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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

How can I make camping fun for DH? Advice please!

37 replies

mangohedgehog · 07/04/2013 18:43

After 12 years I have finally persuaded DH to go camping this summer. I used to go as a child, hence for me the nostalgia factor is strong. Plus I like nature and the outdoors in general. DH on the other hand enjoys his creature comforts and would rather be sitting in Costa Coffee than in a blustery field any day.

He does have a big sense of fun though, and loves lazing round and spending time with the kids. He isn't too attached to his electronic gear or the TV and is in his element whiling away an evening reading and drinking wine.

On the other hand, he is quite skinny and really feels the cold!

I am really hoping he will enjoy it this summer, and that it will lead to lots more camping in years to come esp in France.

So - any tips on how to introduce him to it gently?? I am thinking that we should invest in a nice big tent that's not too difficult to put up, and a really comfy airbed. How do I keep him warm though?

Can anyone help me with any other ideas please? thank you!

OP posts:
DameFanny · 07/04/2013 18:45

Sex and socks.

And don't go to bed cold...

Sunshinewithshowers · 07/04/2013 18:46

Wine/Beer

tiredemma · 07/04/2013 18:47

I think you need to invest in the big tent that doesn't take long to put up. Im not massively 'big' on camping but DP and the kids love it- I especially hate trying to put the (8 man) tent up. Especially in gale force winds.

It always ends up in an argument, which DP complaining that I'm 'spoiling everyones fun'.

im not- I'm cold, wet and can't put tents up.

Roseformeplease · 07/04/2013 18:47

I hated camping but after camping somewhere really hot (Sardinia) I am a convert.

PeneloPeePitstop · 07/04/2013 18:49

A nice, comfy inflating camp mat, rather than an air bed, far warmer.
Four season sleeping bags, very cosy!
Thermals for sure...

Oh and moon chairs!

missmakesstuff · 07/04/2013 18:53

Get a Bell tent, they are great, very easy to put up (DH can do it in 30mins now, on his own - I don't go near it as he gets a bit possessive - I am happy handing out the beer and getting all the pretty stuff out) and feel very luxurious, I think. Get an electric hookup and a little heater for the evenings and you will be toasty, we take a proper duvet and eiderdown, it is lovely.

We also need a van to cart all the stuff, but is totally worth it for a long trip.Shorter trips closer to home can be a good idea, especially in the weather we get here. France camping trip we did was fantastic, loved it. Here it can be truly miserable...

Oh, yes, also wine/beer overcoat and sex helps with the cold and things to do in the evenings....in a bell tent you do need separate sections for the kids though! Our DD (3) has a separate pop up beach shelter/tent within ours.

teacherandguideleader · 07/04/2013 18:56

If he has never been camping I would recommend getting a site with an electric hook up. We did it a few years ago when I went with friends who hadn't camped before and it made a massive difference. We took an electric fan heater to keep the tent warm in the evenings, and took a kettle to make cups of tea and an electric cool box.

I'm a 'basics' camper and my only stipulation when I go is flushing toilets and clean showers. It did make a hell of a difference though and I would recommend it for introducing someone to camping.

queenofthepirates · 07/04/2013 19:05

You can't, camping sucks and I speak from bitter, experience. 13 years on the Gower/Anglesey and rain sodden sites in Torbay have killed it for me not to mention my parents' marriage.

Original poster
mangohedgehog · 07/04/2013 19:23

queenofthepirates oh dear that doesn't sound good...

OP posts:
WallyBantersJunkBox · 07/04/2013 19:50

Fire. All men are drawn to it.

So I would look for campsites that allow campfires. Kids love collecting sticks, men love building fires, wafting them, feeding them, poking them. You could whittle sticks and cook some Wurst on them (safer than bangers as they are pre boiled).

Or a BBQ would also appeal to the testosterone laden.

Original poster
mangohedgehog · 07/04/2013 21:08

:D excellent. heat is the key by the sounds. Will do electric hook up with a heater in the tent, and do a campfire as well, he will love it.

OP posts:
hillbilly · 07/04/2013 23:21

It took me a few years to convince DH and although our first trip was with someone else's tent (no instructions), minimal gear and non stop rain, he was not put off. So a week later we bought our own tent, loads of gear and found great campsites which allowed campfires and have never looked back since. He still gets sick of me harping on about camping from Christmas onwards, and raised an eyebrow at my subscription to Camping magazine, but once he is on site and building a fire with the kids running free, he is very happy.

Floralnomad · 07/04/2013 23:24

I agree with queen ,we are a non camping family and when I was a cub leader and hence had to camp I persuaded my husband that we should try it . We bought a lovely tent , went away on a baking hot weekend and loathed every minute of it !

VerySmallSqueak · 07/04/2013 23:28

He might surprise you!

I second Wally with the fire.

Excellent tip, miss with the pop up tent.

Would a night walk to a nearby pub inspire him?

NotMostPeople · 07/04/2013 23:33

My family realised that the only way to get me to camp regularly was to ensure that I had all creature comforts. Honestly I'm not a princess at all. We have a biggish tent, Outwell Wolfsomething and putting it up isn't an issue. Self inflating beds are much more comfortable than airbeds even though they don't look it. A good sleeping bag that doesn't russel, hot water bottle, find a site that lets you have fires if you can. Booze essential.

WallyBantersJunkBox · 08/04/2013 20:22

Ooooo Camping Magazine.

Tell me more......

hillbilly · 08/04/2013 21:00

I know, how sad am I? Here it is.

WallyBantersJunkBox · 09/04/2013 10:43

Love it! I think I will try and download digitally tonight. (I live overseas)

Do they review European campsites aswell?

What a relaxing read.

headlesslambrini · 09/04/2013 10:57

tunnel tents are easier to put up than bell tents. Our old 8 man tunnel tent only had 5 poles and they don't cross over in the middle so are much easier. We could put ours up in 20 mins. Also, make sure you get one with a sewn in ground sheet, quicker to put up but they stop the wind and rain from coming in under the tent IYSWIM and are much much warmer.

How big is your car? You may need to invest in a roof box otherwise you'll be packed in like sardines.

Mondrian · 09/04/2013 11:14

How about Glamping or the promise of once he has graduated your school of camping?

domegarden.co.uk/dome_garden.php
pencukefarm.co.uk/luxury-yurts-cornwall.html
www.jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk/luxury-tents

Quenelle · 09/04/2013 12:26

I seem to have just subscribed to six months of Camping magazine. Not sure how that happened. I'm not going to tell DH. I want to see his face when it arrives on the doormat.

I agree with everyone's comments, particularly staying warm, taking plenty of alcohol and the fact that poking a fire makes a man feel more manly.

Mondrian · 09/04/2013 12:37

Poking anything makes a man feel more manly.

hillbilly · 09/04/2013 12:39

Ah yes Mondrian, glamping, good idea. I forgot to mention previously that before our disastrous and wet first time, we went to Featherdown for a weekend in April (cheapest one they offered at the time!) and although it was bloody freezing at night, the days were glorious and it was an easy introduction.

HarrietSchulenberg · 09/04/2013 12:46

Yes to fire, warms the hardest of souls and an evening spent watching flames flicker in the night air brings out the primeval spirit in all of us! But you're a bit buggered if it's belting down and you have a pile of soggy wood.

EasterHoliday · 09/04/2013 12:47

book him a hotel.