I'm not sure whether I enjoyed camping.

[TreatTreat]

First of all, I felt so self conscious as the smallest tent. I can lie straight in it but that's about it.

When you return to camp at night what on earth do you do? I sat in my tent at 9pm and dreamed of being in a four or five star hotel down the road.

I fell asleep ok, but then woke to the inside of tent wet! It wasn't dripping or anything. It wasn't raining. I quickly realised this was condensation. Wtf.

I was warm enough all night and slept ok.

I felt self conscious using my camp hob there on the floor outside of my tent.

I had a chair, but I sat in my tent for a bit and must've looked like a knob to the couple sat outside their caravan across the field.

I really want to enjoy camping. I don't want to get a bigger tent yet as I want to get my money out of this one.

Where am I going wrong?

You stop caring what other people think about you for one. You didn't look like a nob. Campsites are just the place to forget about all that.

As for what you do... wrap up warm and sit outside and read, stare at the sky, eat snacks and generally chill.

Was you alone? I hate camping but it’s defo something better with friends in several tents.

the condensation thing is so annoying - don’t let anything touch the edge of the inside of the tent.

plenty of wine!!

If you want to enjoy it, you need to invest a bit. Lights, so you can read, and a tent with a porch, so you can cook in the rain (leaving the door wide open). Make sure your gear (mattress, bag etc. is comfortable too.

Your tent sounds like a backpackers one. They are to cut down on weight and are absolutely no frills. I’d sell it and get something bigger, you can be comfortable in, and that doesn’t condensate so easily.

Camping can be ace, but your setup is for those who really only use it to sleep between hikes.

When solo camping it can feel a little odd when you're by yourself and nothing to do if you're not used to it.
I read and maybe a little close by wander later in the day, if it's cold/wet and I go inside I might watch something on my tablet.
There's always other campers to chat to as well, almost every camper is up for a natter as a lot go for the social aspect.
A bigger tent you can stand up in is also a game changer, especially for longer trips or wet nights, unfortunately you will get condensation in almost any tent just try not to touch the sides and dry out asap.

We had the most fun doing small tent camping. It’s the absolute joy of living outside. The guys in the caravan won’t be having as much fun as you. Having said that, as we got older we upped our comfort. A well equipped motorhome with a kitchen, proper beds, a loo and a shower isn’t really camping.

i don’t like camping but do it to save money

Thanks everyone. Don't you think anyone is judging the size of my tent then or fatty me inside it?

I did enjoy just sitting in it and staring out to the greenery but felt like I must've looked ridiculous to the other campers just sat there!

No one is judging you at all - what's there to judge? No one gives a thought to the size of another's tent. They really don't. Campers are generally the nicest people you can meet.

As to sitting outside, enjoying the view.. that's half the joy of camping.

Things I like to do (if the kids let me!)

• just sitting and enjoying the outdoors
• planning my next camp and what I need (want!) to buy next
• chatting with the neighbours
• a good book
• just watching the flames in the fire pit
• late night walk to spot stars
• card games

Just wondering - what would you be doing in the evening at the 5 star hotel?

I much prefer going with a group. DH loves camping alone (or with the dog).

No one is judging you, or your tent. Campers love a natter, find someone to chat to.

I'm feral the moment we pitch up. Inside tent is always clean and tidy and we all troop off for showers.
I don't judge any fellow campers unless they let their kids run around other people's tents .
If I saw you reading I'd want to know what book it was.
Then wed probably have a long conversation about Terry Pratchett,Jodie Taylor,Julia McKenna or whoever we were reading.

I really don't think anyone is judging you. If you can squeeze it in a small fold up table to have you hob on always makes me feel less silly and more together

With condensation it's inevitable but try to remember to not have anything damp in the tent if you can help it (like a chair that's been in the rain)

I think a decent tent you can stand up in is a game changer. See if anyone has one you can borrow to see if it makes a difference? Or keep an eye on local selling sites (though I'm always nervous of second hand tents I think there are real bargains to be had)

I’m an experienced camper and can reassure you that no one is judging you negatively. If anything they are impressed that you are enjoying time to yourself in the great outdoors.

I’d take a book or puzzler magazine, watch the stars and scenery, enjoy a campfire if it’s allowed and just chill and relax.

Is that how you feel a lot of the time? Or is that how you felt camping? If you don’t usually feel like that maybe it was just the unfamiliarity of the surroundings and the fact that you’re not an experienced camper that had you feeling like that. So you might feel differently after a couple of goes at it.

A tablet with some good movies downloaded, headphones, wine, a good book, and some stuff to make s’mores with make camping fun for me.

Camping is about being outside for me. I rarely sit inside in the evening. In fact the only time was at Easter when temps dropped below zero overnight so we got a hook up and a heater. Eat dinner, go for a lovely walk until dusk. Head back and wrap up warm. Make a hit chocolate. Then reading, campfires and star gazing.

If you are on your own, select your site and pitch carefully some sites are nicer than others for sitting in. Ones with a sea or river view are great.

I think a bigger tent would be better if you can manage it. Take a look at some in store and you can often get 2nd hand bargains.
You could sit and cook under the awning, read a book, listen to the radio, watch the world go by. It might not get such bad condensation. Campers are generally very friendly and if you are in a bivvy tent or an 8 berth mega caravan nobody cares. 20+ yrs camping and I prefer it to a hotel.

I have a one person tent and it weighs less than 1.5kg. I can sit up in it but only just. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be judging my tent so why should anyone judge yours?

I only pitch my tent/go back to my tent when it’s time to sleep in it, usually. I spend evenings doing chores, sorting food, exploring, in the pub. I do read too, sometimes in the tent, more often under a tree or in the pub….

Condensation isn’t inevitable. A decent tent has a screen top that you then put a fly over so you get fresh air and no condensation- even when it’s raining.

OP- you’d be more comfy with a larger tent. I agree yours sounds like a backpacker one. Go for a 2 or 3 man tent so you have room to relax. I also highly recommend a hammock for relaxing and reading. You can also get a portable fire pit to have a campfire at the sites that allow them. Sitting next to a fire looking at the stars and trees is awesome.

In the day, you can simply go off and do stuff. Just lock any valuables in the car. People won’t mess with your tent. Many campsites are near outdoor centres for kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, or even by the beach!

Watching tv in the room, so nothing exciting. I'll have to take a book for next time.

I camp on my own and with friends.

I do not sit inside my tent until time for bed, unless it is raining.

Campsites that allow campfires are the best: nothing better than sitting by your fire, poking at it occasionally.

I sit out and look at the stars, or read (small book lights take up a lot less battery power than big lanterns), or go for a stroll around. It’s light til 10, so go for a stroll.

No one thinks anyone is a nob, camping. People struggling to put up multi-room tents, people who bring minimal kit , beginners, know it alls, tin-of-beans or complicated tripod cooking systems, no one cares. That’s the point!

I like the more ‘wild style’ campsites. Avoid busy sites with clubhouses where everyone is pitched in rows with guys almost overlapping.

Condensation: have your vents open, but really it is unavoidable when you are zipped in a waterproof structure. Does your tent have a fly sheet (outer tent) and an inner? An inner tent catches the condensation dripping down.

Stop worrying about what people think. I can guarantee that no one cares about the size of your tent or where you are sitting. Why on earth would they? The only time people care about what other campers are doing is if they are bothering them in some way.

If I saw you camping in a small tent alone, the only thing I’d probably think would be being impressed at you for solo camping in a minimalistic way! I’d think you must be very cool and zen and chilled. I am NOT a light packer and really admire anyone that can do it, especially camping!

Camping for me is enjoyable only for one night and wild camping ina beautiful place up a fell not a campsite. Put the tent up only for sleep, do it midsummer so no head torch and fumbling in the dark needed and get up early. I could not be bothered wrangling a massive tent and all the faff that entails. I’d rather have a hotel.

We campervan now as we’re getting on but the only judgement we make is that ‘aren’t we all fantastic for getting out into nature instead of sitting in front of the tv?’. I couldn’t give two hoots what anyone looks like or does in their tents. Apart from domestic violence of course.

I’m sorry you felt embarrassed but somehow you need to get over worrying about what other people think.

Books definitely help with that, because you get to live inside other peoples’ lives without doing anything! You can get out of your own head and preoccupations with a story.

I do find a head torch a useful thing while camping. But this is a lovely time of year to camp, so warm and light.

I worked and ran campsites for many years. No one is judging the size of your tent, only your ability to put it up 🤣 and even then that only lasts a few seconds before we all descend on you to help out and offer loads of advice!

In terms of enjoyment it's really all down to you. What do you enjoy, what can't you live without etc. Once you work those things out you then work out how to incorporate them to work outdoors and on 6amp electric supply.

Most will camp within walking distance of something they want to see/do/eat/drink and build from there.