Charlie Thacker, Campground Security, TRF

[brier patch charlie]

Teach, just for you I'll bring some rum. But Scotch is so much better.

[*Teach*]

I will accept scotch as a substitute

*Scotch is ok in a pinch, but Rum is the stuff.*

[brier patch charlie]

I'll make sure it's Good Scotch, no chep sh!$%, but if I have to I'll find some rum!

[Rani Zemirah]

I like our end of the campground... it's definitely not as crazy, and it's close to the fence, so maybe the thieves think it's easier to hit the camps with open space around them so they can scatter easier if they're caught...  Mostly (well, unless you're a drunk chick, I guess) if you're on that end it's because you meant to go there, and not because you stumbled upon it by accident. 

I really enjoyed all the camps that were around us, and met quite a few people from smaller groups on the periphery that were very nice, as well.  It's a really good location! 

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Aye, Lass... I'll have to agree with thee.  Even the group of younger people next to us were cool... they brought us barley wine and we took over some loki.  They never had loki before... their brewmaster found out why it's full name is Loki's Revenge. 

[Rani Zemirah]

LOL  I must have missed out on the barley wine...   I think it does help to at least introduce ourselves to the neighbors, because it seems to be a bit more difficult for many people to steal from someone they've looked in the eye, chatted with, and shared a laugh or a sip of Loki with.  It also helps to get familiar with those that belong in the area so that when the wanderers come along they can be spotted more easily. 

I think I must only have flirted a bit with our friend Loki last weekend, because he was most kind to me upon waking each morning, and never once steered me into any of the myriad traps scattered throughout the grounds! 

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Nasty found a drunk trap, Friday night... not someones tent stake but this little hole in the ground.  It just happened to be Nasty's foot size... 

[Rani Zemirah]

Ouch!!!  Didn't seem to do too much damage, though, because I didn't see him limping at all.  That kind of thing is bound to happen when you pay more attention to all that cleavage you're surrounded by than to where you're putting your feet!     

[crashbot]

Luckily my little group has grown to 4, although the 4th isn't very intimidating. We usually get left alone for the most part, just hope nothing gets messed with while we are inside.

We did have a drunk show up last year, but we teased the guy so bad he fjust left on his own.

[grizintx]

Just got home and had an amazing weekend.  Went and personally greeted each neighbor as they arrived or once they were established, told them to keep an eye on their stuff and that we believed in the watch thy neighbor system.  One group immediately packed up and left to the other side of the grounds.  Every one else was great, seemed to appreciate the friendly greeting and promised to help watch each others back.  Probably the best camping experience we've had.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Just got home and had an amazing weekend.  Went and personally greeted each neighbor as they arrived or once they were established, told them to keep an eye on their stuff and that we believed in the watch thy neighbor system.  One group immediately packed up and left to the other side of the grounds.  Every one else was great, seemed to appreciate the friendly greeting and promised to help watch each others back.  Probably the best camping experience we've had.

This is an excellent idea and I'm glad it worked out well for you.  Everyone should know thy neighbors if nothing else for helping to improve everyones safety in their area.  Good work Griz

[grizintx]

A bit of irony, Lady Stitch happened to be one of my new friends for the weekend.   Her entire group was near us.  Amazing folks, if you have not personally, introduced and spent some time with her and her pink pirate, you would be doing yourself a favor to do so.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

*Don't forget The Traveling Gnome* 

[LadyStitch]

A bit of irony, Lady Stitch happened to be one of my new friends for the weekend.   Her entire group was near us.  Amazing folks, if you have not personally, introduced and spent some time with her and her pink pirate, you would be doing yourself a favor to do so.

I have to say fate had a hand in it because I don't know HOW I would have found you otherwise.  You were not where I thought you were going to be.  It was nice his group came over and helped me & the pirate with our little tent problem.    And we returned it with Pyrate rum and Single Barrel Jack Daniels to share.  Made for a nice time.
When we had a car door that didn't get shut all the way, a neighbor shut it for us.  Everyone kept an eye on each other' camps.  The ONLY times we had any issues was a bunch of ^&*T*%* twits who were going fire to fire trying to find drugs, and were blasting bass techno music until 6 AM.  I have a feeling  they may have had a little 'accident' with their sound system the next two nights. 
The other happened Saturday night.  We had just come back from Tim's camp.  The Pink Pirate and I went to bed, but another couple was stayed up to make sure our two teenagers went to bed, and didn't get into trouble.   Some very scary drunk guy came into camp.  He kept nosing around out canopies.  He wanted to know what we kept in the sealed canopies..  After slapping a hand over our overly friendly teenager's mouth, we told him only tables.  He then tried to put the moves on our teenagers by dragging them through the dark to the fire circle.   Instead of letting them go alone our group went with them.  He tried to ditch them at the fire to go raid our stuff, but the adults circled around and wouldn't let him get near.  Our people aren't that intimidating but having them stand like centials at our canopies doors, with the our teenagers behind them DOES make the point known.  And we had a feeling if we needed the help there was  not just our group, but the ones across the road, and  down at Tim's camp who would have come to help. 
All in all, camp responsibly and with Friends, and you should be fine.

The only things we 'lost' this weekend was our crappy camp shower that we hadn't used in 5 years.  It was old, mildewed and calcified.  If you want it you can have it.  Wasn't worth the trouble of repacking it anyway.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Tazer.