Wild Camping How To Guide

[hogwillis]

hi 1 and all
this is bound to be an old chestnut but i`m gona open the discussion anyway.
drinking alchol whilst wild camping,
what i mean is in the back parked up going no where,
what is the law.

 

[Firefox]

hi 1 and all
this is bound to be an old chestnut but i`m gona open the discussion anyway.
drinking alchol whilst wild camping,
what i mean is in the back parked up going no where,
what is the law.

If you check here it tells you all you need to know:

http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/general-chat/7712-drink-driving-laws.html

If you're going nowhere, and have evidence to show it, you're OK. If you are drunk asleep in the front seat of a normal car in a pub car park, you may have a hard time providing the evidence.

 

[n8rbos]

if you want a cheap meal then go to a supermarket bout 1/2hr before it shuts to get cheap bread,cakes,roasted foods etc. for free you can go 'skippin' in the skips at the back of the supermarkets, also you can go through the clothes recyclin' skips for clothes.

just a few tips i learnt off the road

 

[n8rbos]

if you are near to a motorway services use their shower facilities

 

[biggirafe]

hi 1 and all
this is bound to be an old chestnut but i`m gona open the discussion anyway.
drinking alchol whilst wild camping,
what i mean is in the back parked up going no where,
what is the law.

One thing to be careful of, if you are going to have a drink make sure you are not parked somewhere where you might have to move. If you don't could could end up between a rock and a hard place

 

[magbrin]

This is a long thread and I admit I have not read it all - sorry!
However the oldest posts indicate to be self sufficient. I agree that you should take stores with you for emergencies, but please think of the locals and where possible put a little income into the community you stop in by way of a pub meal, a few pounds spent in a local shop, or even supporting an event in a village hall, a farmers market or something. Being wild & free should not mean being mean! In the more remote areas of UK (and beyond) independant rural shops, pubs, petrol stations etc. rely on visitors as much or more than they rely on locals.

 

[Channa]

This is a long thread and I admit I have not read it all - sorry!
However the oldest posts indicate to be self sufficient. I agree that you should take stores with you for emergencies, but please think of the locals and where possible put a little income into the community you stop in by way of a pub meal, a few pounds spent in a local shop, or even supporting an event in a village hall, a farmers market or something. Being wild & free should not mean being mean! In the more remote areas of UK (and beyond) independant rural shops, pubs, petrol stations etc. rely on visitors as much or more than they rely on locals.

I agree, many moons ago I spent time in Lochcarron, Kishorn and Shieldaig

At that time I was visiting in laws.

Once a month and the highlight of my mother in laws world was a trip to Inverness to shop and no doubt window shop.

The result was the local stores in Lochcarron and Kishorn were a source of stamps the occasional botle of milk etc and produce of a consumable nature.

The Howard Doris shipyard in Kishorn ( now gone) kept many businesses afloat if only for the fact the dutch workers liked a drink in the evening.

I would love to settle in the highlands and this part particularly, but it will never happen.

I agree in this part of the world it is important to support the local economy best you can...even if it is a loaf of bread fresh eggs milk etc.

Channa

 

[alan and sue]

Hi All do not know if this has already been posted as been away and not read them all. If going to wild camp do not buy a van with only blow air heating, as the fan draws to many amps.(being none tec think that is correct term)

 

[defitzi]

defitzi

make sure your clothes are to hand if you sleep in the nuddie,as that could be rather embarrassing driving away in a hurry with no clothes on ha ha ha,good advice though!!!!

Too bloody late, matey -it HAS happened more than once
The reason wild wild wild wild storms like last weeks (in France)That was not the only time either....t'other was nasty louts over in Donegal (Ireland has more than its fair share of louts who the minute they see a camper anywhere they start banging on it and rocking and even smashing windows - and yes, I too AM Irish (or at least Anglo-Norman: like we've been here circa 1100 years so I do have a right to criticise my fellow Celts and to sleep in the nudie!

 

[defitzi]

defitzi

They sound like my golfing socks... got 18 holes!!!!!

But we digress!!

Our latest idea is to fit a set of air horns under the van with a 'panic' switch near the bed, I'm sure it would scare some off, and get attention from others - hopefully. If it didn't look so stupid I would like to fit a spot lamp in the centre of each side of the roof so you could light up the area all round the van - but perhaps we're all getting a bit paranoid?

nope- when everyone is out to get you, there is no point in being paranoid!
AND THEY ARE, YOU KNOW- OUT TO GET US.....

 

[defitzi]

defitzi

A Bobby told the old man not to keep a single golf club in the hall by the front door as that could be construed as an offensive weapon if used as a weapon in self defense as it would not normally be kept there, he advised him to keep the bag with all 14 clubs in it there as that wouldn't be classified as an offensive weapon as that was the place where they were permanantly kept!

my partner (last ofthye line) used to say that I was an offensive weapon in my own right and that I should keep it covered with pyamas or something in case anyone looked

 

[Randonneur]

my partner (last ofthye line) used to say that I was an offensive weapon in my own right and that I should keep it covered with pyamas or something in case anyone looked

LMAO!!!!!

 

[SeeYa]

Being caught with my trousers down

Forgive me but I'm just starting to consider the nomadic lifestyle and I'm very worried by the possible threat of (serious) antisocial behaviour - especially when I may have my trousers down!

How often do these sort of problems occur? Are there particular areas (of the UK) where it's noticeably worse than others?

My thoughts are really to take a year two/three out to see Europe. Is wilding as common in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Scandinavia or are there generally better facilities as I understand may be the case in France?

I've often seen motorhomes etc on or near beaches in Greece and some Turkey. Is it only the UK where yobs set out to share their miserable lives?

 

[Nolly]

Forgive me but I'm just starting to consider the nomadic lifestyle and I'm very worried by the possible threat of (serious) antisocial behaviour - especially when I may have my trousers down!

How often do these sort of problems occur? Are there particular areas (of the UK) where it's noticeably worse than others?

My thoughts are really to take a year two/three out to see Europe. Is wilding as common in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Scandinavia or are there generally better facilities as I understand may be the case in France?

I've often seen motorhomes etc on or near beaches in Greece and some Turkey. Is it only the UK where yobs set out to share their miserable lives?

Hi, SeeYa.
How we've found things.
Have wilded all over France for many years and can honestly say that I've never felt threatened, Annoyed sometimes, but never threatened.
Tried it for the first time last year in the UK and did'nt really feel comfortable, perhaps due to lack of other campers.(Safety in numbers.) That was in the Peak district, where generally people are very friendly.
We are going to give it another try this year hopefully in Wales and see how things pan out. If anybody feel like donating some advise on places to steer clear of would be eternally grateful.
Spain on the other hand, after the experience of being burgled while we slept is one country we are not in a hurry to revisit. Did'nt just get caught with my trousers down, the thieving toe rags actualy pinched them.
Regards Nolly.

 

[John H]

Have wildcamped in over 15 European countries (including those of the UK) for the past ten years and have rarely had any trouble. Some places we have moved on from because of noise, boy-racers or a general feeling of unease but these times are few and farbetween. Broken into once - in Budapest - but we werent overnighting at the time. Its all about making sensible choices. For example, we never wildcamp in large urban centres (especially at weekends) and always try to keep out of people's way while at the same time being near civilisation in case of trouble. France is superb with its official and free Aires (also spreading into other countries such as Spain). England is about the least motorhome-friendly country we know (but Scotland is good - especially the north and west). Look out for places where there are other motorhomes (but not too many or the locals will get upset).

 

[GregM]

We've only wild camped twice so far, (not including the AJS Birthday meet), both in Wales.

The first time apart from bird watcher and dog walkers during early evening/morning it was really peaceful.

The second time was just a couple of weeks ago near Barry, we expected a quiet evening as the car park gate was shut around 6pm and we saw it being shut but then around 8pm two cars turned up and parked next to us. It turned out they where fishermen and they had taken a couple of youths with them. The youths we're messing around but not threatening and they left by 11pm.

Based on this limited experience and taking advise from this site, ie park in a way you can make a quick exit etc, we have no worries about wild camping again.

 

[3wheeler]

Base ball bat with four 6in nails hammered through , be sure to have wrist strap ,cs gas in long slim fire extinguisher , sawn off shotgun with four doz heavy shot cartridges , and stab proof vests , I think you can still get them from Army and Navy ,Kids sizes a bit of a problem. 3wheeler.

 

[biggirafe]

Forgive me but I'm just starting to consider the nomadic lifestyle and I'm very worried by the possible threat of (serious) antisocial behaviour - especially when I may have my trousers down!

How often do these sort of problems occur? Are there particular areas (of the UK) where it's noticeably worse than others?

My thoughts are really to take a year two/three out to see Europe. Is wilding as common in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Scandinavia or are there generally better facilities as I understand may be the case in France?

I've often seen motorhomes etc on or near beaches in Greece and some Turkey. Is it only the UK where yobs set out to share their miserable lives?

Hi and welcome
We wild camp and find its about common sense, If you are alone then check out the place during daylight if you can, is there broken glass about, beer cans, ripped up fag paper packets, condoms ie any evidense that once the sun goes down the quiet place you have chosen is going to be wanted by someone else. If there is any of this just move on its not worth the worry.

Park so that you can't be blocked in and can just drive away. ie don't leave your boots and chairs outside.

Use internal window blinds not extrnal one.

The issues are different, some times its just kids and thugs who are wide awake when you want to sleep, these are not in general dangerous so long as you don't antagonise a situation, I'd love to get out the van and slap em, but you have to be sensible and know your limits.

However an attack by genuine theives is a different thing and you need to be aware it does happen, thankfully its rare and taking basic security steps seems to reduce the rick until its nothing to worry about.

Lock ya van, use dead loacks and bolt the habitation door, we have a red flashing led over the hab door and another in the cab, these are known to hurt the brains of thugs and thieves, also a big 'beware of the dog sticker' does the trick

The next bits are my own feelings, Apart from noise annoying me I have never felt threatened or needed to drive away but I have a big stick, I'm 6'4'' Ex military. I would not leave the van, basic rule I was taught 'Stay in the van', if you get out you may or may not win, I've got kids with me I would rather run away and hate myself for doing it. The stick is for if they get in, its on the shelf by the bed

All sounds rather scary but as I said in truth I have never felt threatened but it does happen and you should be prepared, IMHO its part of the 'thrill' of wilding

 

[Kontiki]

One other thing I would say that unless you are 100% sure there won't be any problems then make sure you are ready to move quickly if you had to. i.e. put away loose items etc. before you go to bed so that you can just open the blinds & drive off. Would agree that the best option is to run away if you feel threatened it's just not worth getting into a situation where you don't know what you are facing.
If you have an alarm, locks etc. get into the habit of putting them on everytime so it becomes second nature, after all thieves operate everywhere.

We have on a couple of occasions got up & moved, usually from cars parking too close for our comfort & playing loud music. Good tip to have a bit of a walk around the area you park & assess what is likely to happen when the sun goes down.

Making us sound paranoid but in reality in all our years of wildcamping throughout Europe we haven't ever been in a position where we felt physically threatened.

 

[SeeYa]

Thanks for your positive and honest responses. I'm now really getting into this idea but, as with all things new, what looks pretty straightforward starts to get a bit more complex as you get into the detail.

I'm currently looking at motorhomes suitable for a single guy whose pretty domesticated (ie can cook, will clean etc) for long term use.

From what I've seen, I'll be looking for a 20/22 footer set up for no more than four berths. I'm attracted to an A-class with the drop down bed over the front seats which seems to offers a more airey feel (while on the road) but I have seen plenty of interesting coachbuilts that (I think) would suit me just fine.

Given that my interest is mostly in continental Europe (maybe into Turkey), I'm also thinking LHD would be best and, despite what I've been told by a salesman, managed to get what looks like a competitive insurance quote ~£330 unlimited days in Europe (inc RAC cover) for a 2000 Karmann Bahia on Merc 312 Sprinter chassis.

So, limited desk and a bit of field research has got me to a point where my absolute tops £17.5k budget and expectation of 30mpg (!!!) might buy me a 1999 Hymer 544 (Ducato), a 2000 Karmann Bahi 635(Sprinter), a 2002 Swift Bel-Air (which are all real and on my, probably all too naive, shortlist) or any one of any number of the many vehicles currently on offer.

So, the first question is, does anyone have any experience of the three named and/or have any suggestions about what might better fit my general bill?

The next one is more difficult cos it gets down to the nitty gritty of how my choice should be guided in terms of what's actually required/needed and what's wanted or desireable in terms of functions and features. For example, I understand the bit about availability of Butane and Propane in different countries but haven't yet got to grips with this smart idea of a bigger tank using standard LPG from the pump!

Finally (for the moment at least), I live on the Wirral so, if there's anyone who lives or is visiting hereabouts and might be interested in exchanging some home truths about what I'm planning in return for some refreshments in a nearby hostelry, just let let me know and ...

.... thanks for bearing with me while I struggle on with this!

Pete