Never too late

[Tinkerbell]

I've just been looking at some old threads and noticed one I started last year in early Sept., about back garden camping. One member of our family has just spent a weekend over in the Brecons in a borrowed tent - apart from sleeping bags, no sophisticated camping purchases for this occasion (just 'testing the water'). His wife had never been under canvas, but nevertheless she went along with his desire to ensure that the children had the experience, whilst still young. Apparently, apart from the fact that it was a bit damp in the mornings she thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected 'social' aspect of camping. Sitting outside your tent in the evening with friends, a glass of wine and a barbie smoking away, with contented children who have spent the day running and playing freely in the fields, was an added bonus.

The point is, you really don't have to travel far for the experience - the next
village will do and you can really keep it simple. Problem is, for me it is just a memory - we never go camping!!!

[Turtletagger]

Hi Tinkerbell. I am a mad camper. When living in Australia I used to head for the outback and just roll my swag on the ground and stare up at the stars that hung so low that I could almost touch them, thats because there were no street, or City lights to difuse them. When coming back to England in January 2003, one of the first things I bought was a tent and with my new wife we went camping in the New Forrest, then to Snowdon, and last year to Pembrokeshire. Because we are fanatical nature watchers this is the best way to get close to our interest. Two days ago we went down to Oxford and brought back with us a "Tralor Tent" that my son-in-law baught for us, I think he was worried about his mum suffering by sleeping on the ground seeing as she has just turned seventy. I am sixty six but the both of us feel like were just on the wrong side of thirty. We do our camping during the off season, when the children are back at school, much quieter for us at that period. We borrowed a static caravan for the weekend last november when wanting to visit Leighton Moss, didn't enjoy that half as much as when pitching a tent and roughing it. Enjoy your camping, ther's nothing to beat it for being close to nature and the earth. Tanny the Turtle Tagger

[nightshade]

I spent years camping,using the camping club sites,my last foray was to a
2CV jamboree.I regrettably gave it up due to my bad back,but visited many parts of the country and made many friends and aquaintences

[John]

I used to carry around with me my old one man fishing bivvy. It was useful when out in the field birdwatching as it was one of those 10 second put up jobbies. I used to plonk it down in some of the most unusual places, even at the side of the road (in the country of course) if it was in a place I wanted to be the next day. Unfortunately I had my car was stolen in 1999 and with it my Bivvy.

I have a brand new tent, purchased in September 1999, that has still not been opened. Unfortunately my Ex & I split a month after purchase and my new partner doesn't fancy camping.

I will have to work on her though if I can. We are both are 60 and she thinks far too old for it but I would still love it (don't forget I still sleep out in the car if I go anywhere for at least two days).

I have had many memorable moments camping (and some extremely frightening moments as well - but that's another story). In fact I might start a thread on bad camping stories.