Camping YES or NO

[Semper aggressus]

Great when I was younger, always a good laugh with uni mates getting pissed in a field or festival.

But not now, I’m too old for being uncomfortable, bothered by insects, soaking wet in a bag or too hot about half an hour after sunrise. Even when I was young I found camp beds so uncomfortable I could only sleep if I was really pissed. But then waking up in a tent at about 4am with a banging hangover and no water left is shit.

Definitely a luxury hotel or holiday cottage for me these days.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

I go hiking and wild camping a lot. Generally people fall into two categories as with most outdoor activities and they either hate it or love it.

My advice would be not to rush out and buy loads of expensive gear straight away in case you don't enjoy it. Not everyone does.

Borrow some kit from a friend if you can, or if not, Decathlon is a great starting point. They do some excellent hiking and camping gear and very affordable prices.

And *DO NOT TAKE THE MRS*. Trust me, if you get into it, it's a brilliant opportunity to get away for a bit and have some peace and quiet.

I don't have a dog but loads of people take their dogs hiking and camping and dog's generally absolutely love it.

As for campsites, the one at Edale in the Peak District is great for exploring the Kinder Scout area and there's tons in the Lakes. There are campsites with basic facilities at Wasdale Head and Seathwate Farm in the western lakes which are great for the Scafell range, or Glenridding / Patterdale for the Helvellyn range. Really too many to mention but those are just off the top of my head.

I don't stay in campsites but those are all well liked places that are also very cheap and a good starting point.

Check out Paul Messner on YouTube, he has some excellent videos for people new to hiking and camping/backpacking.

Like many other hobbies though, if you do get into it it'll drain you of all your money. I spent 700 quid on a Hilleberg one man tent recently, which to most sane people will sound obscene I know.

 

[idahoblues]

Looks like a deserted refugee camp

There could be fifty people on that Island for a week and you wouldn't find one piece of trash or even leftover fire residue

 

[Bill Walker]

He doing that in a RV?

Off road Caravan and big Jeep. But loads do it in RV's.

Jeeps are a bit unusual for Nomads here, normally it's Land Cruisers, they have the best rep for not breaking down in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Bill Walker]

There could be fifty people on that Island for a week and you wouldn't find one piece of trash or even leftover fire residue

They take used rubbers home ? eewww.....:)

 

[bluefish]

Have you left something out between the wine and the sleep? -:)

Haha...that would be telling!

 

[jonah62]

Only if Sid James and Barbara Windsor were onsite

 

[mexico1970]

Only if Sid James and Barbara Windsor were onsite

 

[blue44]

Anglesey by the beach for body boarding,

Out of interest,where did you camp at Anglesey ?
Red Warf Bay or Benlech ?

 

[BimboBob]

Love camping. Gone soft now so full airbed with headboard, sheets, duvet, heater etc but nothing finer then banging in a tent with the rain hammering down.