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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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strayducks18 · 02/06/2018 17:29

This would drive me batshit and is probably why I have only tried camping once with the children. Staking out your space is a very british thing to do though I agree. I love it on Cornish beaches with everyone's turf marked out by beach tents, wind shields and for extra security a well dug out trench around everything!

Munchyseeds · 02/06/2018 17:30

Op I feel for You, j really do (been there!) I would really want to say something but DH wouldn't let me so I would just glare!

Unwritten rules of camping....DO NOT let kids have bubbles ANYWHERE near tents...the tents don't like It!

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 02/06/2018 17:30

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

I’d just go and accidentally trip on a few of their guy lines

Loudly send someone to get medicine for the highly contagious disease you have come down with

Next time bring a little garden edging that looks like a white picket fence

I love these beautifully PA suggestions Grin. Can you combine some of these OP? Mutter about contagious diseases whilst repeatedly tripping over guy ropes as you bash in your white picket fence?

And then I think you should look at them in a funny way.

That'll learn 'em. Grin

mydogisthebest · 02/06/2018 17:30

As I much as I hate confrontation, I would have to say something. Years of seething inside but keeping quiet have made me now speak to arseholes like this.

I would start off by asking in a polite way why they chose to camp so close. Say you would like room for your children and dogs to run and play.

If they don't move I would have to no matter how much of a pain it was. I just wouldn't enjoy my holiday.

Even on campsites abroad where the pitches are pretty close together they are not as close as that.

ziggiestardust · 02/06/2018 17:31

The3 😂😂😂 I really want the OP to do all 3 😂

LakieLady · 02/06/2018 17:32

Loudly send someone to get medicine for the highly contagious disease you have come down with.

Rofl.

When you're both in your tents, call over to your friend and ask if she remembered to bring the ointment for the pubic lice, because you forgot.

And she can ask you if you've got the stuff for the scabies.

NameChangingParanoid · 02/06/2018 17:32

Keep warning your kids about the spaniel - “because of what happened last time with that kid he didn’t know”!!

NameChangingParanoid · 02/06/2018 17:32

Your kids, not theirs!!

TemptressofWaikiki · 02/06/2018 17:33

In situations like that you need to be polite but direct in telling them to not invade your personal space by being that close. And do it as soon as they started to pitch up. Maybe they did assume that you have to all be that close together because of your friend's tent. But don't do the passive-agressive stuff, be direct and speak up.

Roussette · 02/06/2018 17:37

I would say.... look, this is a hard earned holiday for us, the owner told us we could pitch our tents anywhere, we had space and freedom not to annoy anyone and carefully chose not to get too close to anyone else. You have just done that. Please move your tent, we will help you if necessary"

kateandme · 02/06/2018 17:37

"hi,hi we were told to camp here with our dogs so they could have plenty of room and space to run free.and weve noticed you parked awfully close did we get the wrong place,were you told to park in this spot too?...weve also noticed your kids screaming at our dogs too so are getting a bit worried

LakieLady · 02/06/2018 17:37

I am in Sussex wink

Fan-fucking-tastic! Would you like us to come over, avec chien, behave very badly until they move, then bugger off again?

I can behave very, very badly, especially when drink has been taken. I could piss in their tent, and say I thought it was your toilet tent, as it was pitched so close by.

(Should add, I don't behave badly as a rule, but I have seen enough appalling behaviour to be able to do a convincing impression of a drunken yobbo)

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 02/06/2018 17:38

If it makes you feel any better DP and I were wild camping last weekend in Scotland in the absolute middle of nowhere.

Just before it got dark two blokes rocked up and pitches right next to us. Why? They had the entire wilderness to choose from. But no. They picked "our" spot.

Bettyfood · 02/06/2018 17:38

Oh I wouldn't be aggressive, ziggy. I might be firm if the situation called for it. I'd at first approach them in a friendly manner. Hello, lovely weather isn't it. Can I just ask what you are doing? Etc.

I do admit to parking next to other cars in empty car parks though, but not ridiculously close. Safety in numbers, and easier to line up.

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 17:38

Well, it’s clear that we aren’t their favourite people. They just walked through our camp (right through, not close to the edge) and she dropped her beer can.

I wasn’t going to say anything, but her DD said ‘you dropped your drink!’ to her.

The child actually picked it up. But it was totally intentional on the mother’s part.

OP posts:
Timeissliplingaway · 02/06/2018 17:38

😂 I can't believe there is so much space and they are right next to you. If it wouldn't be so much hassle for you then I wpuld say move to somewhere they could see you so they know you moved on purpose, but you have a lot of stuff so I wouldn't bother. Let your dogs out their crates. Screw them if they don't like it they should move not your problem. They could have pitched up anywhere

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 02/06/2018 17:39

Maybe they did assume that you have to all be that close together because of your friend's tent. But don't do the passive-agressive stuff, be direct and speak up

Agree with both points^^

PanGalaticGargleBlaster · 02/06/2018 17:39

I have experienced morons like this who rock up next door to you despite several football pitches worth of empty space to choose from. I used to sit there and seethe but I now just flat out ask them (politely) to move further away. Usually you get a few tuts and other noises but it rarely escalates. I have only once had to tell some bloke that I did not drive all the way down front london in order to feel like living in London so could he move. Some people just have zero sense of personal space.

ziggiestardust · 02/06/2018 17:39

Littering is illegal 😡

BorchesterTowers · 02/06/2018 17:41

Her youngest child keeps wandering in to our ‘camp’ and picking up kids toys.

You need to pick her up and carry her back to her parents and ask them to keep their children out of your camp site - and suggest that they might be more comfortable a bit further away.

SunnyTikka · 02/06/2018 17:41

Well, I for one can't wait for an update!!

ApolloandDaphne · 02/06/2018 17:41

Why is she acting all passive aggressive with you? It was her choice to pitch their tent where they did! People really bemuse me sometimes.

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 02/06/2018 17:42

I think people must be right. Maybe it’s ‘their’ spot.

OP posts:
mossyroundhill · 02/06/2018 17:43

Cheeky fucker! Can you wait until they’re out somewhere then just move their tent to the other side of the field for them?

OMGtwins · 02/06/2018 17:44

You were there first, they've not slept where they are yet, they have less stuff, just ask them what the owner said to them about where they should pitch their tent, them tell them what he said you and why you chose somewhere away from everyone else and about choosing the campsite for the dogs being allowed, and tell them you think it would be easier for everyone if they moved, and ask if they want any help doing it. Do it now before they start cooking....