TV's or not TV's

[ips]

Never ceases to amaze me at the number of people that just sit in there vans doing what they would be doing at home. We dont have a TV in the van nor do we want one or indeed wish to have one at any time soon. I am interseted in how many other people choose not to have one and what they do instead. Incidentally we tend to be doing something like walking, shopping or out on the scoot during the day and in the evening after our dinner and a shower etc we tend to converese (a forgotten art it would seem) and or play scrabble. Sometimes listen to the radio and generally have the odd wee dram.

[Keithl]

Hi ips,

 

We totally agree with you!

We camped for 20 years before getting our MH and never once took a TV with us.

I have even removed the Status flying saucer from the roof of our AT and fitted a blanking plate in it's place.

Like you we talk, read and just generally watch the world go by. If the weather is good we like to cycle or walk (only short distances though).

The best thing is totally switching off from the world for a few days. For example we knew nothing of the Volcano eruption until nearly a week later, missed out all the press hype with the shootings in Cumbria and are we bothered, no way.

We have a radio fitted but have never yet even replaced the fascia while away, let alone listened to it.

 

We too wonder why these people do not stay at home and watch the box, especially those glued to it during the day when there are far better things to do.

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and like ips this is mine!

 

Keith.

[Tony Jones]

We're with you on this.

Out for a walk, local pub if in reach, scrabble, dominoes, finish off that bottle, and PLAN TOMORROW'S PROGRAMME. No time for telly!

[ips]

wow thats two (count em) like minded folk who agree with me............. I have to say its a novetly to be agreed with :-D

[Rayjsj]

I 'sort of' agree, we have a TV with a DVD player, never bother to tune in the TV bit, but if it has been precipitating down for a day or so, out comes the wallet with Unwatched DVD's in, Films usually, or long lost old TV series and we watch then, with a dram or two.

We were staying up in Northumberland, nr Holy Island when the 'Raul Moat' thing was going on and didn't know a thing about it, until we tried to visit Cragside house and found it closed. Scary or what !! Ray 8-)

[ips]

Thats not too bad a spose (lol)

[Neil Hunt]

Rarely watch TV at home either, although did recently acquire freesat TV to get the Welsh channels for the rugby, (would never have SKY even if it were free) so even less likely to want to watch one when travelling.

 

I do often feel actively hostile to the content of TV and the manner in which programmes are put together e.g. constantly telling you what you are going to see next and the dramatising of the news.

 

Do think this is a tiny minority view however and had to share the TV reception of the caravans either side of us at the lovely CC site at Brean recently.

 

Our van came too with an aerial which will never be used, at least by us and the radio remote switch, alluded to in the handbook, is missing so even the radio is an irritation knocking itself off every 20 minutes.

 

Never mind the telly, if you consider the gear that people take away and the huge awnings to hold it all it definitely is home form home for many.

 

 

[bertieburstner]

" and had to share the TV reception of the caravans either side of us at the lovely CC site at Brean recently."

 

You could always buy an Avtex tv remote and wander round the campsite turning all the Avtex tv's off or changing channels

:->

[1violet]

Dare I put my head above the parapet to say I would quite like one, only recently got the van but being a solo camper I can see the advantages, not during the day I agree, but in an evening particulary when its dark outside I would quite like to be snug and warm in my van with the TV on.

violet

[Guest JudgeMental]

we have a TV/DVD in our coachbuilt but no TV aeriel. we read and read and read and chat.... :-D this summers, month in Italy we did not watch one DVD. But I do miss my bit of BBC news, as ni on impossible to get UK radio on a radio these days :-S

[Porky]

ips - 2010-09-22 2:20 PM

 

Never ceases to amaze me at the number of people that just sit in there vans doing what they would be doing at home.

 

So far none of "all these people who do nothing but watch TV" have responded. I wonder if they will?

There are many dimensions to this. For instance we met a couple at Salamanca earlier this year and as soon as they had put the van on chocks the woman said "right now I can catch up on the soaps". Made me shudder it did.

However I find when we were away for four months the situation changes somewhat. The BBC world news is useful, my wife enjoys the animal programmes, and I find it helpful to watch some of the TV in the country we are in to help tune my ear into the language. I speak a passable amount of Spanish and a smattering of French, my wife is quite good in French and German.

Maybe the answer is in the quantity not the principle. Moderation in all things?(lol)(lol)

 

Roy Fuller

[kelly58]

It beats me that people can spend £1500 / £2000 for a satalite tv system for a motorhome I would not even consider spending that sort of money on a system for the home.

I must admit I do like to keep up with the news but if we cannot  get a reception on the radio like 5 live whilst abroad I can live without it.

[Brock]

No TV either and cannot understand why people cannot leave it at home. We've caravanned and motorhomed for over 20 years now, 14 years of those with children.

 

Often go away for the weekend on my own and don't think of the TV then either. I read a lot though. Is it any worse to have your head in a book or watching the TV?

[Derek Uzzell]

My understanding is that all Continental motorhomes with big sat-dishes have them tuned into Scandinavian porn channels and they have the TV's volume turned up high to drown the sound of the bed-slats creaking. Not sure if that's true (I think I read it in "Motorhome Monthly"), but, if it is, then it's a helluva lot more fun than reading or Scrabble.

[Neil Hunt]

Brock - 2010-09-22 6:52 PM

 

 

Often go away for the weekend on my own and don't think of the TV then either. I read a lot though. Is it any worse to have your head in a book or watching the TV?

 

Well No! At least according to Marshall McLuhan, who “foresaw with horror the approaching end of print culture....... if print and books were the technologies that nurtured individualism in world culture.....the electronic age held the potential for a new form of world wide tribalism.......thus opening the door for totalitarianism” Quote from Electric Eden by Rob Young

[Guest Tracker]

We have a tv/dvd in the van and jolly handy it is too for wet and cold evenings - not that you get that many of those in the UK!

 

Stretched out on the long settees, warm and comfortable, with a suitable refreshment to hand and maybe even a bag of tasty nibbles, I can think of few finer ways to spend an evening with the woman of my choice than a good comedy, play or film!

 

Soaps - no thanks - news - no thanks - I'm on holiday and that includes the news!

 

Satellite - not a chance rather spend £1500 on diesel and see a bit more of scenic Europe!

 

Although when I see a Swedish van with the satellite dish erect I might like to investigate Derek's theory - purely for research purposes you understand!

[bob b]

I thought it was just me who was not interested in a motorhome TV. I listen to radio 4 in the UK and have a stab at the Telegraph crossword in the evening. A suduko puzzle in bed to finish the day.

I was far too nervous to bring the subject in case I was  bullied.

[fred grant]

Tracker - 2010-09-22 7:20 PM

 

Stretched out on the long settees, warm and comfortable, with a suitable refreshment to hand and maybe even a bag of tasty nibbles, I can think of few finer ways to spend an evening with the woman of my choice than a good comedy, play or film!

 

 

 

Fred can think of much better ways to spend with the woman of his choice than watching the goggle box my luvvlies!

 

FFFFFFFFFFFFred

[Guest Tracker]

Yes fred - as expected from you - but a gentleman never discusses his night time activities!

[Mel B]

We have a TV ... now don't 'shoot' me will you!!!

 

We actually have a Status directional aerial which was fitted by the dealer as an free extra when we bought the van (he didn't like the thought of me taking the one out of our Rimor and leaving a big hole in the roof ... can't think why ... it's amazing what you can achieve if you sound serious!! :D ). Anyway, I digress ...

 

We have only on a couple of occasions actually watched TV in our motorhome in the last 5 years, and that was only to try to find out the weather forecast when we were in France. However, we used to watch videos (programmes we'd recorded at home and taken away with us) as we found it was a good way to 'settle' on a night before bed - we'd sprawl out on the fixed bed for usually no more than an hour, every now and then, with the dogs snuggling at the foot of the bed. After a hard day 'holidaying' we find that this is a good way to relax and chill out. We have now a combi TV/DVD (mounted at the end of the bed) so record programmes on to DVDs instead and take them with us.

 

We also have a small 'case' of games which we've put together: cards, a 'pig' game (can't remember the proper name!), dominos, travel scrabble, travel monopoly, connect 4, draughts, chess, checkers etc. Current favourite is checkers, closely followed by cards ... it just depends on how we feel at the time!

 

I also like puzzle books (logical challenges mainly) and can spend loads of time on these! Then of course there's writing up the daily diary and planning for the following day.

 

I don't watch any of the soaps, can't stand them and have better things to do than spend the ridiculous amount of time some people do watching them all, so at least I don't feel the 'need' to keep up with them.

 

We often don't eat until latish, usually 7.30 pm, so by the time we've eaten, washed up, walked the dogs etc it's getting on anyway, and if we're near a town or village (usually abroad), I like to go out with my camera when it starts to get dark and get some lovely night shots, so that takes up another good chunk of time!

 

I occasionally play a game on the netbook, but this is a very, very rare occurrence indeed, similarly when on holiday abroad, I rarely go on the web, and if I do, it's only to see what you lot have been up to!!!! The notebook is really only used for backing up/checking photos and occasionally typing up our handwritten diary.

 

Back to the TV/DVD .... when it's hissing down outside, I would imaging it would be nice to be able to snuggle up and watch a movie now and again. :-D

[robertandjean]

We have an Oyster auto. sat system on the van and think it worth every penny. Yes we do all the things that others mention, go for walks, visit local bars/cafes, read books, play games etc, but the sat means can catch up with news whilst having breakfast and for last couple of hours of day can sit back and watch progs like Grand Designs, BBC2/Channel 4 docs, or even Mid. Sommer Murders! We also have a net book each and when we can spend time on line or sorting out photos; yes we do have time to take some.

So rather than seeing sat systems or computers or mobile phones etc as something to avoid when away in our van we see them as enhancing our time in France. It does not mean we do not feel part of the local community where ever we stop; far from it we always make efforts to chat with French vanners on the aires and the local people in the shops etc. It just adds an extra dimension to our time away and makes our trips more enjoyable.

[Blizzard]

Each to their own I say !

 

I like easy access to TV for weather forecasts in the UK, so that I can plan days around the kids or mountain or lake activities. During short breaks, I also like to stay abreast of current affairs and news in my local region.

 

When the weather is poor, it's sometimes nice for the family to cuddle up on a cold damp evening in front of a good DVD. Other nights we may get the board games out and play Trivial Pursuit, Charades, Forbidden Words or Scrabble. Our reading is usually done once the kids have gone to bed.

 

I hadn't realised that because I bought a 21st century motorhome, I would be scorned for not adopting a 19th century lifestyle..... :-S

[silverback]

we dont take tv etc with us either, go walking and so forth during day, at nite we av a few bevvies and talk and watch the world go by, only because we hardly talk during the day cos of going hill walking :-D and no breath to speak :-(

good idea on the tv remotes... thats got to be a laugh (lol)

mite check out Derreks theory at some stage 8-) sounds plausible

jonathan

[Guest JudgeMental]

But is this really not about tv/dvd or not, but the quality of what you watch....And if you are the sort of sad ba$tard that watches soaps?

 

the gaunt white faces gathered around the goggle box have always made me laugh.......

[derek500]

We take our Sky+HD box away with us and watch a bit of news in the morning at breakfast and a few things in the evening. While in France for the last three weeks we've been watching the day/night England v Pakistan cricket matches.

 

Mainly, what we do is record stuff to watch when we return home. We've got episodes of Dexter, Mad Men, Bouquet of Barbed Wire and a Midsomer all to watch now we're back in Spain.