Well, that's it - as of today I'm giving up tent camping. Haven't had the tent out since a very peaceful stay at Rynys in August'22, since when I've had a couple of health scares and have grown rather more creaky! The 'happiness v. hassle' balance of solo camping was definitely tilting. I had a strange dream last night, in which I was camping and returned from a day out to find my tent had been emptied of every single thing except the carpet! This wasn't seen as a warning about campsite theft, which has never troubled me, but as a sign of the fact that, at almost 73, it was time to quit tenting. My budget doesn't run to a camper van but I haven't given up on campsites; I've just booked a short break in the static caravan at Rynys. I'll be podding or caravanning in future. I have many happy tenting memories (and a few iffy ones!) to enjoy; I don't feel upset, I feel relieved. How have other people coped with this sort of change in holidaying habits?
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That's a shame, but you know when you know. Saying you feel relieved is the key. And as you say, you can pod in future.
We stopped tenting about 15 years ago after a holiday in France where the last few days we were putting the dripping wet tent up and down in the rain for the last 4 days.
We'd idly looked at campervans on campsites for a while, but went straight to a converters when we got home.
And I have to say, we've never looked back.
You've done better than me, I gave up when I was 69 after 58 years of tent camping.
I now go away 2 or 3 times a year staying in a B&B, I have found a very good dog friendly one in the Lake District.
That's a shame, however, been there done that myself too.
During the first trip over Easter in 2015 when I struggled to pull the second eyelet on the canvas flysheet over the spike of the U frame of my Hypercamp Escala 4, it dawned on me that I was not getting any younger, and was too old for that sh!t as the saying goes in the Lethal Weapon films, and started to have ideas of getting a caravan.
I accepted then that getting old was inevitable and my tenting days were numbered.
I then bought an ESVO Bedouin 340 with less pegging points with 2 front poles instead of an U frame in the hope it would take less effort to pitch.
Although the Bedouin 340 was easier to pitch, the recovery time after setting up was getting longer and longer, which meant I needed to do trips at least 6+ days in order to make it worth while.
I bought a car capable of towing a caravan back in 2017 in readiness of getting a caravan; then changed my mind about towing and decided to get a motorhome instead in 2020 when I could tap into my pensions and went down the custom conversion route after not being able to find a MH that fitted my needs and wants.
I wanted to continue with camping while I was/am still physically and mentally able to do so, and have no regret in getting her, even though she wiped out a big chunk of my pensions.
I have only just turned 60; however, although I am relatively healthy, I am not that fit physically with issues of my knees (stairs and steep hills are a struggle), and have an underlying health condition.
Hopefully I still have a few more camping years out and about in my van with the dog ahead of me.
I look back with fondness of my tenting days with plenty of photos about, especially the winter trips with frost and snow on my tent, great fun!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Decided back in 2017 that I was not enjoying tents as much as I once had, from the efforts of erecting and breaking down, handling soaking kit in the 'compulsory' foul weather, to sleeping 'on the floor', all getting too much of a drudge for old bones on solo trips! Definitely didn't want to give up 'camping', but in need of an easier way!
So 2018 heralded the arrival of the high spec caravan, which did in a way only bring new challenges for old bones, but for the duration of the stay at least, a very high level of comfort and facilities far more akin to home!
Still to this day go tent camping pretty much every year in France, but not solo, with a group of friends, so that spreads the load a lot, and I can sneakily adopt a supervisory/tinkering role, whilst the younger ones graft!
Our camping group has diminished in numbers over the years, as dodgy hips and the like has 'taken out' the less resilient ones, so down to just 3 now, from maybe a dozen or so some 10-15 years back.
Tents have played a significant part in my leisure activities over past 55 years when I started in mid-teens, and some fantastic memories of the very best of times. The caravan has added to those good times in more of a variation to camping than a true replacement for it, and hoping a few more years still ahead. Buying the caravan was an excellent decision, it's brought new joy back to camping, and hopefully will continue to do so for a few more years yet.
Whilst I'm not overly inclined to use them (yet!), I guess all these new pods, chalets etc. that fall under the umbrella of 'glamping' that are appearing on camp sites everywhere allow 'old campers' the opportunity to continue in the camping environment without the hard graft!
Enjoy your 'new' camping experience. .... and don't get too smug at the sight of those still battling the canvas and elements to create their temporary home! .... although with the caravan, it's a pretty satisfying knowledge that I can be sat in comfort with a cuppa or beer in under an hour of arrival and be set for the duration, whilst the canvas brigade have probably hours to go before achieving only basic shelter! .... do I have any guilt over that smugness, what do you think?
Yes, franbee - it's certainly a relief not to have to worry about wet tents! Ugh. My lawn's not big enough to pitch mine, so I had to take it to my daughter's garden to dry.
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Bernie47, you camped for a lot longer than I did! I started again properly(after a few youthful flurries) about 25 years ago, when my daughter was independent and my parents didn't need me too much.
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dk168, your tents were far posher than mine! Rather heavier too, I imagine. It's been polyester all the way for me. First, a littledome I had to crawl into, then a larger version that I had to pitch inner first (bad move!) then one with a small porch, and latterly a 3 man tunnel tent. All I have is a state pension so upgrading to wheels wasn't an option; enjoy yours! My knees are crocked too; having steroid injections in both for as long as that helps.
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Monty15, I do love a caravan - so neatly designed! Not an option for me,but I did have a half share in one on a seasonal pitch for a while some years ago. We weren't using it enough, so gave it up - just before lockdown! Phew... Rynys, my favourite site, has a shepherd's hut - more rustic than a pod and very cute - and a static caravan. I've podded a couple of times and, apart from still having to brave the elements to use the facilities, they work well for me. I'm looking forward to future smugness...
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I too am in my 73rd year and camp solo with a polycotton tent so I know where you`re coming from. Over the years, I have had trailer tents, a folding camper, camper vans, caravan and the loan of a motorhome. All had their good/bad points but for me, tents were always my favourite. I resumed solo camping 30 years ago when my wife and children preferred other types of holidays. I`ve had a VW van for about the same amount of time I`ve been solo with the intention of converting it into a campervan but never felt the need. The back seat folds down into a double bed so I can sleep in it if I want, I can get all my camping gear in it and it takes up no more space than an estate car. Gets under 2 metre barriers too. So, to my mind, I have the perfect outfit. Pitching the tent is all part of the fun and immensely satisfying when complete. Although easier to erect, I have looked for a polycotton air beam tent but can find nothing that fits my requirements. Like you said, the old bones and joints can only take so much and the inevitable draws closer all the time. Good look for the future without your tent !
We gave up tenting in 81 having enjoyed it duringb9ur tour in Germany with the RAF.
I am 73 and still caravanning. We bought a new slightly smaller van last year. It might be our last. It really depends on health, which touchwood, is ok.
If we stopped maybe a small motorhome or rent mobile homes on sites in Europe in low season.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Ah,the good old VW! We lived overseas for a few years in the 70s and had a couple of VW Kombis. I enjoyed driving them; still would if I had the budget for one! When, more recently, I had an Astra estate I ended up sleeping in that a couple of times when the weather became too rough; being 5'2" does have its advantages! I made a mistake in my original post; 2022 was my last stay at Rynys, but I did stay at Small Batch near Church Stretton for a couple of nights last May.
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I've never towed a caravan and even if I had the budget for it I think I'm a bit long in the tooth to start! I toyed briefly with the idea of a small camper van, but it would have meant getting rid of the car and I decided I wouldn't use it often enough to justify the cost. I'll have to resign myself to the additional cost of glamping and be a 'podder' from now on.
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A campsite I have used for over 30 years has storage facilities for touring caravans. The site owner has acquired some of these when their owners have gifted them to him or owe rent money on them. He has sited a couple of them and rents them out on a nightly basis. They`re basic but gas and electric are included. It might be worth a phone call to a campsite you are familiar with to see if they offer a similar arrangement.
Quote: Originally posted by Hedgehugger on 26/3/2025
I've never towed a caravan and even if I had the budget for it I think I'm a bit long in the tooth to start! I toyed briefly with the idea of a small camper van, but it would have meant getting rid of the car and I decided I wouldn't use it often enough to justify the cost. I'll have to resign myself to the additional cost of glamping and be a 'podder' from now on.
Just wondering if you have considered getting a Citroen Berlingo conversion or similar which is smaller than a T5/T6 and can be used as a daily use car.
I have seen a number of car boot tailgate tents in the past which may also suit.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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: Facing the inevitable...
.... although with the caravan, it's a pretty satisfying knowledge that I can be sat in comfort with a cuppa or beer in under an hour of arrival and be set for the duration, whilst the canvas brigade have probably hours to go before achieving only basic shelter! 
.... do I have any guilt over that smugness, what do you think? 
via mobile 25/3/2025 at 11:58am
