effiemac
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 33
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Post by effiemac on Sept 1, 2008 11:21:05 GMT
Hello!
I've done lots and lots of lone female camping in Flossy, in Scotland, England and more in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Belgium. Frankly some of the campsites were spookier than some of the laybys. Also it seems that some Italians would try to have sex with a venetian blind so I amended my dress code a little.
As others have said, I feel more aware of my preference of being alone in campsites and became the "goals" at the last English site I used when coming back from Ants. Not a wink did I get so I prefer to stay away from errant teenagers and be a wildy - that's why I got the outlook with shower option after all.
Precautions - I have a teeny rape alarm attached to the van key on a hook easy to locate and a wind up torch so I am never without light. My van keys are on a lanyard so they are always round my neck when not needed in the ignition, never left in a handbag or in the van. My mobile is always charged and as I frequently listen to talking books (I'm making my way through all the Rebus series currently), I'm sure I'm not thought of as being alone in the back. No cause for high heels, rather be in crocs and so no problem about getting away in a hurry if need be. I don't get trolleyed home or away so I tend to have my wits about me. I love the freedom and have only once considered getting a dog to be with me but that was only to allay my overanxious sister's fears - not my own.
Enjoy!!
Effie
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jacsprat
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 16
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Post by jacsprat on Sept 1, 2008 17:27:29 GMT
Hi - I'm heartened to see just how many lone female campers there are on this forum. I'm solo with a small friendly dog and have recently gone from a Romahome to a Trigano Tribute. Since last year I've clocked up 25000 miles all over Europe and the UK and I've not experienced ANY negative situations due to being alone. Au contraire! Dog plus van seems to equal plenty of opportunities to meet lovely people. I DO have a good supply of 'street sense' and generally keep a fairly low profile when unsure though.
Continental motorcaravanning is generally so much easier and I never hesitated to use rural Aires. The UK requires much more forethought I reckon. I religiously use Caravan Club CLs and Super 7 pitches but on many occasions, have found myself in quiet laybys with a collection of lorries around.
Life is too short to worry too much. Good luck!
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Sept 1, 2008 20:32:02 GMT
on many occasions, have found myself in quiet laybys with a collection of lorries around. Life is too short to worry too much. Good luck! I've often wondered about using laybys with lorries. Have you ever had any trouble from truckers or do you find they tend to keep an eye out for you if they know you're alone? |
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jacsprat
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 16
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Post by jacsprat on Sept 2, 2008 15:22:51 GMT
on many occasions, have found myself in quiet laybys with a collection of lorries around. Life is too short to worry too much. Good luck! I've often wondered about using laybys with lorries. Have you ever had any trouble from truckers or do you find they tend to keep an eye out for you if they know you're alone? No trouble at all from truckers, but I only use laybys when I'm caught out too late to go to a site. By then you just pull your shades and turn on the telly and don't announce you're alone. The comfort comes from being able to lay on the horn if there's any trouble. Also, I try to use a space that won't impede or prevent another lorry from parking up for the night. It's just a matter of consideration. There's a dedicated overnight parking for lorries on the outskirts of Ipswich that I stumbled upon last week. Well lit, vending machines, about 5 lorries. I had a nice quiet sleep and in the morning, had coffee and brekkie in the little truck stop next to it - almost civilized! Jacquie |
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Post by pendel on Sept 3, 2008 18:43:22 GMT
Derek & I found an excellent lay bye just on the outskirts of Whitby. We were on our way from Hadriens wall and were too tired to carry on to Scarborough to our next stopover. It was a Sat night and the lay bye was huge. We settled down for the night then the next morning we awoke to the aroma of bacon cooking. Derek looked out of the curtains and discovered a catering van in the lay bye with a huge queue.We quickly dressed and went and joined the queue and had wonderful bacon rolls for breakfast. 10/10 for that lay bye. ;D
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janeyjane
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 46 
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Post by janeyjane on Sept 3, 2008 20:02:20 GMT
Derek & I found an excellent lay bye just on the outskirts of Whitby. We were on our way from Hadriens wall and were too tired to carry on to Scarborough to our next stopover. It was a Sat night and the lay bye was huge. We settled down for the night then the next morning we awoke to the aroma of bacon cooking. Derek looked out of the curtains and discovered a catering van in the lay bye with a huge queue.We quickly dressed and went and joined the queue and had wonderful bacon rolls for breakfast. 10/10 for that lay bye. ;D Hi Don't suppose you can remember a more precise location? I've been trying to find somewhere near Whitby to 'wild camp' and that sounds like it has potential?? Jj |
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Post by pendel on Sept 4, 2008 17:56:49 GMT
Hello JaneyJaney. The A171 between Middlesbrough and Whitby. It was close to Whitby, probly couple of miles. There was an enormous car boot sale further down towards Whitby which was a bonus for me. Lots of people selling fossils from the area. The lay bye was a very wide one with loads of room. As it was a Sat night I dont know if many trucks use it but we were the only ones there that night. As I said earlier, the next morning there were loads of bikers etc at the catering stand and a long queue for the food. We couldnt resist the bacon rolls.
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janeyjane
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 46
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Post by janeyjane on Sept 4, 2008 18:50:24 GMT
Hello JaneyJaney. The A171 between Middlesbrough and Whitby. It was close to Whitby, probly couple of miles. There was an enormous car boot sale further down towards Whitby which was a bonus for me. Lots of people selling fossils from the area. The lay bye was a very wide one with loads of room. As it was a Sat night I dont know if many trucks use it but we were the only ones there that night. As I said earlier, the next morning there were loads of bikers etc at the catering stand and a long queue for the food. We couldnt resist the bacon rolls. Sounds like my sort of place, I'll give it a try!! Thanks :-) Jane |
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Post by playallday on Sept 18, 2008 8:59:14 GMT
Hi I'm trying to sort out plans for my first trip in my Romahome that I should get any day soon..... and my friends have invited me up to Whitby for the weekend. That will obviously require the quaffing of ale. This gives me a bit of a quandry and I was hoping to hear the experience of others. Jj |
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Post by playallday on Sept 18, 2008 9:07:26 GMT
Whoops!! been away so long I've forgotten how to do this!!!
When I am meeting up with friends in a distant pub, we always try to select one with it's own car park. If you are spending money all evening as a customer, most landlords are happy for you to discreetly camp overnight in their car park if you ask them first and then you are in no danger of being asked to move on.
I usually ask if it would be OK for me to 'park up and sleep' in their car park, rather than asking if I can 'camp' there. One landlord had visions of tables & chairs & umbrellas when I asked to camp!!!
Good luck!!
Jean
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paul
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 54
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Post by paul on Sept 18, 2008 10:09:16 GMT
most landlords are happy for you to discreetly camp overnight in their car park if you ask them first This is quite an old link but the web page is still there. I think it has been mentioned on on here before. When you find any pubs which accommodate you, you could encourage them to join the scheme. |
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Post by pendel on Sept 19, 2008 20:16:01 GMT
Not sure if you have gone to Whitby yet but we can reccomend the camp site at Scarborough. Its camping&caravanning club site. It was taken over by the club and they have worked hard to make it really nice. Its only about 20 miles from Whitby. As an added bonus it has an on site chippy which serves the best fish & chips. Hope you have a great trip.
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Post by pat534 on Sept 25, 2008 21:40:40 GMT
i am also a lone female .just bought a campervan in April.I am a member of the camping and caravanning club and usually use their sites.Never tried wild camping.
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caz
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 58
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Post by caz on Dec 28, 2008 15:31:13 GMT
I was widowed nearly 7 years ago now, and have been a lone parent tenter, caravanner, trailer tenter, folding camperer, motorhomer ever since. (Not necessarily in that order  ) To be honest my own safety has never worried me, the kids (now 15 & 18) were always more my concern. For their sakes I have tended to stick mostly to proper sites, where I've had no worries at all, although mostly we are camping with friends we have met through various camping forums and clubs anyway. With the motorhomes we almost wildcamped on a friend's back garden and in the street outside some relatives. Long trips have involved stop overs in motorway services in motorhome and caravan. Apart from when we went to France for two weeks this year, we always have one or both of our dogs with us. I don't know whether this makes me feel any safer or not! The 18 year old doesn't enjoy camping so much now and tends to stay at home, and a couple of times this year I've actually been away on my own - before I know it I will be a totally lone female camper.  |
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Post by lunnie on Dec 28, 2008 17:56:13 GMT
Hi Caz, didnt realize you had found this forum. Cas54 pops on occassionally as well.
Pleased you have.
Joan
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caz
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 58
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Post by caz on Dec 28, 2008 19:21:40 GMT
Only found it today, Joan. I see Jana on here as well.
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Post by lunnie on Dec 28, 2008 20:36:02 GMT
Yes, she was on my very first meet with SMH at Devizes. I am sure that I have mentioned this forum to you previously I have their logo on my rear door.
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Post by lunnie on Dec 28, 2008 20:37:22 GMT
Forgot to say, that Pauline the forum owner and Wendy and John1 are also members of UKCS
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lizzie
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 44
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Post by lizzie on Sept 8, 2009 9:24:19 GMT
Hi
I camp alone quite often recently in my Roma but previously in a tent. In the past I have always stayed on campsites mainly C&CC. I have never felt nervous despite not being able to lock the tent!
I would wild camp for maybe up to two nights but preferably with a friend in another motorhome. Would definately need to spend a night on a campsite on a regular basis as I do not find it as relaxing on the side of a road!
It seems to me there of lots of women camping alone or with other sigle friends these days. I think there are so many of the baby boomer generation who are now alone but have an independent get up and go mentality which means once our children are grown up we are away!
My children say they are proud of me for going on my little adventures and do not resent my doing something for myself - they say I deserve it!
I am cutting my hours down to three days a week at the end of Oct when I can draw my OAP . At the same time my first grandchild will be born but I still hope to start driving off down the road more often.
Lizzie
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