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Quote: Originally posted by The Admiral on 24/8/2007

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Don't do anything in haste - we've been camping for several years now & we've had a terrible time this summer as well. After 5 days at the Old Oaks (a campsite I love), in horrible weather and conditions I was ready to jack it all in and never camp again.

However we're off with friends this weekend to Derbyshire & I can't wait for tomorrow - I'd say give it one more go and if you still hate it then sell up!!

 

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Admiral,

You don't by chance happen to have a purple Kyham and two dogs and were at the Old Oaks around early August in the Lower Oaks field ?

I would give it another go - this trip started out bad and got worse at it went along - not all camping holidays are like that.
On our first trip Richard flattened the car battery, and we waited two hours for the RAC, and control had failed to tell the Patrol Man which field we were in.    Now days we'd just ask a fellow camper for a jump start.
Last October we came home a day early, because the camping field had become the camping lake.
This year on one trip out we had to move pitch due to having our own private lake in the tent.

However 99% of the trips have been fun and touble free.    Even the other week I was camping, I had the most awful motorway journey to the site - heavy rain, and spray.
Set up in the rain, and then went to my sisters for dinner.    Got back to the site and the rain had stopped.   Kids played out, and I sat and read.    It was wonderful - I was relaxed, kids were happy.   I knew it was things like this that made camping special.

Get another tent, and give it another go.    After all if you decide that its really not for you, you can sell the tent along with the other stuff.

And by the way, OHs having the 'ump when setting up is par for the course.

Jo,  I know how you must feel.  I've had a few weeks of bad weather in the past when camping with a young family and it's not much fun. I felt I was allways trying to make the best of it (didn't worry the children much though).  My advice would be to keep your kit and do what I do now.  Have your main holidays abroad but become a fair weather weekend camper, only go when the forecast is good.

All the best - whatever you decide.

We went a few weeks ago and it wasn't great to say the least.  The majority of the stuff has gone on the free ads bit of this website.  We were like you and wanted rid of everything straight away but after a week of thinking about it decided that might not be the best option.  We are still going to sell the main bulk of kit but are going to get a smaller tent and give it a go again.

Having said that, if it isn't for you don't feel pressurised into giving it another go.  We had to make the best of time off work when our trip failed aswell so the static might be a good option for you.

Hope it all works out for you.

I can fully appreciate your decision, as we too are packing away the tent with some fond memories, but the slow realisation that our camping days are over too. We have camped for five years - weekends & main holidays, and thoroughly had our moneys worth from our gear. We have achieved what we set out to do, which was have cheap holidays whilst money was tight & the kids were young, and see lots of our beautiful country. We've had awful times with bad weather, wet clothes, no sleep, neighbours from hell, poor sites; and also lovely sites, loads of laughs, fantastic weather & good family togetherness. Nothing dramatic has happened, just a general weariness with the to-ing & fro-ing to the toilet across a field, poor nights sleeps, damp clothes, bad backs & stiff necks. It's hard work, I want to rest, relax & get some sun on holiday, and the last few times away have done none of that! We have decided to compromise - perhaps camp for quick get away weekends, but not for the long two week hols. But there is still nothing like the smell of a tent......

Keep it up everyone !

A few more jacking it in and the sites will be a lot more peacful next year!