Ok..... After numerous threads this week regarding the awful weather we are having in Britain just now, I thought I would try and spread some happiness around.
Just wanted to know what every ones best camping experience has been? Obviously many people's perfect camping experience involves good weather. There must be some great stories out there that are not weather related.....
------------- 2015 Trips
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
Probably being pitched by the lake at Gatton Waters in Norfolk (before they went Caravans only) and night after night seeing the most fabulous sunsets across the lake.
I was sitting in the forest ( new forest ) next to the stream reading my book when I looked up and there, standing right in front of me was the most beautiful deer, and it stood and stared at me for 3-4 minutes and then calmly walked away and I carried on reading my book surrounded by peace and serenity with the biggest smile on my face
Oh my,ermm camping with the children when they were little,we pulled up and pitched at a site near loch lomond to discover I had left the regulator for the cooker at home and the site shop was closed,first time I realised you could boil a kettle on a disposable bbq surrounded by posh campers with huge gas bbqs,(we went for a drive to find a cafe shortly after and got a regulator the next day) but we had a great time touring Scotland,just me and the kids. Have been abroad many times but Oban has to be one of the best places in the world for me.
------------- March- Padstow
April- Forest Glade
June-Grizedale
July-Jedburgh
and lots more besides
Any time when I can sit outside the tent in the evening with a glass of wine, keeping half an eye on the kids playing with their new friends and wearing themselves out before bedtime, and me knowing there's no hoovering, cleaning, washing etc to do....bliss!
Must of been 2 septembers ago, wadebridge cornwall, sitting outside the tent watching the bats out feeding, followed by a great sunset and various owl choirs and fly pasts
About 10 years ago I took up solo camping in my 50's. I went to local camp shop, bought little 'dive into' tent, minimum gear all thrown into car and drove straight off to Graffham C&CC site. I've never forgotten the sense of freedom and achievement when I pitched the tent, having never pitched a tent on my own.
Pitch black at night, nocturnal sounds of owls catching a meal, seeing lots of wildlife. Going for a late night walk in woods. My friends had been concerned that I was on my own until I described my first trip; apparently my face 'glowed with happiness'
------------- Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day
Many years ago waking up at around 04.00 and popping head out of the tent,to daylight and the start of a sunny day, at the back of the Kingshouse Hotel just at the beginning of Glencoe and shortly after sitting atop the Devils Staircase watching the sunrise with a brew in hand. Heading for Fort William to complete the West Highland Way.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
West coast of Scotland last year...My daughter and myself sat on the beach...Fire going cooking BBQ stuff on the fire..Baked tatties cooking in the ashes...Marshmallows and cooked bananas(with a tot of whiskey in)to finish with...Watching a glorious sunset....
Had done all the touristy bit throughout the week taking her here..there...and everywhere cos I didn't want her getting bored...Told me I did not need to do that...As she would have been quite content to have sat by the tent all day..With the occasional walk along the beach?????
Aye...That was a good night...
Needless to say she is dropping hints to revisit some of the places on our return in August!!!!!
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Many, many years ago, my parents had bought a "continental frame tent" prior to that we had had an old ridge tent that us kids slept in and my parents used the Bedford Caravette. First trip out and we went up to the north coast of Scotland up near the Kyle of Tongue. The winds were a howling, the strongest winds for years apparently. Dad lashed the tent to the Caravette then cross guyed it inside and sat up all night holding on to the ropes. That tent never budged an inch that night!
We travelled across to the west coast of Scotland but severe storms made us decide to go further inland and we ended up at Balmoral. It was tipping down but off we went for a walk around all togged up in wellies and kagoules. Our dog at the time was a beautiful tri-colour corgi, he was a real stunner. While wandering around two cars came hurtling up the road, but when they got close, they slowed right down. Mum swore that it was a member of the Royal household admiring our corgi.
For all the camping trips we did, that eventful one to Scotland with our posh new tent is the one that springs to mind first. It was also the holiday when the weather never let up, sound familiar?
Loads of happy memories but one that sticks in my mind is being in the Peak District and waking up to hear this loud snuffling outside the tent near my head! It sounded like a horse and I wouldnt have had a clue but hubby was convinced it was a badger. I tiptoed outside the tent and there were two badgers investigating the area around our tent.
Too many memories are made every camping trip but we are just back from 2 weeks in mull of kintyre and while the rest of britain was flooding we had the most beautiful weather,but i will never forget the sunsets every night the sun setting over the paps of jura stunning colours every night and going to sleep listening to the waves crashing on the shore !!!
I am really enjoying all your wonderful stories....
We just had our first weekend camping a couple of weeks ago. My favourite moment was waking up to the sound of a bird making a funny noise, then I heard the kids giggling at it too. The bird landed on top of our tent and called again, we were all giggling. Then I looked at my watch and noticed it was ten past five in the morning! Took the two dogs out for a run with my youngest - the fields were covered in mist... Lovely.
------------- Had our very first tent camping trip and survived it!! Can't wait to go again...
Loads here too. More recent ones were a few years ago. Packed up and set off with some family and friends, for some good old fashioned camping - tents, in a field, middle of nowhere.
Spent 4 days hunting for wood, eating sausages, beans and campfire toast, talking, drinking, walking miles, pretty much just enjoying being outdoors.
Did nothing special, but have nothing but good memories of it.
To be frank, virtually all of my camping has been great. As well as evenings sitting with friends/wife/neighbours and a glass of wine, I love early mornings - putting on the kettle and making myself a full English brekkie before most people are up. I have a tarp over the kitchen area so the weather isn't really important.
The wettest campsite ever wasn't even in the UK; it was several years ago in the Jura region of France and the severity of rain defies describing. The campsite did their best and put down tons of gravel, but we ended up buying an entrenching tool from a nearby army surplus store to dig drainage channels around our tent. Brilliant tool, still have it today in the boot during winter.
Off to Bellingham this weekend come what may, then three weeks touring France in August. Vive le camping!
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
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: No more doom and gloom
surrounded by posh campers with huge gas bbqs,(we went for a drive to find a cafe shortly after and got a regulator the next day) but we had a great time touring Scotland,just me and the kids. Have been abroad many times but Oban has to be one of the best places in the world for me.
Just kidding, couldn't resist.... 
