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Tuesday, 20 November 2012

A Wharfedale Oddity: 'Tents will be shifted'

Given that there isn't a great deal in the news that would currently raise a smile, I thought that readers might appreciate this snap that I took the other year whilst out for a stroll in the Yorkshire Dales. The sign affixed to the tree is perhaps the oddest that I have stumbled upon, situated as it is in a place where few campers, presumably, would wish to pitch their tents unless they happened to be adept at aqua camping (although come to think of it, the potential pitch displayed in the picture is little wetter than many campsites must have been during the 'summer' that we recently endured). Given the proclivity of many people to engage in extreme pastimes these days, there could indeed be such a thing as aqua camping, but I have not yet seen it mentioned elsewhere.

The phraseology employed in the sign seems to capture perfectly the grumpiness of the local Yorkshire farmer, aggrieved at tourists pitching camp at the water's edge without making a suitable donation to his purse. 'Tents will be shifted' it gruffly states, but what of their occupants? Would they be bound for an involuntary dunking? "Aye! 'Appen!"

Wharfedale's scenic grumpiness: 'Tents will be shifted'


8 comments:

  1. The only place in England (and Wales I think) that you can camp for free, is Dartmoor.

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    1. Camping on Dartmoor could also require a certain degree of hardiness. Generally speaking, it's also about as damp as the location shown above. For the superstitious spending the night on Dartmoor, there's also the risk of seeing Drake and his headless whist hounds hurtling across the moor. It is better to spend the night in a B&B and sample some local ale in an accommodating pub. Jail Ale is particularly flavoursome, and staying in a B&B has the bonus of offering central heating for those unseasonably chilly and wet 'summer' evenings. This option of course is not free, but it's certainly more enjoyable.

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  2. And if you have a wonderful companion, known as a dog? What then?

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    Replies
    1. In that case, it may be necessary to brave Dartmoor's open skies beneath canvas.

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  3. Rent a cottage. Many allow pets and it often works out cheaper than a
    b&b.

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    Replies
    1. Not when there is only two adults and a dog. Probably good value with a full family.

      I did rent a static caravan this year for my final trip away, because I was fed up with the rain. £320 for two of us for a week in mid-September. They did allow pets, but I don't think they cleaned the place that well, nor vacuumed it enough. And I'm sure we and the dog came home with fleas.

      I actually like camping and if you have the right tent, sleeping bag and equipment (we have 3 different tents) it is good fun. You need to be warm, dry, comfortable, plenty of space and things (options) to do.

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  4. A decent B&B is anything from £30 to £60 a night, depending on facilities and location. It can be more. I often rent a nice 2 or 4 berth pet friendly cottage out for around £250 to £300 a week. Between 2 people thats a large saving on a B&B.

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  5. what of if you planning for day with a family.lets say like 2 weeks.and a family of 4?is there any discount?

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