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.

What on earth do you do sitting on the beach for hours on end? Or those people abroad that sit next to a hotel pool?

Genuine question as I don’t see what’s so good about it.

We live in a coastal area but never spend time at a beach other than to walk the dog or go kayaking in the late afternoon/evening.

To me, it’s like having a hot bath. It’s fine for about 3 minutes then I’ve lost interest and I’m desperate to get out.

Everyone saying no one cares what others bring to the beach, but I swear not long ago there was a post from someone complaining about people bringing all that stuff to the beach. Doesnt matter what you do, someone is going to "notice" and "complain". That is what I have learned.

I've actually noticed the sneering before. When traipsing across the beach with 826 bags and 120 kids you do actually get some looks and the 'oh are you planning to stay here for a week!?' lines!!!

I feel smugger. It didn't rain when I went to the beach. Losers.

@whiteroseredrose

We used to go to Cornwall annually and were a bit sneery to those who marked out their Empire with lots of windbreaks, especially when it was multiple families building a mini estate.

However the mini tents were an essential.

But ehh though? Why be sneery?

Just enjoy your day and the beach and let others enjoy theirs in their 'empires', ya prick

Mainly always holiday in the UK due to being poor, and never take more than a towel and cossie, sandwiches and suncream to the beach. I can't be bothered with being lumbered with stuff, we just get up and go.

We’ve never used a beach tent and managed fine. Probably because our kids wouldn’t sleep on the beach or stay put long enough to get any use out of a tent. We got in the habit of hitting the beach later and staying 3-4 hours. We live by the coast so little and often works for us. I really don’t care what you bring as long as you don’t stake a claim to half the beach with your stuff and block the view.

Also in Cornwall, my only prejudice is against the windbreak encampments. It's so territorial and bloody annoying when they pitch up right in front of you on an otherwise empty beach. Sometimes they put so many around themselves they can barely see out.

I like the families who set up tents and equipment like they are in Helmand and prepared for all eventualities
Shade
Hydration
Containment
Secure micro-environment

OP you haven't come across well at all. You post is describing sneering people yet the person who comes across as overly preoccupied with watching other people is you

cool story sis

This is why going on the beach in the summer in the UK is rubbish. It rains.

My family of 5 shares one towel and would be sneering at your set up. Whilst we make a roast chicken last a month...

“ I really don’t care what you bring as long as you don’t stake a claim to half the beach with your stuff and block the view.”

I agree with this.

@phishy

I go to the beach a lot and it’s always a mix of families with full paraphernalia (tent, parasol, chairs, towels), couples with just portable chairs, teens with just their towels, 20 somethings with their volleyball net etc.

Nobody judges each other that I can see, we all go the beach for our own reasons.

You may feel smug but don’t pretend it’s a result of other people. You do you.

This ^^ Just enjoy your time at the beach and don't worry what others have or haven't got.

@ssd

Don't really blame you feeling smug *@PyongyangKipperbang*

Whats annoying me is all the talks of staycations

That's what skint families have been doing for years

Skint families just don't go on holiday.

I grew up holidaying in the UK too, but still don't feel the need to take loads of stuff to the beach.

Mind you, we were the family who would don our ever-present cagoules over wet swimsuits and stoically chomp our slightly soggy sandwiches while we waited out the rain.

Perhaps we were made of hardier stock back then.

We are always woefully ill prepared! I love people watching on the beach and do admire the families that look like they are prepared to camp for a few days, alas that will never be us

We had two towels. I forgot the waterproof picnic blanket so had to sit on one of them, but got a wet arse.

DS and DD had to walk home in their wet clothes because they both decided to wear swim stuff to the beach, but none of us thought to pack underwear/ dry shorts to change into.

Kids still had fun though and no one got mugged by a seagull so it's not all bad.

Why, just why do you need a tent on the beach!! If it rains so what, dont you go in the sea and get wet anyway? Its just water.

I bet you set your tent up so it blocks peoples view.

I dont go to the beach to stare at the bsck end of a tent I want to see the sea!

And if its particularly busy, seeing the pics over summer and all the wind breakers up, what a way to ruin a good view.

Sandwiches in the rain on the beach will never beat hailstones in my coffee on a golf course.

I agree you need to be prepared for the beach it’s a lot more fun that way!

I remember, on honeymoon on a certain Hawaiian island much-beloved by MNers, looking in surprise at those people who rushed away from the sunbeds during the afternoon rain shower.

Literally the only people who stayed on their beds were the UK contingent

I live on the coast. We go early, put down towels to sit on, sun cream is done at home before we put on our clothes, also brought with us in case we stay out longer than normal, but we spend a few hours there then leave as the masses turn up. We leave once the tourists turn up and love the beach when not full of them all. Id rather have a cooler peaceful visit than one where you can barely see the sand for all the camps set up!!

I went down the beach today. Not to sit on it but to walk along the water's edge.

Busier than it normally is but no where near as busy as when I was a child.

Only 10% at a guess had tents. I have one and have not used it this year because we haven't spent the day down there.

I did however people watch in the sense that I was guessing if they were locals or day trippers from London or holidaymakers. Its usually possible to tell.

Those trolley thingys are we talking about the foldable wagon type thing? Or the metal wagon type thing?

I dont have one. I have a shopping trolley i take to the beach or days out sometimes.

@godmum56

there was a sneery thread on here a few days ago about the sensible folk who prepped for their beach day

Must be a new fetish Probably doggers testing the keenness for a bit of tent action.