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Original poster

Camping is hell.

492 replies

Thisisnothappeningagain · 29/07/2021 02:53

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.

OP posts:
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6
FuckingFabulous · 29/07/2021 15:01

Going glamping next month and that is as close as I will ever get again to camping. Camping is sheer hell and I loathe it. I cannot feel cosy while we all huddle on the ground under what is essentially a massive raincoat on a frame, bathed by torchlight and going to sleep at 8pm because there's fuck all else to do. At least with glamping there's a floor, beds, a stove, a table and lighting! Much cosier!

seasonalremarks · 29/07/2021 15:42

Exactly. And even if the weather is glorious, tents are always freezing at night and claustrophobic and airless in the morning. Why would you choose a crapper form of shelter? Why would you choose greater inconvenience (not to mentioned inconvenient conveniences)? Why would you spend 40 minutes trying to coax some asthmatic puny gas stove with the power of a mouse's fart to heat your tent-moist sausage to a point where it's probably safe to eat it?? And THEN wash up in a shared sink??

We don't . We have a 10 man/women canvas bell tent and a gas double burner beast of a barbeque. We even take mattresses and a duvet each. We charge everything with DH's Makita cordless tool chargers so lightening etc no problem.

I prefer camping to hotels and holiday lets. We could afford either but prefer camping under canvas which is neither too hot or cold and has plenty of air. You have just been doing it all wrong. Smile

OhGiveUp · 29/07/2021 15:43

Go to bed at 8??
I'm in the nearest bar at that time 👍

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Camping
tectonicplates · 29/07/2021 15:48

Re the Aldi bacon, I can't help wondering if things would've been different if the bacon was from Waitrose or M&S.

seasonalremarks · 29/07/2021 15:54

Actually I like them both equally. You can't compare the two - they are different experiences. I do embrace most situations if I get enough sleep. RAF bases an exception.

IntermittentParps · 29/07/2021 16:03

Re the Aldi bacon, I can't help wondering if things would've been different if the bacon was from Waitrose or M&S.
I think that might be why it's so funny Grin

OhGiveUp · 29/07/2021 16:06

I managed to sleep amazingly well on RAF bases @Seasonalremarks still sleeping well with eurofighters etc roaring over my head 👍

DarlingFell · 29/07/2021 16:40

@BrozTito

I think people go wrong thinking it will still be fun hungover
Oh god you don’t get hammered when you’re camping BIG mistake. I learnt that bitter lesson following a particular messy night at Glastonbury 20 years ago 🤦🏻‍♀️ A couple of glasses of wine around the fire should be fine 😉
Coogee · 29/07/2021 16:43

Re the Aldi bacon, I can't help wondering if things would've been different if the bacon was from Waitrose or M&S.

It probably wouldn’t have gone off so quickly.

BrozTito · 29/07/2021 16:55

Coogee yeah the ones i mean are around 20 watts and rucksack portable. Just googled and the 100 watt ones look really good but it would have to be car camping, not a canoe

Gingernaut · 29/07/2021 17:01

As far as I'm concerned, camping is some masochistic self-catering trip with the added bonus of having to build your own house out of sticks and cloth. Fuck that.

Anyone read The Tent, the Bucket and Me by Emma Kenton?

BrozTito · 29/07/2021 17:05

You all need to get tent stoves. How many people have a fire and cooking hob in their bedroom?

Viviennemary · 29/07/2021 17:26

Why would anybody need a tent stove when they have a perfectly good oven at home. Its really illogical. I dont want an oven in my bedroom at home thanks. I just don't get it. Self inflicted punishment. Even religious folk don't go in for that much these days.

GrandmasCat · 29/07/2021 17:57

I think many of the camping haters are doing it on a budget or without the luxury of higher-end equipment. Our camp supply is now extensive as it's built up over the years and we sleep comfortably, are warm and well fed.

I am not sure about that, my idea of holidays is “freedom”, carrying up beds, a stove, a solar generator or a lot of implements doesn’t sound much like freedom to and that is before we go on the huge effort it takes to avoid everyone covering everything on mud, having a good night of sleep or even go to the toilet.

Twoforthree · 29/07/2021 18:08

@Gingernaut

As far as I'm concerned, camping is some masochistic self-catering trip with the added bonus of having to build your own house out of sticks and cloth. Fuck that.

Anyone read The Tent, the Bucket and Me by Emma Kenton?

If you camped it the 70’s, it’s a real trip down memory lane, and funny with it.
OhGiveUp · 29/07/2021 18:10

I've never used a stove while camping.
If it can't be chucked on my small folding BBQ then it ain't getting cooked.

summercupcake · 29/07/2021 20:22

I totally agree OP

Camping is hell.
garlictwist · 29/07/2021 20:41

I would never camp on a campsite - I can't stand other people's noise. The only camping I will tolerate is wild camping somewhere beautiful and remote where there's no alternative, in a small tent that takes 2 minutes to put up, and for one night only.

And it takes me about a week to recover from that.

Daisychainsandglitter · 29/07/2021 21:07

God I hate camping. I'm totally with you OP.

HeronLanyon · 30/07/2021 08:33

Sending support to all campers (tents particularly) after last night’s storm.

BridgeOfLies · 30/07/2021 08:43

I think many of the camping haters are doing it on a budget or without the luxury of higher-end equipment. Our camp supply is now extensive as it's built up over the years and we sleep comfortably, are warm and well fed. Supermarkets even deliver to campsites as do many takeaways if that's your thing. Even on a smaller budget it can be comfortable with research and the right bed.

Nope. DH had a really decent tent when we met and was a seasoned camper with every luxury - even taking carpet with him. That could never negate living next door to others with only fabric and fresh air between you. And even the best airbed in the world wouldn't make up for having to get in a shower straight after a stranger and sit on loo hearing other people poo every day.

Supermarkets delivering doesn't make any difference to my hated of camping. Even if Jesus in his cabbage Ocado van delivers it.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 30/07/2021 08:49

I think this thread disproves Money Doesn't Buy Happiness. It shows it definitely buy comfort, be it better equipment, nicer campsites or a hotel.

(I roughly estimate that all our gear (excluding the spare tents, we have a collection.. just including the family tent) costs around £1k if buying all at the same time. Probably more. Its not cheap until you have the gear and know how to use it)

Sparklingbrook · 30/07/2021 08:53

I cannot envisage a holiday that involves taking actual carpet with you. Grin And I agree @BridgeOfLies those 'luxuries' could not make up for the downsides.

reluctantbrit · 30/07/2021 08:54

@BridgeOfLies

I think many of the camping haters are doing it on a budget or without the luxury of higher-end equipment. Our camp supply is now extensive as it's built up over the years and we sleep comfortably, are warm and well fed. Supermarkets even deliver to campsites as do many takeaways if that's your thing. Even on a smaller budget it can be comfortable with research and the right bed.

Nope. DH had a really decent tent when we met and was a seasoned camper with every luxury - even taking carpet with him. That could never negate living next door to others with only fabric and fresh air between you. And even the best airbed in the world wouldn't make up for having to get in a shower straight after a stranger and sit on loo hearing other people poo every day.

Supermarkets delivering doesn't make any difference to my hated of camping. Even if Jesus in his cabbage Ocado van delivers it.

I agree. Sure, decent equipment makes lot of things easier but I still don't fancy being virtually outside and with no indoor plumbing and water supply.

I think camping is like Marmite, either love it or hate it.

Sparklingbrook · 30/07/2021 08:56

There was a thread a few years ago about the pros and cons of car ownership and being able/not being able to drive. (That old chestnut)

Someone pointed out it would be pretty difficult to go on a family camping holiday on public transport. But some did say that it was entirely possible to take the train. Reading this thread with all the quantity of gear required I still don't think it would be.