scanning youtube for camping related videos I can see the camping equpiment and technology that is available today is truly space age compared to what my mom and dad used to take our family camping as a kid.
some videos show people turning up at a campsites with full size fridge. Cars fitted with hot and cold running water with a show. off grid elecreicity. Resturant grade kitchen setups, GPS mapping ect ect.
Some equipment is exceptional but very expesive. I always viewed camping as a cheap hobby so I have always been reluctant to spend big bucks but even I have been temped to spend for extra comfort. But with so much kit available is is easy to get in the trap of you think you need all of it and end up tacking too much suff with you that then becomes a burden to transport and setup rather than a help.
so what do you hope to get from your camping trip and equipment. is it a low cost holiday, a more adventuras holiday than a hotel would provide, a luxury stay with all the creature comforts of home???
Camping can be cheap if one discounts the initial outlay of camping gears to purchase.
I reached my camping gear nirvana and was on Tent No. 5 when I stopped being a tent and switched to a panel van conversion (PVC); upgraded my kitchen set up along the way; got a roof box then outgrew it and got a leisure trailer.
Comfort was and still is, of paramount importance to me.
I do not consider myself a glamper, and carry very few non-functional items.
Eventually, the time and effort it took to set up was too long and laborious for me. Hence I switched unit and got myself a PVC with its own onboard facilities.
Camping enables me to bring my dog with me on holidays, which is not always possible with hotels and B&Bs.
Besides, hotels and B&Bs have restrictions whereas camping is freer.
I would consider my van a home from home, just smaller and more compact, and tidier!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
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Our camping is a basic as we can make it, but not sacrificially basic. So we don't expect the same standard of living that we have at home. But as we seldom stay anywhere for more than a day or two, and would have loads of stuff to pack and unpack every time, we limit what we take.
Even with the 'van, we keep the extra stuff to a minimum. We take no TV so it's a complete break from the outside world for a short time.
I do quite like a luxury hotel too, but like the camping freedom to live outside as much as possible.
It is what you want it to be, so camping allows you to change to your needs, So yes I can do pop up overnight to 6 week school holidays and survive both. Do I need all the mod cons, no I can and will wash the underwear in a bowl and peg on the guy ropes to dry. Yes the twin tub on sale at Towsure a few years ago was mentioned. Didn't happen
If I had got everything for total comfort then I would not be camping.
Old adage The more you take the less you go
So for me weekends low tech car boot full, longer than a week trailer, Winter caravan yes I got old
So advice is, Your break, your way, for as long as you want. Where you want to be, with just enough to so that you want to do it again
------------- Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
well this year is the first year I have been out and about camping. there seems to be a lot more people with campervans and in general there seems to be a lot more people camping
Everyone's idea of what is "essential" is different. We are fairly basic, but then we mainly use our caravan for sleeping in, we are out and about most of the time. Never take a TV, and don't always bother with the internet, although sometimes it can be handy for looking up places to go. What we wouldn't go without though is a few good books to read. We'd much rather do that than watch TV, we get enough of that at home. Nothing beats a good read before turning in for the night or on a rainy day.
Funnily enough, I read a lot at home but hardly ever when we go away. OH loves to watch most sports so a TV and satellite equipment is essential. Also have a record player for those lazy afternoons.
Just back yesterday from France, and a no frills basic temporary camp site at Le Mans Classic motor race.
Think our only concession to 'extras/luxury' was the gas fridge, 'cos we didn't want to have to drive off the site to shops once on it and pitched, so 5 days worth of perishables had to survive 28/29 degree ambient temperatures.
50 year old Campingaz 2 burner stove provided the hot food. Old cheap tents provided sleeping accommodation. OK got to confess did splash out on a new large poled tarp to provide shelter for fridge, cooker, and us when sitting out, but all a rather bare bones minimalist set up otherwise. Didn't sit around in evenings with battery lanterns for light, pretty much went to bed by torch light after sun went down and daylight faded completely.
When the portacabin showers failed, even had an old fashioned 'wash down' with a flannel and bucket of water, cold water at that! (With no electric lights - AND no natural light, and no hot water in shower - figured trying to wash er-hemm 'retreating from the ice cold water' body parts in pitch dark was just too challenging! ).
No EHU, no electric gadgets (other than phones to keep in touch with others in area that we were meeting), almost like going back to camping of my youth.
Next trip away will be in my caravan with all mod-cons, I don't wish to make living like a cave man a way of life!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 06/7/2022
Funnily enough, I read a lot at home but hardly ever when we go away. OH loves to watch most sports so a TV and satellite equipment is essential. Also have a record player for those lazy afternoons.
Complete opposite to us then. I don't watch sports at all, and my wife hardly ever does either, except possibly tennis. Don't have a record player but I did install a car radio a few years back and it takes USB sticks on which we have loads of our favourite music.
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 06/7/2022
Did she just watch Rafa win? That was great. He also plays sport at the Legion club, mostly snooker now.
She probably would have done had we been here, but we have only recently got back from a day out at Didcot railway centre, bought for me by our son for last Christmas. We went by train of course to use our free travel.
It depends on whether I'm carrying it in a car or on my back.
Two weeks in France is a holiday and does require electricity, a fridge, double burner etc.
Carrying it on my back and it is all about weight and being compact.
It is debatable which form is the most expensive. Both can be basic but some lightweight tents can cost more than your family car camping tent. Other equipment as well. You can do both with the bare minimum of cheap stuff but over time you hone and fettle what you take. New stuff gets bought. Old stuff gets sold and a lot gets hoarded just in case.
As for philosophy.. Leave no trace.
I camp for peace, quiet, starry skies, and being away from urbanisation, and as a base for walking and sea swimming.
Style: back to basics, simple, functional, comfortable enough to enjoy myself.
I never have EHU and now that generators are starting to be a thing I prioritise places that do not allow them.
My expense has been upgrading to my beloved canvas tent, and an Icey Tek, fantastically effective but pricey passive cool box.
I often cook over a fire, but take a small stove for fresh ground coffee in the mornings.
My friends are the same (less tolerant of compost toilets than me) and we always camp places where we can pitch where we like, so in a group, with loads of space, and sit round a campfire.
As oldham says it is whatever you want it to be.
If you want to throw a lightweight tent on a bike and camp wild and it makes you happy, then do it. If you want a state of the art motorhome and can afford it and it makes you happy, then do it. Anything in between ? Do it. Lifes too short to be agonising about what is "proper camping". Nowadays you can live more luxuriously in a tent with EHU than you can in an old caravan that works off 12V - nothing should be off limits.
It's a bit like reading novels. For a long time when I was younger I read the books that I thought I should be reading. Now I read what I want to read, your life is your own to live.
My personal philosophy : small car, small caravan - we have been through small tents / big tents / large-ish caravan / folding camper / mobile home rentals / and now small caravan in that order, we have come to the conclusion that we need somewhere comfy to sit of an evening or else its just not fun. Use as little gas / EHU as possible, stay in small sites (the smaller the playground / football pitches / entertainment / etc the better) for the peace and quiet, but comfortable and landscaped sites eg with water / waste on pitch if possible and a toilet block. Not fussed on staying in a field with a tap. When on site we tend to stay 10 days to 3 weeks depending on how much there is to see and do, travel short distances and explore that region (think the size of an Irish county or a French departement) thoroughly. Have a couple of nice meals in a site restaurant, or one nearby preferably within walking distance. With this we are content
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: what is your camping philosophy
via mobile 23/5/2022 at 1:02pm
