Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel just a liiiiiiitle bit smug?

258 replies

PyongyangKipperbang · 15/08/2021 18:55

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.

OP posts:
isthisareverse · 16/08/2021 09:25

Op says “very popular destination”
So I’m guessing very busy yesterday

if it's somewhere like camber sands, it's popular, busy AND big enough for pop up tents.

Marmitemarinaded · 16/08/2021 09:27

@isthisareverse

Op says “very popular destination” So I’m guessing very busy yesterday

if it's somewhere like camber sands, it's popular, busy AND big enough for pop up tents.

But how would op be aware of group sneering at her and overhearing them if they weren’t very close?
Marmitemarinaded · 16/08/2021 09:28

The op was even able to see a “father read a sign”

Suggesting she was damn close!

isthisareverse · 16/08/2021 09:34

sadly, people coming close to you doesn't mean the rest of the beach is not empty!

It's the empty-parking space syndrome, some people like to glue others. Some people like "people watching" apparently.

dayslikethese1 · 16/08/2021 09:50

I don't really understand the point of beach tents, surely you get wet in the sea anyway? Or is it to keep the sun off? But to each their own.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 16/08/2021 09:53

How odd. I live on the coast and feel smug because if I'm too hot/cold/wet, I can get back in the car and be home in 5 minutes with my one bag containing a towel, book and water.

Choccorocco · 16/08/2021 09:57

I totally get it! Nothing like being prepared for anything and then everything you could have prepared for actually happening! Nailed it!

I either have absolutely nothing suitable - yesterday we went ‘fishing’ at low tide, so there we were in white trainers and t-shirts, wading in muddy sand (estuary not beach) and soaked to the skin - or everything I can think of.

In full planning mode for a specific activity I feel the need to cover all eventualities. It can take time and many failed attempts while the kit list is being finessed. Having reached peak kit, the thing is that most times, not all of the equipment will be required. It is therefore brilliant when circumstances conspire to allow me to use everything I have brought! Definite feeling of satisfaction. Less focussed on being prepared vs others mainly because I am very bad at noticing or caring what others think of me due to bad eyesight and having eccentric parents creating a relatively thick skin.

So Pyongyangkipperbang I salute your planning abilities, enjoy your feeling of smugness. It is great when a plan comes together!

Ozanj · 16/08/2021 10:01

I don’t bother with a beach tent unless it’s hot. We’re meant to get rained on this time of the year in the UK. I’d laugh my head off if I saw someone drag that much stuff onto a British beach just to avoid a bit of rain / seagulls.

Mrsfrumble · 16/08/2021 10:13

We’re “beach minimalists” because we’ve either got there on public transport or stopped off while doing a coastal walk. We’re not inexperienced in the ways of British beaches, we just don’t own a car to load up with pop-up tents or picnic hampers.
I didn’t realise we were bringing others such pleasure by allowing them to feel superior… you’re welcome OP Grin

MoonlightWanderer · 16/08/2021 10:33

@Marmitemarinaded

Really hot and sunny?

This is the uk.

It didn’t get higher any where in Uk yesterday than 22 degrees

I said that at the beach I go to everyone brings a shelter because it’s really hot and sunny. I’m not in the Uk though but it’s really fine that everyone at the beach has some kind of shelter whether it’s a pop up tent or a sun gazebo. I think on many foreign beaches it’s like that. I’m sure UK beaches can cope too.
Qwerty789 · 16/08/2021 11:03

Yes I know a sneer when I see one!

Yes, I imagine you catch one in the mirror an awful lot.....

Qwerty789 · 16/08/2021 11:06

OP & family don't even go into the water.....wtf is the point of even going to the beach then? It's literally the point.

WorraLiberty · 16/08/2021 11:14

@Qwerty789

OP & family don't even go into the water.....wtf is the point of even going to the beach then? It's literally the point.
No it isn't literally the point.

There's lots of fun to be had at the beach without going into the water. We love the water but there are plenty of things to do besides swimming/paddling.

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 16/08/2021 11:23

How self-involved do you have to be to imagine people are "sneering" at you over bringing beach supplies to the beach?

Qwerty789 · 16/08/2021 11:26

There's lots of fun to be had at the beach without going into the water. We love the water but there are plenty of things to do besides swimming/paddling

Like what? What do you do at a beach, that doesn't involve the water, that you can't do somewhere else?

ImInStealthMode · 16/08/2021 11:27

I live by the beach, go often and have never given a second thought to what anyone else has or hasn't brought with them Hmm

WorraLiberty · 16/08/2021 11:58

@Qwerty789

There's lots of fun to be had at the beach without going into the water. We love the water but there are plenty of things to do besides swimming/paddling

Like what? What do you do at a beach, that doesn't involve the water, that you can't do somewhere else?

You really can't think just a tiny bit and come up with anything? Confused

Building sandcastles
Collecting seashells
Crabbing with a crab line
Taking in the lovely view

Do you never see people just sitting in deckchairs, fully clothed, taking in the surroundings and enjoying it?

Qwerty789 · 16/08/2021 12:01

Building sandcastles/Collecting seashells/Crabbing with a crab line/Taking in the lovely view

Sandcastles need a moat...from the sea. Crabbing needs to get your feet wet...collecting seashells? Puhlease, maybe a 5 minute activity fun if you're under 6.

TheGumption · 16/08/2021 12:02

What a weird post 🤣 you're enjoying your holiday so much you're noticing "sneers" at your beach tent and posting threads about how smug you are. I don't think I've ever noticed what someone else has brought to the beach. Who cares?! I'm confused!

IdrisElbow · 16/08/2021 12:03

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

WorraLiberty · 16/08/2021 12:08

@Qwerty789

Building sandcastles/Collecting seashells/Crabbing with a crab line/Taking in the lovely view

Sandcastles need a moat...from the sea. Crabbing needs to get your feet wet...collecting seashells? Puhlease, maybe a 5 minute activity fun if you're under 6.

Sandcastles need a moat from the sea?

You do realise not all sand is completely bone dry, don't you?

Either way, nip down to the coast one day and take a look around you. You'll see the friggin obvious what I mean about people having fun without getting wet.

isthisareverse · 16/08/2021 12:13

@Qwerty789

There's lots of fun to be had at the beach without going into the water. We love the water but there are plenty of things to do besides swimming/paddling

Like what? What do you do at a beach, that doesn't involve the water, that you can't do somewhere else?

What a weird question, most things you can do in your living room, doesn't mean you stay on house arrest and enjoy doing them elsewhere. If you go in a park, do you always climb trees?

Apart from the beach, you can't see the sea anywhere else? Confused

Why wouldn't people enjoy going to the beach to
run
walk
read
nap
picnic

and everything else you can possibly do.

I go on the beach all year round, I rarely go in the water, it's freezing in the UK for a start.

Qwerty789 · 16/08/2021 12:16

Either way, nip down to the coast one day and take a look around you. You'll see the friggin obvious what I mean about people having fun without getting wet

I live at the beach, thanks. Most people aren't so weird that they avoid the sea when they come!

Muchasgracias · 16/08/2021 12:17

God, you sound insufferable. Amazing that in between the “panicking” to find shelter and gather up their things, there was time to stop and sneer at you.

I know which family I’d rather be on the beach with….

summercupcake · 16/08/2021 12:20

I really don't think people judge and sneer when out for a day day on the beach with their families...you seem to have a massive chip on your shoulder.

I hope you had a lovely day and the little boy who was scared by the seagull recovered and enjoyed his day too.

Swipe left for the next trending thread