Camping is hell.

[Thisisnothappeningagain]

I havent enjoyed camping since i was a teen. Dp is well into it 'i just chuck a few things in the car and go!' -_- (i wont even get in to how much effort it was to acquire, sort and pack everything for a family and dogs) i finally bowed to pressure and here i am, a trek across a field away from the locked, extremely poorly ventilated, toilets and no idea where in this dark tent trying to take off the key is even though ive tried to keep it in the same zipped pocket. I must have had 5hrs sleep all week.

I HAVE TRIED to be positive, but im seriously struggling to see why this is fun, or relaxing.

[Panickingpavlova]

Very soggy day here, also cold, got a cold and haven't been well alla round different things.
I'm cannot imagine how horrible this experience would have been in a tent.
One thing have saved me /us, our lovely holiday aammcd

[Lovemusic33]

Luckily the people with the barky dog left this morning, there's hardly anyone here now so I'm hoping tonight will be peaceful. Its our last night here and tbh I would happily drive home now if it wasn't for the fact its pissing it down with rain and I don't want to get wet and cold taking the tent down on my own whilst the dd's moan. Our tent got wet when we were out earlier and I've used all the towels we have to mop up the puddles.

[Wheresmybiscuit3]

@Lovemusic33

Im camping, someone has turned up with a barky dog, it's barking non stop. When is it reasonable to go and tell them to shit the bloody thing up?
I am ready to go home and its only our 2nd night.

If it’s still barking then go ask them to do something. Usually anywhere between 10pm and 12am it should be quiet... or at least that’s what all the campsites we went to did.

[Snoopsnoggysnog]

@CaitlyntheCactus

I love camping but I love the basicness of it, the fresh air, the outdoors, everything. I do think you either love it or hate it.

I do get this. What I like about it (there’s not much) is how you have to switch off from everything abs just focus on the basic elements of survival. Shelter. Warmth. Your next meal. Finding an acceptable loo. 😬

[Lovemusic33]

Im camping, someone has turned up with a barky dog, it's barking non stop. When is it reasonable to go and tell them to shit the bloody thing up?
I am ready to go home and its only our 2nd night.

[CathyorClaire]

Ah, I stand corrected. It was indeed Spring Harvest that failed to catch my imagination

[CaitlyntheCactus]

I love camping but I love the basicness of it, the fresh air, the outdoors, everything. I do think you either love it or hate it.

[NotMeNoNo]

DH is involved with a lot of Christian festivals/Bible weeks through his events business, he's seen it all over the years. Like any other camping, when they are good they are awesome but if the weather is grim it quickly goes downhill. It's usually a great immersive worship experience over and above normal church.

I love camping but you need to know when to call it a day, the last Greenbelt we went home a day early due to knee deep water and mud. Greenbelt is a lot more laid back and more like a festival. Spring Harvest is more like a conference with loads of sessions and people anxiously hurrying around Butlins to the next one. Each to their own I guess.

[Maggiesfarm]

I should think you did, Weather, after 4/5 nights without a shower.
The only people I can imagine enjoying that are young kids.

[Maggiesfarm]

I've not been to either by the way but know plenty who have. Greenbelt was a bit 'hippy', Spring Harvest strictly evangelical. I don't know about New Wine but there was/is a New Dawn conference in Norfolk which is charismatic, in lovely surroundings too. I haven't heard of 'mass conversions' in any but anything is possible I suppose.

[Maggiesfarm]

@CathyorClaire

Please spill the beans on Christian festival camping

Sadly I can't as I was never gullible masochistic enough to go but from memory there was something called Greenbelt (no, I've no idea why either) which was a big thing in the youth group back in the day and another thing was New Wine which was the one the deluded fucker failed to sell me.

I have heard stories about mass hysteria conversions and mega woo getting 'slain in the spirit' on last nights but my definition of that is a couple of G&T's too many...

Yes there is Greenbelt down in Gloucestershire and Spring Harvest in Norfolk. You didn't have to camp at either, people could stay in a chalet at Spring Harvest because it was held on a holiday camp site, and many stayed in a nearby b&b for Greenbelt.

[WeatherwaxOn]

@Maggiesfarm

Where did you wash and wee?

There were onsite portaloos and washing was either baby wipes or fill a bowl with cold water from the drinking water taps (the field is usually used to graze sheep).
Had a nice long shower when I got home!

[CathyorClaire]

Please spill the beans on Christian festival camping

Sadly I can't as I was never gullible masochistic enough to go but from memory there was something called Greenbelt (no, I've no idea why either) which was a big thing in the youth group back in the day and another thing was New Wine which was the one the deluded fucker failed to sell me.

I have heard stories about mass hysteria conversions and mega woo getting 'slain in the spirit' on last nights but my definition of that is a couple of G&T's too many...

[Maggiesfarm]

Where did you wash and wee?

[WeatherwaxOn]

Just back from 4 nights/5 days in a field with no showers or electric hook up.
Tent took 20m to put up but a bit longer to kit out as I like to be cosy. We have rolls of insulating foam which "carpet" the bedrooms, and take duvets and pillows.
I found this year that the soft throws (made from recycled bottles, etc.) are really warm.
Use a mix of battery and solar lights for a bit of illumination, as well as those garden ones on posts to show where the guy ropes are - makes it easier to find the tent in the way back from the toilet.

[Wheresmybiscuit3]

I really enjoyed camping when we went for a few weeks. We moved from different campsites and just had a small tent we could throw up... however we were very lucky that there was minimal rain. Not sure I’d enjoy it when it’s pissing down outside quite as much!

[rantymcrantface66]

A tent doesn't have cupboards and wardrobes so there's fucking stuff everywhere.. way too untidy for me.

You can absolutely get tent storage. I have some but keep most in the car so it's out the way

[GrainOfSalt]

Sat in my tent reading this thread. Blooming love it

[Zenithbear]

It's freezing (I had 6 layers of covers on once in August), damp and you can hear other people having sex/arguing.
No one gets a wink of sleep.
A tent doesn't have cupboards and wardrobes so there's fucking stuff everywhere.. way too untidy for me.

[SamusIsAGirl]

CathyorClaire That seems even worse than LARP events - camping but with a load of rubber swords as props and clothes that are actually comfy in wet weather until you need to take them off to go to bed... Wet cloaks aren't fun.

Please spill the beans on Christian festival camping...

[rantymcrantface66]

(probably including a car big enough to take the canvas equivalent of a 3-bedroomed semi)

We watched in awe of the family that packed a 4 man tent, bedding, cooking gear, luggage and toys - they had parachutes etc- plus 2 adults and one toddler in a car seat and a teenager in to a Nissan micra the other week

[CathyorClaire]

This thread has reminded me of some mad fucker who invited us (in our church going days) to camp at a Christian festival.

Never would have thought the seventh circle of hell could be exponentially enhanced but...kudos.

[TheMarmaladeYears]

I only camp as part of participating in an event. The campfire stuff is magic and as you aren't on holiday as such if the weather is shit and the facilities poor, you only have to put up with 2/3 nights of it absolute tops. For sure you aren't left counting the emotional and financial cost of an annual family holiday that's crashed around your ears.

Otherwise it does nothing for me. If you have to spend more than the cost of 'inside' accommodation (probably including a car big enough to take the canvas equivalent of a 3-bedroomed semi) in order to have even basic levels of comfort then it seems utterly pointless. As for glamping, it was surely invented to part punters from money while still offering the fundamentally bleak overall experience that's camping in the UK. I can put up a cheap tent in my garden, emerge occasionally to piss in the herbaceous borders and sit on a wobbly chair while the rain pelts down if I want this sort of outdoor experience.

I did camping when my dcs were small. I have the pictures to prove just how jolly it wasn't.

[DerAlteMann]

If God had wanted me to go camping I'd have been born a Bedouin.

[GrandmasCat]

I hear you. I loved travelling more than everything abd did quite a bit on my own, but so many holidays “out of duty” has taken much of the joy out of it.