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We have just come back from Elvaston on our maiden voyage with our new caravan - very nice too. It was nice not to have to wonder about the effects of the wind too much!

The reason I ask my question is that we were on a part of the campsite where the tents (some) were suffering rather from the high winds. One tent (vango) had its rather sturdy (was!) gazebo with legs bent all over, blown into the main tent causing the poles of the canopy to buckle. The people in the caravan opposite just watched. There were two guys ( tent campers) and myself trying to untangle every thing and put the gazebo and canopy down with the caravan audience. Meanwhile my husband was on another part of the field putting his own pegs in a Bear lake which wasnt very well pegged out. (It was concertina'ing with the hoops moving backwards!! and the groundsheet blowing upwards!) The caravanners next door to the bear lake just again just watched and said to my OH "ooh isnt the wind getting up?"

To put the cherry on the cake when the Vango people came back the bloke from the caravan opposite went legging it over to tell them what had happened!

In a word probably NO!

Particularly if it is a tent!

We only ever use CLs and mostly find people will help if you look to be having problems.  The one time we went to a big site we were trying to find a place to pitch and, as it was wet, got stuck.  So how many people helped to push us out?  You've guessed it, NONE!  They all stood, arms folded watching my son and I push whilst OH tried to coax the car to move.  We eventually got onto a tarmac road and drove straight out and found another small CL.

When we first started camping we had a TT.  One day when packing up it was very windy and the canvas kept trying to take off!  Very helpful couple in caravan near to us sat in their deck chairs watching us as if we were the local entertainment. 

I think it's often a case where people are too afraid to offer help.  It's a shame.  We will always offer help and, if no help required, will gladly put the kettle on for newly arrived campers be they in tent, caravan or whatever.

Jazzycats.

I always help if someone is, or appears to be, in difficulty.

Two years ago, we were on a site in Cornwall.  An elderly fellow (nearly as old as me) came and asked if we could help him with his awning (His wife was an invalid). Two of us helped. Just up the site there were some caravanners who were laughing, and afterwards said he "pulled the same stunt last year".  But his wife was either in a wheelchair, or leaning on calipers, so I personally could not see it as a "stunt".

I suppose, if you regularly help people, you may come across a lead swinger at some time.  I still help regardless; the risk is that you could otherwise ignore someone who genuinely needs assistance.

Bertie.

i was on a beach once with one of those pop up shelters, went up in 1 second flat, but trying to get it back in the bag, that was something else and we had  a 100 eyes watching us. every time we looked around everyone turned away lol

we was like a punch and judy show

anyway kept us entertained  for about half an hour till we gave up and popped it in a rubbish bin

I Tend not to pitch near to Poor People ( tenters)!

Only Joking !

Quote: Originally posted by Big Al on 30/8/2010

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I Tend not to pitch near to Poor People ( tenters)!

That  made me smile, Big Al

Only Joking !

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Greetings,

There are a couple of couples in our centre who, on arrival at a rally, do not need to ask for assistance. They are both elderly and are physically beyond putting an awning up.

As a result, as soon as they arrive, they are mobbed by helpers who, in the blink of an eye, put up their awnings.

We will all get to that stage one day.

I only hope that people will be as kind to me when I get 'creaky'. How many people give up because they are in fear of not being able to cope and don't want to ask for help.

I realise not everybody is going to 'help' for various reasons as listed above  - thats fine BUT to the bloke opposite who watched us who then scuttled over to the wind blown 'tenters' when they arrived back - he was perfectly happy to tell them! Now that was taking the biscuit.

and Big Al............ I didnt realise that there was such a social/money class system to camping!!!  am now educated!

I am happy to help anyone with anything with no reward or thanks but some people regardless of accomodation don't wanbt to accept help and others are happier to moan about folk.

I holiday in a caravan. I draw no distinction between those in tents, caravans, motorhomes whatever.