Many on this forum have been camping for years whilst others are just starting out. Would love to hear stories on how people started their camping career and why they kept going through the storms and sun (I imagine not too many in our lovely British weather).
Do include some details while you tell your story:
- Where and when
- What you love/hated on your first trip
- Why you kept going
Some may have camped once or twice with their school scouts etc but perhaps you can share the trip which became the turning point that started you on the crazy journey to buying your own tent, etc.
We started with a static in mid wales. Cutting the story short, hubby was made redundant and a house was for sale in the village where our static was. We sold up, and moved to mid wales. We got rid of the static and decided to try camping. We started with a Lichfield Challenger, then progressed onto a ig Relum chalet tent. We camped mostly on Shell Island, as not far from where we live. Our daughter was 9 when we started camping. We camped in lovely weather and also some horrific weather. The last time we camped, the weather turned, and had terrible gales over night. We spent half the night hanging onto the poles. The rain was blowing straight through the canvas. We ended up with only slight damage, one bent kitchen pole. Our daughter was 14 at the time, and was getting to the stage of not wanting to go anymore. We gave up for a few years then started again, just the 2 of us 3 years ago. We had sold the older tents and bought an outwell nevada xl. However hubby needed a few more home comforts, so eventually got a tin tent! We have many good memories of our camping days!
------------- Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!
Quote: Originally posted by armchaircamper on 26/6/2015
Gave up? No - went out and bought a bigger tent and a better sleeping bag and haven't stopped since!
What? Buying stuff or camping
As a young 'un, I think it was Paignton. Always remember it as we followed a car from the end of our road (Cardiff) to the pitch right next us.
As an adult, I think it was a lovely weekend in Mill Farm in Somerset. 3 tents and a trailer tent later, and we're off to our fifth year in Holland.
------------- 2019: Hurn Lane CAMC, Cirencester Park CAMC & Lytton Lawn
Our first caravan was a 1960's Sprite Alpine (with a drop down double bed and the dinette at the back). Dad got it second hand just to see if we would like caravanning. The first site we went to was a Caravan Club site at Borrowdale in the lake district. Each pitch was in the woods with trees towering all around and you could barely see the neighbours. Climb over the style and a short walk and you were beside Derwent Water. At night the pine cones and bits of twig would fall on the caravan roof causing great hilarity. In the morning the bird song was deafening. It was pure heave and we were hooked and went back there many times.
That was in the early 70's .... whale foot pump, real glass windows, mum made curtains on curtain wire, a no frills chemical toilet, NO fridge, Duvets were unheard of so we had sheets and blankets, gas lights, a big red water carrier with no wheels (bought with Green Shield Stamps), a bucket under the van to catch waste, NO telly.
I have never been back to the Borrowdale site because I'm afraid it won't be the same, sometime things are best left as you remember them.
Quote: Originally posted by adybaby on 26/6/2015Our first caravan was a 1960's Sprite Alpine (with a drop down double bed and the dinette at the back). Dad got it second hand just to see if we would like caravanning. The first site we went to was a Caravan Club site at Borrowdale in the lake district. Each pitch was in the woods with trees towering all around and you could barely see the neighbours. Climb over the style and a short walk and you were beside Derwent Water. At night the pine cones and bits of twig would fall on the caravan roof causing great hilarity. In the morning the bird song was deafening. It was pure heave and we were hooked and went back there many times.
That was in the early 70's .... whale foot pump, real glass windows, mum made curtains on curtain wire, a no frills chemical toilet, NO fridge, Duvets were unheard of so we had sheets and blankets, gas lights, a big red water carrier with no wheels (bought with Green Shield Stamps), a bucket under the van to catch waste, NO telly.
I have never been back to the Borrowdale site because I'm afraid it won't be the same, sometime things are best left as you remember them.
It sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing. People like me will never understand what that feels like. My mum grew up in a poor village and would sometimes look at us sadly recounting stories and games she played which she knows we will never understand or experience. She speaks of her home with mud floor and when it rains, tiny streams will flow through her house with fishes for the kids to catch in glee. She speaks of climbing trees to pick fresh fruits when she is hungry. Sorry of topic but your post makes me miss my mum
Early '60s and camping in large heavy bell tent with girl guides, making 'gadgets' from sticks and string, rolling up the bottom of bell tent every morning, and sitting round the camp fire every night. Heaven!
Parents bought a 16ft Fairholme caravan sited at Bosham, I loved it, parents hated it, sold after 2 weeks.
1970's and holidaying in static van at Skelwith nr Ambleside.
Married in 1972 and bought a blue and red canvas frame tent. Camped in Italy, Austria and Germany. Hired a touring caravan in Bavaria (we were stationed with military in Germany) and were hooked, sent for the CL brochure in 1973 and drooled over the Sprite caravans, never bought one, but the catalogue was wonderful.
1974 Bought a new 10ft Piper caravan with awning, gas lights and a foot pump for cold water tap, the windows were glass with metal clips. The awning had no windows. Paid £500 for it from Gailey Caravans.
Owned various caravans over the next few years,a 15ft Crown, 12ft Rambler and a 16ft Abbey.
In between had tents, a large blue Relum Ridge with bell end.
A Kyham Excelsior XXL (which we still have and like).
Now we have a Pennine Sterling, wish we had converted to FC's years ago!!!
43yrs of very happy camping memories, and delighted that our sons and their families all choose camping holidays.
1966 at Thornwick Bay, nr Flamborough Head. I was only 15 and went with my brother Jim, his girlfriend jean, and my boyfriend Allan (we've now been married for 45 years). Allan had just learned to drive and his dad let us use his Triumph Herald for the week. We got lost in Bridlington and unknowingly parked in a taxi rank and got a ticket. Went to the local cop shop to plead ignorance (it worked as the station sergeant scrapped the ticket) and he then asked 'you goin' tentin lad'? and then directed us to the camp site - or should I say ploughed field with nothing but a toilet. We went to the local pub that night but one of us must have touched the sides of the small ridge tent that we had and when we got back Jean was first in and went up to her knees in water. It had started to rain while we out. We spent that night in the car. Sunday was lovely and we spent the time applying fake tan and ending up orange. Monday we went out for the day and on return all Allans gear had been stolen including the bag it was kept in, never mind we managed the rest of the week and on the final Saturday we tried to watch the football world cup in Radio Rentals window but they turned all the teles off. Next day we made a mad dash home to watch the game as it was repeated.
Sorry this is so long but it is a time none of us will ever forget and although my brother and Jean divorced over 30 years ago we still get together and reminisce. Since then I've been round the world a few times as Allan was in the merchant navy, owned our own bar in Mallorca, came home after 12 years and bought a tent then another tent then a touring caravan and now thoroughly enjoy my static in north Northumberland.
Quote: Originally posted by katycymru on 26/6/2015
Quote: Originally posted by armchaircamper on 26/6/2015Gave up? No - went out and bought a bigger tent and a better sleeping bag and haven't stopped since!
Way back in the 60's we used to have long weekends/main holidays at my uncles hut on the Ayrshire coast...Water was collected at a stand pipe at the end of the avenue...The farmer(who's land it was) would collect our toilet waste twice a week in a cart drawn by a big Clydesdale horse...
I remember waking early in the morning and seeing rabbits running about on the grass trips to the beach and playing all sorts of games in the fields and scrubland surrounding the site...Going fishing with my uncles old cane rod...etc etc..
1st real camping trip was with a school friend in a borrowed 4 man canvas ridge tent with no g/sheet and only hairy old army blankets to sleep in all carried in heavy canvas rucksacks...
Been fishing and camping ever since...Both were my way when a teen/young adult of escaping the urban sprawl I lived in....
Same applies today....Any chance of getting out into the green stuff I take it...
Both my brother and myself put our love of camping/caravanning down to those early days at my uncles hut...And though he and the hut are long gone I thank him in spirit for those early days escapes from the city...
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
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: Remember your first camp?
