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Original poster

Do you love or hate camping?

264 replies

Mumtothreegirlies · 30/06/2023 00:02

I just read another thread where a women was saying how she didn’t like camping.
I get why some people don’t like camping but I was surprised about how many others also hate it and they way they talked about their hate for the outdoors.
My question is, am I weird for loving being outdoors amongst the dirt and leaves?
Sometimes I go out in my car and park up in the countryside just to get away on my own and for my birthday I’m actually going away for the weekend on my own camping.
am I weird or is there anyone else out there that gets me?

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6
ShiteRider · 30/06/2023 13:12

JustAsYouSuggestPressedAndDressed · 30/06/2023 13:00

I can say with a clear conscience that I was not one of those appalling miscreants who went camping outside Droitwich without knowing "the etiquette".

I just don't get why sleeping in a tent in a field in the UK, surrounded by a load of people - and always with a good chance of rain - is fun or relaxing.

Show quote history

You don’t have to. I don’t get why people would choose to stay in a hotel for more than one night out of necessity but that’s fine because I don’t do it.

GeraltsBathtub · 30/06/2023 13:13

nancy75 · 30/06/2023 08:42

Not a chance, been camping once & it was once too often!

I’m a city person, I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do in the great outdoors (unless it’s a beach).
Once you’ve seen the view what do you do then? (this is a genuine question - I can’t understand what you’d do in holiday in the country side)

Walking/hiking, climbing, swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, relaxing in the nice scenery, going for a picnic, cycling, visiting local attractions…

Superdupes · 30/06/2023 13:16

I soooo want to love it but I'm always too cold overnight and then too hot when the sun comes up and it's always so hideously uncomfortable that I just don't sleep.

Interested in this thread?

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Camping
SirChenjins · 30/06/2023 13:21

I love camping when the conditions are right. I want good weather, quiet site, beautiful location, flat surface, electric hook-up preferably, hot water bottle for the night, clean warms showers, and reasonable proximity to the toilets for my 5am dash (or a tree beside the tent!)

JustAsYouSuggestPressedAndDressed · 30/06/2023 13:22

ShiteRider · 30/06/2023 13:12

You don’t have to. I don’t get why people would choose to stay in a hotel for more than one night out of necessity but that’s fine because I don’t do it.

Show quote history

True enough. But like most people I'm curious about life.

Do you never go abroad and stay in a hotel? Do you always camp, everywhere you go on holiday?

arghtriffid · 30/06/2023 13:35

I soooo want to love it but I'm always too cold overnight and then too hot when the sun comes up and it's always so hideously uncomfortable that I just don't sleep.

Equipment changes camping. A canvas tent (or a well ventilates/blackout etc )makes a lot of difference and the mornings are lovely. A good self inflating mattress. I sleep better than on my expensive mattress at home. I also just bring my sheet, quilt and pillows - never use a sleeping bag. For cooking I use a Cobb absolutely fantastic inventions.
https://www.lakeland.co.uk/62912/cobb-premier-charcoal-barbecue-grill-and-6-cobblestones-bundle

Cobb Premier Barbecue Grill & Cobblestones Bundle | Lakeland

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arghtriffid · 30/06/2023 13:39

I am also a fair weather camper 😊
I only head out if the weather is going to be reliably good for the week or weekend.

Leftleg · 30/06/2023 13:41

We camp for every holiday, never stay in a hotel.
We did before we had children, but camping suits us while the children are young and enjoy it. I'm not interested in going anywhere hotter than the uk.
They have the freedom to play on the campsite, they always make friends with other kids and have a great time.
We go to normal holiday locations near beaches etc so we don't spend the whole time on the campsite.
We also make sure to choose sites which have nice toilet and shower facilities etc and we have decent camping equipment so the bed is comfortable, nice big tent with electric hook up.

Chersfrozenface · 30/06/2023 13:48

I've camped all my life. I still camp in a tent quite a lot because a) a hobby where it's really the only option and b) sometimes it's the only holiday we can afford.

We can't afford a campervan or caravan (and associated storage costs).

We only have room in our one car for very basic kit.

It completely sucks. Having to pack the car up, then of unpack everything and put the tent up, then pack everything up again to go home, unload the car and schlep it all back to the house from the next street because parking. Rain. Mud. Trekking to the toilet at night in wellies and a mac. Queuing for a shower. The noise from other campers.

If I had any other choice, I would never camp in a tent again.

Roselilly36 · 30/06/2023 13:51

Hate it with a passion, can’t understand how anyone could enjoy camping.

VWFF · 30/06/2023 13:59

explainthistomeplease · 30/06/2023 13:01

Love camping. have a camper van (just a VW T6 with a bed and fridge). I sleep my absolute soundest in the van, even if i have to get out and find the toilet block in the middle of the night.

We have started to meet some great people VW camping.

explainthistomeplease · 30/06/2023 14:04

Ha love your username @VWFF !!

My DiL has a theory about camping - the poorer yoir childhood the more averse you are to sleeping in a field (or f-ing field as she calls it!). I was brought up (lower) MC and never went camping as a child; she was brought up very poor WC and always taken. Now she is a successful mid twenties career woman over her dead body would she camp! Whereas her solidly MC (my son) husband just loves it.

I actually do love my DiL but worry the camping divide might break her DS!

Bullshot · 30/06/2023 14:08

What model is your little caravan ? Me and DH have been looking around at either a small tourer or a BW camper

Skatingwaiting · 30/06/2023 14:11

I wouldn’t mind it if someone else would have the tent , trimmings and supplies ready for my arrival. It’s not the outdoors I hate particularly, I love that part, but it’s the sheer amount of work and organising involved.

orangeclubsarebest · 30/06/2023 14:17

I used to love it. But the kids are older now and don't actually want to be there (except the youngest) and it's really hard work on my own. Although the teens will help it's not much fun anymore.

cocksstrideintheevening · 30/06/2023 14:18

Love but only in decent weather.

lostinfusion · 30/06/2023 14:23

absolutely love it as long as I have a camp bed (not blow up) & an electric hook up.

in fact, love it so much it is my holiday of choice this year instead of going abroad

shesnottheone · 30/06/2023 14:24

Love it.

HappiDaze · 30/06/2023 14:30

Used to tolerate with lots of wine 🍷 when camping with friends and young DC

We've all decided we hate it and will never camp in drizzly UK again unless for a festival

ThreeImaginaryBoys · 30/06/2023 14:34

Absolutely love it. Have a nice big family tent and comfy mattresses. Insist on a decent shower block, though.

Campfire, Dutch oven, wine, marshmallows ... absolute bliss!

Iheartmysmart · 30/06/2023 14:41

Love it! I’m off on my next trip on Monday. I think the main draw for me is not really having to do anything. A bit of washing up and some outdoor cooking but that’s it. I can go out for the day, get back to my tent, poor a glass of red put a couple of bits on the bbq and I'm done. Read my kindle, watch something on my iPad or just watch the world go by.

VWFF · 30/06/2023 14:43

ThreeImaginaryBoys · 30/06/2023 14:34

Absolutely love it. Have a nice big family tent and comfy mattresses. Insist on a decent shower block, though.

Campfire, Dutch oven, wine, marshmallows ... absolute bliss!

I know my DH is the most chilled when he's lit his firepit and sat with a drink and some food. He's out of the van before me in a morning with the kettle on cooking breakfast. We had one of the best weekends a couple of weeks ago. Weather was lovely and we came home feeling relaxed and lots of new friends.

VWFF · 30/06/2023 14:44

explainthistomeplease · 30/06/2023 14:04

Ha love your username @VWFF !!

My DiL has a theory about camping - the poorer yoir childhood the more averse you are to sleeping in a field (or f-ing field as she calls it!). I was brought up (lower) MC and never went camping as a child; she was brought up very poor WC and always taken. Now she is a successful mid twenties career woman over her dead body would she camp! Whereas her solidly MC (my son) husband just loves it.

I actually do love my DiL but worry the camping divide might break her DS!

My DH would be very sad if I said I didn't want to do it anymore.

ShiteRider · 30/06/2023 14:46

JustAsYouSuggestPressedAndDressed · 30/06/2023 13:22

True enough. But like most people I'm curious about life.

Do you never go abroad and stay in a hotel? Do you always camp, everywhere you go on holiday?

Show quote history

Sorry I didn’t mean to sound snippy, I just meant that it’s OK to not like the same things.

I have been on more ‘traditional’ holidays in the past. Been around Europe, Asia, Australia, New York, recently went to Orlando and stayed in hotels. It was alright in Orlando because we had an apartment within the hotel complex so could be self sufficient, but I’m much happier camping.

I find it more relaxing. Ironically given what a lot of people have said on here, one of the things I don’t like about hotels is they feel too hemmed in, like you’re living on top of each other. I find it uncomfortable to think of people cleaning up after me and being in someone else’s space. I tend to find beach holidays pretty boring.

Spidey66 · 30/06/2023 14:50

Went once as a child. Never again. It's one of the reasons I've never been to Glastonbury, though have been to Reading on a day ticket. I'm not super fussy but l like my home comforts too much eg shelter from the elements, a proper bed, shower, toilet and kettle. My bare minimum on holiday is a b&b or 'Proper' caravan ie a static on in a proper site/holiday camp. I might consider glamping at a push but the loo/showe would either need to be in the pod or extremely close.