Daft question...maybe?

[Blue Hills]

You could always dig out an old non data/smart phone and maybe see if you have any spare batteries. I have a pretty ancient Nokia and 3 batteries for it. With the discipline mentioned above - only switching it on every now and again - that lasts a long long time.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I do likewise and occasionally top it up from the shaver adaptor points in the camp toilet block. I choose a quiet camp and the phone isn't state of the art. I do the same with camera batteries if necessary. Most campsites that I use are small and full of similar kinds of people. There is a large element of trust from mobile home tourers who leave tables, chairs, dryers, bikes unattended, to bike tourers who leave cooking, sleeping stuff, clothes in an unlocked tent.
Within reason, the whole thing works on trust and I've never had anything nicked from a camp.

Plus, ask someone in a caravan or camper van with electrical hook up to charge it, most sites have it and people are paying a flat rate and are happy to oblige.

 

[psmiffy]

when you are asked at the camping desk "do you want electricity" - find out if it costs extra - what i have found is that there is often no difference in cost or the difference very small - personally im willing to pay so that my phone, camera etc are all charged - a few years back I was on tour for over three months and at no time was any of my electrical kit unusable due to lack of charge

 

[lpretro1]

/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powertraveller-Powermonkey-Explorer-Solar-Charger-Yellow-/281098766209#vi-content

Ignore comments about no good in Uk - it doesn't require direct sunshine to use a solar charger

 

[CopperBrompton]

It doesn't require sunlight, but when it's overcast with grey clouds the charging time goes up approximately five-fold. So something that, on a good day, requires 8-10 hours to charge will need 40-50 hours. Honestly, don't waste your money.

 

[psmiffy]

ditto-I tried a solar panel a few years back - a tour of Finland and Sweden - I had the panel deployed for almost 90% of the time I was there - the weather apart from a couple of days was bright and fine - 23 hours daylight every day - it struggled to charge a very small pda i was using

 

[Blue Hills]

Interesting psmiffy - thnaks for addressing the old solar thing with practical experience.

I must admit I've never used one but can't help thinking that some folk like making things difficult/tinkering, or maybe imagine that they are crossing vast unpopulated deserts (some folk do of course and respect to them)

 

[StuartG]

I concur asking the cafe owner if you can plug in has never failed. Most twig that makes you a cert for a second/third drink if not a meal
Tried charging batteries with solar power. Not realistic plus do you really want to be stuck stationary on a sunny day rather than cycling?

 

[Blue Hills]

Are you thinking of the UK OP?

If so (never checked) I would guess that Wetherspoons have a fair few sockets - they always strike me as easygoing folks and you could always ask - If you have a Garmin GPs (or others) you could download the location file from their web site - much recomended cider festival coming up - sit inside while it chucks it down for a while and drink in the sunshine

 

[simonplatt]

i have got a charger that uses 2 aa batteries, also a wind up front/rear light set which also has a phone charger socket. so in an emergency i still have phone and lights.