To wonder why people enjoy camping

[SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum]

I can't think of anything worse. I know people enjoy it but I can't understand why anyone would want to be nowhere near a bathroom or kitchen. or anywhere comfortable to sit. Not only that, if the weather is awful you get cold. Or wet. Or far too hot. I just don't get it.

Tell me why I'm wrong.

So camping is better from a hygiene perspective. Who knew? Except the shower block maybe?

Last time I went camping was last year when I was quite early in my pregnancy.

I'm quite an outdoorsy person anyway, but the only thing relieving any morning sickness was fresh air. Being outside for basically 3 days straight was just wonderful (although I'll admit being sick in communal toilets was a bit grim-even if it was only once).

It'll be a bit different now we have DD to join us....

Eh, there's lots of ways to camp.

I only go places where you can camp between trees/not be close to other campers. Usually with nice showers/toilets/cafe serving coffee (and sometimes a fry up!) first thing in the morning...

We go with friends so the kids form a pack and entertain themselves with a frisby/football. Cooking on a real wood fire, ending with marshmallows etc for the kids. Eating out in local pubs etc when we fancy.

I love being outside, especially evening into the night with a roaring fire and we have the right equipment so that sleeping/sitting chilling etc is comfy.

I wish I liked it but nothing about it appeals to me. I feel horrified even hearing friends' camping stories as it sounds such hard work! Dh is not good at things like putting up tents so it would all fall to me. In all honesty I'm simply not outdoorsy enough and like home comforts when I'm away.

I do feel bad as the dc would love to go camping but it won't happen with us.

Loved it before kids. Now, just not doing it. Bad enough getting up in the night for a wee myself let alone with three other bladders wanting emptying. When they are bigger though we will give it another go, but I'm not looking forward to it!

Have to say though, motorhomes are a totally different thing! When we had ours, before the kids, we went and set up by a Loch, put the oven on for tea, got a cold beer out the fridge and sat down on the comfy seats and put the TV on, looked at each other and were both like, this is so far from camping!

I posted this on MN the other day but: I actually quite offended some friends of mine recently by laughing when they suggested going camping with my one year old and their two and four year olds, because I genuinely assumed they were joking. I hate camping anyway, but the thought of doing it with babies/toddlers...

It does seem reading this that the key to happy camping involves a glass of alcohol in your hand. grin wine

^
This lol

I like it for all of the reasons you listed really.

It is the opposite of life at home. Very basic. Very calm. No electricity, no WiFi. I went with my DCs at the end of July and we all actually spoke to each other all week. We played cards by lamp light etc.

I completely appreciate why it’s not for everyone. But some people do enjoy the back to nature side of things.

We do stay at campsites with showers & proper toilets though!

I just feel really mucky from the moment I arrive to the moment I leave - not something I seek to feel like!

It seems that the consensus is that camping is grim.

I knew it.

I always knew it.

Back to basics and slower pace of life as others have said.

Loads of fresh air.

Everyone actually speaks to each other and enjoys each others company without distractions. We are usually near the sea, in an area with dark skies so we all sit up at night watching for shooting stars and looking at the Milky Way and go surfing or walking through the day.

We haven’t been away much this year as we’ve had a lot of shit going on. We’ve all really missed it.

I love it,when i was young and still now. Kids as well

It isn’t for me but I could see why it may appeal to people who perhaps live in places where they feel claustrophobic. Estates/high rise flats in cities etc. I personally hated it

I think campervanning is cheating.

It seems that the consensus is that camping is grim

Ah but with a bank holiday weekend with weather like this all the keen campers are presumably out, off grid and toasting marshmallows or whatever

Kids love it lots of wine needed! Campsites have communal showers some have great blocks. We went half board camping so had cooked breakfast and main meal in on site pub was lovely just brought hot drinks when out.
My boys are beavers/cubs so can handle the elements used to putting tent up down got the kit etc.
Don't love it but some happy memories have been made away from screens.

Yanbu it was all camping holidays when I was very young. When we upgraded to static caravans it felt like the height of luxury.

Just had a week in France.

The good-
The fresh air
No screens
General conviviality
Safe
Very very beautiful
Children off being wild and loving it
Sleeping in
Long relaxing days

The bad
It can be hard work- even with all the kit. It’s a graft
Shared loos- although clean, still a bit yuk
Even in shady spots when the temp rises it’s hot!

The ugly
Your feet are never clean
Kids do the washing up- but they leave the communal sinks manky
Night wees......

I love it. Campsites, wild camping, festivals... all of it. Esp proper wild camping where you are really out in nature.

I would love it if I had a bell tent with a proper bed and in it in a field where there was no-one else, maybe a pony, and a deserted beach at the bottom of the hill and a gastropub.
I can't stand how busy most sites are, its uncomfortable and what a chore it is to even make a cuppa, and you do all of this in the middle of field with loads of other people you don't know!
I'd rather hire a cottage.

Camping + A Festival.

My Idea of Hell.

I don't get it either but each to their own.

Love camping. Mainly abroad. Can't afford a caravan or campervan so camping gives us an affordable holiday in some beautiful locations for an affordable price.

Just been to Norway. Camping by a fjord. Meeting people from over Europe and having chats with them. Barbecuing in the open, enjoying a drink...nothing beats it.

It's crap when it rains. But it's an escape and there is nothing quite like waking up and having a coffee in the early morning before going to the local boulangerie for fresh croissants.

You can keep your resorts and your massive hotels. For me, it's meeting people from other countries, staying in quiet campsites and having a fantastic holiday at affordable prices.

I rather like camping - I quite like the adventure of it all. I camped when I was pregnant last year and we climbed Ben Nevis, it was pretty comfortable really. A camper van is also pretty cool and has a few more creature comforts.