Camping envy

[mrsmalumbas]

Coming on here to read threads about camping because I really want to go and DH not very keen - was brought up as a camping girl, tents when young then we had a caravan, I loved it until I got to mid teens when I decided it was deeply uncool. Now I am 40 with two DD's and find myself looking at camping websites and so wanting to go! DH is willing to consider a mobile home type holiday but I want "proper" camping with sleeping bags and torches and the kids running around outside! DH just hates the whole idea of campsites and shower blocks and having to do your ablutions around complete strangers - plus he is a wuss who feels the cold really badly and would faint at the thought of having to deal with anything practical like gas stoves or chemical toilets!! I have been thinking that maybe a caravan or camper van would be more the thing as it is perhaps more civilised (and warmer?) but he feels that is desperately middle aged - however I think it would be such fun playing house! Anyone else got a partner who hates camping - how do you deal with it? any succesful converts?? The one angle I could maybe sell him on is cost as it is (relatively) cheap - but that only really applies to tenting. Sigh. So jealous of all you happy campers!

[Scramble]

What about hiring a campervan for a holiday and giving it a try, it is expensive but once you know you all like it then you could get your own.

Or what about a halfway solution and getting a trailer tent, looks like you will still be doing all the technical camping stuff though while he minces through the damp grass to the toilet block

Have to admit camping as a full holiday doesn't appeal to me and I hate toilet blocks, I had a wee caravan last year but only used it for work. Didn't manage to get away witht he kids. But I hate towing.

So now I have wee red my camping companion van all the fun of camping but I can set up my bed in the van and shut the door.

What about a bongo or a hi ace type camper, not too fuddy duddy
or a VW camper for coolness.

[mrsmalumbas]

Oh I would so love a VW campervan - love them! I would like to buy a whole fleet and set up a rental company - you can buy the brand new brazilain imports and I would have mine all all kitted out with Ipods and Kath Kidston interiors ...dream on...

Have also drooling over Eriba caravans - anyone got one? DH is marginally interested because they do look kind of trendy but is baulking at the pricetag.

Yes mincing through the damp grass is correct - that describes him exactly! (although he is a bit too masculine to mince). He is however not at all technical -even at home I do all the DIY and practical stuff.

He did concede today that he might be willing to consider tenting but only if the weather was good - so maybe France in one of those ones thats already put up for you?

[expatinscotland]

Toilet blocks are horrid. I don't blame your husband one bit.

[QueenBhannae]

We have just bought a caravan and love it.
We went away for the first time in it last week and most of the people we met were younger than 40.
Granted we booked into a haven site in order to ease ourselves in gradually lol but the shower blocks were fab and I had the luxury of a piping hot shower under a see through roof with the moon shining in in a huge cubicle. There were even hairdryers! Some of the haven shower blocks have underfloor heating as well!!!
We have a lush shower in the van but I used the block every time as I left the dc with dh and took my time

We went for 4 nights and it cost us the grand total of £15 including funworks passes for the whole time. We used the site as a base and spent our days elsewhere.
We are booked in for a few places in the summer holidays through the cc and they work out at around £15 a night.

I am 26 btw and dc are 7,2 and 6m.I am not 'old in my ways' and there are two other couples we know well who also caravan of a similar age.

We tried tenting last year but as I was quite hugely pregnant and it was stupidly hot I ruled it out this year but may let the eldest dc have a go in the awning.
I hope you find the right solution for you.

[Scramble]

I am doing my camper up and going for pastel 50's diner look .

[LeaveThatEggAloneNaughtyNigel]

mY dH HATES THE IDEA OF CAMPING SO AFTER A FEW YEARS OF TRYING TO PERSUADE HIM I GAVE UP AND NOW GO WITHOUT HIM. tHE ddS LOVE IT. SO DO I. REAL TENT TYPE CAMPING.
sorry caps on. didn't mean to shout

[yurt1]

No adivce- although we have hired a campervan a couple of times and it is very cozy- but just to let you know you're not alone. I loved camping as a kid. Assumed that we would spend every summer camping with our children (dh not so keen but could have been persuaded) but can't because ds1 can no longer manage it (severely autistic). I sometimes sneak onto these threads to read and wallow

[mrsmalumbas]

Yippee - over the weekend DH has been pursuaded to try a week away and I have booked us a week at Monkton Wyld in July - we are borrowing a tent, table etc but will need to buy sleeping bags and a few other bits and bobs. I am very excited!! Still would love a caravan but it's a start and who knows DH might get the bug!

[CampingKidz]

Love camping with the kids, hope you have a great time - I'm excited for you.