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.

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

@Buckleyourseatbelt

Where I live it seems all the middle class mums and dad love camping (bell tents and bunting vibes), and they’re always aghast when I say I don’t want to go. I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep and the thought of hearing other people up late is seriously off putting. Don’t want to hear anyone once I’ve gone to bed.

I live in a very MC area too and can confirm it seems to be a MC badge of honour to make your holiday as uncomfortable as possible. Camping somewhere wet and windy, where they can post photos of themselves gambolling about looking wholesome in waterproofs and Saltwater sandals seems to be favourite.

My idea of roughing it is a non-AI hotel.

[Maggiesfarm]

You have my sympathy op.

I wouldn't do it for a million pounds (well I might in that case but nobody will offer me a million pounds so it's all hypothetical).

[MirandaMarple]

Oh good grief, I've no idea why are you still putting yourself through the misery?!

Surely if you're miserable camping the rest of the family are.

I love camping, but it does take a lot of organising before a trip. Some friends were lured into it because I love it so much and I warned them it's not for the faint hearted. They hated it.

[Pleasedontputthatthere]

God, I love camping. Most years I can fit around ten weekends in. I am dreading the day when the kids say they don't want to go anymore. DH comes to around half of the trips, the rest are with various friends.

What age to children go off camping?

[ExConstance]

Oh, I just love camping. Nothing to beat a cooked breakfast outside, waking up to the sunlight coming into the tent. The one time and place DH will agree to the dog sleeping with us. Long walks and sitting out on a lovely evening drinking wine or visiting a country pub. Our best holidays have been camping and I'd much rather camp than stay in a holiday cottage or caravan. If it rains we just pack up, come home and I go back to work and go another time.

[emmathedilemma]

I agree! It's just not a holiday, even if you're in a stunning location with great weather. So much stuff to pack, and then clean and unpack when you get home, grass/sand/mud always gets into everything, tent is either boiling or freezing never a comfortable medium, treks to the loo in the dark, even making a cup of tea takes three times as long as it would at home, and don't get me started on communal shower blocks! Why would you when Premier Inn do king size beds, ensuite bathrooms and black out curtains for £29 a night?!?

[harverina]

The only way I will camp is in warm weather, 2-3 nights max, on a site with warm showers and decent, clean, facilities and toilets.

Lots of families round here camp rain or shine. To be fair I think they have all the right kit. We have very basic kit. They would plan ahead to camp with other families. The only time we’ve camped is when the weather has been amazing - I wouldn’t plan ahead in case that changed!

But even then, I have no desire to be outside when it’s wet - and putting the tent down when it’s raining is torture too.

[godmum56]

camping in the garden is epic....less than a minute from your own toilet and bathroom all the fun of watching the stars and so on and if it all goes to ratshit then you can go indoors.

[MaidEdithofAragon]

The only point of campiing is to make you super grateful for holidays with walls, and toilets in the same building. A lot of camping as a child makes me unbelievably easy to please when it comes to holiday accommodation. Not under canvas? Fantastic I'll take it.

[Sparklingbrook]

I love a cooked breakfast outside. Cooked (and the washing up done) by someone else and the outside being the outside of a hotel.

[harverina]

And I agree that camping in the garden is good fun! We did that during the first lockdown last year for DD’s birthday. It was April but really warm. We did 2 nights 😂

[YetAnotherWalk]

My mum and dad took us once when we were 3 and baby and it was enough to put me off

We've tried a glamping pod once and that was lovely but the weather was cold, so that ruins it.

Currently in a holiday home and there's been torrential rain at times and wet coats, wetsuits etc and proper cooking facilities and it's been bad enough. Glad to be in a house when it's meant to be 45mph winds tonight!

[MsTSwift]

It’s definitely a middle class badge of honour. It proved you are worthy screen free Enid Blyton types. Fortunately the hearty families sometimes take our kids with them as friends for their own.

[PieceOfString]

@MsTSwift

There were drains issues nearby recently and the smell of sewage actually triggered happy memories of family camping trips in France !

😆😆😆😆😆

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

@BrozTito

Ration packs, right gear, practice and location are the secret.

That sounds fine for a Duke of Edinburgh expedition…..

For a holiday I most definitely do NOT want my meals to consist of ration packs. I wouldn’t enjoy them at home so why on Earth would I enjoy them on a holiday?

[crossstitchingnana]

I love camping and am currently sat in a camping chair, outside my tent, in the middle of ancient woodland in Wales. It is epic.

[Wineat5isfine]

We absolutely love camping! But, it does cost a fair bit to have all of the right equipment and you have to invest in very good air beds etc. Comfort is absolutely key.

The type of site is also key as well! We will only stay in places with excellent facilities…it makes or breaks the experience!

[BrozTito]

Cos if its a massive pissaround to make dinner you just eat a ration pack instead

[OhToBeASeahorse]

For me it's the opposite of a holiday. The only time I enjoyed it was in the states and even then I was glad to get back to my bed (though we did camp for 2 weeks 2bf)

[Sparklingbrook]

Ration packs sounds very unholiday-like. Is there Kendal Mint Cake in there and some glucose tablets?

[IloveJudgeJudy]

I do agree with @doistayordoigo about going to southern France. English campsites ime just don't have the same facilities nor do they have the weather which makes such a difference to your enjoyment.

We went to Norfolk for our main summer holiday when the children were small (twice- why?) which is beautiful but we had rubbish weather both times. DH hadn't been keen on camping, anyway, so we vowed to camp where good weather was guaranteed. We did that for a good many years before we started going on holiday on our own in hotels.

We don't know where we're going this year but we might drive down to southern France with our folding camper again this year if the borders are open (DH's suggestion !)

Apart from the weather you need quality gear. I always think you need a tent you can stand up in and bigger than the manufacturers say, ie a 6-person tent for 4 of you.

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

@ExConstance

Oh, I just love camping. Nothing to beat a cooked breakfast outside, waking up to the sunlight coming into the tent. The one time and place DH will agree to the dog sleeping with us. Long walks and sitting out on a lovely evening drinking wine or visiting a country pub. Our best holidays have been camping and I'd much rather camp than stay in a holiday cottage or caravan. If it rains we just pack up, come home and I go back to work and go another time.

Most people who work have to book their leave wayyyyy in advance. Or are tied to school holidays only. To pack up and come back again another time simply wouldn’t be an option for a lot of people. When you are in that situation you can’t risk the holiday being shit as it will be your only chance for a year.

[Sparklingbrook]

@BrozTito

Cos if its a massive pissaround to make dinner you just eat a ration pack instead

[BridgeOfLies]

DH was really keen on camping when we met so DC and I went with him and his children. Once.

Never again. My bed deflated overnight and I woke up inhaling the side of the tent as I'd slid off the mattress. There was a man in a fishing tent next to us. He got pissed and then snored all night lying on his back with his legs sticking out of the tent.

It was really hot so the tent quickly became unbearably warm. I don't want to ever again get in a shower straight after someone else, with their soap suds and pubes in the bottom of the shower tray as a gentle reminder of their presence.

Having to use communal toilets for a week where every single person goes for their daily poo is not my idea of a holiday. Suggestions of a bucket or portapotti for use overnight don't cut it with me. The highlight of my year should never include having to pee in a bucket.

We have never gone camping together again. If he ever goes, it's with his children whilst we stay elsewhere.

[BrozTito]

My camping isnt the middle class labrador infested type though. I sleep in a hammock or bivvy outside