AIBU to think camping is f*cking shit, it’s not cheap and it’s not fun

[Pumkinfailure]

I’m currently a week into a 3 week camping tour of Europe and I’m ready to jack it in. I surely can’t be the only one to find this whole malarkey fucking hideous. Sleeping on a sloping bed in a tent hotter than the devils furnace, kids screaming day and night, neighbours who hate our wellbehaved Placid lab and have instructed us to keep him near to us at all times, never feeling clean, marriage hanging by a thread, no personal space or time alone. Not even wine is helping. And 50 bloody euros a night for the privilege!!
Please tell me I’m not alone on my detest for this form of holiday and share your tips to help me survive the rest of the holiday!

I love camping, and get plenty of personal space by taking me and my book off. I do require a site thats quiet after 10.30, clean hot showers, clean loos, and hot water for washing up - but would hate a site with entertainment for instance.

Why are you getting no time alone? It honestly sounds like the issues are more about you and dh than camping per se

Take a night off and go to a very cheap hotel with TV Aircon and running water for your sanity!

I've never done it but imagine I'd feel much the same as you.

Keep thinking I should give it a try for the kids sake, but honestly I don't even want to go in a fucking caravan.

I love camping. Dh less keen, he limits us to 3 nights :(

I don't see much difference between a cubicle and my bathroom at home! I go for walks to get time by myself.

My bed camping is wonderful, 10cm self inflating mattress. Snug!

Lol it’s really not that bad. The shower buildings are usually empty when I want to go. Plus I don’t actually care. Sleep with your head up the slope. Always ask for a pitch in the shade in the morning. Use the cocktail facilities. £50 a night is however pricy! I hope you get a pool and all sorts for that

Yabu , I’m sitting in a field happy as can be. Smell of woodsmoke , music in the distance and just had a warm solar powered shower.
Bliss

How rotten!
Find a nice site and stay a bit longer, settle in, relax, have some wine and try to find a nice flat spot. Being comfy and relaxed will make it more bearable.
Next year, book a villa.

Every time you camp, you spit on the graves of our industrious ancestors who invented houses, beds and proper plumbing. Camping is the devil’s work. It is the antithesis of a holiday.

I would pay to not go camping.
Just the thought of it makes me shudder.

I would just fuck off op, why should you have to put up with something you detest? It's your holiday as well.

Not on.

I'm with you Op. way too much hard work and discomfort and just doesnt feel safe at all.
you couldn't pay me to do it

I don’t mind camping but my absolute limit is 4 nights. No way could I do 3 weeks, like a pp said I’ve just come back from an all inclusive two week holiday and that was enough. Drink as much wine as you can

I love camping with kids and have some very good kit, which makes it much easier. BUT the two times we packed up and then set up the tent in a different place on the same day both very nearly led to divorce (I joke not). So touring is a definite no. It would be doable with a tiny tent and eating out rather than cooking but you can’t really do that with kids. I’d go home, tbh!

We are just in last night from 2 weeks touring round France. €50 a night is EXPENSIVE! If it’s just you two and the pooch look for cheaper campsites and maybe do a night every now and then wild camping? It really is lovely to be snuggled up on your own. In truthful the weather has been particularly hot recently in Europe and in a tent you know about it by 4am. Most campsites have a shower block. Have a shower before bed leave your hair wet keeps you cool. Pitch your tent inwards to your pitch and roll the doors back but keep fly net shut to sleep. Earphones are a must. I listen to audiobooks sleeping anyway but definitely need them when camping. Earphones in when you go to bed so rather than laying there listening to every noise under the sun (there’s no getttinf away from that!) you’re listening to a nice story and you will eventually drift off to sleep. Also use the earphones in the loo situation helps to keep it a bit less grim when you can’t hear the person next to you! Again what PP have said about decathlon we went to buy a beach shelter to get out of sun (been 36 most days we have been here!) and it’s brilliant! Decathlon is a French company but have shops all over and they have a pleatherer of camping gear to make your holiday more comfortable. Buy a decent air bed and a pair of flip flops for the showers. Don’t give up just yet...you might grow to love it! Or at least like it!

Yanbu it’s terrible, I just about tolerated it pre children but with kids? Absolutely no way.

I love camping, but we go to a beach half an hour from the house, and for a few days at a time.

And we leave our dog at home!

Being liked after by someone else, obvs.

Also don’t be afraid to tell the OH to go explore and check or surroundings - without you - and reports back on what they find every now and then! Get yourself a nice spot and a book jobs a good en! We did this at least 4 times over the two weeks!

@Pumkinfailure

"My husband loves camping"

LTB 😂

My idea of enjoying the great outdoors is on a lounger by some type of body of water. 🍹

Luckily my husband doesn't like camping and we've both seen way too many horror movies set in forests to ever entertain giving it another go.

3 weeks! I don’t think I would last 3 nights! I detest camping, it’s a test of endurance not a holiday. Sending u a hug OP, could you cut the trip short, stay in a hotel or book a cottage for the remaining time?

Another one who loves camping, however, I only stay on small 'remote' sort of sites with less than 20 pitches (and who allow campfires).

I can't imagine the hell on earth that is 3 weeks of touring busy campsites with children and a dog though. You have my sympathy OP.

Fuck. That. Shit. See also narrowboat holidays.

3 weeks is far too long, I manage 6 days but I'm ready for my own bed by then.

Went camping once - for one night. Never again.

Three weeks?! YANBU. Too long by about 18 days!

Give your lovely lab a hug from me