Using leisure centres and launderettes

[Nesting Zombie]

our local pool which i learnt to swim in was fabulous... a big pool which went down to 10'6" under the high diving board and lots of showers and a "slipper baths" - i never worked out why slippers needed a separate room of their own... cos i never dared go into it as a kid in case it was a "You'll get the slipper little madam if you dont behave" kind of a room.....

other baths near us had laundries as well....

Hi ya DG,
Having a laundry at a Pool would be a MASSIVE bonus !.

 

[wildebus]

Think it has been mentioned elsewhere on the forum, but apparently a good option for overnighting is to join the National Trust? I understand that lets you overnight in the majority of NT carparks and of course gives you a lot of gardens and 'national treasures' to visit.

Surely this is the origin of the term 'Public Baths' and 'Swimming Paths' Possibly the local authorities had some obligation to provide such facilities.

I certainly remember as a youngster that a bath or shower and towels was on the price list when we went swimming.

Paul

I suspect those days are long gone, sadly. The nice open air pool I used to go to in the local town (Martins Pool in Wokingham for anyone who remembers that one) has been a housing development for years. Shame really as it had lots of little wooded areas where young couples used to nip into for some 'privacy' :tongue:
Also used to go on family trips to a great open air pool in Camberley - the 'Blue Pool' (now serving the town as .... yup. A housing development)
My primary school had a little 10M pool that you could get a summer pass for in the long holidays and used to go every day - great for getting away from my mum Of course that is long gone as well. Now part of a housing development for wrinklies.

All Local Authorities are interested in is selling land for houses not providing amenities or facilities.

 

[malagaoth]

We stayed on a touring site in the summer - there is a big beach car park very close to it. We saw wild campers from a couple of motorhomes using the car park popping in to use the toilets and showers. Maybe another option?

there is a word for that - theft! (to be more accurate 'obtaining pecunary advantage')

that said if you park in a certain forest just north of Oban its a 50 yard walk into the C&CC toilets/showers

 

[Caz]

I used the shower in a motorway services in Devon last year but I can't remember which it was. It was free but did involve me going into the Gents as that was where it was located. It was a lovely hot shower but I did get some strange looks coming out of the gents. I had to leave my van keys with the man in W H Smiths in return for the key.

I have noticed some in the Ladies in some m/way services which appeared to be free - just wander in and use them, but I can't remember where.

When I was young the swimming baths in town had a section with some huge baths in, also some private rooms with baths, and I remember seeing people coming in to use them. Sadly that has gone, demolished in the 70s and replaced by a warden controlled housing unit for single young people, I suppose we needed that more than baths nowadays. They built a new Leisure Centre with pool instead. Now they've built an even bigger one and the first stands empty.

 

[alcam]

I used the shower in a motorway services in Devon last year but I can't remember which it was. It was free but did involve me going into the Gents as that was where it was located. It was a lovely hot shower but I did get some strange looks coming out of the gents. I had to leave my van keys with the man in W H Smiths in return for the key.

I have noticed some in the Ladies in some m/way services which appeared to be free - just wander in and use them, but I can't remember where.

When I was young the swimming baths in town had a section with some huge baths in, also some private rooms with baths, and I remember seeing people coming in to use them. Sadly that has gone, demolished in the 70s and replaced by a warden controlled housing unit for single young people, I suppose we needed that more than baths nowadays. They built a new Leisure Centre with pool instead. Now they've built an even bigger one and the first stands empty.

First flat had no bath , outside toilet . Used to go and have a bath then do washing in bath . Attendant used to bang on door shouting time up .
Baths were huge , carbolic soap provided

 

[gratefulj]

So Jason how are you finding the Life Generally ?.
Yeah it’s a kinda close call & possibly good alternative to keep in mind.
So Say £8 For wash n Dry.
I think I read somewhere that it’s £1:50/£2 for just Shower Use, so it’s up around the £10 mark if no Parking fee or Swimming or swimming cost. Although I doubt you can get rid of Grey, Cassette, Or a few bags of Domestic Waste as you could on a flying ‘Dump n Fill’ site visit!.
yes have to agree that I can see that the swim would sway it (How much is a Swim ?).
One of the places I have stayed when around that area was in a car park on the main road not far & on the same side as ‘The Pancake Cafe’ I think it was called, Lovely Walking area to.

So far it's been all adventure. From a very grounding beginning with mechanical problems to interesting encounters with new people every day. I had the option to go straight to a site in Spain when I started but fancied doing the winter in the UK. The van is old, damp and cold but it's ok as I don't notice in the night when the dogs stretched out beside me under the covers. I've got a question for you though about heating. I've got a gas heater that is obviously as old as the van and looks to have been part of the original conversion but seems to work ok. Would you leave it on all night on low? I have also got a working carbon monoxide/dioxide alarm as well.

I'm heading to Wales in December then on to the West coast of Ireland for Christmas then a ferry up to Scotland in January for a bit of skiing. It's actually a bit of a personal test cos if I can do all that through the winter in this little old van I can pretty much do anything in it.
How long have you been doing this??

 

[Channa]

Carvers fires and Trumas are designed as room sealed appliances so can be left on overnight with one important proviso , That is on an unknown appliance a service is a good idea more accurately the seal between the fire and flue should be replaced if it has been disconnected ( which you don't know ) so worth the effortand it shouldn't give any problems

Channa

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hey Matey,
I’m so glad that it’s working out for you, & it seems that you have the right kinda Positive Mental Attitude to this life.
I have to say that I’m not a great fan of Gas, Weird I know but I consider it a Wet heat, But Having said that it’s certainly economical & if fitted correctly so long as your on board ‘Housekeeping’ discipline is practiced & have both Adequate high & Low Level ventilations then I’m sure that a well kept & serviced gas fire will be fine to keep on low for hours on end.
I’ve been on The Nest (1996 Autotrail Chieftain Tag on a Peugeot Boxer an old one but a Good one in my mind) for about 6 years now, Before that I had a LDV Luton van & before that 0ver 25 years on Various Boats that I Bought, Renovated Or Built. So I’ve NEVER lived in a house !.
I love the sound of your imminent travels & really hope to catch you on the road at some point.
Give the dog a Ruff from me & be safe.

 

[martinmartin]

Whith all due respect what is it with showers, for the last 9 year's lve had a strip wash in less than four litres of water daily,l think the need to shower daily is optional probably more a state of mind.

 

[QFour]

We are fans of using a handy leisure centre. You can have a nice swim and a hot shower all for a reasonable price!

Mrs QFour

 

[alcam]

Whith all due respect what is it with showers, for the last 9 year's lve had a strip wash in less than four litres of water daily,l think the need to shower daily is optional probably more a state of mind.

Shower motorhome style doesn't use 4 litres surely ?

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Whith all due respect what is it with showers, for the last 9 year's lve had a strip wash in less than four litres of water daily,l think the need to shower daily is optional probably more a state of mind.

Hi ya Martin,
Well for me it’s more about Routine & Feeling Smug from the The satisfying Discipline Of liveing, Working Traveling , Eating & Sleeping in What by some is considered a small space in my chosen ‘Alternative’ lifestyle I like to feel Capable & Confidant in the fact that it’s as comfortable & as Clean as I can make both Myself & My environment.
When Working i Shower EVERY evening as I’m normally Really grubby from Shuffling Around, When not working I Strip wash as you say so it’s Alternate Days showering & normally on days I’m doing a small load of my clothes washing.
I’ve got PLENTY of hot water most of the time so,,,,,,Why Not !.
As for Water usage, I know I use Around the 150/200lt a week mark,,,,I also know that My Washing machine takes around the 35/45lt Mark per load, & I do 2 or 3 small loads a week. (Saving the big Bedding loads for my site ‘Fill n Dump’ visits). For me to have a good Shower it Takes Around the 5/6lt Mark at a Guess, By the time I’ve allowed for the Cooking, Tea/Coffee, Washing up, Shaveing, Washed the coffee grounds out of the Cafeteria & Wipe Down I would imagine I’m safe in saying I use Around 50lt of water on Shower & Clothes washing days, maybe 8/9lt on Non clothes washing days at a Guess for all my Livaboard needs. NEVER EVER ran out of water yet.

 

[Debroos]

Mway services vary hugely with regards to costs of shower.... some of the new ones are free like Gloucester , i have been asked for £11 at others and in ROI they are nearly always free...

I can't remember motorway sevices in ROI! Do they tend to be in the east?

 

[delicagirl]

I can't remember motorway sevices in ROI! Do they tend to be in the east?

i found lovely free shower on a small services on my way from mayo heading east towards Dublin to get the ferry to Holyhead - but i wont be doing the motorway route again as the Dublin area toll system is an utter nightmare - some of them you can only pay on the internet and the website you need to do that is on the overhead gantries !!! yes right i'm gonna try and read that and write it down whilst driving at 70mph.....

 

[Debroos]

Think it has been mentioned elsewhere on the forum, but apparently a good option for overnighting is to join the National Trust? I understand that lets you overnight in the majority of NT carparks and of course gives you a lot of gardens and 'national treasures' to visit.


I suspect those days are long gone, sadly. The nice open air pool I used to go to in the local town (Martins Pool in Wokingham for anyone who remembers that one) has been a housing development for years. Shame really as it had lots of little wooded areas where young couples used to nip into for some 'privacy' :tongue:
Also used to go on family trips to a great open air pool in Camberley - the 'Blue Pool' (now serving the town as .... yup. A housing development)
My primary school had a little 10M pool that you could get a summer pass for in the long holidays and used to go every day - great for getting away from my mum Of course that is long gone as well. Now part of a housing development for wrinklies.

All Local Authorities are interested in is selling land for houses not providing amenities or facilities.

Lots of National Trust car parks have no overnighting signs...

 

[IJenk52]

Gretna Green services has free showers...…...

 

[Caz]

Whith all due respect what is it with showers, for the last 9 year's lve had a strip wash in less than four litres of water daily,l think the need to shower daily is optional probably more a state of mind.

4 litres? Wash is fine on a daily basis - more like 1 litre is plenty though in a small sink.

However, hair is difficult in a small sink, hence my need for a shower every few days.

I have never lived anywhere that has a shower, at home I bathe. Water, gas and time consumption would be horrendous if I did that every day.

 

[gratefulj]

Glad I signed up to this

Thank you all so much. I'm really glad I signed up to Wildcamping. The camaraderie is fantastic and I don't feel daft asking questions. Your combined experience is a great resource that I'm sure I will be constantly tapping into in the future. Cheers.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Thank you all so much. I'm really glad I signed up to Wildcamping. The camaraderie is fantastic and I don't feel daft asking questions. Your combined experience is a great resource that I'm sure I will be constantly tapping into in the future. Cheers.

Hi ya Grarefulj,
Yes as you would expect on a public forum there’s a really good mix of Fun, Helpful, Knowledgable & Factual Members On here. There’s also Maybe unnecessarily confrontational, Verbally Forceful & Argumentative member but to be fair it’s the same with any collection of people in most walks of life isn’t it.
Ask away & I’m confident that in amongst the cross section of replies you will be able to pick out an answer that you can make work for you.
Bottom line,,,,Just Enjoy!.

 

[martinmartin]

Just catching up here, l boil about a litre of water tip it into the sink and add cold to suit, milder weather it's more colder weather it's less.its nice to have the luxury of a shower but it isn't a necessity.