Oh gawd Doug, gross....but I get the whole hygiene thing. We have a 'don't touch the sides' rule, either yourself or the towel in washrooms, and feet get dried back at the van (we wear crocs in the washrooms/showers). Most folk are of course respectful to other users, but a few spoil it for everyone. I was in a shower once and saw yellow water coming under the wall towards me from the cubicle next door eeeewwwwwwwww!

I didn't realise that you and Mrs R showered together. If you don't mind me saying, that's very cosmopolitan for South Wales.

I would agree. Most of the sites that we've liked have been independent sites, though we have just got back from a lovely break at a C & CC certificated site. We are both retired, with two dogs, and a desire to go for long walks, so we are reluctant to book ahead unless the weather forecast is good. Our ideal, during the summer months, is a grass pitch, at a small, quiet site, with nothing beyond the most basic facilities.
My pet hate, is a large, hardstanding, only, site, with "all the facilities", that just resembles a gravel car park.

Feeling very lucky to have been able to organise my first trip at the last minute - and over a hot and sunny August weekend to boot!

I wasn’t able to pre-book a single night at a C&CC site, but had no problem booking two nights - Saturday and Sunday - only a few days in advance, They did have a small number of pitches available each day, but could only be booked after 1pm on the day.

I then thought I’d wing it and see how far I got on the Monday, Looks like I was very lucky indeed to be able to get into a large organised site on the seaward edge of Dartmoor. They had about four pitches available. I did get a call back later from one of the certified sites, so it’s possible there might have been a cheaper and quieter option had I held my nerve a bit longer!

Do people often end up parking up in a lay-by or similar? And if so, does one often get moved on, or is it generally okay? (Obviously not if you pitch your awning and set up an entire camp. But I only need to pop my top and put my legs down for a comfortable night :) )