country like that. We have all suffered the consequences of such action.

But Canalsman made some fair points, this country would be a much better place to live if some were not so intolerant and even envious of others. Nigel also rightly pointed out that these people who complain are a minority, most folk have got more important things to worry about. But this minority unfortunately seem to have a greater influence than their numbers should. You only have to take note of what happens you our stop overs on a daily basis to see this.

To summarise, anyone who reckons that putting out awnings in public carparks has no consequences for us in the U.K. are wrong in my honest opinion. Putting out awnings completely contradicts the principles of keeping a low profile, something I used to think was sacrosanct on here.

I think the issue is that we only have one photo to make a judgement on whether this is right or wrong and hence there's a lot of speculation around other factors like local houses, toilet facilities, length of stay etc etc.
If we panned back somewhat and the bigger picture (literally) showed families enjoying a day playing rounders in the park, a couple more families with pop up bivvies with kids sheltering from the sun and all of a sudden it doesn't look bad at all. Pan back and you have a grass verge and a row of houses and it's terrible!
We all have different boundaries regarding what we feel is acceptable and what's not so to a certain extent the boundary is a little blurred around the edges, I'm afraid I couldn't comment on which side of the line I'm on WRT this image because it simply doesn't give me enough information.

 

[barryd]

There is no speculation anymore as to how long they were there for. Just during the day but yes, we dont have the full picture otherwise.

 

[maingate]

It turns out they were a couple trying to keep a low profile named Schofield and Willoughby.

 

[alcam]

First time was around Annecy. On a previous year we had been there on Bastille day and it was just motorhome city. People parking on every available bit of concrete. We ended up spending a few days on some grounds outside a college that was shut for a few days with a few other vans. Came back a couple of years later (not on Bastille day) and parked in the same place. Got a few toots of the horn from what I figured out was the local campsite owner and sure enough next morning the Rozzers turned up and very politely asked us to move. The other incident was in Brittany I think. Bit cheeky really. There was an Aire a couple of hundred yards away but it was crammed so I parked on some grass which was part of a massive parking area for day trippers. Another van quickly joined us and I think we were in view of a house a couple of hundred yards away who must have complained to the Rozzers as one turned up and very reluctantly asked is to bugger off.

Was hoping for something more of a sex , drugs and rockn roll kind of thing

 

[Wully]

Just read this and noticed my name came up about something I said on another thread about the pallet and sqeeze bottle brigade and don’t think I need to explain but if a bunch of tossers turn up with a 100 quid van with no widows a few pallets stuck in the back with a mattress on top. At a place that I’ve paid to stay at and make an arse of themselves that’s my choice how I describe these morons. Nothing to do with self build motorhomes. I once had a van made from pallets and squeeze bottles and believe me I wouldn’t have wanted to stay near me. So no van snobbery from me just an observation and a bit of humour.

 

[mark61]

Pallets, blooming luxury. I just chucked a mattress in the back and camp cooker. Sometimes I didn't bother with the mattress.

 

[Wully]

That photo was taken at a very large picnic area with a kids play park and adventure area that you don’t see in the photo.Going by that photo and the area he was probably just set up for the day no problem in that I think.The nearest house is about 300yds away. I’ve seen a hundred times worse in the lay-bys a mile up the rd that are supposed to be in the National park and policed.

 

[wildebus]

Just read this and noticed my name came up about something I said on another thread about the pallet and sqeeze bottle brigade and don’t think I need to explain but if a bunch of tossers turn up with a 100 quid van with no widows a few pallets stuck in the back with a mattress on top. At a place that I’ve paid to stay at and make an arse of themselves that’s my choice how I describe these morons. Nothing to do with self build motorhomes. I once had a van made from pallets and squeeze bottles and believe me I wouldn’t have wanted to stay near me. So no van snobbery from me just an observation and a bit of humour.

one thing to explain if you could...... what exactly is the "pallet and sqeeze bottle brigade"?

 

[oppy]

Can I ask how long ago that was? I'm a site manager for the C&CC and have never heard the term FLT in respect of any motorhome owner on site. Neither can site managers terminate anyones membership. That has to be done by our head office customer services team. The club has rules, but these are endorsed and voted on every year either at the AGM or when members re-new their membership. Site staff have no input into making the rules, apart from being members ourselves, and are just making sure everyone has the same access and availability as everyone else. If you don't get that service, then by all means make a complaint about them. They are looked into by our performance managers and they take it seriously, as they should.

Sorry, we are members of the CCC and I realise now that two groups designated themselves thusly, the one that kicked us out was the one that called themselves 'funsters' . So sorry for yet another oppy 'foot in mouth' moment. Sue and I are happy to be in the CCC
Peter

 

[Wully]

David if you can’t deduce this from what I’ve already said then forget it. I’m not explaining or do I want to hear this mentioned again so let it be the end of it. If some people can’t get a bit of humour without being offended then I’ll stop posting on this forum and become a mute member.

 

[mistericeman]

David if you can’t deduce this from what I’ve already said then forget it. I’m not explaining or do I want to hear this mentioned again so let it be the end of it. If some people can’t get a bit of humour without being offended then I’ll stop posting on this forum and become a mute member.

I'm starting to feel a bit that way myself ...

Certainly last time I post ANYTHING like this again .

 

[wildebus]

David if you can’t deduce this from what I’ve already said then forget it. I’m not explaining or do I want to hear this mentioned again so let it be the end of it. If some people can’t get a bit of humour without being offended then I’ll stop posting on this forum and become a mute member.

seriously ,I am just wondering what "squeeze bottle" means. I have not a clue.