The beauty of camping is travelling where and when you wish; plans can change; the weather can change etc.etc.
This year in Germany, for the first time, we were asked if we had booked. We still got in but wondered if times have changed and it's now normal to ring/email ahead and pay your fee.
Also, there were far more motorhomes/caravans than tents. We were the poor relations in our tent field, while everyone else seemed to be in their vans watching satellite TV. Is this another 'sign of the times?'
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Yes, motorhomes are everywhere and breeding like flies. They drive up and down the main roads but I have no Idea where they all go after that. By tea time they vanish . In Aires I suppose.
But we still don't book campsites either . We left a little campsite with stunning views on the top rim of the Gorges du Tarn a couple of days ago, about 30 pitches, two caravans, one biggish campervan, one tent and 26 empty pitches. We stayed overnight near Gueret - one caravan, one folder, one motorhome and 27 empty pitches.
With the weather so fierce in the south and centre of France booking and sticking it out is a mad plan. But I suppose for the big fun filled sites on the Med itself you have no choice.
If you feel like poor relations then thats what you are, otherwise just get on with it. Its not unusual to be asked whether you had booked but as you still got in then you did not need to book, if that answers your question?
Some of us enjoy doing it as cheap as poss. For example this campsite charges 20€ p/wk for wifi but here I am sat by the pool using the free wifi from the cafe next door.
We sometimes are asked if we've booked (we never do abroad). Maybe people have asked for a particular pitch, or they keep certain pitches for longer stays than the 1 night we normally have.
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I'd agree with what you say about there being more tin tenters. Some sites have very few tents at all, which is a bit of a shame. I don't really like being pitched up next to slamming doors and thudding floors.
We aim for little sites, which are sometimes more tentish. What is really annoying is when the flattest pitches with the lushest grass are reserved for those who need them least.
All I will say about sitting indoors on a campsite watching tv is .... I'd rather stick pins in my eyes. But hey' some people love ito.
And we've occasionally seen strange, tranquilised teenagers sitting in awnings all week watching dvds and playing online games. Not often, I'm glad to say :-)
We do book but we don't tour so choose a specific place and want a guaranteed pitch.
Touring with a big tent and gear is a pain and I want to keep driving to a minimum. I have a long commute every day.
As for telly and DVD. Forget it with us. Don't see the point. Our point is to get some down time. The number of tin tenters is increasing and I'm finding that tents seem to be shoved out of the way, both home and abroad. The MH and caravan users seem to lock themselves away and don't mix.
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