Dod101 wrote:I am not just being a grumpy old man, this is actually a serious problem in Scotland. Those who turn up here in a campervan contribute very little that is positive to the economy and are a definite negative to the environment, a bit like those who race around the NC500 in a couple of days.
Dod
Im by no means doubting Dod's direct experience but I am TBH quite surprised that it seems CVs dont contribute to the local economy ... one of the big selling points in various groups' attempts to convince authorities to provide more "Aire" style opportunities is that they bring direct trade to the local economy by doing so... and its seen I read as a reason why French mayors are traditionally welcoming of such ideas. Drive up, stop overnight in the local Aire, short walk into the local village/town centre and eat and drink and shop in the local restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and markets, then buy fuel maybe and drive away the next day or so. As opposed to staying on a campsite away from the village/town centre having stocked up at the supermarche en route somewhere.
So I do find it odd that CVs dont contribute much to local pubs, cafes, shops, pubs , fuel stations etc - but then maybe they do stop at supermarkets for everything including fuel... In my very limited window of perception (ie my wife and I!) we deffo fit in the buy-local-buy-often brigade ... CVs dont have THAT much space to store stuff in anyway particulary perishables sucha s foodstuffs.
I've looked at the NC500 etc - it looks a lovely idea but its clear every man and his CV does it so I perceive its a a constant stream of other CVers everywhere. As for doing in it just a couple of days... well, accepting some only have a couple of days, I can't say that it would appeal to us ... if we only have a couple of days we'd rather find one place and stay there - near a beach or a lake or an interesting market town etc But it woold be boring if we were all the same
cheers
didds