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Camping? have you ever been camping on your own or thought about it, I mean as in at the age you are now.

(72 Posts)
bikergran Sat 25-Jul-20 09:52:20

I keep thinking about having a go at camping(solo) in the uk.

Its something that keep cropping up in my head.

Used to go when DH was here and caravaning.

Obviously there is a safety issue.

I would buy myself suitable tent and throw it in the car.
Would have liked a campervan but that's out of the question.

Just wondering if any grans or none grans have tried this, I dont mean as teenages I mean as mature adults.

I know people will comment on how they are past camping and no way would even think about it and its hotels bed and breakfast and evening dinner etc.

But would like comments on camping anyone ? smile

I could even throw my bicycle in the car.
Wouldn't be this year as have gotr commitments but maybe on my list for next year when things hopefully will be a little easier with the virus etc.

timetogo2016 Wed 29-Jul-20 11:11:35

I would be a little worried on my own but if it isn`t not a worry for you,yes go for it.

Callistemon Wed 29-Jul-20 11:17:15

We used to go camping and in fact I went away with friends in all weathers before I met DH.
When we were first married he borrowed a Scout tent and a primus stove and off we went but that was too primitive for me!
I think I realised my camping days were over after a damp Cornish holiday when my joints started aching; we have been to France since then to sites where the tent is already set up but no more.

I'm not sure how old you are bikergran but I don't think I'd want to do it now.
I've never been on my own and I don't think I would like to.

A campervan would be a good compromise especially if you have a bike to get around once there.

Callistemon Wed 29-Jul-20 13:20:01

Barmeyoldbat I'm laughing at your post!! ???

Fennel Wed 29-Jul-20 17:25:56

Husband used to often go camping on his own. His biggest adventure was to spend a weeks wildcamping in and around the Knoidart peninsular in NW Scotland.
He had to take a heavy backpack with him and arranged for food pickups from isolated places.
I went with him on some of his backpacking trips, mostly in Derbyshire and the Lakes. We didn't camp in campsites, just on the top of hills and moors, far from anyone.
I'll never forget one night in a very compact double skinned tent, on top of a hill, when the wind nearly picked us up - we had to spread out our belongings to weigh the tent down.
I soon got fedup with the hardships and carrying heavy loads so he mostly went off on his own after that.
Our children came with us in the early camping days, they still talk about one outing in winter when we had to dig ourselves out of the snow and got told off by a sort of gamekeeper.

Oopsadaisy3 Wed 29-Jul-20 18:37:00

Did it once in a Italy with 2 babies and loved it, did it again in the U.K. and vowed never to repeat the experience .
So, No.

Firecracker123 Wed 29-Jul-20 20:10:23

Why don't you join The Camping and Caravanning Club, very safe sites with Wardens permanently on site, toilet blocks and showers, dish wash up and electric hook up if required. Tents, caravans and motorhomes.

bikergran Thu 30-Jul-20 10:13:36

Good to hear different views..looking out the window right now in wet lancashire hmm throws a different perspective on it than when the glorious sunshine is beaming down,lots of food for thought. smile

Bargar Thu 30-Jul-20 10:20:40

We only started camping in midlife and I discovered that, unlike in the Girl Guides years ago, it was enjoyable! DH usually moans for the first day but then settles down grin I'd love to go on my own, and have threatened to buy my own tent for quick escapes. There are loads of great campsites (one near Truro with nicer toilets and showers than at home...) and honestly, there's nothing nicer than waking up and getting the bacon grilling.. go for it bikergran!

seacliff Thu 30-Jul-20 10:30:33

There is a club for single campers, not for dating purposes, just people who want to camp, and have no companion to go with. newcompanions.org.uk/about-us-new/about-the-club/

It seems like you can join in with activities each day, bike ride etc, or do your own thing. It might be a good place to try at first. Good for you, I hope you do it.

Grannynannywanny Thu 30-Jul-20 10:45:30

bikergran maybe you could borrow a tent and have a trial run in your garden(if you have one) It would allow you to test some of the practicalities. My biggest challenge would be sleeping on the ground and getting myself upright again!

I would love the freedom of a motor home with a loo and shower. I’ve entered an ITV comp and I fantasise about winning it.

Recently investigated cost of hiring one. Around £1k per week. My search then did flag up warnings from folk regarding insurance. Their hire company had held a £1k deposit on their credit card, claimed to have found bodywork damage on return and refused to return their deposit.

Fennel Thu 30-Jul-20 17:38:11

bikergran - as usual I didn't read your OP properly. I've taken risks in the past but I wouldn't go lone camping these days. Even if you're far from civilisation all kinds of things can go wrong - especially weather changes, losing your way etc. We had a few very dangerous experiences.
Best to join some kind of club .

jackplans Wed 18-Nov-20 17:35:07

Yes, I’ve been camping once and I never went again. It was an alright experience for me but I honestly don’t want to do it again. I rather stay at home instead of camp all day.

It’s impossible to sleep peacefully at a tent since it could either be freezing cold or sizzling hot. Plus you could hear crickets or bears at night. Which freaks me out.

Whenever you walk around a forest or a lake. These little bugs come out and give you a bug bite.

What if you need to take a piss at night? Oh wait, you’ll have to walk through the dark to find the nearest restroom.
(Also whenever you find the restroom its either occupied or smelly as fuck)

Wanna go for a swim? Good luck meeting some leeches in the lake. Yeah, pretty wonderful to have on your skin.

I wouldn’t mind camping if I had some sort of RV, but tents and sleeping bags don’t do it for me.

M0nica Wed 18-Nov-20 17:44:35

As I have just written on the thread on long hair. Age is totally irrelevant. If you want to do it and you can. Do it.

Personally, sleeping under canvas lost its attraction when I outgrew Enid Blyton. I have been caravaning, but camping under canvas, never, and I never will.

FarNorth Wed 18-Nov-20 17:55:44

jackplans I guess you're not in the UK.

I've been camping as an adult on my own and have thought of doing it at the age I am now.
I'd stay on a campsite, not wild camping, if I did do it.

Shez1955 Wed 18-Nov-20 20:41:21

Used to camp loads usually in nice weather.

You need a tent preferably that you can stand up in but put up solo. After trying a few I went for a canvas pyramid tent but they are quite expensive try looking secondhand. A bucket or toilet of some sort for nighttime. A comfortable bed and a sleeping bag with a duvet on top to keep you warm.

Never felt unsafe as most campsites are friendly places.

NfkDumpling Wed 18-Nov-20 20:59:29

It depends how fit you are Biker. Tents need time to put up - maybe in the rain. Air beds - you need to be able to get up and down from a very low level. And, the big one - you need a good bladder which isn't going to get you up in the night for a long trot to the loo block. Unless you're happy with a bucket loo.

We've opted for a campervan. With a bed, kitchen, fridge - and a loo. Surprisingly, a lot of small campers don't have a loo. But we're not fit.

hrnt Thu 24-Dec-20 08:40:54

This year we decide to try winter camping (there are no other travel alternatives). We're going to go this weekend to celebrate Christmas. Since we are newbies, we are accompanied by a close family friend and his girlfriend who have been camping for many years.

OceanMama Thu 24-Dec-20 09:44:34

I don't camp but I don't mind travelling alone. These stories of noisy children remind me of the morning I woke up to a huge spider in my tent. I was terrified and got out of my tent to tell my parents so they could help me. I whispered what was going on and got hissed at to go back to my tent and back to sleep. Going back to my tent was not an option until the spider was dealt with and I didn't know what else to do with myself, so I started to cry. The more my parents told me to go back to my tent and lie under this spider, the more panicked and loud I got. By the time my mother decided the only way this was going to be resolved was if she removed the spider, I'd probably woken up the whole campground. My parents were humiliated and I don't think we ever went camping again after that year. My apologies to those trying to sleep in that morning.

Spangler Thu 24-Dec-20 10:01:33

Camping, is that when you spend a fortune to live a homeless lifestyle?

Redhead56 Thu 24-Dec-20 10:22:08

In the late seventies went to Cornwall and Devon it was fun but uncomfortable. Later on when children were young went to Wales that was dreadful because of the weather. No way would I consider it in my sixties I need the comfort for my joints.

Catlover21 Mon 08-Feb-21 12:58:59

It’s the getting up to go to the loo in the middle of the night that I don’t fancy! It’s an age thing. I like an en-suite even if it is in a caravan or camper van.

MissChateline Mon 08-Feb-21 15:19:15

I love camping on my own in a tent. Even though we have had a small Campervan for the past 5 years I refuse to get rid of my 2 person tent and equipment. My partner refuses to stay in the tent hence the van purchase. I have over the years wild camped all over Scotland and across the western isles and just loved every minute of it. Now I also take myself off in the van on my own at least once a year and wild camp up on the west coast.

MissChateline Mon 08-Feb-21 15:21:16

The Campervan is very small (VW size) and doesn’t have an integrated loo or washroom. Our en-suite is a plastic milk bottle and funnel reserved exclusively for the procedure!

BlueBelle Mon 08-Feb-21 15:25:54

I went camping in my own little tent about 4/5 years ago I absolutely loooove camping and couldn’t find anyone else who likes it amongst my friends
I hope to go again when lockdowns over I hate to think I d never camping again
I ve never really stayed in hotels, just caravans, campsites, narrow boat, apartments don’t like formal arrangements too much one mans meat is another s poison I guess

Katie59 Mon 08-Feb-21 16:16:04

I’ve been camping in a group, when the kids were in the scouts it was a regular thing, loved it. If there was a group going together I’d do it now, although not on my own, in any case OH likes travel so I get taken where I want to go.