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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To sleep on the balcony?

81 replies

FortunesFave · 12/04/2021 16:09

I know I probably AM BU but it doesn't stop me from wanting to. For as long as I can remember, I've preferred sleeping outside to sleeping inside.

I just feel more comfortable and peaceful. '

We live in Australia so you might think it would be more of a normal thing to do here...but it's not, mainly because of mosquitoes.

Some people go camping but rough it and sleep only in a tough sort of sleeping bag thing with a hood and a mosquito net called a Swag...but I don't see why I have to go into the countryside to do it...or use a swag and a net.

We moved not long ago...where we lived before did have a massive garden but a lot of mosquitoes due to a stream nearby...plus it was extra creepy there as it was an old property and the block next door had an abandoned house on it.

But here, we're right by the sea...I can see it metres away from the balcony on the second floor...and the balcony is quite private...nobody would know I was there.

AIBU to get a few blankets/duvets and something to lie on and kip there sometimes? It's Autumn here now and I love the slight chill in the air...

OP posts:
Sceptimum · 12/04/2021 20:43

I slept in a swag a lot when I was doing my working holiday visa fruit picking there, it was lovely. Get a mosquito net though!

thenewduchessofhastings · 12/04/2021 22:27

@JayAlfredPrufrock

We need more details now you've said that!!!

duffmcstockings · 12/04/2021 22:42

I would take your bed and lay on it in a heartbeat. Especially if my family were on the other side of the world. Grin

altlife · 12/04/2021 23:00

Ah go for it! We do this when visiting family in India. Sleeping under the night sky is amazing - enjoy!

Somethingsnappy · 12/04/2021 23:08

I'm staying on this thread purely because it's making me so happy. I'm looking at you @JesusInTheCabbageVan... Grin

Gobbeldegook · 12/04/2021 23:36

I couldn't think of anything worse 😬 scorpions and snakes and spiders galore. Mind I couldn't holiday there for the fear never mind live there

Overdueanamechange · 12/04/2021 23:41

I still can't get past how a country with swarms of giant spiders is considered habitable. As long as you can do it without waking up from the spider scene from Harry Potter, then do it Grin

Original poster
FortunesFave · 13/04/2021 00:11

@notacooldad

It would be a hard no from me! I remember sitting in my friends garden at 03.00hrs having a quiet drink in Ballarat and tbe place sounded busier than the middle of the afternoon with all the night creatures!Possums and all sorts of other animals joined us. I can't say I was entirely comfortable with it!!!
Ah...this is a very quiet seaside town. No pubs or bars or restaurants. Just a normal street.

The reason I'm asking is because I think DH would think I'm a bit mad or something! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
FortunesFave · 13/04/2021 00:12

@Gobbeldegook

I couldn't think of anything worse 😬 scorpions and snakes and spiders galore. Mind I couldn't holiday there for the fear never mind live there
It's not a snakey place...and it's not snake season either. Spiders don't hang on my balcony because there's no nooks and crannies for them. It's very clean and tiled...
OP posts:
Original poster
FortunesFave · 13/04/2021 00:13

@Sceptimum

I slept in a swag a lot when I was doing my working holiday visa fruit picking there, it was lovely. Get a mosquito net though!
No mozzies here...can't work out why. Might be because we're close to the sea or something? I haven't been bitten once since we arrived!
OP posts:
RickiTarr · 13/04/2021 00:14

Sounds like the film Rear Window. They have to scramble a bit when it rains in that, though. Smile

Original poster
FortunesFave · 13/04/2021 00:14

@MixedUpFiles

Could you build a little screened in room on your balcony? My parents have one of these and my mother slept out there all the time. She loved the cool night air, but also liked knowing nothing was going to crawl into her blankets or scurry across her chest.
It would sort of negate my reasons for wanting to sleep there. I don't want any screens. In fact, I HATE screens. When you open a window here, the breeze is always slowed by the screens.
OP posts:
RickiTarr · 13/04/2021 00:15

Would a roll out futony thing work?

TheThingsWeAdmitOnMN · 13/04/2021 00:22

I've lost count of the places where I've slept outside, incl NZ. AUS - if you think the snakes, spiders & mice aren't an issue then, why not?

So what if DH thinks you're mad??

TheThingsWeAdmitOnMN · 13/04/2021 00:24

With you on the screens! But mossie netting I'd be keen on!

Original poster
FortunesFave · 13/04/2021 01:09

@RickiTarr

Would a roll out futony thing work?
Yes probably....but ours is massive so I'm loathe to drag it upstairs from the storage area downstairs. I ,might just make a nest and put some yoga mats down.
OP posts:
Original poster
FortunesFave · 13/04/2021 01:09

@TheThingsWeAdmitOnMN

With you on the screens! But mossie netting I'd be keen on!
This is the most mozzie-free place I've ever lived in Oz. Not sure why though!
OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 13/04/2021 01:16

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Do it.

I did it in Cairo. But it involved sex and a hot Scotsman.

Stealth boast.

In fact so is ops.

This whole thing is a haven for stealth boasters with their sea views, hot sex, Australianism, sun, balconies, roof tops. Bah humbug I hope the boys bite you all.

Pepperama · 13/04/2021 01:37

I used to as a teen - drove my mum mad but I loved the stars and sunrise

Hoppinggreen · 13/04/2021 08:41

Dont make a nest - you will attract things that like nests

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 13/04/2021 09:07

@Somethingsnappy

I'm staying on this thread purely because it's making me so happy. I'm looking at you *@JesusInTheCabbageVan*... Grin
Grin

Last post by the OP at 1am: "This is the most mozzie-free place I've ever lived in Oz. Not sure why though!"

Nothing since, and doesn't that sound exactly like something out of a horror film? I picture her sitting out there with a glass of wine, happily typing away, as the bird and insect noises fall silent and an enormous toothy mouth rises slowly up behind her.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 13/04/2021 09:09

@Hoppinggreen

Dont make a nest - you will attract things that like nests
Tooooo late.
Original poster
FortunesFave · 13/04/2021 10:08

@Hoppinggreen

Dont make a nest - you will attract things that like nests
Well whatever I'm sleeping in will be nest-like....bag or blankets. We don't have a spider issue here...and it's not snake season.
OP posts:
Somethingsnappy · 13/04/2021 10:33

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

GrinGrin

She made it through the night!

Hoppinggreen · 13/04/2021 10:34

Do the snakes know it’s not snake season?
It’s like when my Mum used to tell me there were no sharks in The Med, I’m not sure the sharks got the memo

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