Support the CL network

Not illogical to me Tony, we feel very much the same. I can perhaps understand the case of a couple with a very busy work schedule wanting to get away to the middle of nowhere for a weekend R and R. Maybe it's the case that a lot that enjoy our hobby don't actually like interacting with other people to any great degree so I suppose an isolated CL might be ideal?

David

We are the exact opposite to the case you quote. Retired and living on the edge of a small village overlooking open fields. 

We rarely spend the day around the van but are out and about so when we come back we find club sites too busy when we want the peace and quiet we are used to to relax.

I really don't like looking out my front window into another van across the road when on a CL I could have a lovely view, but it isn't that we are antisocial or don't want to interact with others. I often go to the watertap on a CL when someone else is there just to say hallo and see if they have found anywhere good locally that I haven't.

When I look for a site it is location, location, location followed by electric and view. 

Good job we are all different in what we want.

We take about 10 weeks away throughout the year now and as usual I have now booked for the 2021 season with all but 2 weeks on CLs which we prefer both for location quietness and cost.

We did originally use the club site regularly but not for the last 7 ears or so.

They do deserve our continued support and our thanks.

Interesting points of view.  When we were both working, weekends were precious and we used to always use the main sites, not club sites exclusively though.  But that was a number of years ago now!  Now we've been retired for quite a while, we tend to use the club sites only in late autumn, winter and early spring.  I'd hate to be on a main site at other times, far too crowded for our liking now.

We prefer CLs, and if it's in the middle of nowhere, then that's fine.  We decide on a rough area where we want to go, then look for sites/CLs.

I think CLs may do quite well as a result of Covid-19, as some people who normally wouldn't consider staying on a CL may do so now.  As I said, we wouldn't ever dream of staying on main sites during the summer, normally we'd be in France now, and again in Sept/Oct, but have decided not to this Sept/Oct. 

I've booked a couple of CLs for September, hopefully we'll be able to go and there won't be another lockdown by then.  The next month or so will be critical with the easing of restrictions.

So yes, agreed, support the CL network.

We did last year use a couple of CL's for the first time for many years. I am also compiling a list of CL's that might be suitable bases for visiting towns that don't have a regular campsite nearby but the CL's are within walking distance or have transport links. These are important when you are a motormomer and don't necessarily want to take it off site. So I don't wish to be seen as not supporting CL's. However I was responding to the interesting point made by Tony and how he and his wife feel cut off on many CL's. Others will love that sort of thing  but we do not. 

David

Good idea David. May I suggest Donnewell Farm Sedgefield. Only a 10 min walk into the village along a quiet surfaced lane.

High Breame near Bridlington with a bus stop just outside the entrance or a 30 min walk into Brid or 15 min walk into Flamborough.

I just don't get this "support the CL network"

 I look around Cornwall and Devon and see Farm field A which is a CL, Farm field B which is a CS, and Farm field C which is an independent campsite.

Why should I only support the first of those? 

I think a lot of folks will be trying CLs for first time as well. My hope is that those who are have a good time and adapt well to not being on a Club Site. 

We are like you. The further from crowded places the better for us. 😁

SWMBO and I always use CL's , the only club site we use is Black Horse Farm because of its convenience for the port of Dover.Why pay out more good money for facilities after spending a fortune on a van with all mod cons, so perhaps will CL owners ( who want our trade) who use answer machines please do as their messaging service relays and return the calls, three yesterday failed to return my inquiries so yesterday and today were wasted. I appreciate these are trying times for them but times are also trying for us!