Camping is in the blood. As a kid, I went camping in Scotland. Dad dug trenches around the ridge tent, placed ropes as a boy day and night to avoid flooding, tricks learned like a boy scout in the 1930s. DDT was used to kill bugs. Cooking was on a ring stove. Milk came in cartons from a machine on Fort William's main road. The equipment we needed fit perfectly into a Ford Prefect. Every year the same ritual: departure at 5 am to avoid nonexistent traffic, breakfast in Lauder consisting of traditional Scottish mutton pies and then in Pitlochery, singing "Over the Sea to Skye". This happened in the days before the Forth Road Bridge, dependent on the ferry from Queensferry.
When my children were young, we decided to take them to the campsite - live the good life. We paid only £ 100 for a used frame tent and all equipment. Yes, a frame tent! We could only dream of one of these luxury items when I was a child. Once again, leaving at 5 in the morning, breakfast in Lauder (although her husband refused the mutton pies), disappointment at having had to buy milk in a shop, equipment that perfectly fits a Renault 11. But this time , as a parent, immense satisfaction in presenting the offspring to the wonders of nature, instilling in them a passion for outdoor life.
Oh Diane! What did you start A simple statement,
"Guess what, we've bought a tent and we'll start camping."
"Aaarh!"
A few months earlier it was a Harley Davison. This is Diane who always travels only 5 stars. This is Diana who has weekly facials and manicures. How could Diane go camping? Diane doesn't camp! We camp ... well, we used to camp. Let's face it. Many people used to camp. Say what you like about the outdoors and go back to nature, when you can afford to give up camping, you give up on camping. I like my 5-star luxury hotels, with maid service, private bathroom complete with toiletries, cleaning service, ticks on the pillow and free champagne and fruit.
So imagine panic! Camping! Diane had invited us to a camping exhibition. There should have been a warning sign - no male over 50 !! I saw the twinkle in his eyes, the excitement as he wandered from tent to tent. And there it is ... it drew us to - "The Bear Lake 4". The Rolls Royce of the tents. No simple, light, cheap tent, "it doesn't matter if you've never been used". This tent starts at £ 500. It has a breathable fabric with holes that close when it rains! It has windows with curtains and backs and mosquito nets, a doormat and a windbreak combined. Irresistible for any man over the age of 50. I could sense his return to youth, the excitement, the outdoor life, the return to nature, throwing the traps of modern life. The money was delivered so quickly. The return to the campsite had begun. But we don't have equipment!
Oh, how times have passed. We are now proud owners of an electrical connection, an electrically inflated air bed (double height), high-tech cooking equipment, a field kitchen, matching dishes complete with tray placed on a shelf, an electric fridge, electric Kettle - nothing more whistle - I miss the whistle. All this for just £ 500.
And now, the latest addition: a new car to be inserted! Not a car, but a carefully structured piece of engineering that yearned for the owners to take it to the campsite. This is Rav4. The cheap holidays we can have as we move into retirement .... it cost us an additional £ 24,000 now! Not quite the £ 100 in the past few days. At these costs we will have to use it!
Scotland, mutton pies in Lauder mention ... I can't wait.
I hope there is a hotel nearby in case of rain. I'm sure I can mount hair straighteners in ... television ...... bathroom in room ........
http://helloecoliving.com/2010/04/born-to-camp/
