Camping is in the blood. When I was a child, I went camping in Scotland. Dad dug trenches around the tent, adjusted the suspenders day and night to prevent flooding, tricks learned as a boy scout in the 1930s. DDT was used to kill the bugs. Cooking was on a one ring burner. The milk came in cartons from a machine on the main street of Fort William. The equipment we needed was a perfect fit for a Ford Prefect. Every year the same ritual: departed at 5 am to avoid non-existent traffic, breakfast at Lauder consisting of traditional Scottish lamb cakes and then to Pitlochery, singing “Over the Sea to Skye.” This was in the days before the Forth Road Bridge, which connected to the ferry from Queensferry.
When my children were young, we decided to take them camping, to experience the good life. We paid just £ 100 for a second hand tent and all the equipment. Yes, a structure tent! We could only dream of one of these luxury items as a child. Once again, leaving at 5 in the morning, breakfast at Lauder (although the husband refused the lamb patties), disappointment to have to buy milk in a store, equipment that fit perfectly in a Renault 11. But this time, as father, immense satisfaction in introducing the offspring to the wonders of nature, instilling in them a passion for the outdoors.
Oh Diane! What have you started? A simple statement,
“Guess what, we bought a tent and we are going to start camping.”
“Aaarh!”
A few months earlier it was a Harley Davison. This is Diane, who only travels 5 stars. This is the Diane who has weekly facials and manicures. How was Diane going to go camping? Diane is not camping! We camped … well, we used to camp. Let’s be honest. Many people used to camp. Say what you want about the great outdoors and getting back to nature, when you can afford to stop camping, stop camping. I like my 5-star luxury hotels, with waiter service, full bathroom with toiletries, housekeeping, pillow mints, and complimentary champagne and fruit.
Imagine then the panic! Camping! Diane had invited us to a camping exhibition. There should be a warning sign: no men over 50! I saw the sparkle in his eyes, the excitement as he prowled from store to store. And there it was … we were drawn in – ‘The Bear Lake 4’. The Rolls Royce of the tents. There is no simple, light, cheap tent, “don’t worry if you never use it.” This tent starts at £ 500. It has breathable fabric with holes that close when it rains! It has windows with curtains and ties and mosquito nets, its own doormat and matching windbreakers. Irresistible for any man over 50. I could feel his return to youth, the excitement, the outdoors, the return to nature, shedding the traps of modern life. The money was delivered very quickly. The return to camp had begun. But we don’t have a team!
Oh how times have passed We are now the proud owners of an electrical connection, an electrically inflated air bed (double height), high-tech kitchen facilities, a camp kitchen, matching tableware complete with tray stored on a shelf, an electric kettle fridge – no more hiss – I miss the kettle hiss. All this for a £ 500 mother.
And now, the latest addition: a new car to install! Not just any car, but a carefully structured piece of engineering that he wanted owners to take camping with. This is the Rav4. The cheap holidays we can have while we retire … now it has cost us £ 24,000 more! It is not the 100 pounds of days gone by. At these costs we will have to use it!
Scotland, the lamb tarts in Lauder are calling … can’t wait.
I hope there is a hotel nearby in case it rains. I’m sure I can put the hair straighteners on … television … en-suite bathroom ……..
http://helloecoliving.com/2010/04/born-to-camp/