With two kids and being tied to school holidays cost does play a small part - but also that we can get two or three camping holidays for the cost of hiring a cottage for a week.
I like the fact that I can sit outside my tent in my pjs, with my first cuppa of a morning, watching the ducks and rabbits taking a wonder round - and nobody thinks that I have taken leave of my senses. I will be greated a friendly wave from my fellow campers as they wend their way down to the loo blocks.
If I want to retreat inside my tent in the evening, so be it, I am not the antisocial so and so that isn't joining in the fun and games the holiday company has organised. I can sit quietly outside my tent, or chat to me fellow campers.
If my kids fall into bed, exhausted and rotten, it doesn't matter - I don't need to worry about somebody else's sheets etc. Kids can get washed in the morning - sleeping bags whenever.
Breakfast is a moveable feast. What's more nobody cares if I have Weetabix at 6.30, and a full English around 10.
Snuggling up inside your tent and feeling at peace.
Same goes for what ever your unit. We all have different types of unit for different reason - but we are all campers.
Heard on mum in the school playground saying that their plane left at three in the afternoon. Well even with a 2-o-clock pitch, I can be far enough set up to be sitting enjoying a cuppa by then. I am not getting up at stupid o clock to catch an early flight home.
Even with the journey home from hell that I had last October - a three hour drive took me six - I was in my own car, and could stop off when ever I wanted. In fact I spotted the motorway exit near my sister, and went there for a cuppa. I could always have pulled in a the motorway services a little further on.
I loved the remark I say earlier (and can't find now) about same hotel - different locations. I know my own stuff. I know that my bed is comfortable. Even with the stupid blow up pillows i invested in, once I had let some air out, they were bearable. It doesn't matter if I am in my tent or the camper - I love both. I can make myself as many cuppas as I like, without worrying about running out of those little pots of milk. Richard has been in hotels - some of which have been expensive, where there has been one sachet of coffee/teabag per person and one thing of milk per person. This was when he worked all over the country, and at times got top class hotels. On the other side, he has been to hotels where the team have refused to stay, they have been that bad - this was a team involved in refitting shops, and basically wanting somewhere to sleep. The hotel where breakfast consisted of one egg, one slice of bacon, and half a tomato. Oh and one round of toast to follow.
The list is endless.
I have booked for the end of May for just our family. At the end of August we are going away with one of Richard's work mates and his family. We are going away in October half term. We have a weekend in May planned - as a surprise for the kids. I am hoping to take the kids away for a couple of days after Easter. Could well go for a short break at the end of July.
There is no way we could do this if we didn't camp.
This may sound a little melodramatic but to me camping is reminiscent of how we used to live hundreds of years ago, off the land, in the open air, surrounded by nature and all it has to offer!
Next time you go camping, just think of one of those period dramas or fantasies on t.v such as "Merlin" or "Robin Hood" and visualise the homes the people live in- not really that much different to what us lot get up to (albeit we have a few more gadgets and gizmos) Think of the sights sounds and smells of the campsite and just imagine what it would have been like to live in that era (minus the diseases and stuff!) To me that is all part of the MAGIC of the outdoors.
I think some people "click" with nature while others (sadly) would rather go all high-tec and top of the range when it comes to holidays. If only more of us could go back to our primal nature and realise that there is more to life than T.V and WORK. i think the world would be a better place but hey as they say "money makes the world go round".
In a nut shell we camp because we love it and wouldn't change it for the world.
Still a newbie camper but agree with all of the above that I have so far experienced.
Also like the 'elemental' nature of camping holidays; while my work colleagues are sitting by a pool somewhere and wondering about meetings they are missing (or even furtively checking their emails or text messages), we are in a field wrestling with such simple problems as how to get the tent up, will it leak, did we bring everything, which way is the wind blowing, is it starting to rain? Then the only thing bothering you when waking in the middle of the night is am I desperate enough to walk half a mile in the rainy dark to the toilet. Even the problems, when they happen, are such a change to normal life that they are wonderful (mostly), and when there are no problems... bliss.
It's simplistic. Collecting firewood and deciding what to have for the next meal. The only sounds are the wind, rain, animals, strange rustlings! , the sea . . .being at the mercy of the elements (bloody washing machine spin just knocked over a glass and my favourite mug smashed too!) sorry, where was I . . . waking up and being straight outside and feeling that fresh morning air on your face. Knowing that everyone around you (fellow campers) feel the same and bonding in that secret world away from all the stresses of modern day life.
Its the simple life. Its making a cup of tea using a kettle that whistles. Its that smell, you know the one, fresh grass cuttings. Its the satisfaction of knowing that truly wherever we lay our hats - that's our home (for a little while).
Its the jaunt to the showers or the midnight trip across the field to the toilet.
Its the early starts and early beds. Its the rain touching your tent and the feeling of being safe and dry.
Its being close to nature and close to your loved ones. Its switching off the computers and tv's that rule our lives and actually having things to say to each other. Its about sending the kids for ridiculous things like tartan paint and spoonfors at the campsite shops. Or playing at charades and who am I on wet and windy days. Its chasing my 2 year old in her pyjamas round a field first thing in the morning because she wants to play before breakfast. Its the smell of bacon on the stove, or the sizzle of sausages in the pan. Its the satisfaction of saying to yourself-"I made this holiday". Its about putting up the tent and arguing with your OH. Its about sitting back with a nice drink watching the universe above you doing what it does. Its simply the best.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
why do we love camping? well as a family we love it all!
we as parents can relax while the kids explore in relative safety.
the food is generally less convenience based and more wholesome
The views are generally spectacular
the convenience - you can go when you want, generally (unless high season) with very little planning.
the value - where else can a family of four and 2 dogs get away for 25 quid a night?
spending less means more holidays, more regularly, more daytrips and more quality time for the kids.
Generally, b & b's are hit and miss - with camping you can make a home from home and make it somewhere you want to be.
Its amazing - i never thought i would take to it being a creature who enjoys his comforts but being an early riser for me the thing that makes the holiday is opening the door at 6am looking out onto the sea and making that first brew of the day watching the sun rising and drinking the brew! what a great day
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Why do we camp .
