Non EHU site 289

I'm puzzled. So you contact Mark, who no longer owns the site. What happens then? .... does he just tell you where the overgrown site is and suggest that you just use it anyway ???

No Vic. You contact Mark who will put you in touch with the new owner. The instructions in the book will allow you to find the site.

Are you going to copy and paste this into the CL thread?  

I've already mentioned it Pippah. It's just unfortunate for the new owner that the contact number was cancelled- she had no say over it so we do the best we can until the new book comes out but that will be sometime.  

We have been caravanning now for 45 years and how things have changed both in the technology and the way we camp. At one time it was difficult to find a site with electric hook ups one used to carry an extra battery to power lights and pumps etc. Now we have solar panels, LED lighting, low wattage tv and large leisure batteries giving us plenty of scope to camp off grid.

BUT, to now find pitches on club sites and 5 van sites that do not have EHU is difficult and the price of electric has to be included in the fee (EU law and regulations) so you pay for it whether you use it or not makes a mockery of modern technology. The club magazines run articles/question and answers on the use of solar panels but they don't encourage the use on their sites. I think there are about 10 pitches left on club sites that do not provide EHU.

Our 2 national caravan clubs should be encouraging off grid camping not charging high prices for the use of electricity as they do. Another question, why are we changed more for electric in the summer months when usage is low compared to the winter months when usage is high?

Some may call it progress!

Casandra, just to clarify a few things. It is not law that electricity has to be charged in with the site fee. It is law that metered electricity cannot be resold for more than it cost the secondary supplier (site owner) and it is also law that a fee cannot be levied in respect of unmetered electricity. However, it is perfectly legal to charge a fee for use of the bollard which is what C&CC and numerous other organisations do.

Why should the two main clubs be encouraging off grid camping? That is surely your personal opinion whereas the clubs are giving the majority of their customers what they want.

Your last point regarding being charged more for electricity in summer than winter puzzles me. We have already covered the issue of charging for electricity and you yourself said it cannot be charged separately. CAMC makes no charge for electricity so you cannot differentiate between summer and winter costs. C&CC levy a fixed charge for use of the bollard and this does not vary throughout the year.

I agree with TW, I can't see how the two clubs are charging high prices for their electricity. Also in the CCC you have the option (due to catering for tents as well as caravans/MH) of not having EHU.

Is off grid camping the same as wild camping? Serious question

I think 'off grid' means doing without EHU, Corners, whereas 'wild camping' means doing without sites. That is, pitching in the wild either legally or illegally. 

thanks