CAMPING KEYWORDS
LEARN THE LINGO
Some may be self explanatory - others not so much. Below is my cheat sheet for camping related terms / phrases.
KEYWORDS
Facilities
Toilets, Showers, laundry, pot washing
Pitch
The area designated to you during your stay
Awning
A large 'tent' that attaches to the side of a caravan/van. usually without a 'base''
Ground sheet
Used as a 'dry' floor inside an awning, or as a protective base to put a tent on
Aquaroll
An outdoor water tank/barrel. 'Aquaroll' is the brand name. It has two openings, one on the side and one on the top - and is built so it can be rolled with the collapsible handle to transport with ease. Stands up next to the caravan to 'feed' when a pump is inserted.
Leisure battery
A battery specifically for leisure activities - eg things specific for the 'living area' not driving related.
Electric hook up
This re charges the leisure battery whilst giving you the access to use 3 pin plugs that are pre installed in the living area.
Black water
Waste water or water thats used to re fill / clean the loo
Elsan
Where you dispose of your toilet waste
Jockey Wheel
The small wheel (and lever) that controls the height of the tow bar
Chocks/Blocks/Ramps/levels
These come in various shapes, sizes and materials and are used to 'level' the van. They are either used under wheels, or the legs/jockey wheel to ensure they touch the ground.
Club Site
A site owned and manned by a specific club eg the Camping and Caravan Club or the Motorhome Club. You can read more about the clubs here.
CL
'Certified Location' meaning the site is maned and looked after privately, but is well known, used and recommended by various clubs.
Warden
The person who looks after the site. Often lives on site.
Rally/Meet
The name given to the 'event' / temporary campsite organised as part of a club.
Marshal / Steward
The person in charge and 'hosting' the rally or meet
Committee
Club member volunteers who organise everything usually consists of:
a Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, site co ordinator, and entertainment rep
Ralliers
you - the people camping
THS
Temporary holiday site - longer than a weekend
Flag / Coffee morning
A get together of 'ralliers'
Flag was where you gathered around the 'club flag' and said thank you to the marshals and heard about up coming rallies
Coffee mornings are just an informal get together, drinking coffee.
Social
Evening entertainment put on by the Marshal/Steward/Committee
MY MUST HAVE ITEMS FOR EVERY OCCASION! This obviously depends on how long you're going for, where you're going and what you're planning on doing whilst there – but as I'm an overthinker I always tend to pack for almost every occasion possible. And because I'm small, and my clothes are small - I can usually do this without taking up too much space... So below is a list of the clothes I tend to always pack and why... and by always I mean, whatever trip we go on, whatever the season, UK or abroad, 2 nights or 10nights - you can guarantee I'll have the below with me as long as space allows, along with some top tips too!
There are lots of various apps available to download that can help suggest, direct, and track routes. However - do bear in mind that some apps/maps will be useless when you lose signal, or run out of battery. Therefore, if you are venturing a long way from home we always recommend downloading any maps you may need and taking phone battery charges with you - or even better - go old school and take an actual paper map! Some of the apps we use are: OS maps – as this is really good at showing footpaths and routes that aren't clear on google Google maps Kamoot and All Trails. These last two apps work by you putting in your location - or the location you are intending to start from, and it brings up walks in that area. They are also 'user based' apps - which means some routes are 'official walks' where as others are random submissions from fellow walkers. This means you can find some right gems that you possibly wouldn't of found otherwise - however, some routes are also better than others. We have recently set up an account on All Trails, just search for "When We Wander' and our walks will come up.
It varies depending on the campsite...
Best places to go/things to do in the rain
Written by Trish
Written by Trish
