The More Things Change

+1

Pitching on grass is a quaint idea from the golden age of caravaning, bit like gas lights, foot pumps, non EHU, and single and real glass windows  Now that people want sites open all year hardstandings are the future

It will happen, all of the newer sites have been HS

A fair number of motorhomers seem to prefer hard standing from what I read. Does the fact that it is not possible to book hard standing put them off I wonder. If hard standing were bookable would that mean that once hard standings were all booked that they would go elsewhere (I know that I might as a caravanner)? 

To answer your last question ET, yes we go elsewhere. There are a number of sites that we would like to use on our way to a ferry but given the distance from us we couldn't arrive at 12.00 to guarantee a H/S so not going to risk getting bogged down the night before a ferry if only grass available. 

One day maybe when we tour UK we will get to visit some of these sites/areas but until then or until the club see fit to allow booking of h/s we will continue to 'go elsewhere'

We still belong to a greater extent to that golden era of touring. We are still able to cope with grass pitches, without EHU, don't book far ahead, don't cancel if it rains, don't head home if it rains, look for an alternative site if one we choose first is booked up. It makes Club Membership far less stressful. In fact hardly using Club Sites at all is the best de stress medicine we know! 

Happiness in our household is a field, well mown, a tap, a bin, a waste point, no one else around, some sunshine, an OS map, and our dogs with us. Some nice food and a book for lazy onsite days.....bliss!

(Waffle boards are standard kit if it does rain!)

like the waffle boards

you missed out any mention of some refreshing drinks?

Waffle boards?, I thought that was a name for most Forums

I'm sorry CS but I must protest.

Then I'll remain 'quaint' and be glad to do so. Not only that, I'll continue to be quaint in committing to non EHU with the latest technology ( what was that about being quaint and from the golden age of caravanning?) and I'll enjoy it while you and people like you want to cover the countryside with squares of chippings and concrete, use power from burning fossil fuels and being ripped off by supporting large concerns like Calor and Co. 'Caravan suburbia' has no interest for me and many others. To sit on a square of chippings and stare out at all the other M/Hs and Caravans sitting on their square of chippings and concrete does not meet my criteria of getting away from it all but all to their own Please, if that's the future then count me out and God help us.

Refreshing drinks! My OH has a whole cupboard devoted to various types of tea. Breakfast, Earl Grey, Redbush, various fruit ones, mint, Chai..........drives me nuts, I don't drink tea! Coffee, decent instant and a nice ground type. All I need. Odd real ale when we find decent independent brewery, OH sometimes has a glass of wine. We are not huge alcohol fans, I can't drink wine, gives me a headache, so I don't!

Agree re the waffle!

I think folks enjoy their touring in whatever way things suit them really. I know we do, and don't criticise others for not doing the same. We dislike the very organised, sanitised look of most Club Sites and similar offerings, but a lot love them and enjoy what is provided. But we also don't need to fill our 33 year old caravan and 15 year old MH with oodles of green technology to get away into the wilds and have a good time. We have the small solar panel that came with the MH, a £5 plug in iPhone/ipad charger and two small gas bottles. We spend a lot of time away given the opportunity as well, but don't struggle. Ok, we like a hook up if it is really cold in Winter, but we love cottage holidays as well.