The End Is Nigh?

[caledonia]

I think it’s like everything once again it’s the few that give the rest a bad name because as Ruth said some are really clean it’s the few that are not!

With the huge rise in van dwellers the problem is only going to get worse and recreational use of motorhomes using public places will have more restrictions. We will all be forced to use campsites or designated places. So glad I stay in Scotland where wildcamping in my van is still enjoyable.

 

[GreggBear]

Think I'd like to move North too. I love Scotland, if I ever get my ass in gear & start full timing I reckon I'll spend a lot of time over the border if they let me in....

 

[Fisherman]

I'm actually talking about vans that we see in seaside towns parked on the seafront, usually occupied by a single bloke. I don't really care if you want to call them travellers, Irish tinkers or Romany, they are in the eyes of the beholder a motorhomer that is destroying their neighbourhood and are associated with all other motorhomers.

And they should be moved on.
We saw what you are talking about in Stonehaven last year. The van was a disgrace, an eyesore. But I did not regard him as a normal Motorhomer, and I don't think he should be regarded as one. I also witnessed a Spanish couple who Parked up a dilapidated caravan in Musselburgh for weeks on end. They would leave in the morning then reappear at night each day. We reckoned they were possibly students, or possibly were working in Edinburgh. The police should have moved them on, but instead we have barriers and signage at Musselburgh. If this act is to be used only on travellers then I am all for it, but then how do we identify a traveller. Thats the point I am trying to make.

 

[Fisherman]

Think I'd like to move North too. I love Scotland, if I ever get my ass in gear & start full timing I reckon I'll spend a lot of time over the border if they let me in....

Off course we will let you in Gregg, even if we leave the union. We are a friendly lot up here.
Anyway most of the vans on the road during the summer don't come from here.

 

[martinmartin]

Think I'd like to move North too. I love Scotland, if I ever get my ass in gear & start full timing I reckon I'll spend a lot of time over the border if they let me in....

Of course they'll let you in but you need three things.A mcgreggor tartan cap,a haggis catching net and a love for screeching bagpipes.

 

[antiquesam]

Off course we will let you in Gregg, even if we leave the union. We are a friendly lot up here.
Anyway most of the vans on the road during the summer don't come from here.

Unfortunately if you leave the Union and stay in the EU we'll have to have a border and only be allowed to stay 90 days in any 180.

 

[Fisherman]

Yes Maingate I am aware of this. But it does not give them a right to simply sit for weeks outside someones property or on any part of public ground.

Of course they'll let you in but you need three things.A mcgreggor tartan cap,a haggis catching net and a love for screeching bagpipes.

Screeching bagpipes, Your definitely barred.

 

[Fisherman]

Unfortunately if you leave the Union and stay in the EU we'll have to have a border and only be allowed to stay 90 days in any 180.

Not if you are English, Welsh or Irish. The Irish can come and live here and vice versur.
Anyway hopefully common sense will break out and it won't happen
But then again Sam common sense seems in short supply these days.

 

[Fisherman]

With the huge rise in van dwellers the problem is only going to get worse and recreational use of motorhomes using public places will have more restrictions. We will all be forced to use campsites or designated places. So glad I stay in Scotland where wildcamping in my van is still enjoyable.

sadly I think you are spot on Caledonia.
As each barrier is erected, each sign put up, places for wild camping in towns and cities are getting harder to find. Combine this with not only an increase in sales of Motorhomes, but an influx from Europe and the pressure on those that remain will get worse. But we witnessed problems in rural locations also up here. But as you say we are spoilt up here for places.

 

[trevskoda]

Lots of space over here, park where you like.

 

[Moonraker 2]

This is a debate that is needed and I am glad to see people's points of view without nastiness.
Yes large groups of travellers need to be dealt with quickly by law, for the reasons mentioned.
The needs of motor homers also needs to be looked at. There are many who live in Van's who are working but cannot afford a home, why can they not be allowed to use car parks with some restrictions. Continuing to punish the poor is a rotten way to run a society.
Wild camping is tricky because as more people own Van's, wild places will become over used?
There is not one answer fits all, but a variety of responses could make a difference. We just need a sympathetic view of our situation which sadly we don't seem to get.
I am finding it harder and harder to use local car parks for outings (not overnight) because of my high top, which is discriminatory and unfair.

 

[caledonia]

This is a debate that is needed and I am glad to see people's points of view without nastiness.
Yes large groups of travellers need to be dealt with quickly by law, for the reasons mentioned.
The needs of motor homers also needs to be looked at. There are many who live in Van's who are working but cannot afford a home, why can they not be allowed to use car parks with some restrictions. Continuing to punish the poor is a rotten way to run a society.
Wild camping is tricky because as more people own Van's, wild places will become over used?
There is not one answer fits all, but a variety of responses could make a difference. We just need a sympathetic view of our situation which sadly we don't seem to get.
I am finding it harder and harder to use local car parks for outings (not overnight) because of my high top, which is discriminatory and unfair.

We’re a victim of our own success. I thought long and hard about what van I bought. I didn’t want to use campsites and I wanted to spend most of my time exploring remote areas. This ruled out a big white motorhome or a highroofed conversion. I settled on a lwb T5 nearly 8 years ago and have never had any regrets. It fits under height barriers and doesn’t look out of place in remote carparks.

 

[Fisherman]

This is a debate that is needed and I am glad to see people's points of view without nastiness.
Yes large groups of travellers need to be dealt with quickly by law, for the reasons mentioned.
The needs of motor homers also needs to be looked at. There are many who live in Van's who are working but cannot afford a home, why can they not be allowed to use car parks with some restrictions. Continuing to punish the poor is a rotten way to run a society.
Wild camping is tricky because as more people own Van's, wild places will become over used?
There is not one answer fits all, but a variety of responses could make a difference. We just need a sympathetic view of our situation which sadly we don't seem to get.
I am finding it harder and harder to use local car parks for outings (not overnight) because of my high top, which is discriminatory and unfair.

What is it we are asking for.

1) somewhere to park up for the night, in a carpark that will be nearly empty.
2) somewhere for a small fee where we can empty our cassettes, grey water and replenish our water.

Whats required.

1) less use and removal of some barriers and signage preventing us from doing what we enjoy.
2) good considerate behaviour from us whilst “wild camping”
3) A body that looks after our interests, and validates us as responsible considerate people.

Is this to much to ask, I don’t think so, will it ever happen, sadly I don’t think so.

 

[caledonia]

What is it we are asking for.

1) somewhere to park up for the night, in a carpark that will be nearly empty.
2) somewhere for a small fee where we can empty our cassettes, grey water and replenish our water.

Whats required.

1) less use and removal of some barriers and signage preventing us from doing what we enjoy.
2) good considerate behaviour from us whilst “wild camping”
3) A body that looks after our interests, and validates us as responsible considerate people.

Is this to much to ask, I don’t think so, will it ever happen, sadly I don’t think so.

I understand your post but to people or authorities who don’t have a motorhome your needs are already met with the campsites all over the country and the Caravan and Camping Club. When you mention wildcamping in a motorhome people who do not understand our passion think your only trying to avoid paying for the facilities already provided ie campsites.

 

[Fisherman]

I understand your post but to people or authorities who don’t have a motorhome your needs are already met with the campsites all over the country and the Caravan and Camping Club. When you mention wildcamping in a motorhome people who do not understand our passion think your only trying to avoid paying for the facilities already provided ie campsites.

Hence the bit at the end caledonia in my post.
Like you most of my time is spent in rural locations.
Csmpsites have their place, and we do occasionally use them.
But we much prefer going somewhere miles away from the hustle and bustle.
I just hate to see good people are being treated so poorly.

 

[Moonraker 2]

What is it we are asking for.

1) somewhere to park up for the night, in a carpark that will be nearly empty.
2) somewhere for a small fee where we can empty our cassettes, grey water and replenish our water.

Whats required.

1) less use and removal of some barriers and signage preventing us from doing what we enjoy.
2) good considerate behaviour from us whilst “wild camping”
3) A body that looks after our interests, and validates us as responsible considerate people.

Is this to much to ask, I don’t think so, will it ever happen, sadly I don’t think so.

It won't happen if we moan on here and just wish for it. What we need to do is lobby and we could co-ordinate it on here perhaps.
I constantly mention being allowed to use the car park to overnight on the comments form at National Trust properties, now if we all did it , it might start to have an impact. I would go to the members meetings but they are usually miles away. But someone else could.
I have written to congratulate councils that allow over night parking in their car parks.
I have written to complain to my town council and my county council.
Put your words into action.

 

[Fisherman]

It won't happen if we moan on here and just wish for it. What we need to do is lobby and we could co-ordinate it on here perhaps.
I constantly mention being allowed to use the car park to overnight on the comments form at National Trust properties, now if we all did it , it might start to have an impact. I would go to the members meetings but they are usually miles away. But someone else could.
I have written to congratulate councils that allow over night parking in their car parks.
I have written to complain to my town council and my county council.
Put your words into action.

Moonraker, when I first came on here I assumed wrongly that all of us would be together on this, but we are not. I even got abuse from one poster who told me that I was full of p—h, another telling me I was a naive daydreamer. I constantly get told that councils have better things to do with their time (which they have, but that’s no reason to treat us like crap). I don’t do much wild camping in towns and none in cities. But I feel that we are poorly treated by most councils. But without unity amongst us on here, and some who behave like idiots when wild camping, I doubt if there is much that we can do.

 

[Moonraker 2]

Fisherman, I understand your view and it can be hard when others might be negative. If you prefer to stay out in the countryside then I guess you just have to watch the land owners.
I just press on and do what I can and try to keep positive, and I am sure there are a few in this group who might join in. Sometimes it just needs a suggestion.
I have not seen evidence of many who are behaving like idiots when wild camping, but quite a few day trippers who do!

 

[mariesnowgoose]

What is it we are asking for.

1) somewhere to park up for the night, in a carpark that will be nearly empty.
2) somewhere for a small fee where we can empty our cassettes, grey water and replenish our water.

Whats required.

1) less use and removal of some barriers and signage preventing us from doing what we enjoy.
2) good considerate behaviour from us whilst “wild camping”
3) A body that looks after our interests, and validates us as responsible considerate people.

Is this to much to ask, I don’t think so, will it ever happen, sadly I don’t think so.

I understand your post but to people or authorities who don’t have a motorhome your needs are already met with the campsites all over the country and the Caravan and Camping Club. When you mention wildcamping in a motorhome people who do not understand our passion think your only trying to avoid paying for the facilities already provided ie campsites.

Unfortunately we're back to the need for 'aires' to be provided more widely, but most councils will not even remotely understand this concept because a) aires are alien and not "British" and b) they have no imagination because they generally lack business awareness and vision. They also often suffer from xenophobia and parochialism into the bargain, which doesn't help.
Not that these attitudes are restricted to councillors or people who work for councils, I hasten to add!

 

[trevskoda]

Jes marie,xenophobia/parochialism,two more things to ask my doctor about,i think i have both.