Booking ahead is unfair at some sites

Posted on 09/11/2021 14:30 by ADP1963

A D.....Sorry to hear that, rural area's means lanes as you know and weather in this country is all about luck. As for crowds and hassle one comes with the other and no doubt because of the Covid and flying restrictions both intensified. Don't know what site you were on, but we have always been satisfied with the conditions of the C& M C sites we have stayed at.

Posted on 09/11/2021 14:31 by SteveL

Some might suggest a mass desertion from the ranks of Club members. But where do they go? The Club is a very big player in the campsite market and inevitably anyone leaving the Club is just going to encounter the situation with deposits elsewhere and perhaps more rigorous requirements to pay up front 4/6 weeks prior to arrival. I imagine it will be met with some disappointment but probably accepted. Perhaps some older members whose thoughts might be whether it was time to give up might just hasten that decision. After a period of reflection I am sure it will all settle down?

Talking it over with OH and one option when / if deposits are brought in is…. Rather than tie a lot of money up in deposits, which even if only £25 would mount up with the number we make, we might as well put it into another flexible booking with Brittany Ferries and go twice a year, rather than as we do now one tour here one over there. Then if for some reason we couldn’t go, all we would have to alter is one ferry booking at no cost, rather than numerous site bookings. All assuming things get back to near normal of course.😀

Posted on 09/11/2021 14:58 by

I understand the lanes are the price for accessing the area,but still dont like them. We had a two center Devon visit, 1 week at Hillhead which we enjoyed in spite of feeling almost forced to use public transport due to traffic and parking. Second week at Willingcot  we had unremitting cloud and rain, found the site very "ordinary" and possibly made worse by Covid restrictions and the almost impossibility of getting anywhere without lengthy processions around lanes. . We came home early.

Posted on 09/11/2021 13:09 by

I don't think you need wait until 23 for the bubble to burst, mainland Europe is open now with nothing but the necessity to fill in  a couple of forms and be vaccinated to stop anyone traveling. As for newcomers I can envisage very many of them bailing out at the first opportunity too, A first year of good weather and no great "drama's" towing a big box around the country and they might give it the benefit of the doubt for another year. However if they had a holiday  like us in North Devon this year their verdict  might be like that of my wife " If that was the first caravan holiday there wouldnt be a second"

Posted on 09/11/2021 12:21 by DavidKlyne

The pros and cons and different versions of booking systems and deposits have been discussed quite sensibly by contributors to this and the other thread. As yet this is still a relatively small number of people. What we don't know is what happens when the subject reaches a wider audience? I know the idea of deposits has been in the offing, probably since the 2020 AGM but it does not seem to be part of the wider debate out there on social media and regular forums. So what quite happens when it becomes a reality is difficult to guess? Obviously those that have been calling for deposits will no doubt rejoice that they have been listened to but will the silent majority be so keen? 

Some might suggest a mass desertion from the ranks of Club members. But where do they go? The Club is a very big player in the campsite market and inevitably anyone leaving the Club is just going to encounter the situation with deposits elsewhere and perhaps more rigorous requirements to pay up front 4/6 weeks prior to arrival. I imagine it will be met with some disappointment but probably accepted. Perhaps some older members whose thoughts might be whether it was time to give up might just hasten that decision. After a period of reflection I am sure it will all settle down?

David

Posted on 09/11/2021 15:03 by

I am a Club Voyage member now Steve so if you want a "friend" for discount let me know

Posted on 09/11/2021 15:14 by Takethedogalong

I think from watching the AGM, the Club were pleased at the numbers who had chosen to renew for a second year, but then we are still in a pandemic situation, so no great surprise really. I suppose C19 and Brexit happening together were bound to require certain changes, new hurdles to going overseas, but plenty are more than happy to do it, and it was possibly a better option in terms of case rates, than here.
Unfortunately, because of caring commitments, we are still reluctant to pay for expensive ferry/Chunnel fees for a mere 3 weeks maximum, and of course we have our elderly pooch in the equation as well, or we might very well have looked at France this year. I want to commit to at least six+ weeks though.

Shame you had such a poor time in SW though AD, it can be a tad hit and miss. We knew getting down there would be fraught this year, hence why we took our time and hopped there and back on A and B roads. We dropped very lucky with our weather as well.