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My first camping trip was to Coldstream in the mid sixties, we had a 'mixed family'  ridge tent - boys bedroom to the left and girls on the right. The centre 'living' section had a  detchable side which you raised on poles as a kind of awning. When it rained (and it did as we were in Scotland) it leaked like a sieve. 

We were very hard up and budgeted on £1.00 a day for everything. The site cost two shillings a night (10p)   and the remaining 18 shillings covered food drink and even an ice cream.

We met a young couple who had run away from Plymouth to get married in Scotland. They were living in a tiny tent just about big enough for them both to lie down in so they spent a lot of time with us. They asked us to be  witnesses at their wedding. The whole camp site became involved, one chap took us to the registry office in his big black car decorated with ribbons. and whilst we were there, the other campers dug ditches around our tents as it was raining so heavily they were in danger of being flooded. I would love to know if they are still married, but due to moving about a fair bit I lost touch with them. If Vicky and Jim are reading this it would be wonderful to hear from you again.

Cyndie

I've been camping for as long as I can remember. Parents used to have an orange blacks ridge pole tent, with an extending awning. My first tent was tent was a Bukta Wanderlust with a sewn in growndsheet - a new idea then- lol. Bought it when I was about 12. First time out in it was Easter, and it snowed. That tent served me well for about 20 years. Those were the days.

Favourite campsite was Dale End Farm at Grasmene, half way along the side of the lake between the lake and the road. Loved it there. At this time Dad had a split screen Morris Minor and spent ages trying to get everything in the boot. Farm is still there but campsite disappeared years ago. When we first went there the only loo was a midden, later they built a dreadful wooden shack with disgusting loos in it. I think they were Elsans. The field was on a steep slope, and if it had rained, getting out was difficult. Always had to travel back to Grasmere, because the Morris would not get up Red Bank. Anyone out there remember Dale End Farm?

I remember the site at Dale End, although I did not camp there.

I too started off with a Bukta Wanderlust, to which I added the extended flysheet and bell end.

Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 23/11/2008

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Anyone out there remember Dale End Farm?

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I think so  Was it near to the Travellers Rest Inn? If so, I stayed on that site once in the early 70's, near the bottom of the slope, & it absolutely poured down, and yes, you've guessed it, the groundsheet was floating as all the rain ran down the slope  I used to take the crockery in a cardboard box, but when I lifted the box out of the corner of the tent, the bottom fell out as it was just so soggy. Heard the sound of breaking crocks & we ended up with one plate & two mugs between four of us.

The site we usually used was Causeway Foot Farm, sort of next door to Dale End, but that one has closed now also.

Hi Rex. Great to bring back some memories. My first outing was in the early 60's with an old tent that I bought from the Boy Scouts. The great big bell end type. It never went much further than the back garden until I was finally old enough to join the Girl Guides! Like you, I am sute that it was idylic and the sun shone all the time (except for camping at easter when it snowed!) Things seemed so much simpler then. I know I had youth on my side but I honestly believe that the basic things were much better. I cringe nowadays when people are on campsites complaining that they have a poor TV signal or that their Sky Tv doesn't work-what????!!!!! Thats not camping! Hopefully if one good thing comes out of the credit crunch it will be that we go back more to basics and kids learn to have fun outdoors again without MP3 players, computers and the like!

Probably like you, I have tried the lot-caravans,motorhomes  and gone back in the eyes of many -but back the right way-my compromise is my Pennine but I still have a good old trusty frame tent-canvas and the great outdoors is definately best!

Hi Everyone, Happy New Year!

My Mother made our first tent when I was about 4 years old (51yrs ago), it was a Ridge tent and had to have a door at each end so she could get through to put coal on the fire during the seemingly endless tryouts in the living room. She eventually made a Huge Flysheet with a Bell End for it which was draped over the washing line to be painted with Orange waterproofing! We then had many happy years at Crag Bank nr Carnforth. Looking back I dont know how she did it, testimony to the old Singer Treadle Machine!

Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 02/12/2008

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Hi NC
The days of basic camping for most is a none starter even though the majority of tent campers really like camping under canvas,to return to the times of no furniture, no SIG,cook on the floor with primus or spirit stoves, no cool boxes or fridges no blow up beds or fat artics lighting by means of a paraffin lamp,or candle in a jam jar, If you were on a dedicated site there would be no showers or flush loo;s. those thunder boxes could really whiff in hot weather,But most campers new the prevailing winds and pitched up wind.
But the joy of been cuddled up under your two army blankets on your bed of straw while the rain pitted down on the wind blown canvas, gave just the same exiting feeling to children and parents alike,as it does now.
And the saying you never miss what you have never had Holds true.
Myself I have had a good innings under canvas and have enjoyed the companionship that you still get among the true camping fraternity.
And campers use all sorts of units these days, but I will say this I truly believe not all people in some unit are campers in the true sense of the word.
Campers go camping in the unit of their choice for the freedom and the love of the UK lovely countryside and to give their children memories that they will take with them through all their life.People use camping today for lots of pass times and soon find out if they are realy campers.
Regards
Rex.

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Here here!

For me camping is all about living for a few weeks in a 'simple' and 'basic' way without all of the gadgets and comforts of the 21st century! I don't feel like i've camped unless I've 'suffered' in some way! I've camped on all sorts of sites but it only feels like 'proper' camping if it's little more than a field with the luxury of a toilet block! Having EHU and all the electrical comforts that go with it would make it feel too much like home for me.(That is not to say though other people shouldn't....live and let live, we are all enjoying the great outdoors)!!!

By the way Rex

"In those days men did not get involved in house hold duties unless asked so our camping mother used to cook some wonderful meals on those primus stoves."

I thought this was the only time men did the cooking...on a barbecue or camping stove!

Some great memories...thanks

Rex  I have just read the original post and boy did it take me back. We had quilted Kapok and blankets fastened with Kilt pins. These formesd sleeping bags. Hooked rugs were the mattresses not pally assess. Two primus with biscuit tin sheilds But it was Dad who did the cooking not Mum. (that was her condition to go camping!!!). Tent Ex-army Bell back  With a table fitted round the rear pole. (Posh)  Tin Plates and Mugs  1 Knife 1 Fork 1 Spoon each.  That would be 1947/8  We lived in West Ridining  then and would travel to Cornwall on Motorbike and Sidecar.  Happy Happy Days.