Kingsbury - or anywhere else near NEC

[jan]

Dear all

I have to go to the NEC in a couple of weeks time and thought that I would combine it with a few days away in that area as I have Sat to Wed off work - hooray! You all sang the praises of Kingsbury so much that it would be an ideal place to stay and explore from as well as go to the NEC. However it all looks very open. In the past I've often felt as if I was in a goldfish bowl on open field sites so nowadays always try to check that there are some more private or divided areas before booking - is this the case at Kingsbury or would I have to park on a field where everyone can see my every move? I've had a look at the video etc. The other thing is that on so many sites you have to park in rows in the same way as everyone else, like a car park, when I would rather park with the side door towards the hedge or other boundary - again for privacy and especially as a solo. Is this just convention or would I be able to park any way round I want?

Sorry, this must sound so unsociable but I am generally I'm afraid, - and one reason for campervanning is to get away from it all rather than move onto the equivalent of a housing estate with twitching net curtains (yes, one site was just like that)!!

If you think Kingsbury wouldn't suit me can anyone recommend another in the area I might look at? I've looked around but it's difficult to tell without personal recommendation.

Thanks - sorry this sounds awful but I know you're a tolerant lot and it takes all sorts!

Jan

[Graham]

Hello Jan

I perfectly understand how you feel about wanting a bit of privacy, not everybody wants to socialise when they are away in their van.

I'm not sure whether Kingsbury would suit your needs but if you asked the Holiday Site Manager to put you somewhere quiet where you could pitch the way you like I am sure they would try to accommodate you.

Alternatively why not try a smaller CS or CL, this one might suit, although I have not been there myself.

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub...&currentPage=0

It has hard standings, toilet and electric hook ups and they are only allowed 5 vans on site at any one time so it should be fairly quiet and you might even have it to yourself.

[Kipsy]

I know exactly how you feel which is why most of the time besides my awning I put one of these up http://www.windbreakleisure.co.uk/ they take a bit of time to set up but worth it for that extra bit of privacy

Most places you have to put the caravan in the position they say, its the 6m rule with health and safety, but kingsbury do have a nice hedge, and if you ring and ask they might find you a corner, doesn't hurt to ask.

Never apologise for wanting privacy, its what a lot of us want

[Vanderella]

Kingsbury did not seem as regimented as some sites. It is broken up into various sections, quite a few bends and corners, so some vans are parked at an angle and to be absolutely honest there did not seem to be many people just sitting in their vans and watching comings and goings, it's quite an active site. Most people seemed to be up and off at the crack of dawn - fishing, cycling, sailing etc. etc!

Not at all like some leisure sites where visitors roll up, peg out their territory, erect their satellite dish, tune in the TV, open the wine, and proceed with neighbour watching for their entire stay!

[jan]

Not at all like some leisure sites where visitors roll up, peg out their territory, erect their satellite dish, tune in the TV, open the wine, and proceed with neighbour watching for their entire stay!

Ahh Mary, so you've been to the same sites as I have then! Never again, I felt my every move was being watched.

Thanks for the ideas, kind people. I'll do a bit more research I think. Kingsbury does look well priced which is an attraction to say the least.

That windbreak is amazing, Kipsy. I'll have to think about that, it could be especially useful with my dog. I'll never forget the rant that Chris Gosling had on the Caravan Channel once about people cordoning off their pitches with windbreaks but as I said, we all want different things from our vanning.

Thanks again

Jan

Will be buzzing about in Leek tomorrow Mary, I shall look out for your bright red van, not easy to miss is it?

[Vanderella]

Will be buzzing about in Leek tomorrow Mary, I shall look out for your bright red van, not easy to miss is it?

I must confess we do have a car as well - very decadent I know, but bought it new pre-van and at the moment its better to keep it than sell it (that may have to change .......) We are heading to Hanley today so our paths may not cross.

Forgot to add re Kingsbury - John was VERY impressed with the underfloor heating in the showers, that may just be a deciding factor for you

[Kipsy]

Just realised your down the road from me

As for the windbreak, it is a god send where my girls are concerned, with them being small and cuddly, I can often get kids being a pain, have only put it up at a normal campsite a couple of times, had a few strange looks but then when the wardens have done their walk by a couple of times they normal come and ask where they can get one

Am getting mine altered slightly as it does take a while to put up, so am trying it with bungee cord threaded through the poles and stands, so instead of rolling it up each time, I keep it semi assembled, and fold it like a concertina, just a 1.5m x 1.5m x 6" deep should be the flattened size, those of the forum who went to wolverley beginning of last year saw it at its largest size, am reducing it a bit to make it easier to put up.

Personally I do like to relax in private, I go to all the agility shows with the girls where we are jammed in together in rows, the garden gives me my sanctuary where the girls can relax besides me as well as being private, and helping to keep my girls safe. Very handy when Pearl needs a wee at 5am as well

Look for me Mary on your way to Hanley.. I only live a couple of miles away .... heading towards Leek

[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

Hello Jan

I'm at Kingsbury now and when I first arrived I was a bit worried because it is pretty busy and some of the (cara)vans are quite close together. However the warden let me pick a spot and I went for one next to the hedge underneath the "watchtower" ....if you look at Ian's photographs from the meet you can see the white EHU post I am next to, 4th photo. That hedge backs onto the main access road but the center closes at 6pm so hopefully it'll stay quiet now until morning.

They only seem to be using the main field at the moment and everyone appears to want to pitch up as close to the toilet/shower block as possible. I'm here against the hedge with nothing behind me, nothing to my right and a caravan about 2 pitches away to my left.

(It's not a watchtower, by the way, and it's in the activity center the other site of the road, so don't worry... )

Also, if this evening is anything to go by, if you get the same sort of people as are on site now I don't think you need to worry - they'd all shut their blinds and closed their doors by the time I walked back from my meal. In fact, it was so quiet I thought perhaps we'd had a revolution over here and there was a 6pm curfew

[Vanderella]

Also, if this evening is anything to go by, if you get the same sort of people as are on site now I don't think you need to worry - they'd all shut their blinds and closed their doors by the time I walked back from my meal. In fact, it was so quiet I thought perhaps we'd had a revolution over here and there was a 6pm curfew

I think its because they are all so active during the day - cycling, walking, fishing, sailing, horse riding - they are all totally exhausted and ready for bed by 7pm. I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

I think its because they are all so active during the day - cycling, walking, fishing, sailing, horse riding - they are all totally exhausted and ready for bed by 7pm.

You could be onto something. I've just got back to the site after work, and there's the occasional sound of a door opening/closing, but I never see anyone.

Maybe they've been abducted by aliens? The EHU tripped a couple of times last night and there was this strange rumbling noise that I thought was the M42....maybe it wasn't...

[jan]

Good grief, we should set up a North Staffs branch of the smallmotorhome forum, I haven't been to Hanley for years - the big city! Went to Leek yet again today, goodness, twice in a week. At this rate I won't have any petrol money left for my trip away!

Thanks also for the info about Kingsbury - no such thing as aliens so that won't bother me. I'm going to give it a go for one night and somewhere else for the second, better book tomorrow if it's busy, I didn't think it would be yet. The clocks will have changed by then so maybe people will be out and about more, I don't mind if they're not tho!

Looking forward to that underfloor heating - heaven!

Are you living there Neil?

Thanks all

J

[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

Thanks also for the info about Kingsbury - no such thing as aliens so that won't bother me. I'm going to give it a go for one night and somewhere else for the second, better book tomorrow if it's busy, I didn't think it would be yet. The clocks will have changed by then so maybe people will be out and about more, I don't mind if they're not tho!

It's busy near the main block and in the middle of the main field, but OK around the outside. The other fields are empty but I don't think they're in use yet.

Are you living there Neil?

No, I'm heading back to South Wales tomorrow, just a 3-day round trip while I try not to break somebody's computer network in Tamworth

[Vanderella]

Went to Leek yet again today, goodness, twice in a week.

J

I was in Leek too - no petrol involved close enough to walk. We could have easily crossed paths

[jan]

...only if you hang out in Aldi looking at cheap anti-wrinkle face creams...

Or

.........around the whoopsies section of the Co-op. Some great bread offers to be had today.

:washingup:

(Sorry, the smiley has nothing to do with anything, I just rather liked it!)

:ironing:

[Vanderella]

...only if you hang out in Aldi looking at cheap anti-wrinkle face creams...

Close....... it was cheap shower gel from that shop next to Wilko (forget the name), and a card from Oxfam. Did Aldi on Saturday - great shop!