I’ve always felt it wasn’t proper camping if you’re not roughing it – I’ve laughed as my girls have brought out air beds, sheets, duvets and pillows. Although they always looked like they were much more comfortable in their sleeping compartment than me in mine but it never changed my mind. For me sleeping on the ground meant I could draw energy from the earth, revitalising me before the return to the rat race.
But the first couple of times camping this year I noticed something has changed! I’ve felt every stone, lump, bump and uneven piece of ground. I’ve spent the whole night waking up, trying to get comfortable and get back to sleep. So I gave in and bought one of those very thin self inflating air beds.
I set off for Bala last weekend expecting a great weekend with no trouble sleeping, wrong! Now the only problem I have is trying to stay on the air bed, are they made for 6’ x 2’ aliens?
I spent far too many nights under a flimsy old poncho bungee'd to four tree's and a shell scrape for a living/sleeping area. Waking in the morning in about 2 inches of water or frost on the outer of my bivvy bag.
It is now time to go for the comfortable camping lifestyle, airbeds, duvet, pillows etc etc etc.
I do sometimes miss those days though, being at one with the wilderness & the wildlife.
Never used EHU but not been away for longer than a weekend as yet.
I enjoy the who 'real' camping feel. The cooking on the gas ring for example. Also like the fact we dont have the tv, computers or consoles to spoil our peace and quiet. Although we do have a radio for a little bit of music (quiet) and for the sports results for my bf.
The only modern accessories we do have is out pillows and duvet as we both like a good nights sleep.
I think my opinion will change when we have children in tow like others have said makes life a little bit easier at them times when it is raining etc.
Hi Baymaster
Yes you are on the correct forum all our members on here are real campers, be it it a caravan, motorhome, frame tent, or even in a bivvy bag under a tarp. We all love camping and we all enjoy a good story about camping,
Looking forward to your exploits up over the border.
All the best
Rex.
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
I learnt my camping skills roughing it with the Guides. So it was 6 of us to a canvas patrol tent (none of this lightweight stuff for us), bedding rolls (an old fashioned sleeping bag with 2 blankets wrapped and pinned around it), wooden gadgets for everything. Learning the vital skills of keeping the fire under the hot water going all day, and how to cook a hot meal for 30 on an altar fire.
So now I am older (maybe wiser) and I am enjoying the luxury of airbeds, duvets, EHU's, wind up radios, but still trying to pass onto my girls the enjoyment that can be gained from camping.
I don't go anywhere without my full inventory of camping gear, which means the kids had better not grow anymore - they already take up valuable packing space in the car!!
The next installment not far off - whos knows I might have a completly uneventful trip to scotland next week, On the other hand it could all go pear shaped....if I was a betting man I would go for the latter
Hahahahah!!!! fab that was a grt wee story.........u should be on jackinory.
Reminds me of our first time camping........condensation.........no sleeping bag.........pal fell down a banking into a burn at 2.30 am going to the toilet sprained her ankle,why?.........no light either,what a disaster we have never been so cold in our lives and it was summer......
I would get really annoyed if my partner decided one day he wanted to get EHU as him and the kids would just sit watching the tv and what's the point? May as well have stayed at home!!
We do have airbeds though and a lantern, but that's about it, kids seem fine with it!
I really will be watching out for your next story and only hope something else happens so then we all get a great story to read again!
Personally I can't do "rough" any more but then I have my limits - I was horrified to see you can get a tumble drier for camping at our local shops - what is next? Dishwashers? Mahogany dining tables? Chandeliers (actually that might look quite pretty ) - I am addicted to my EHU but only for a strip light and my FAN HEATER, for night times - I cannot deal with the damp feeling any more... we do sometimes take a lap top (non internet) just to watch a DVD if it is pouring but generally rely on board games, cards, and... god forbid, we TALK to each other.. so for me, a heater, a light, a decent airbed and sleeping bag and a cotton tent and I am happy...
Great story. And as someone living on Anglesey I can vouch for the winds It took a long time for my husband to persuade me to go camping, and I told him it was my way or not at all. So we have EHU, and I take my beloved pillow and we have camp-beds/airbeds and are soon to invest in a camping stove and electric coolbox. I was once a student and swore never again would I 'slum' it!!!