to feel just a liiiiiiitle bit smug?

[PyongyangKipperbang]

We have holidayed in the UK for ages. Odd one in France but generally North Wales or the South Coast.

Go to the beach today and get sneery looks from certain groups, who were also being similarly sneery to others who were like us. Our crime? We came with a full beach set up. Pop up tent (most important!) picnic, towels, more towels, waterproof jackets and a few blankets. Yes it took some carrying (about the only thing I have found I hate about single parenting is that its all on me to carry it all!) but when the heavens opened, we went into our tent and waited it out, then when the shower had passed, out we came again. Whereas the "One bag with swim suits and a towel" mob were all in a mass panic and trying to find some shelter.

Holidays in the UK require more prep than getting your bikini on and popping to the pool! I rather suspect that there will be a lot more pop up tents on the beach tomorrow than the 4 I saw today!

Oh and yes....the seagulls will take your food out of your hands, thats why there are signs EVERYWHERE saying that its advisable not to each out in the open as the seagulls are aggressive. I saw a father read one sign, say it was probably an exagerration and then have to comfort his terrified child who had his sandwich nicked.

So yes, I do feel a tiny bit smug.

MIL was always the packhorse. Off she'd go lugging flask, lunch, deckchairs, umbrella, windbreaks etc with FIL trailing behind.
DH and I would stroll down to them midmorning, collecting tea from the on site tea van and hiring a sun bed and brolly en route. She'd never have parted with a few quid to hire a deckchair.

Meanwhile, lunchtime would roll around, we'd wander to the chippy right next to the beach and get a cone of chips whilst she ate a warm butty. Never did understand why she made life that much more difficult when she could amply afford to just hire the stuff.

@RedRec

No-one cares what strangers take to the beach.

Unless of course you're a woman and you're wearing it. Then many every other woman on the beach will notice and care very much. They will likely start a thread about it too.

No-one cares what strangers take to the beach.

"Unless it is a dead body"

I'll raise you a circle of severed heads on sticks, an air horn and a set of nipple tassels. Honestly, our last beach trip was completely ruined by people judging our set-up.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

No-one cares what strangers take to the beach.

"Unless it is a dead body"

I'll raise you a circle of severed heads on sticks, an air horn and a set of nipple tassels. Honestly, our last beach trip was completely ruined by people judging our set-up.

I'm sorry, I thought it was the Tory annual party conference.

I'll raise you a circle of severed heads on sticks, an air horn and a set of nipple tassels.

I immediately thought of Game of thrones. This wouldn’t raise an eyebrow in Westeros 😆

I have holidayed in the U.K. at least once a year for the last ten years and have never had the need for a beach tent etc. I can’t imagine messing about with that amount of stuff, we just take something to sit on and a bag with towels and swimming stuff for the dc. It’s never been a problem.

@DrSbaitso certainly not, I do have some standards.

Top tip for anyone new to the Lake District - take swim shoes, costumes and towels even if just planning on a day hill walking. It means you can paddle and swim in lakes waterfalls and tarns you see on the way. I don't know if I felt smug exactly but last year it was particularly hot and I was pleased we were able to take a dip on route. I remember a thread where someone was asking if there was a beach on the way to the Lakes - some of the Lakes are pretty much just like beaches!