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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Camping Ettiquette

504 replies

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 14:12

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..!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Lacucuracha · 02/06/2018 14:36

I would speak to the manager. You were there first.

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 14:41

Beige and orange tent is us... new tent is right next to us. So much space around!

Camping Ettiquette
OP posts:
Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 14:42

Hmmm... did the picture not post? I’ll try again.

Camping Ettiquette
OP posts:
rookiemere · 02/06/2018 14:43

Oh my goodness that is bad in the photo. What idiots. Still I suppose its only one night and they're not going to move their tent now I imagine.

takeoffyourpantsandjacket · 02/06/2018 14:43

They may be so close because they aren't aware of the etiquette, I wasn't until I read it on groups but luckily I haven't been yet.

If their guy ropes are crossing over yours it's a safety hazard to be that close I'm sure? What if there was a fire?

LighthouseSouth · 02/06/2018 14:44

OP that's so annoying! I would have asked them "why so close" when they set up!

futuristic1 · 02/06/2018 14:45

It's a thing isn't it?

There's a type of person who does this stuff.

Like you're waiting to meet someone in the street and to avoid looking conspicuous you start looking into the most boring shop window ever, fishing tackle, or old mens' clothes, recliner chairs that sort of thing and before you know it someone will come and stand right beside you.

They also tailgate when driving.

You can't fix these people. Wherever you move, whatever you do, you're just putting ideas in their big, empty heads.

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 14:45

There is no one else around... and this where they choose...

Orange tent is my friends tent... they’re not even ‘sitting’ on the other side of it... they’re going behind so they’re right where we are.

Camping Ettiquette
Camping Ettiquette
OP posts:
Childrenofthesun · 02/06/2018 14:48

It is annoying but that is one of the hazards of camping. It always seems to happen to us! You can't really ask them to move once they've pitched. I am not a fan of dogs but I would let them wander around so long as they are not going right up to the other campers and their tent.

mydogisthebest · 02/06/2018 14:48

Well I certainly wouldn't crate my dogs. I would hope that the new people get annoyed about the dogs and move.

I absolutely hate people that crowd in on others when there is loads of space. All the time people do it - on buses, trains, in supermarket queues etc.

Me and DH went out for breakfast last weekend. Large room with about 25 tables. There was 1 couple near the door and we went right down to the end and sat at a table. Then another couple came in and sat on the table right next to us. I just don't get it.

I told DH that next time that happens I am going to start a loud conversation with him to hopefully make them move. Maybe along the lines of how good the anal sex was the night before

Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname · 02/06/2018 14:49

We went wild woods camping in a designated wood, family with 4dc.
Bunch of beer carrying students picked the pitch next to us. (peat loo each +fire pit)
Of the whole fecking wood!!
Suggested it them our dc would have them awake very early so they moved!!

Kintan · 02/06/2018 14:50

You're going to have to ask them why. Some people are just odd like that though - like when you are sitting in row in an empty cinema and someone comes and sits right next to you. Were you there when they were pitching their tent? If I were you I would move my tent whilst glaring at them!

LartenCrepsley · 02/06/2018 14:50

OP, I think you need to speak to them about needing a fire break between the tents.

Magicstar1 · 02/06/2018 14:51

Why don’t you speak to the owner of the campsite? He told you he likes to keep tents separate, so he could tell them to move.

Lazypuppy · 02/06/2018 14:51

Don't crate your dogs. Just put them on a long lead so they can roam but are attached.

Its their fault for pitching so close to you

Kintan · 02/06/2018 14:52

Ohh I just saw your second set of photos - I thought you meant the big beige tent was the newcomers! No definitely you can't move your tent. What weirdos to want to be so near!

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 02/06/2018 14:53

Ooo please can I?
"Unleash the hounds!"

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 14:54

No, the beige tent is mine, the orange tent is our friend and the one right up by it is theirs.

OP posts:
Lucisky · 02/06/2018 14:54

I would have said something when they were pitching the tent. I hope they don't snore as well!
We always used to have this when we had a narrowboat. We would moor up in a remote spot so we could sit on the bank in peace with the dogs and the bbq. 9 times out of ten someone would come along and moor 2 feet behind you. Why, when you might have several miles of empty places to chose from? Sometimes we would just move up again, but they always gave you a funny look if you did this!

Popfan · 02/06/2018 14:55

I'd definitely have to ask them why they pitched so close to you when there is so much space all around - it would annoy me so much! I'd also carry on as you were with the dogs, put the crate away (and I speak as someone who is quite wary of strange dogs).

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 14:56

I’m ashamed to say we passive aggressively said ‘why would they go there?’ ‘There’s fields and fields’ ‘theyre So close!’ Etc when they started to get their stuff out but they pressed on.

OP posts:
Spam88 · 02/06/2018 14:56

Speak to the owner - if they have a policy of not being within a certain distance of someone else's tent then he should ask them to move?

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 14:57

Dogs are out now... the neighbours do not look happy. At all.

OP posts:
Kintan · 02/06/2018 15:01

I think that's tough luck to them and if they complain, point out that it was their choice to pitch up next to dogs!

downbutnotout2018 · 02/06/2018 15:03

What futuristic1 said. The same kind of people that breathe down your neck in a queue or stand right next to you in an exercise class. How stupid. This would stress me right out. They've even put the opening facing your friend's tent. Are they agoraphobic or something?