12 oclock rule

[RogerL]

Parksy - sorry if you feel that normal use of English is harsh, the other contributors didn't seem to have a problem.

It's difficult to have a genuine debate with such censorship.

 

[Parksy]

Parksy - sorry if you feel that normal use of English is harsh, the other contributors didn't seem to have a problem.

It's difficult to have a genuine debate with such censorship.

Roger

All too often I've seen where innocuous remarks similar to the ones that I am talking about escalate into bad tempered exchanges.

Every moderating decision from a very gentle nudge such as I posted to post deletions and closed topics seems to generate protest amd ill will on this forum so nothing new there then.

Had you read my post properly you would notice that I had praised the debate and I'm saddened that you feel that my efforts to preserve forum unity and the smooth running of the forum by appealing to posters good nature constitutes cencorship.

 

[Parksy]

Roger

All too often I've seen where innocuous remarks similar to the ones that I am talking about escalate into bad tempered exchanges.

Every moderating decision from a very gentle nudge such as I posted to post deletions and closed topics seems to generate protest amd ill will on this forum so nothing new there then.

Had you read my post properly you would notice that I had praised the debate and I'm saddened that you feel that my efforts to preserve forum unity and the smooth running of the forum by appealing to posters good nature constitutes cencorship.

Not got my typing head on today

should read

and

censorship

 

[RogerL]

Parksy - sorry if you feel that normal use of English is harsh, the other contributors didn't seem to have a problem.

It's difficult to have a genuine debate with such censorship.

I think the debate has been carried on in a responsible way, had no signs of deterioation and didn't warrant any moderation input.

As moderator you clearly differ with my view.

 

[Lutz]

I'm afraid I don't share concern over the 12 o'clock issue. We're not early risers so to be on the road sometime between 11 and 12 fits in with our natural habit. Consequently, it's also highly unlikely that we would ever arrive anywhere before noon. In exceptional circumstances where this might be the case it's easy to delay arrival until later by having an extended teabreak en route.

Our biggest problem is in winter when a good many campsite offices close at dusk and there's nobody around when we arrive to let us in or to arrange an electric hook up.

 

[SteveW77]

Please continue to debate, but can we leave out phrases such as penny pinching or tight fisted? I know that no ill will is meant whatsoever but it reads more harshly than it was probably intended,

If anyone has been offended by my posts, then I appologise, it was not my intent.

Steve W

 

[Thorpedo]

Wonder what I'd do if I ran a camp site?.

Think I'd put charges and rules in place so that my hospitality wasn't abused, I think I'd allow departure up to 12:00 and arrivals a little later.

I'd like to remain flexible and allow early arrivals and late departures when possible without imposing extra charges in order that my visitors are relaxed and will want to come back.

I would expect my guests to ask permission to take advantage of my flexible approach.

Then in year 2 I'd either be bankrupt, or I'd get greedy and start imposing all the little charges and rules possible like so many other commercial sites.

lets see, Dog, gazebo, awning, groundsheet, pup tent, kids, extra car, long caravan, late departure, early arrival, Guests, use of Bar-B, Large pitch, hook-up, fully serviced, washing line, sea view, use of the shower, sneezing,..............

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi all

sorry rogerL but I disagree with your point of view and do so for several good reasons:

1. even in the summer the awning would not be dry enough to take down at 10am if the van is positioned in the shade let alone in winter just look outside at 10am this morning (easter sunday march the 23rd) and tell me that your or any awning would be in a fit state to pack away??.

2. if as you suggest weekenders pay for a extra night then as they will have purchased that pitch for all of sunday they would not have to move untill late sunday if they did not want to, or untill monday morning either way that pitch would now not be avalible for use untill monday at 10am so therefore not be free for anyone arriving on sunday anyway, as the pitch would have been paid for.

3.if one is moving sites on sunday the assumption is that the last pitch was vacated by 10am on the last site so it would be better for all having a leaving time say around midday arriving on the new site in the afternoon.

4.if like me you dont do weekends but prefer to tour for full weeks or part of weeks why the hell move on a sunday the busiest day of the week much better to stay put and move monday then you get a pick of vacant pitches on a new site.

colin

 

[SteveW77]

colin- yorkshire

I personally never wait until the morning of departure to take the awning down, I do it the afternoon before as it is bound to rain or some other disaster is bound to strike. There are as many reasons for not allowing people to over stay as there are reasons why people shoud be allowed to. Whether or not this has any affect on the availability is neither here or there. The basic point still remains if you want to stay longer,then pay for it.

Steve W

Steve W

 

[Gareth111278]

I've never had problems with leaving a bit later if i need to. We only use CL's though and as i posted before i just ask the owner how things are looking and ask if i can pack up and park the caravan somewhere out of the way until later so we can go and do things close-by, most say its Ok left on pitch if they aren't busy.

I think from reading the posts above that most of you are using big caravan sites that are busy, the odd occasion we're used these i've got the awning down the day before, as posted above, the chance of rain is too great with a 12.00 deadline!

It'd be nice if sites had lots of spare pitches wouldn't it!

 

[RogerL]

Personally, I wouldn't use an awning for a weekend - takes too much time putting up / taking down - out of an already restricted period.

When I'm on a long-term touring holiday, I simply don't want a situation where we arrive at a site at 2pm to be told there's no pitches available until 4/5/6 - what are we supposed to do for 2/3/4 hours? It's the reason we avoid moving sites on a Sunday whenever possible.

There is no issue at all, off-peak, because there's enough capacity to cope with both groups. The issue only occurs on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, at peak times. The solution is simple, book and pay for an extra night.

This issue ONLY arises because weekenders want something for nothing - if that's harsh I apologise but it's true.

 

[TD42]

I feel that the attitude of its OK to stay on pitch for an extra fee then the requirment for the evacuation of the pitch was not justified,on the basis that the pitch is not immediatly required for another camper otherwise it would not be available even for an extra charge However I do agree with evacuation/arrival times in general

 

[Gareth111278]

Just to clairify what i posted eariler ,

I would never ask or expect to be allowed to stay on a pitch that was needed by new arrivals, Its a poor start to anyones Holiday if having driven all night [as i do often] you can't get on pitch when you've timed you're arrival to fit i with the time stated.

I do think that if possible park owners should waive the depature time if new arrivals aren't expected , unless they need to mow the site for example.

Gareth

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi all

sorry people either you are missing the point or just ignoring it.

fact(a) some caravanners need an awning because it is used for sleeping in taking it down the day before is just not an option.

fact(b)if someone pays for a extra night do you really think they are going to leave the site before 2 or 3 o clock no chance, they are going to sit there untill the last minute possible say 8 or 9 pm either way the pitch would be tied up.

 

[RogerL]

Commercial sites with 10am departure rules don't have this problem - why do CC sites with a 12pm rule, in peak periods only, attract criticism from a minority of weekenders?

If you can't get the awning down and everything packed by 12, you really should be booking and paying for another night.

If I've booked and paid for a pitch I want to get on it as soon after 12pm as possible - not wait for someone to vacate the pitch they haven't paid for.

If weekenders pay for Sunday night, in peak periods only, then it's a level playing field.

 

[LizCornwall]

I thought I would add my 2pence worth hehehe, there has to be rules on pitches "time to vacate", especially in high season, if the pitch has a quick change over, tis up to you to vacate on time, regardless whether you have awning, most people take there awnings down the day before leaving.

Site owners and wardens have no control on the weather, or peoples circumstances whether they use there awnings as bedrooms.

Obviously these 12o'clock rules are cc and ccc sites?

Some sites you have to vacate pitch by 10.00o'clock.

Liz

 

[SteveW77]

Surely the the whole point is that there must be rules or it would be chaos. What ever times you picked for arrival & departure, somebody will complain or ask to be treated as an exception. As virtually every trip I make means traversing the M25,I would rather travel at night, but unless I am going to Cornwall this isn't really practical as you arrive hours to early and end up wasting time stooging around wasting time until 12 oclock.

Steve W

 

[MartinJ]

Its been an interesting thread. Obviously your point of view will differ depending on whether you are lucky enough to be able to come and go as you please or whether you have to be back at work on a Monday morning.

I am not against rules - you have a right to expect your pich to be availble at a designated time. I just think the designated time ought to be 4pm on a Sunday ONLY.

The awning point is a good one. Its the devils own job to have to dry your awning at home unless you are lucky enough to have plenty of room. There is no point putting your awning up Friday night if you have to take it down again saturday tea time because it wont have time to dry on a Sunday morning.

Roger - if I were moving sites / going to a site on a Sunday I would probably have an extra cup of tea in the morning, a nice leisurely lunch and aim to arrive on site at 4pm. That would seem to solve the problem of having the van on the back for a couple of hours and nothing to do.

If you want your pitch earlier than 4pm on a Sunday you could always pay for an extra night and book the Saturday as well?

 

[RogerL]

Martin - when touring we like to travel about 2 hours - you suggest that on Sundays we don't leave until after lunch but spend all evening setting up - but I like to be finished setting up by 5 and opening the tinnies - you obviously don't mind suggesting that the rest of the world fits your schedule - so I hope you don't mind me suggesting that you shouldn't mess other people around like this.

You seem to want us to put our life on hold for several hours to save you one night's pitch fees - I don't see the justification.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi all

martin has a good point if you want to arrive on a site and set up early book and pay for sat night then the pitch will be avalible on sunday morning as soon as the office opens, we have done this several times when traveling over night knowing we will be at the site early morning the extra tenner or so makes no differance on a week or longer stay as some sites offer discounts for 8 day or longer stays that way roger will be able to get into the tins by 12 0 clock.

the weekenders also having paid for an extra night could then take there time dissemarking at some point when it suits them around sunday afternoon and everybody would be happy YES well er no' because I suspect there would not be enough pitches to go round then???.

the best bet I find it to leave the weekenders to have their stay in peace and move sites on monday, no hassle no rush,then everybody IS happy as there is no conflict over leaving times.

simple really.

colin

 

[BeemerMal]

Colin-Yorkshire wrote:

"martin has a good point if you want to arrive on a site and set up early book and pay for sat night then the pitch will be avalible on sunday morning as soon as the office opens,"

Colin, all due respect but nobody is advocating arriving on site early. Off by 12.00 and no arrivals before 12.00 at peak times is the rule and most CC sites are very flexible with these times, if the site is not full.

However, I do agree that if you want to arrive early morning then booking the previous night is a good idea.

The controversial point of this thread is that Martin J thinks "weekenders" should be allowed to stay longer on a Sunday without penalty, and he happily expects arrivals to wait until after 4.00pm to pitch. why? because it suits his plans!

The answer is simple.......if anyone wants to arrive 3 or 4 hours early or depart 3 or 4 hours later (on any day of the week) then they are free to book the additional night to guarantee they are not disturbed!

But, as has been pointed out...Is this a real problem?

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Colin-Yorkshire wrote:

"martin has a good point if you want to arrive on a site and set up early book and pay for sat night then the pitch will be avalible on sunday morning as soon as the office opens,"

Colin, all due respect but nobody is advocating arriving on site early. Off by 12.00 and no arrivals before 12.00 at peak times is the rule and most CC sites are very flexible with these times, if the site is not full.

However, I do agree that if you want to arrive early morning then booking the previous night is a good idea.

The controversial point of this thread is that Martin J thinks "weekenders" should be allowed to stay longer on a Sunday without penalty, and he happily expects arrivals to wait until after 4.00pm to pitch. why? because it suits his plans!

The answer is simple.......if anyone wants to arrive 3 or 4 hours early or depart 3 or 4 hours later (on any day of the week) then they are free to book the additional night to guarantee they are not disturbed!

But, as has been pointed out...Is this a real problem?

Only to a few.

 

[MalcolmL]

Status Quo rules OK!

The current CC/C&CC rules probably suit the vast majority of caravanners so why change them? I have very rarely had to move off by 12 noon, usually at Clumber which becomes incredibly busy at weekends. As others have said, if you really want to stay till Sunday evening, then pay for that night. Otherwise accept that you need to move on earlier.

I have often had to take down a damp/wet awning and dry it off in the garage at home. A bother, but not the end of the world.

 

[Thorpedo]

It's clear from the opinions above that there are 3 groups of people for the site manager to accomodate. I'm a 1 and a 3.

I don't think this is a case of people wanting something for nothing, or upsetting other people plans, all 3 groups have valid reasons for their wanting their own version of checking in an out arrangements and don't necessarily want to be penalised financially.

1.Weekenders, who arrive on Fri eve and want to leave as late as possible on Sunday to get the most out of the couple of days and the money spent. It's possible (as in my case) that the decision to go away was last minute as the weather, the opportunity and the finance allows.

2. Tourers who move from site to site, who are possibly a bit more organised, have booked in advance and probably stay for around a week. As they need to pack up, move on and set up again they have a requirement to get onto the pitch at a reasonable time.

3/ Long Holiday makers who stay for two weeks or more who may arrive after a long drive with kids, dog and the kitchen sink and want to get onto the pitch, have a good row as the awning goes up, and probably want to leave mid morning on the last day to get home and sorted.

Of course the 4th group who are the site managers don't want everyone arriving and leaving at the same time, and may need to cut grass etc as visitors move in and out.

So could it be suggested that the sort of site that fits all of our requirements is one which takes a flexible approach and attempts to provide a range or arrival and departure windows. From my experience there are some about, Trewince Farm nr Padstow Cornwall are very accommodating.

I wonder if with harder economic times looking likely, sites will be prepared to offer a more flexible approach to ensure they maximise business and generate return customers.

Maybe if enough people starting asking the question at the sites, they would realise that the different requirements exist.

Rob

 

[trucker]

hi all

sorry rogerL but I disagree with your point of view and do so for several good reasons:

1. even in the summer the awning would not be dry enough to take down at 10am if the van is positioned in the shade let alone in winter just look outside at 10am this morning (easter sunday march the 23rd) and tell me that your or any awning would be in a fit state to pack away??.

2. if as you suggest weekenders pay for a extra night then as they will have purchased that pitch for all of sunday they would not have to move untill late sunday if they did not want to, or untill monday morning either way that pitch would now not be avalible for use untill monday at 10am so therefore not be free for anyone arriving on sunday anyway, as the pitch would have been paid for.

3.if one is moving sites on sunday the assumption is that the last pitch was vacated by 10am on the last site so it would be better for all having a leaving time say around midday arriving on the new site in the afternoon.

4.if like me you dont do weekends but prefer to tour for full weeks or part of weeks why the hell move on a sunday the busiest day of the week much better to stay put and move monday then you get a pick of vacant pitches on a new site.

colin

Colin, Took awning down at 09.30 this morning completly dry, unlike in the summer months with dew on it.

Kevin