last August we took the in-laws camping. Mother-in-law (70) convinced herself she would hate the experience, and sat in the car while we put up the florida 6 in the rain. She refused to come out of the car until the tent was fully up, electric hooked up and heating on, and then informed us she wanted to go home! Father-in-law set the sat nav to home and gave her the car keys. She stayed however.
Needless to say, the rain didn't let up for the best part of 5 days, the local weather was the worst for years apparently. Half the campsite upped and left during the week but we stayed put! To our surprise she actually began to enjoy the experience out in the fresh air, and was very impressed when she got talking to a barrister camping in the next field!
Last night she informed us that they had bought a trailer tent, and intended to use it extensively next season, giving us details of campsites she wanted to visit.
Have any of you good people out there had such a success in converting a complete camping sceptic to this degree? We feel very proud to have brought another camper into the fold!
I got my sister converted and she's the type who likes a luxury hotel complete with it's own spa. However I've only half converted her as she only camps because budget dictates - she'd be back in that hotel spa in a flash if she won the lottery, whereas I would be in Holland buying De Waard.....
Well done, you! I'd like to persuade my husband to come camping but it would have to be a big tent, a comfy bed, good weather, toilet facilities on hand during the night, no noises or daylight to wake him up . . . . He does enjoy the outdoors though, so I'm still hopeful!
My mum is desperate to start camping next year after hearing all about our wonderful camping trips!
I've bought her a suitcase stove for Christmas and I'm contemplating giving her my Licata 400 if I can buy the Icarus 600 as a replacement for me without hubby finding out!!
My mum is desperate to start camping next year after hearing all about our wonderful camping trips!
I've bought her a suitcase stove for Christmas and I'm contemplating giving her my Licata 400 if I can buy the Icarus 600 as a replacement for me without hubby finding out!!
Are you going for the new 2011 Icarus? Looks a significant upgrade - mesh on all doors, velcro at base of doors, extra guy rope at top and darkened inner tents and higher HH (see Norwich Camping's website...).
I'd be tempted if we hadn't got our Kampa Bude and I had any chance of sneeking another tent into the house (no chance with my OH!)
The idea of sleeping on the cold ground with no heat or lights in the pouring pain had always put me off even considering camping.
But then dh got a car with a tow bar already on it and we got a trailer tent. We had no idea how to put it up and each time we did we added new rips to it, it was pouring down with rain on our 1st trip and the bedding and mattresses got soaked, we pitched over a hole that quickly became a puddle and our groundsheet was so old that the water came straight through it, we hooked up the brand new ehu cable which promptly blew when we plugged the heater into it, dh had to make a new one which took a few hours then to top it all we hadn't pulled the canvas away from the beds so the bed just got wetter overnight.
I just kept asking why anyone would ever consider doing this again but over that week we quickly realised that yes this was fun and that with practice it would be perfect :)
We converted our camping buddies! After much persuasion, we got some friends of ours camping, their previous experience being in a very small tent, freezing cold and miserable.
Lol, since then we have played 'keeping up with the jones' and 'competed' ever since; big tents, carpet, ehu, premium chairs, cupboards, co-ordinating crockery, gadgets, niknaks, even fairy lights and vases of flowers!!!
My husband converted me in August! We've done B&B hols for the last 3 years but it didn't appeal this year - our son is 3 now and trying to get him to sleep while we're sat in the same room is nigh on impossible, and then we were sat twiddling our thumbs with nothing to do for the rest of the evening.
So we borrowed FILs tent and all the equipment and off we went to Devon. The holiday didn't start too well - it was awful weather and it took us 10.5 hrs getting there (it's normally a 7 hour journey) So we got there in pouring rain, high winds and it was getting dark - we were knackered and we set about putting the tent up and entertaining our 3 yr old...but we got there in the end (although we accidentally burnt a hole in the tent door, oops )
Anyway, we got sorted indoors, sat down, and I promptly burst into tears, declared I didn't like it and that I wanted to go home!! (It wasn't a good time for me, it was my mum's funeral the day before)
But we stayed, and by the end of the week I was converted - we've since gone out and bought a tent and I'm having fun buying all the accessories LOL
------------- Bev :o)
2013
March - Pooley Bridge (Pod booked!)
May - Spiers House, Pickering
June - La Garangeoire, Vendee, France
Aug - The Cotswolds?
I finally after many years of persuasion, get my husband back into camping, by telling him about the great improvements in tents, the fact you could get one with a built in ground sheet, and get an EHU for the TV and a heater, we took our first trip in July, and now are looking forward to many weekends in 2011.
------------- Had to give up the camping due to the rubbish Weather and Wind, so got myself a campervan!
I think it makes a real difference if you have some home comforts and a good waterproof tent. I think M.I.L. would have run a mile if the tent had leaked or she didn't have the telly! Fair play to her for sticking it out and giving it a chance. Roll on Spring time and the first camping of 2011.
Quote: Originally posted by Speedcamp on 10/11/2010
Quote: Originally posted by HEJC72 on 10/11/2010
My mum is desperate to start camping next year after hearing all about our wonderful camping trips!
I've bought her a suitcase stove for Christmas and I'm contemplating giving her my Licata 400 if I can buy the Icarus 600 as a replacement for me without hubby finding out!!
Are you going for the new 2011 Icarus? Looks a significant upgrade - mesh on all doors, velcro at base of doors, extra guy rope at top and darkened inner tents and higher HH (see Norwich Camping's website...).
I'd be tempted if we hadn't got our Kampa Bude and I had any chance of sneeking another tent into the house (no chance with my OH!)
Helen
Hi Helen I have the icarus 400 and have to say the doors put me off, we only use the side door which has mesh and we bought self stick velcro for the front door as we found the first year we used iot creepy crawlies came into the tent, it works a treat
------------- Sandra
Life isn't a rehearsal, be all you can be, follow your dreams and live life to the full!!
We have camped caravaned trailer tented for the last 30 odd years and now due to me being disabled have gone back to a tent. Over the 30 years we have seen them come and go try it and give up, but recently our best freinds who we camped with over the years have got their son to buy a camper van and have just come back fo a trip to Scotland. His wife got her dad to buy a camper van as well. As for my family they will tag along with us borrow our kit but head for the hotels at the first chance. We love camping it up.
------------- "What would men be without women? Scarce, sir...mighty scarce."
— Mark Twain My mates Free ads site For Kent Sussex and Essex free ads and classifieds. campsites included when people post them
My dad has bought out the whole of Millets with a 6 person tent, sleeping bags, mats, stoves and furniture and still has to convince my mother that camping is good fun. She is of the boutique hotel variety-I feel so sorry for my father as coming from NZ he loves the outdoors.
Wish Kirstie Allsopp was filmed camping and I'm sure my mother would take it up!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: I`ve converted my mother-in-law!
Looks a significant upgrade - mesh on all doors, velcro at base of doors, extra guy rope at top and darkened inner tents and higher HH (see Norwich Camping's website...).
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