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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
Backwaterjunction · 30/07/2021 21:16

Camping is brilliant and really easy to enjoy, you don’t need much equipment and can improvise. The one thing you don’t need is to be moaning on your phone while you are there

GrandmasCat · 30/07/2021 21:19

Camping is brilliant and really easy to enjoy, you don’t need much equipment and can improvise. The one thing you don’t need is to be moaning on your phone while you are there

Of course you shouldn’t be moaning on your phone while you are there… the bloody hell of camping can be momentarily escaped if you are lucky enough to get a signal Grin

Sparklingbrook · 30/07/2021 21:25

Not thought of that. You can’t even use your phone to moan to people about how awful camping is while camping . Sad

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Camping
Abraxan · 30/07/2021 21:27

I like the idea of camping - outdoor, good wholesome fun and all that.

The reality is nothing like the rose tinted idea.

It's cold.
It doesn't have its own bathroom.
There is no where to make a quick cup of tea.
The beds are not as comfortable as at home or in a hotel.
It's either cold or too hot but without the option of heating or air con.

We have a big tent sat in the tent, barely used and is unlikely to be ever used again! The camp beds get used by DD's mates occasionally if we've run out of spare beds. The sleeping bags too though they're a bit too warm for indoor use. The rest of the stuff sits in the garage unused.

I won't be camping again.
I much rather have a hotel, even if it's just a Premier Inn somewhere.

idontlikealdi · 30/07/2021 21:34

@Backwaterjunction

Camping is brilliant and really easy to enjoy, you don’t need much equipment and can improvise. The one thing you don’t need is to be moaning on your phone while you are there
You need shed loads of equipment if you want an enjoyable experience. We're on the south coast in a static at the moment, the poor sods camping had an horrendous night last night in Storm Evert loads of broken tents, ripped of awnings. There's no fun in that.
idontlikealdi · 30/07/2021 21:35

@ViceLikeBlip

The trick to camping is to find the exact right amount of alcohol that lets you sleep through the absolute racket that is Other People Doing Shit, but doesn't have you up in the night for a piss. I find spirits work better for this than beer #yourewelcome
GrinGrin
SherbrookeFosterer · 30/07/2021 21:37

Book a hotel within walking distance of the campsite each time and sneak off at every given moment.

Topseyt · 30/07/2021 21:46

@Backwaterjunction

Camping is brilliant and really easy to enjoy, you don’t need much equipment and can improvise. The one thing you don’t need is to be moaning on your phone while you are there
No! For me camping is shit and impossible to enjoy.

Moaning on my phone might be the one tool that might have helped me to endure it, if I could keep it charged and get signal.

beigebrownblue · 30/07/2021 21:57

i also would like to join the no camping club.

I'm a single parent and the whole point of a holiday in my view is to have some time off.

So hotels or b and bs holiday clubs in holiday parks all the way.

No cleaning, no washing up or minimal. That's a holiday.

Way to go.

savagebaggagemaster · 30/07/2021 22:12

I've done D of E expeditions and outdoor education courses and I still hate camping with every single fibre of my being.

tinkywinkyshandbag · 30/07/2021 22:20

Used to love it when kids were young, not with DH who is useless and hates it, but with other mum friends and kids. But at 53 I need my comforts and a camp bed doesn't cut it.

Leontine · 30/07/2021 22:37

I used the love it as a child, I’ve never been as an adult but I think I’d struggle with the shared bathroom facilities.

mylifestory · 30/07/2021 22:44

I have no intention of ever camping in my whole life. My kid thinks they wd like to bt it is never going to happen. They wdnt like it, they wd hate it, just dont realise what it actually means. Did I say its never going to happen??

pteradactyl · 30/07/2021 22:50

I loved it when I was a kid and went with the scouts - like a big long sleepover with your mates and loads of activities.

I love the idea of camping. All that fresh air. But all my camping sojourn as an adult have involved being uncomfortable, damp and miserable.

I think if we could spend a fortune on a massive air tent, with big old air beds and the like I would enjoy it more. But that would cost more than several Premier Inn style breaks away and I'd rather just stick with those given the choice

shewalkslikerihanna · 30/07/2021 22:56

I’ve spent one night under canvas a few years ago as part of an activity week
It’ll never happen again.

The only camping I do now is in my 40 by 12 feet static with central heating and double glazing
A comfy bed with an electric blanket

I feel very sorry for the poor souls in their tents tonight

MidsummerMimi · 30/07/2021 23:06

Camping is rough sleeping without the heroin and cider to blot out the misery.

winewolfhowls · 30/07/2021 23:31

I don't like hot weather or beaches so camping in the UK suits me fine.
Biggest plus is when the kids are big enough to play on the play area unsupervised/ loosely supervised, they absolutely adore making friends and dens in the woods. You don't get that in a b and b. Biggest winner camping is to take a cool box and frozen slow cooker style meals so you have real, cosy meals every night to heat up with minimal faff. And lots of wine. Four nights is optimal, then you've had enough unless the weather is good. And being flexible about leaving early if bad weather forecast, no need to be a martyr

winewolfhowls · 30/07/2021 23:33

And it definitely improves with experience, you get to know what you really need and don't need, quicker pitching, hacks to make things easier.
Am i selling it well yet?!

Loveloveisland · 30/07/2021 23:59

Also detest camping. We’ve had a holiday at centre Parcs this summer so I don’t feel like I’m missing out by not going on the 4 night ‘glamp’ (AS IF camping can be made glam 🤦🏼‍♀️) at end of August. I will happily wave them all off 😂

Ticksallboxes · 31/07/2021 00:11

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GrandmasCat · 31/07/2021 00:53

I love waking up really early, before the kids and getting a coffee on the stove, dew thick on the grass and a nip in the air, watching the sunrise with a hot brew... It's my time to feel completely free of everything.

I totally agree with that, the golden hour. I do it at home in the garden even in the depth of winter. Would love to do it on the holidays but there is always someone waking to early, too late or too hungry for that.

I am thinking of starting travelling with my dog so I have a good excuse to be out at dawn on my own enjoying the sunrise.

Mamanyt · 31/07/2021 01:43

The only times when I ever enjoyed camping is when I used to take "Mom's Week," and head to the mountains right by my self. Usually in the winter (no snakes, no bugs), sometimes with snow on the ground (tent heaters are GREAT). Purchased a pop-up tent that I could manage on my own, and brought a pile of books that I hadn't had time for. No TV, no phone, no arguments to settle. Cooked JUST for me, what I wanted. Other than that, you can have it.

Squishable · 31/07/2021 07:13

You need to up your alcohol intake - works wonders

chaosrabbitland · 31/07/2021 07:36

[quote Mackymacmacface]@Ylvamoon please share these UK campsites with indoor pool!!![/quote]
we stayed at a haven resort in norfolk , it had an indoor pool and jacuzzi plus a really nice outdoor splash pool with a fountain , it was an all inclusive as in it had all the entertainment for the evening , it was set up with 2 fields for the camping and then it had all the caravans there you could hire as well

KatharinaRosalie · 31/07/2021 08:03

Biggest plus is when the kids are big enough to play on the play area unsupervised/ loosely supervised, they absolutely adore making friends and dens in the woods. You don't get that in a b and b.

Yes you would in a resort or CenterParcs type of village. Playgrounds, nature - but also beds, shower, fridge, kitchen - or someone else doing cooking and cleaning..

As for people saying you just need to drink more - waking up in a tent is shit enough. Waking up in a tent with a massive hangover is literally hell.