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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
LunaLoveg00d · 31/05/2016 18:15

Ive been camping in a tent with just a field for the loo! Fab holiday...it's your attitude to it that makes all the difference.

My attitude to finding the loo was a field would be to fuck off back home pronto. There really is NO NEED to poo in a field or go without showers because someone, somewhere thought it was "fun". Everyone has different ideas of "fun" and there are many of us who think camping is as much fun as a week watching paint dry or spending it in a particularly wet cave.

Campers are as bad as bloody vegans with their evangelising about it.

Lynnm63 · 31/05/2016 18:15

Went camping once when I was 16 as part of DofE award. Never again!
I think I might be prepared to camp if Rob Lowe asked me sparkling Grin
I'd say borrow the caravan as at least you're on site with them, I assume the caravan has a loo and a shower so no midnight trips to communal loos.

Sparklingbrook · 31/05/2016 18:17

Pooing ion a field with Rob Lowe Lynn? Shock Grin

angielou123 · 31/05/2016 18:17

I am in no way a 'happy camper'. The hotel sounds like the best option to me, it suits you and them. If they moan about it, i'd not be going at all! If you don't enjoy it, you don't enjoy it. Not your fault, don't go and be miserable though as you will ruin it for the others. Best of luck.

Sparklingbrook · 31/05/2016 18:17

*in

phlebasconsidered · 31/05/2016 18:19

Airbeds are shit and cold. A decent mat from Outwell on top of a reflective matwill do you and is comfier. PLUS a really good sleeping bag. I also always have earplugs and a thin blanket. I agree with a pp that after a day you just sleep anyway because you've been outside so much.

I also say pick the campsite. I'm camping now and have wi-fi , code entry family bathrooms that are nicer than my own, and a dial up pizza on hand. Alright there were terrific storms that made us think we were going to the last night, but that's part of the charm.....

(Actually, the kids loved it. "Look, even the cows are running!" I was debating moving us to the car. DH slept through it.)

Moonax · 31/05/2016 18:21

There is no way on this earth I will ever camp again voluntarily. We used to spend a fortnight every summer camping in a school field while putting on a show in Devon. Never, ever again.

The only way we survived was buying a tent big enough to stand up in to pull your knickers up. DH and I are both short but that was still a huge great tent. It made little or no difference to the discomfort levels.

Do it if you feel you must with a postive face but in my (fairly lengthy) experience if it's not good after 48 hours it isn't going to improve.

WriteforFun1 · 31/05/2016 18:26

I've only ever camped with access to showers and toilets so I have to ask - those who have had to shit in the woods (!) - was this in the UK? I've only ever known people do that in really remote parts of vast areas of jungle etc.

Headofthehive55 · 31/05/2016 18:32

No not in the uk, and very remote! No hotels available there I'm afraid!
I'm up for adventure though. I get something different out of all types of holiday though - that's what I meant by it's the attitude. I go with the thought that it will be good, we are together, spending time.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 31/05/2016 18:36

Where are the field pooers putting the toilet roll?
Sparkling no ones suggesting you and Rob Lowe pooing together,
you would need to retain some air of mystery Grin

There does some to be a direct correlation between camping and drinking copious amounts of wine to ease the pain.

exLtEveDallas · 31/05/2016 18:37

Princessy my arse. I've slept in enough fields to know camping is not my thing. DH and I went on a walking trip with a group of 15 some years ago. Every night the rest of them camped, whilst DH and I stayed in a B&B close by. Oh the names we were called for not roughing it camping with the group...

By the end of the trip (5 days) only DH, me and the organiser were still standing - everyone else had folded, either injured or just pissed off. I laughed. A lot Grin

AdoraBell · 31/05/2016 18:40

I can't sleep in a tent. Caravan is okay is okay, but a tent, no. My problem is if I can't get to a toilet without going outside I feel desperate for the toilet, so much so that I can't sleep because it makes me shiver. I have tried limiting my liquid intake to the point where I am dehydrated but nothing works.

So I don't do camping.

If you know that you can't sleep in a tent then do it OP, hotel sounds like the best solution.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 31/05/2016 18:40

Exactly Dallas, it's not Mission survive, it's supposed to be a relaxing holiday.

StickyProblem · 31/05/2016 18:41

Pull out. My DP adores the outdoors but we can't go camping because he just can't sleep. We tried glamping in a posh bell tent and he couldn't sleep there either. We only went for 2 nights and he was ill for 5 days afterwards. Next time we'll try a yurt with wood stove but we would still only do a few nights. 7 nights on crap sleep would be AWFUL!

tinyshinyanddon · 31/05/2016 18:41

We (me, DH, 3 DCs) camp all summer long but we have these beds:
www.rei.com/product/892837/rei-kingdom-cot-3?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-8928370001&CAWELAID=120217890000792434&lsft=
And we also bring a teapot and fondue set.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/05/2016 18:44

My attitude to finding the loo was a field would be to fuck off back home pronto

I'll join you in that ... I've been camping only once (Scout/Guide international jamboree thing) and that was once too many

Hard to see why you'd do this to yourself, OP - you won't enjoy it, and the rest of them will probably feel bad if you're miserable. Better, surely, to enjoy the peace and quiet at home and really spoil yourself with whatever you fancy while they're away Wink

Headofthehive55 · 31/05/2016 18:46

ilost you take a spade dig a hole.....
If you want to see those places...

AdoraBell · 31/05/2016 18:46

Sorry, not just outside, rather going outside to find a toilet block the other side of the camp site, in the dark, negotiating other tents and trying not to wake up other campers by accidentally shining a torch their way on my way.

My DDs love camping though, and I used to.

oldlaundbooth · 31/05/2016 18:46

Camping gets worse the older you get.

If you are 20 you can hack a rough night in a damp sleeping bag.

Over the age of 20 it's starts to go downhill. Put kids into the equation and before you know it you're checking into the Holiday Inn.

Williep · 31/05/2016 18:48

Check in to the hotel if you can afford it. You'll be in the best mood, you'll still spend quality time with the family and you can be the hero by bringing fresh goods for breakfast and lunch. Friends of ours did just that when we went camping having roughed it in tents for years. Those camping thought the hotel-goers were weak for not being able to camp out and the hotel goers laughed at us and looked far better most mornings :)

oldlaundbooth · 31/05/2016 18:48

I've camped in these remote places with no running water and no toilets.

Yes, it's grim.

Yes, I didn't sleep.

Yes, you shit in a hole in the floor and don't wash your hands.

Yes, an old man perved over me whilst I changed in the stupid unisex tent.

Roughest night ever.

Beautiful scenery though.

crankyblob · 31/05/2016 18:50

We went camping with "friends" it rained continuously, put everyone in foul moods and we ended up falling out spectacularly! Haven't spoken since!

I will NEVER camp again! And I used to love it!

So YANBU at all! If you think you will hate it I would recommend not going

AlmaMartyr · 31/05/2016 18:53

I adore camping, it is one of my favourite things of all. I know it's not for everyone though and can understand why - no judgement here! If it's not your kind of thing, then don't go. You'll be miserable and it make others around you miserable too.

It's a bit of a shame when camping is viewed as a 'daddy' thing. We do a lot of camping and outdoorsy stuff and there's a definite perception that I get dragged along by DH against my will. I run a Beaver Colony and someone was recently talking about getting a man to help me put up some tents for a sleepover Hmm

Hope you have a great time whatever you decide OP!

ManonLescaut · 31/05/2016 18:55

The hotel sounds great. The caravan sounds a bit more blitz spirit.

I think I'd do the caravan and fantasise about the hotel.*

*Ok that's a lie - no way am I ever going in a caravan.

Ragwort · 31/05/2016 18:56

Just encourage your DH to take your DD and leave you at home, why is he so keen for you to go too? Doesn't he like 'father/daughter' time?

My DH regularly takes our DS camping, I have no wish to go (years of organsing cub/scout camps have been enough for me Grin).

There's no 'law' that says you all have to holiday together.

And whoever said anything about 'sleeping not being important on holiday' - I have just returned from a wonderful bank holiday weekend, fabulous weather, lovely time except an extremely uncomfortable bed - I am so looking forward to being back in my own bed tonight!