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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
morningconstitutional2017 · 02/06/2018 16:13

If they're afraid of dogs I wonder why they pitched right next to you with your animals? Asking for trouble, aren't they? As they've evidently got loads of space they really have only themselves to blame. Of course if the worst comes to the worst you'll get the blame. No wonder you're feeling miffed.

It never ceases to amaze me why people go on these trips to get away from it all and then camp cheek by jowl. Do you feel brave enough to ask them to give you a little more space? Do you have anything such as a windbreak to put between you?

I wonder if they've been to this site before and they feel that you're in their space? However, camping etiquette is such that if the guy ropes are too close and you were there first then obviously they're in the wrong, not that that really helps.

bonnyshide · 02/06/2018 16:13

I'd be moving if I was you, I know you shouldn't have to, but I would.

It won't take you as long to set up the second time around.

ziggiestardust · 02/06/2018 16:13

I would be fucking apoplectic with rage. When they get back, tell them their car alarm has been going off, they need to move NOW. Gesture at the acres they can camp in, and then crank up the speakers, play fetch with the dogs so the ball constantly goes near their camp, and encourage your kids to have a screaming competition.

MatildaTheCat · 02/06/2018 16:14

Let their tent down while they are away?

Ruffian · 02/06/2018 16:15

Wow, this is really annoying me and i'm not even there! I would definitely check with the owner if he asked them to go there for some reason. If he didn't perhaps he will come and ask them to move.

Failing that I would have to move - even if just dragging everything a bit further away - it's just too annoying and it's only going to be a matter of time before they start complaining about the dogs.

ziggiestardust · 02/06/2018 16:15

kiss vengaboys 😂

Have you a whistle in your possession OP? I hear children love whistles.

Loobyloomicles · 02/06/2018 16:15

What's a sleeping pod? Sounds very cool!

ziggiestardust · 02/06/2018 16:16

matilda YES.... wouldn’t it be a shame if their tent mysteriously blew away whilst they were on their walk?

MakeItStopNeville · 02/06/2018 16:17

This thread was making me want to pack the car and go camping...until the car alarm! Grin

DartmoorDoughnut · 02/06/2018 16:17

They probably go every year and that is “their” spot, my DF was like this, we had to go in the same place every year - we even moved the tent and caravan one year half way through when the original occupiers left Blush

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 16:17

I’m not sure if they’re actually called sleeping pods... but that’s what I call them Grin

Camping Ettiquette
OP posts:
LartenCrepsley · 02/06/2018 16:17

Can I just check I’ve got this straight? The bell tent is yours, the orange tent is your friend’s, and the new arrivals are in the dark tent behind the orange one? Yes?

Gagastwin · 02/06/2018 16:18

I would have to go over and list all the reasons why they should move... "DH snores that's why we were over here by ourselves, I have a medical excessive wind problem, the dogs bite, our tent is very flammable, wasps nest right near your tent, my kids are little shits"

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 16:19

Me and my friend are totally up for pulling up some pegs but DH won’t let us... he’s the sensible kind. He’s not even having rage at the intermittent car alarm Hmm

OP posts:
Gagastwin · 02/06/2018 16:19

Speak to the owner, that's not on.

ziggiestardust · 02/06/2018 16:20

I’d just go and accidentally trip on a few of their guy lines... being so close and all.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 02/06/2018 16:20

Get your kids to run round and repeatedly trip over their guy ropes

Drivemecrazy1974 · 02/06/2018 16:20

They've pitched way too close to you - I would have said something as soon as I saw them putting their tent up that close. There's plenty of room, no way do they need to be that close to you. Can't even think why they would think that's a good idea!

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 16:20

Yes Larten, and their ropes cross with the orange tent, with no other tent for ages.

OP posts:
ladymelbourne1926 · 02/06/2018 16:21

That is weird. I would Speak to the owner and/or just talk to them explain as per the rules of the site your dogs will be off lead around your camp so it might be better if they moved a little further off.

CookPassBabtridge · 02/06/2018 16:22

Even 10 metres would have been too close in a huge field like that but I can't believe they are right next to your friends tent. They will hear each other sleep, fart etc. And the table being in view of yours? Why wouldn't they go round the other side!? People are so strange.
Definitely don't keep the dogs locked up and yes to having a word with the owner.

Ceebs85 · 02/06/2018 16:25

They are the kind of weirdos who would sit right next to you on an empty bus.

Experienced camper, definitely a fire risk. As Pps have said definitely don't crate your dogs, why should you?!

kateandme · 02/06/2018 16:26

dont tie or crate the dogs.they were there first.if they don't like it they need to move.you and your family found a secluded space with enough room for your dogs to be.im quite godsmacked as to what the hell theyre doing,its like some sketch show looking at that picture!

Flobalob · 02/06/2018 16:26

What is wrong with people? I don't get people that do things like this or park next to you in an empty car park. Today, I had a woman stood behind me in a queue with her friend. She was so close to me, her belly was touching my arse! There was absolutely nobody behind her and I couldn't move forward otherwise I'd have been breathing down the neck of the guy in front of me!

Audreyhelp · 02/06/2018 16:27

Yes I know that wasn’t that point but others have said they shouldn’t be crated no one jumped in on them . Have never stayed on a site where it’s acceptable for dogs to run free my pet hate.