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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

Not enjoying camping!

105 replies

Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 17:31

Long story short, I agreed to try camping with my boys (9 and 11) and my fiancé. Both of us work ft but on low wages and figured a break away would be better than none.
If I'm being totally honest I am really not enjoying it and can't help but count the minutes until we are back home! I'm cross at myself for feeling like this and feel like I'm letting down my very outdoorsy fiancé but try as I might, it's just not for me.
I think I'm too old and just prefer the comforts of home!!!
Kids are doing OK but getting a bit bored too which is annoying my fiancé which in turns bothers me. I feel claustrophobic stuck in a small tent with them all in the middle of nowhere although I fully appreciate that's heaven to others.
I don't want to tell him I'm not having much fun as he really was hoping I'd enjoy the whole camping experience.
Advice please 😊

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 31/05/2019 18:40

U grateful for what ? Don't let this upset you when are you going home.

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 18:41

For having a holiday. I feel like I'm being a diva.

OP posts:
ourkidmolly · 31/05/2019 18:41

The happiest feeling when I broke up with my ex was that I'd never need to go bloody camping again. Who'd ever want to be that far from a loo in the middle of the night? Camping seems to get a great press these days but to me it's totally shite. Doing the same stuff as at home but in worse conditions.

AppleKatie · 31/05/2019 18:44

What’s on the plan for this evening OP? Sounds like you might be at the ‘fuck it let’s go to the pub for dinner’ stage of family camping.

It does get better but imo you need a definite plan of action or things drift and then bad things happen.

swampytiggaa · 31/05/2019 18:48

I’ve never camped. I’d rather never go on holiday again than camp and we are low income so it’s probably no holiday.

My friends want me to try camping before I’m 50. I’ve potentially agreed to one night very locally with lots of gin. But that’s still subject to decent weather 😂😂😂

Mrsjayy · 31/05/2019 18:50

Sitting in a tent miserable isn't being a Diva though why won't he take you off site for a wander about town or something? and don't feel guilty about reading your book if that is what you want to do i also found wine helped

Decormad38 · 31/05/2019 18:52

Get a caravan. You can pick them up cheaply and that’s your comfort sorted. We decided years ago that camping was a pain. Loved the kids being outdoors but hated the cold at night.

Tingface · 31/05/2019 18:55

Wine. Wine is what you need.
Just get through it. Try and embrace the positives even though you hate it- you don’t have to go again. Don’t catatrophise about the future state of your relationship!

Purpleartichoke · 31/05/2019 18:55

IMHO, camping is not a holiday. It’s more work than being at home.

BlueMerchant · 31/05/2019 18:58

I've been there OP. Trying to jolly yourself along and maintain the facade of having a great time when you'd rather be absolutely anywhere else. Makes it so much harder if your DC have also been looking forward to the adventure and are finding it less than thrilling.
Definitely plan a trip somewhere tomorrow. Even lunch in a pub or trip to the nearest town. Treat yourself to some wine or chocolates and just think it's not forever.

DoorbellsSleighbellsSchnitzel · 31/05/2019 19:02

I'm not a hardened camper, by any means, I think 3 nights has been my maximum.

My top camping tip: go with friends with similar aged kids, and ideally lots of good kit 😄. Kids entertain themselves, mums sit around reading and enjoying wine, dads can bugger off on a hike on their own should they wish, and everyone shares all the work (cooking/washing up etc).

Seriously though - you need to go somewhere even just for a day.

Gingervitis · 31/05/2019 19:03

Oh poor you OP, I feel you...I am fairly ourdoorsy I suppose but never really took to camping, even though my DH would give up the house to live a nomadic lifestyle in a camper if he could!

It was the whole sleeping on the ground being fucking freezing and having to piss in a bucket at 3am that I loathed, I didn't mind being out and about in the day and cosying up reading in the evenings - although sitting around the campfire in the cold stinking of smoke and getting eaten to death by mozzies wasn't my favourite either.

I went along grudgingly for a few years but steadily resisted until we compromised with a caravan (actually we lived in a caravan for a year when DH was made redundant, that's a whole other story), and most recently a camper van.

DH gets to enjoy his thing of camping in far flung places with no electric, but I get the warmth and comfort of a gas heated van and proper seats and bedding. Smile

You're not being ungrateful, and it isn't illegal to not enjoy it. Many don't! Grin and bear it for now, it's not forever, but perhaps indicate that it's not something you relish repeating...

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 31/05/2019 19:07

Oh don't feel bad - it's not you. Camping just massively, massively sucks.

I will always love my father for cracking in the middle of a camping holiday in Ireland and saying "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to The Royal Hotel now. Who wants to come with me?" All of us did, of course.

CherryPavlova · 31/05/2019 19:13

I used to crave the romantic idyll of an English calming holiday. We started out backpacking in the lakes in remote spots and a tiny tent. We were young and child free. It could be heavenly.
Then we had children and compromised on a site and bigger tent. It was awful. We graduated to holiday cottages and it became more pleasant again.
I occasionally get the idea it might be nice again and then I remember- it’s not. Eurocamp and similar are just crowded fields with noisy groups and feral children. It’s horrid.
I would consider house swapping, a static caravan at a real push, borrow a friend or relatives house or even a travelodge over camping.
Luckily children grow up and holidays become more civilised again.

LtGreggs · 31/05/2019 19:15

I recommend early evening alcohol. And also pub for food if possible? If not, bbq if possible. If not, just whatever carbs possible. Get yourself as cosy feeling as possible, whilst still being outdoors. Say hi to the tent next door - hanging out with others makes time pass more agreeably.

Get out & about, don't sit in tent.

top drinking before too late, to avoid late night toilet trips - but if you need O go in the night, just go and get it over with rather than try & hold on!

PinkOboe · 31/05/2019 19:27

I don’t really like camping but it’s that or no holiday at all for us. I agree that sitting around is asking for boredom and dissatisfaction so get out and explore, in short bursts with plenty of booze in between. Is there a local pool where the kids can swim and you can sit with a coffee / book / magazine? Go to the cinema. Go to nearest town and wander around with ice creams to keep kids on board.

Give us an idea of where you are and perhaps we can suggest nearby things.

We tend to go out over lunchtime / afternoon. Pick up supplies in the way back. BBQ or make something else interesting to eat (beware eat first because this’ll take ages and be no fun if you’re already hungry) eat / drink / early night

managedmis · 31/05/2019 19:29

Are you actually cold in the tent?

HobbyIsCodeForDogging · 31/05/2019 19:40

I'm not surprised you don't like it if you're just hanging out in the tent. Agree with PPs that they're really just for sleeping in. Chill out and read outside the tent just as you would in your garden or a park. Do at least try and go for a walk or something - you can't just read all the time surely. Do trips to local places of interest. Have dinner in a pub.

TheRedBarrows · 31/05/2019 19:49

Camping isn’t necessarily an activity in itself. It’s a way to spend time in an area. E.g go to the beach, local landmarks, castles, whatever. So it sounds as if you need to get out and about.

On the other hand it can be an activity in itself, in which case he needs to build a fire with the kids, teach them how to light it, cook over it, whittle a stick to make a skewer for marshmallows etc.

Mine were always off in the woods at 9 and 11.

Why did you not want to go for a walk on a lovely afternoon?

You don’t have to like camping, many people don’t. But you and your fiancé might have to spend time talking about your different interests. All fine if you are happy for him to go off on his own or with friends getting his outdoor fix.

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 19:53

Thanks all. Problem is he just loathes spending money!! He got fish and chips at 5pm but didn't fancy eating that early...nearest shop two miles away so I'm soooooo hungry!!! Think I'll take myself off to bed when kids settle...

OP posts:
TheRedBarrows · 31/05/2019 19:56

You haven’t got any other food?

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 19:58

We have biscuits. That is literally it!

OP posts:
Rainatnight · 31/05/2019 20:00

Oh god, I hate it. Don’t blame you. On our first (and only) camping trip, I wasn’t as nice as you about it and we ended up going home.

Original poster
Ella1980 · 31/05/2019 20:01

What I would give to be at home right now with a bit of food in my belly!

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 31/05/2019 20:04

Try a compromise-camping pods with beds, kettle, fridge. Howgills hideaway has fab pods and caravans.