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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.

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Original poster

camping refusenik DH

13 replies

misshardbroom · 26/05/2009 11:32

How do you engender some enthusiasm in a reluctant camper like the one I'm married to?

(Have already tried the tough love approach of 'Until we can afford Moonfleet Manor, you find me another way to take a family of five away in half term for fifty notes'. It wasn't particularly effective).

OP posts:

lottiebunny · 26/05/2009 11:37

Well don't do what DP did and lie about their being showers. Or go away during the wettest August bank holiday known to man.

tinateaspoon · 26/05/2009 13:22

I was a reluctant camper until DH went and bought a tent anyway. We've been away 5 times and I am more enthusiastic than him now! I just love it and so do the kids. We have been quite lucky with the weather mind .

Has he been camping and not liked it, or are you trying to persuade him for the first time? If he's not been yet, persuade him to have a go and I am sure he'll think its fab, if you like drinking and talking to each other . I joke with my DH that its the only time we do talk to each other and we do have a great laugh.

Oh and find a great campsite to wow him with!

gigglinggoblin · 26/05/2009 13:31

My dh doesnt like camping because he says the tent is too big. It is an 8 man tent, there are 6 of us. The real problem is that he wont read the instructions or take any advice so I refuse to help because he is such a grump and then he struggles on his own not knowing what to do (but NEVER admitting it, it is clearly just the tents fault)

gigglinggoblin · 26/05/2009 13:32

Once again I realise my post is of no use at all, just wanted to say you are not alone!

sarah293 · 26/05/2009 13:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

friendly · 26/05/2009 15:32

I am in the same boat. DH refuses to go. Whole loo/ bathroom scenario puts him off. I took our 5 on my own last year in a borrowed tent. We did meet up with my cousin and sister and families otherwise I just couldn't have done it. It irritates me because we can't afford any other type of holiday this year or any year really, except staying with the in-laws again which I can't bear the thought of. I'm not sure what advice to offer you. What are his objections? DH says he hated camping as a kid with cubs and the aforementioned loo business too. Kids would love him to go. I think he's being a selfish pig!

sarah293 · 26/05/2009 15:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

VirginiaWoolf · 26/05/2009 15:59

Hmm, other way round here. Dh and the DC all adore camping, I sort of endure it for their sake. Tbh, I honestly cannot see the attraction - true, it's cheaper than a cottage somewhere but if you stay somewhere with decent facilities (I mean loo/showers etc) then it's not that cheap once you've added the cost of all the equipment. People wax lyrical about the freedom etc but now I find the campsites sooooo busy now that it's v. noisy at night. Our kids love it soooo much that they wake up v. early, go to sleep late and are generally v. overexcited and tired (AKA grumpy as hell). I never sleep well, and still haven't got used to cleaning my teeth at night 2m away from someone doing a smelly dump in the loo block, plus we've had awful luck with weather over the last couple of years, so to be brutally honest I can sympathise with those lacking in enthusiasm......
Ah, and in case you can't tell, we're off for a long weekend camping on Thursday....

[Grumpy old woman emoticon]

Washersaurus · 26/05/2009 16:14

My DH was a very reluctant camper until he started investigating the different tents and comparing specifications ...After that we spent months looking at tent displays until he found his perfect match, and now he is an avid camper .

Make sure you get a decent watertight (preferably SIG) tent otherwise you will all hate it and it will be a waste of money.

VirginiaWoolf · 26/05/2009 16:47

Ah but Washersaurus I love looking at tents! - Find the whole tent size/spec/layout thing really interesting, and we have a lovely tent (Bear Lake 6) which is great.... I just have absolutely no desire to sleep in it!

Washersaurus · 26/05/2009 17:04

I do think finding the right site is very important - good toilets and showers are high on my list of wants ....oh, and electricity.

friendly · 27/05/2009 17:27

oh VirginiaWoolf you're putting me off!

VirginiaWoolf · 27/05/2009 23:19

friendly - sorry, not trying to put people off just saying that I can sympathise with people who don't love it! For me it's like reading a book that everyone else has loved; then I don't like it and can't see the attraction - I just don't get what's so great about camping.....

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