Camping

I've only camped once - and that was once too often . Now I am solo, thoughts have been entering my head about acquiring a camper-type vehicle so I can stay with my offspring, but not stay with them if you see what I mean. A bed outside their houses would be ideal with the advantage of meals and bath in the house provided!!; we sometimes used to rent a flat or stay in a hotel when visiting, for our own sanity, but that can become expensive and if I could combine my wheels, tortoise-like, with a house on top, that could be the solution

We did the traditional camping when the kids were small but then heard about Euro Camping/Key camp there are a few companies that do this.
Ideal way to camp all you need to take is your bedding and personal things, the tents are equipped with beds, fridges, lights, table, chairs even down to a sharp knife, they used to have sites in England as well as Europe. They usually do a deal where the Grandparents go free if travelling with the family, so even better. Worth a look saves putting up the tent and carrying everything with you. They also do mobile homes bit like a large static caravan which has shower,loo air conditioning etc. I would highly recommend it.
www.eurocamp.co.uk/
www.keycamp.co.uk

We took up camping again last year after a long break and have found campsites much better now that they were 30 years ago. They now have flushing toilets and warm showers - great. We also camp within walking distance of a local pub as I now refuse to cook an evening meal on a camp stove. I would also suggest booking a site with an electric hook up if you can. It was extremely cold last year and after our first weekend we bought a small electric heater to heat the tent in the evening. (The first weekend without it we went to bed in nightclothes topped with all our day clothes and outdoor clothes including hats and gloves) We don't leave the heater on overnight but find if we go to bed warm we stay warm.

We love it, there is nothing better than sitting outside the tent miles away from anywhere having our first cup of coffee of the day. However we do not do full weeks just long weekends and we always check the weather forcast first. I make no excuses for being a fair weather camper.

hankipanki this is just what I envisaged...either a few days away with the family or perhaps just take off by ourselves for a few days if a dry spell is forecast. Was thinking electric hook up too so can have heater, fridge for wine and hair dryer. Good idea re food too.

PS didn't mean to imply hair dryer was to go in fridge.

A lot of camp sites have hairdryers too

Really?

My wife and I both go camping (well Clamping now) we are all electric fridge etc. We tried a caravan once did not enjoy it as much as a tent so we now go at least twice a year (in all weathers) have been doing it (camping that is) for over 20 years, its Fab. We are both over 60, my tip would be to get a weatherspoons directory and choose a camp site within walking distance or a local bus near to the campsite.

Got all the gear now supercool just need to find a sunny spell that coincides with no grandchildren duties. Not prepared to go in all weathers yet as a camping virgin, think t'would be foolish. Watch this space.

We are off 1st September! Wellies at the ready.