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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to pull out from this nightmare camping trip?

389 replies

SparkleSoiree · 31/05/2016 15:56

So, camping is not, has never been and, now I can say, will never be my thing.

People love it, I get that. Kids and husbands I think mostly...I DONT GET IT.

We are booked to go camping with DH's cousin and his family in August. I'm more of a city break, lovely hotel person myself but DH and DD were really keen to go relive his scouting days and not wanting to be a party pooper I decided to throw myself in there too to show willing and that basically I can do anything I put my mind to. Turns out I'm more of a panderedto woman than superwoman!

We did a trial on the weekend in the garden with the new tent and kit DH bought. Seriously, it was like watching him unwrap his presents on christmas morning. His face was constantly smiling, sharing his joy with DD who loved it just as much. I offered some help occasionally but could not get into the spirit of it at all. He even put up little fairy lights around the rope thingies to add a little bit of glam for me Biscuit .

It was a disaster for me, I got the total of 1hr 5 mins kip between 11pm and 8am, was in a seriously bad mood in the morning and did not see the fun side of it at all. Seven nights I've booked myself in for and if I had to spend 7 consecutive nights with minimal sleep I'd be driving myself home by the end of day 2! I cannot function without my sleep, I get really grumpy and moody and a desire to be on my own. I certainly couldn't think about a day trip out after spending 10 mins trying to get up off a bloody airbed and that's before I've even thought about getting dressed!

I'm considering options, one of which is not going at all and allowing DH to spend the week with his family and DD. Upside is that I would get a week to myself as my other DD is away abroad at the same time.

Another is to check into a hotel close by and swing in by each morning with some lovely breakfast items for them all and spend the day with them. Upside is there will be a lovely bathroom in the hotel, just for me, a cosy bed, a bar under cover and I won't have to make my bed in the morning because some lovely person will do it for me. More my idea of relaxation.

Other option is to borrow our friend's caravan (she has offered it in my hour of need!) and add a caravan pitch to our booking. That way we have a tent and a caravan. I could cope with a caravan - I think.

Out of those I think I prefer the first one, so AIBU to pull out and spend a week on my own doing my own thing and forgetting I'm a 44yr old mum of 3, wife to 1 and taxi driver to all?

OP posts:
houseeveryweekend · 01/06/2016 21:54

I love camping but like you cant sleep, i wouldnt be able to go for more than a few days because id fall apart. I think its fair enough to not go if its going to be a week long. I think you should book into a hotel nearby and pop and see them every day. that way you get the best of both worlds. x

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 01/06/2016 22:08

I've loved reading this thread...

I miss camping. What we call 'proper camping'. I used to live overseas and we'd wild camp for 2 or three weeks, then various longer weekends. To me, building a fire to cook on, 'taking the trowel for a walk' and not having anyone that's not part of your party within earshot is 'camping'. I loved the various 'natural showers' (rivers, lakes, waterfalls) and the complete shutting off of everything else.

I've spent a summer living in a tent too while working for an adventure company, but there was a shower block - though I preferred the river.

Anything that involves, power, wifi, bathroom blocks is 'staying on a campsite' and generally an endurance test, especially at night. I've done plenty of that too for various reasons. We've seen some hilarious sights 😁

To me, proper camping is all about it being the activity - collecting firewood, lighting the fire, just chilling out by myself or with friends. The concept of 'going out on day trips' is so far removed from that, I really just don't get it. If that's what I wanted to do, I'd stay in a hotel. It seems like the worst of both worlds (to me). I want to spend the day in my swimwear & my evenings bundled up by a proper campfire. Not trying to get ready to 'go out' and arriving back exhausted to a 'campsite' full of people.

If that's what people are doing then I'm not surprised lots of people say they hate camping tbh.

The other good thng about camping...it makes you appreciate home more 😁

Lovedaya · 01/06/2016 22:15

Take the caravan offer at least you will get some sleep and those who decide after the first night camping is not quite what they thought it would be will be grateful to join you I have tried both, give me a caravan anytime!No creepy crawleys, getting too hot, too cold, and thats the best parts!!

HamletsSister · 01/06/2016 22:20

What about the 2-1-2-1 theory of camping I suggested?

Headofthehive55 · 01/06/2016 22:29

Best to go somewhere warm. And no bears.

SparkleSoiree · 01/06/2016 22:30

HamletsSister I mentioned upthread about trying out a decent camp bed with luxurious, princess style bedding with the hotel as back up for the nights I can't hack it. Smile

If it works then hotel usage should be kept to a minimum!

OP posts:
chelseabuns2013 · 01/06/2016 22:32

Camping is shit, Max three nights at anyone time max 1hr from home drink solidly cook only breakfast Those are the rules!

SanityAssassin · 01/06/2016 22:39

I am not at all pwincessy and roughed it all over but UK tent camping is a weekend only thing. 3 days at a push
I have a caravan tough and actually really enjoy it - it's warm . I have a loo etc and a fridge (for wine obs) and semi decent cooking appliances if you're not BBQ due to the rubbish weather !kids love it too - do prefer a shower block to our crappy in van one though!

BertrandRussell · 01/06/2016 22:46

Just to underline - nobody has said that not liking camping is princessy.

Lovesabadboy · 01/06/2016 22:48

My husband and dds have been camping 3 times without me!

I know I would hate it and spoil it for everyone else so I have always refused to go.

They only go for 2 nights, but I enjoy those 2 nights home alone!
I buy the M&S meal deal for two (if it is on) so that I don't really have to cook. I read, sleep late and thoroughly enjoy myself!

Helennn · 01/06/2016 22:49

I am finding this all very reassuring. I am currently online dating and all I seem to read about is men who love camping (and fishing, spending time on the beach whatever the weather, hiking etc). I thought I was odd not to want to join them, but now I feel reassured that I am not alone.

alleypalley · 01/06/2016 22:55

I can't even be arsed to read 12 pages about camping, never actually go camping. YANBU, I think I'd definitely go for the hotel option.

GlomOfNit · 01/06/2016 22:59

See, I really, really love camping as long as it's not cold or pissing it down all day but the idea of a week home alone without the children is such a mirage of utter bliss, that I'd be seriously torn. Grin

Peeing in a bucket - you only feel the shame the first time. Wink

SparkleSoiree · 01/06/2016 23:03

No peeing in the bucket here ladies. I'd make myself ill first holding it in rather than pee in a bucket. SERIOUSLY?! How close to nature do people need to be?!

OP posts:
SparkleSoiree · 01/06/2016 23:04

BertrandRussell I need a like click for your constant clarification of the princessy issue! Grin

OP posts:
FunnysInLaJardin · 01/06/2016 23:09

camp in the south of France, have a toilet, cooker, fridge, comfy beds, fairy lights, river and loads of shade. Voila whats not to like. Oh also a smattering of vin et fromage Grin

pollyblack · 01/06/2016 23:09

I let my dh take my kids camping a few times a year and thoroughly enjoy blissful time at home alone. They love camping life; eating crap food, doing dangerous outdoorsy stuff. When i do go camping reluctantly i am fully aware I suck all the joy out of it by trying to enforce rules, healthy eating, hygiene etc. So I'm often not even invited now Grin

Puzzledandpissedoff · 01/06/2016 23:11

And no bears ...

And no lions either - did anyone see that article about the lioness licking moisture from the fabric of an occupied tent??

Of course, looking on the bright side it would have saved a stumbling trip to the loo in darkness ... I'd have evacuated everything right on the spot Blush Grin

whirlygirly · 01/06/2016 23:11

I did a summer of camp America back when I was a student. Fuck knows how, I've never lasted a night in a tent in this country.

I think what puts me off most is all the paraphernalia involved. I just want to pack clothes, sun cream and books, not bloody cutlery when I go on holiday. Where do people put all this stuff for the 50 weeks of the year they aren't camping?

SistersOfPercy · 01/06/2016 23:14

Having spent three nights last week with only a few hours sleep due to DH's snoring I confess I was ready to go on a murderous rampage and no amount of try to be cheerful and putting a brave face on would work for me.

I'm not a huge camping fan either (pot noodle pot is the portable urinal of the festival 😳) and I have joint problems so cold and uncomfortable beds just add to the issue. That said, your dd is clearly very excited so as others have said I think you may have to knuckle down, take as many things for your comfort as possible and drink a lot.
Avoiding sharp objects after day three is probably also best...

rebellove · 01/06/2016 23:19

And don't forget you'll also have to shit in a bucket Grin Stop at home or hotel defo.

masterchef98 · 01/06/2016 23:22

Really like how the thread turned out. Read a lot of it and as a reluctant but coming round to the idea camper (2 nights max and in South of Spain!!) my preferred 4th option from the start was to give it a go with the proviso that you weren't going to make yourself ill and everyone miserable if you couldn't hack it and would have a bail-out option.

Lelloteddy · 01/06/2016 23:24

Camping is shit. Really shit.
Especially in this country. And particularly when it rains.

Hotel every time.

Kimbrookes85 · 01/06/2016 23:38

I love camping my and my other half upgraded from a tent and got a camper van a couple of years ago and it is great. We even took our 7 month old camping this weekend and it was great 😀 I'm not a freak tho I also love 5* luxury hotels and spas lol.
If I didn't like camping tho I'd go for the hotel option that way you get to spend time with your family and stay in luxury while they enjoy the camping I think it's a bit mean to just abandon them completely lol

Lindsxxx · 01/06/2016 23:40

Whenever I've gone camping I never sleep on the first night (this also applies to hotels usually) so it may be worth having a second trial and doing two nights.
Then again if you and hubby are happy with you not going then I guess you've found your answer.
Myself I'd be gutted to be missing out on dd first camping trip xx

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