Camping and age.

[OnenessWithAllStrife]

I am late 40's and DP is early 60's. A bit of a gap but we have been together for over 25 yrs, no kids at home.

We usually go to holiday cottages if we go on holiday, but he isn't exactly enthusiastic in general, just the type of person he is. But in the past few years I have grown this really weird urge to go camping, in a good sized tunnel tent, in the UK, with just a few rucksacks and some bags (we don't drive at the moment but I will probably be purchasing a vehicle next yr).

When we discuss camping he says he feels too old for that now, even though we did it when younger. I think he has got used to home perks and wifi and prefers a house to a tent! No issue, but is everyone like this over 50?

I want a bit of perspective, as the desire to just fuck off into the woods and live on a mat for a few weeks grows on me more and more, and I wonder if other people my age do this, without a car!

Has your opinion or desire to go camping lessened with age, and do you feel like it would be too arsey without a vehicle? Presuming there's just two of you here, of course.

It's really tricky without a car because you need bits to make it vaguely comfortable. For example, would you and DH want to spend a holiday with no chairs?

But yes, camping is great. Go here, you only need bedding:

pegsandpitches.co.uk/wild-boar-wood/

Don’t know if we’re typical as we alternative between luxury hotel/villa holidays and camping and enjoy both - for different reasons. I’ve camped for 25 years, pre-DC and now with - they love it!

If we camp for longer than 2 nights we stay somewhere with a shower block. Flipflops a must. I think beds are important and also chairs. Not being rude but as you get older, sore hips from being on the floor on too thin a mat and crouching from no proper chair will really start to hurt so invest in those. Beyond that, I like having no electronics and being outdoor and doing simple things. We have a gas stove and fire pit so will take one and enjoy cooking whilst camping (not essential and caped a lot pre-DC with v basic things). It can feel like work having to go get water etc. but overall I find the pace slow and being in nature very good for my health. Do it! Sounds like your DP might be half hearted whatever you do.

The best age for camping is 10 so he may have missed the boat a bit. It would be a PITA without a car. Maybe a glamping trip first to ease into it?

Haha, thanks! We did go camping when he was in his 30's.

Oddly enough we live on the floor, so can both sit for hours like that and spring up without issue so that isn't a problem.
Carting around home comforts is the thing, yes. There is some serious baggage to make things comfy.

I do long to just get out there though, I don't really care about the disadvantages, it wouldn't be for weeks on end, perhaps a few days here and there. And of course a decent place with toilets and showers. Whilst wild camping has its allure, it might not be optimal for someone who can't be arsed.

I think we have grown apart in terms of holidays and nature. He is so happy to just stay in almost permanently. I love him to bits but.........need to find a camping friend i think!

i'm not a glamping person, i long to roll in mud like a pig and watch my mascara float off downstream

If you can sleep comfortably on what you can carry, go for it. Camping is great.

Campervan might keep you both happy?
We're 63 and have had one for about 10 years.
Festival in 2 weeks!

I’m over 60 and still love camping. If you’re thinking about backpacking, that’s an art! It needs some serious planning and isn’t easy if you’re not experienced. Transporting a big tunnel tent, and all the other clobber, without a car will be very difficult. The tent bag alone will be big and heavy.
Why not work up to the wildness level you want in stages? Glamping at a nice site first, then “car camping” when you get your car, and when you’re used to that, go for short trips that are a bit rougher!
I do need more padding and insulation on the floor now. For “car camping” I use a tarp on the ground first, footprint groundsheet on top of that, pitch the tent on top, and in the tent a thin mattress topper on top of a camping mat!

I'm with your dh.
I'm late 50s.
I mean, I was never an enthusiastic camper - just did it for the dc, or to save money, but the older I get, the more I appreciate home comforts.

So, as per example above, when I was young free and single, I wouldn't take anything to sit on. When I was the parent of young dc, we'd take a picnic rug to the beach for the day. Now, I wouldn't dream of going to the beach without a chair.

For a lot of people, money is tighter when you have a young family, so you make the most of it. Now we are both senior in our careers, our income is far better, and we have no childcare or mortgage our outgoings are lower, so I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't treat myself to some more comfortable accommodation.

I think you need to sign up to become a Scout Leader, get your Nights Away Permit and make yourself available for camps with groups from around your District. That way you get to camp a lot, and your dh doesn't need to, and you get to scratch your itch but you can still have nice holidays with your dh.

Helpful answers, thank you!

I don't think i care about chairs but i do agree about some level of comfort that might necessitate a vehicle. I will earmark this for when I am driving again.

Sadly my other half is still not enthusiastic, but that's life. There are many things he loves that I don't so fair's fair.

Right now though I am possessed with the urge to just go! I'm not safe in a 'go outdoors' as I want to buy all the fucking tents

scout leader