Camping Ettiquette

[MaryPoppinsPenguins]

I’m camping this weekend, two tents, two children, two dogs.

This is the first time we’ve each brought our dogs and searched for a long time and through lots of reviews until we found this place... spoke to the owner who said he only takes a certain amount of bookings to make sure you’re all a bit seperate and no one bothers anyone else.

Last night it was amazing... it’s almost like you’re camping totally alone. I can see a group of tents in the distance and the top of another through the trees but it does feel very secluded.

When we arrived the owner was at the gate and told us to drive and find an empty space. I assume he says this to everyone..

Today a new family arrive, and park and pitch up right next to us. And I mean Right next to us. Some of their ropes even cross over with my friends tent. Their table and chairs are right in the siteline of ours, I can even hear their drink open!

To make it worse, their kids seem terrified of dogs. Our dogs aren’t on leads and have been running around ‘our camp’ really happy. Now we’ve had to get the crate out.

AIBU? I’m kind of pissed off. I wish I’d brought hungry hippos or some really loud scream inducing game but unfortunately playing cards and magiclip dolls are all I have..!

You were there first. Uncrate your dogs. They will see your children interacting with the dogs. Let their children see there is nothing to be frightened of. If they don’t like it they can move. You might be doing them a massive favour by getting their kids accustomed to dogs.

Oooh that is cheeky!
Please keep us updated OP x

This is the best thread I've read in ages! Lovely location, lovely tent, lovely weather, kids doing great photo poses, cf neighbours, lovely dogs. We all agree about the other tent.

All we need now is for the owner to come by and tell the neighbours to move!! And peace and solitude be restored.

I’d have to ask them why they have pitched so close

Sorry if it's been asked already. Where is the toilet block- are you in close proximity?

They sound charming. I hope they move.

The toilet / washing up is almost a field away...

Maybe they thought you could all be friends.

I'm no where near Sussex but very up for the 12 hour car journey with two DC and a stinky labrador so we can come and join in the fun!

12 hour car journey to Sussex, blimey, where ARE you @toolonglurking - John o'groats?!

To be fair, you could ask them in a perfectly polite way why they pitched so close? Or ask if the owner asked them to pitch there?

It's so bizarre I would have to say something.

I think you’ve been remarkably tolerant op! I’d have lost it by now, released the hounds, the kids, spread jam on tent flaps, let down tyres and googled to see if their car tax/ insurance up to date!
So glad it’s not spoiling your holiday- you’re def in their spot.
Bet tomorrow there’s a thread on here that “ some woman has pitched ( a fabulous FYI) tent in my spot “.
Extra cf for walking through your camp and even more Ccf for pa dropping can.

TBH you missed the opportunity if you saw them pitching their tent and chose not to say anything then

@MarysPoppinsPenguins

Just tell them you are moving because you want to let your dogs loose and because you want to be able to be a bit noisy without worrying about them. No need to even be funny or arsey.

And yes it is odd, but as many posters have stated, people do this kind of weird stuff. Me and DH were in Costa the other day; 55 seats, and only about 5 people in. So 50 empty seats, me and DH on 2, and 3 teenagers on 3 seats.

This woman came in and got a coffee and a cake, and sat on the table RIGHT NEXT to us. She kept trying to make eye contact with us, and trying to join in on our conversation. Fucked me right off it did. Me and DH couldn't speak privately, and it felt very intrusive.

YANBU, and tell them you are moving your tent.

It's all gonna kick off with the Sussex Posse and their dogs.

My DH doesn't believe in camping because 'why would you want to go on holiday somewhere that isn't as nice as your house?' I fell in love with your tent and showed him a picture in a 'look how amazing this would be' sort of a way...

...then he asked what the thread was about. No camping for the Wombats... :(

We used to have this when we took our caravan away. Loads of free pitches but pitch up right next door - bloody idiots. Love your tent by the way x

🤣🐩🐈🐕fireinthehole

Have you considered having an ad-hoc fireworks display??

We had a couple who did similar a few years ago. DP (AT the time), me and toddler in 1 tent. DB and SIL in another. Pitched far enough apart to satisfy the 6 meter rule. A couple turned up with one of those really tiny hiking tents and pitched it between ours. They then proceeded to have very noisy sex every night. It was interesting to say the least!

@UserV not far off!!

Did the owner come round with the wood? Did you ask about having them moved? I’m sure he must have rules about littering - tell him they were dropping their beer cans in your camp!

OMG the phrase Sussex posse is enough to put the fear of whatever into people. Move over, the Krays.

How about I come round with my cat who always walks round the outside of tents backlit by moonlight looking like a 4' high tiger terrifying any child and unsuspecting adult occupants. Would wind the dogs up nicely too. And snores...

Oh, I wish this had been yesterday. I've just come back from camping in Sussex with 15 kids from the inner city. They would have properly got your neighbours to move on.