Is it worth renewing

I'm surprised CCC are taking 'camping in the forest' bookings atm. Under Tier 4, there should be no over-night away from home and given the current trajectory of the virus, aided and abetted by morons at 'raves', it's anybody's guess when we will be allowed out to play again.

The forest sites are all closed til April at the moment CY.

When we were away in October we had a look around the Love To Stay and there is no doubt that the facilities and pitch sizes are in another league to the CAMC. However, like Ttda, a lot of the facilities we wouldn't use and a number of the facilities are are "over egged" such as the outdoor swimming lake. Over time it will look better but it is currently lacking in mature vegetation although the amount of planting is staggering.

Pricewise it is definitely at the top end and our stay at the lovely non facility CCC site, with a beautiful lake, various levels and countryside all around at an unbelievable £13.50/night ( no VAT reduction) is far more attractive to us in every way.

I just checked the CCC website, they are still offering Camping in the Forest, in fact have a new location for 2021, in Sherwood Forest.

Yes it's located at the Forestry Commision Sherwood Pines. It would be very convient for any of the musical events they hold there, only about 500 metres walk. It seemed ready to go for 2020 but of course Covid got in the way. Fairly open and unattractive at the moment, although they have planted a lot of trees. I'm not very impressed with the security though, its right alongside existing paths and a low bund isn't going to stop undesirables breaking into your van while your at one of the evening events.

Sorry about the quality, 500k just isn't enough. The campsite is in the open field to the left of the Sherwood Forest and below the Forestry Holdings. The lakes to the right are at Center Parcs.

Thanks for this Steve. I have been round Center Parcs there many years ago (field study course with work), but don’t know Sherwood as well as Clumber. Might be somewhere to take cycles, it’s not far from us, half an hour. But (knowing Clumber🤨) vehicle security is an important issue.

Off topic, but in news, New Forest stock, ponies and donkeys have taken a big toll sadly this week. Seven killed, so sad. It’s one of the things we notice when staying on Dartmoor, how fast/uncaring some drivers are knowing that stock roam free.😢😡

We have stayed in Forest of Dean, beautiful area. Originally a CL, but long gone from network now, became a larger private Site. High up, overlooking Tintern Abbey, not far from Devil’s Pulpit. Fabulous for walking, but my goodness, the climb back up was a gasper. We shared our pitch with some inquisitive Ostriches. We had to relocate further into Site as they tapped on window each morning and freaked the dogs out😂 Owners little girl sold us fresh eggs each morning, it was her pocket money task. Places like this are just so lovely, the nicest kind of memories.

 Good Morning

I think you'll find ttda that as long as that  berlingo is properly converted, ie, fixed seating that can convert as a bed or vice versa, fixed cooking facilities and adequate storage then that would be accepted on any club site. We only turn away the van with a mattress on the floor types nowadays!

JK

I won't quarrel with you, JK, but you describe in just a few lines the sort of elitist attitude that still exists within this Club - the warden will inspect your van to check that the seats and cooking equipments are fixed, and that the conversion meets CMC standards. I have never come across that attitude on a campsite anywhere else in the world. It doesn't appeal. 

Thanks JK. It’s more innovative than everything being fixed, which is where it’s dual usage provision lies. (Everyday run around/ load carrier v small camper) So no, the cooker isn’t fixed, but slides in or out. The whole “camper” unit can come out, to make it back into a conventional car with back seat provision. But it is a true camper, in camping mode. She even has a tiny portaloo, tucked away hygienically for occasional use. 

We had enough grief from this Club thirty years ago with our small camper van. That did have a fixed in cooker, sink, pop top, but we started getting very fed up of being challenged every stop, made to demonstrate how things worked, so we gave up our membership, and stayed on friendlier, more welcoming camp sites.

I did a bit of research on her behalf, it was obvious this Club wasn’t going to happen, but she has already used the odd CCC Site as a none Member, without problems. I don’t disagree about the mattress in the back of a Transit type issues, but this little set up is a few thousand pounds beyond that. It’s in the spirit of the original VW campers, where you had a base vehicle, but bought slide in units to convert to something else. She doesn’t struggle for places to stay.

I would agree with you on that one. One of our family has an all purpose van, sometimes used for carrying equipment, sometimes as a camping base, sometimes with a tent etc. Luckily they'd never put themselves in the position of being turned away and use small private sites which welcome camping in it's many forms.

I think this year a new van is on the cards and it will continue in it's multi purpose use. There are some camping vans around where everything is removable.

I appreciate JK has to follow the rules. 

Agree, the Wardens aren’t the problem, (although one of two clearly were back in the 1980’s for us) 

The Club decision makers and takers are slow to react at certain times. This pandemic is a golden opportunity in one of two ways to tweak what Members can and cannot do. There’s been a lot of innovation this year, the young who cannot afford big outfits alongside an everyday car are thinking differently, some are taking to canvas, others like our niece are getting creative, safely and well thought out. Almost everyone of our extended family has younger adults, camping, podding, touring. But not a single one is a Club Member.