We were away at the weekend, the site had huge pitches and we noticed everyone parked their cars in front of their caravans so we did the same. We put our awning up and then our neighbours parked their car alongside our awning! I thought this was quite rude but didn't say anything as wasn't sure whether I was being petty! They didn't have an awning so had a massive area all to themselves, is there an "unwritten" rule about where to park your car or do you just tend to follow what your fellow campers are doing?
Yes, there is such a "rule" followed by the Clubs and some commercial sites, where the towcar is parked to the right of the caravan (looking forward) with the awning of course on the 'van's nearside, so the next unit's car will be next to your awning.
Never seen the logic of it myself (it means that if you want something out of your car you have to walk through the awning and round the back or front of your 'van) but it does keep the site looking tidy and means there's a reasonable fire gap between vans.
I think your neighbour was probably simply observing this convention and almost certainly did not wish to cause offence.
We are members of both clubs and use various independent sites, our car is usually parked on the opposite side to the awning, there have been a few sites where the car has to be parked across the front of the van. Where the car has to be parked never bothers us, we are only there for about a short time, remember it's a break from normal routine, enjoy it.
Well that's odd as it means I have never stayed on a site with the rule mentioned above. Every site I've ever stayed on, bar one, has been caravan, awning, car - so the car is next to the awning. The exception to this was where the car was in front of the caravan and awning.
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 12/4/2017
We always camp on the continent where we have had various configurations depending on the site and the pitch, and which way we set up the caravan ...
I haven't come across a continental site, yet, that required a particular formula ...
I can't comment re UK camping as we've only used a couple of sites 'en route' to ferries ...
Ah ... well, Stuart ... I have never camped in Holland! The Dutch are probably more rigorous about camping than anyone else ... or .... that's why they flee to all corners of Europe, and fill all campsites ... to avoid the rigors of home!
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 12/4/2017
We always camp on the continent where we have had various configurations depending on the site and the pitch, and which way we set up the caravan ...
I haven't come across a continental site, yet, that required a particular formula ...
I can't comment re UK camping as we've only used a couple of sites 'en route' to ferries ...
-and thank goodness its like that! Continental sites have much more visual interest and appeal. Caravan Club sites are so boring and regimented
The caravan club etiquette is car, caravan then awning, if everybody sticks to this it saves your neighbours being too close for comfort, allowing a decent space and car between you regardless of having an awning up or not.
We once refused a pitch on a non caravan club site as the neighbours had plonked their caravan in such an awkward place on their pitch that if we used the etiquette mentioned above we would have almost been living with their kids, dogs etc.
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 12/4/2017
We always camp on the continent where we have had various configurations depending on the site and the pitch, and which way we set up the caravan ...
I haven't come across a continental site, yet, that required a particular formula ...
I can't comment re UK camping as we've only used a couple of sites 'en route' to ferries ...
-and thank goodness its like that! Continental sites have much more visual interest and appeal. Caravan Club sites are so boring and regimented
OH thinks they look like rows of big white grave stones all lines up in a row.
I think if there are no rules it can lead to chaos and in some cases be dangerous with caravans or motorhomes being so close together.
If you tent camp, caravan or motorhome etc you will at some time come across the " I will place my unit on my pitch anyway I like brigade" and if you don't like it... tough!.This can also happen on the continent, they are not all perfect sites!
The CC asks you to park inline with a peg on the pitch, this ensure a safe distance between units and also gives a bit of privacy on your pitch. Which I am sure we all appreciate.
It is common sense to park on the opposite side from your awning so I don't see that as being "regimented".
We also use non club sites and have often felt uncomfortable about how close the vans are and can also look like "big white grave stones all lined up in a row". so its not exclusive to the club site that someone has visited.
Although I can honestly say its not like that on the CC sites I use. I wouldn't want to stay on any site that has that type of layout, club or non club site.
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