to not want to book a camping holiday for july?

(50 Posts)
smilingismyfavourite Tue 08-Jan-13 23:27:28

DH annoyed because we have "thousands of pounds of camping equipment" (exaggeration much) doing nothing. I don't care, don't want to spend two weeks in a sodding field entertaining a bored DDs aged 7&8. Don't mind a spur of the moment few days if the weather is nice but I don't want to book now. I want a nice holiday park with a few (not many) entertainments and some things for the kids to do regardless of weather. His idea of a holiday was fine when we were young and child free not so much now. AIBU?

lisad123everybodydancenow Tue 08-Jan-13 23:28:46

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

inchoccyheaven Tue 08-Jan-13 23:31:01

No but then I wouldn't camping any time of year. Is my idea of hell on Earth grin

Remotecontrolduck Tue 08-Jan-13 23:31:07

Definitely NBU, but I'm a big hater of camping so I'm biased!!

Sounds like hell on earth alot of work to keep them entertained, so not really a holiday for you!!

3smellysocks Tue 08-Jan-13 23:32:09

my kids love camping and can make their own fun but i agree with not booking it till the week before when there is some indication of weather.

thebody Tue 08-Jan-13 23:32:53

We camped once with Dcs and it was so awful I gave up the will to wear makeup.

You need to know me to see what a big big deal this is.

Never ever again.....

Remotecontrolduck Tue 08-Jan-13 23:33:14

Two weeks is a bloody long time too!!

Kahlua4me Tue 08-Jan-13 23:34:02

Go to France camping.
Weather good, wine good and everyone happy!

DeepRedBetty Tue 08-Jan-13 23:34:42

I honestly don't think you need to book your campsite this early. Yes, some of the best ones do book up early, but there are still very very more out there. We've been skint holidaying under canvas in the UK for about six years now, and I think June is early enough to start panicking, assuming you've run out of cash for going somewhere where it doesn't rain all the bloody time like Cornwall this summer

smilingismyfavourite Tue 08-Jan-13 23:34:58

I like camping too, but not in the sodding rain with two kids who think whining is a national sport they both need to be top at!! Doesn't need booking now I don't think....

smilingismyfavourite Tue 08-Jan-13 23:37:40

France would be fab, would love it. However due to financial constraints we have had no money desire to go abroad since honeymoon many moons ago so the price of 4 passports needs to be factored in. An investment?.....

MrsHoarder Tue 08-Jan-13 23:38:15

Either book for France (as south as you cba to drive) or agree to book the week before when you can see where you are most likely to stay dry. No point booking UK now for camping, you're most likely to be cold and wet.

PandaOnAPushBike Tue 08-Jan-13 23:38:28

Why not go to a holiday park which does both. He gets to use the camping gear so husband is happy. You and the kids get to use all the other facilities so you and the kids are happy.

IdreamofFairies Tue 08-Jan-13 23:38:46

my kids love camping and are never bored their favorite is a field next to the beach i think its the lack of washing that draws them no facilities

we have on occasion camped at Haven sites all the benefits for children at least for a fraction of the price the cheaper pitches are booked early so always best to book in advance.

smilingismyfavourite Tue 08-Jan-13 23:48:51

MrsHoarder - THIS!!!
Panda Holiday parks are a bit "chav" HIS WORDS NOT MINE!!! Would love to go to a holiday park sad

PandaOnAPushBike Wed 09-Jan-13 00:01:17

In which case he's being unreasonable and lacking in imagination. There are some holiday parks which are my idea of hell, but there also some lovely ones. Over the years we've been to some campsites solely for camping but which still have a pool, games room, bar, shop etc. It doesn't have to be roughing it in the corner of field if he does some research.

PandaOnAPushBike Wed 09-Jan-13 00:05:24
smilingismyfavourite Wed 09-Jan-13 00:07:41

Panda I know! he is being an arse re the holiday parks. Foot is firmly down. No portion of a (potentially) windy, rain soaked field is being booked for my holiday pleasure at this point!

smilingismyfavourite Wed 09-Jan-13 00:10:56

panda that looks fab and we have been to Ayr on holiday and had a great time despite weather (not camping though). There is a fab kids playground near the beach. We are thinking about Pembrokeshire this year though. Any recommendations there? Anyone?

Wallison Wed 09-Jan-13 00:11:30

France is fucking expensive.

ebersneezer Wed 09-Jan-13 00:12:43

Many holiday parks also have camping fields, suggest booking a week on one of those as an experiment.

smilingismyfavourite Wed 09-Jan-13 00:13:54

wallison thank you, that's out then regardless of passports :D

PandaOnAPushBike Wed 09-Jan-13 00:15:42

When we go to Pembrokeshire we stay here. Which is a lovely, quiet well managed site, with the most amazing views imaginable. But it's probably more towards what your husband would like. However there is so much to do in and around Tenby that it doesn't matter.

HenryCrun Wed 09-Jan-13 00:16:56

After the holiday park comment, I KNOW your DH is being unreasonable. Going to a holiday park would be a happy compromise for all involved but for his views!

smilingismyfavourite Wed 09-Jan-13 00:22:40

Panda it looks gorgeous if the weather is nice grin
henry might send him camping on his own with the kids in a field while I live it up in a nice holiday park nearby. How long before they would be round? mwahahaha

Boomerwang Wed 09-Jan-13 00:25:02

Whose fault is it that you have the camping equipment? Did you tell him when he bought it that you didn't ever intend to go camping?

YANBU not to want to go. I'm so over that shit now. At my age I want a decent abode else I'm not interested.

smilingismyfavourite Wed 09-Jan-13 00:32:27

We have the camping equipment as we both used to like to do this pre kids when it was a two man tent, a hill to climb and plenty of beer in the pub afterwards. It has just gradually expanded (to a mahossive 6 man tent and lots of other stuff) and I honestly like camping (we have been lots, so I actually think he has had his moneys worth). I just don't want to go in potentially dreadful weather with horrid grumpy bored kids who can't drink beer I'd just like a nice, not too much hard work holiday for once

PandaOnAPushBike Wed 09-Jan-13 00:34:47

We stayed there once in July when there was a full on storm. Gale force winds and everything. My husband was out in it, hammering a dozen pegs into each peg hole to stop the tent blowing away. The following morning the camp was empty. People had gone home during the night. The only ones left were a large school party who all slept on their coach, us, and a guy who was ex SAS and his family. I feel we earnt our camping stripes that night. grin

Boomerwang Wed 09-Jan-13 00:36:51

In that case you need to compromise. Part camping, part hotel/mobile home. It's doable, even in the same camping area. Or compromise on the time of year you go camping.

smilingismyfavourite Wed 09-Jan-13 00:47:23

panda I have some camping stripes myself though not as many as you I think grin
boom the only time I will go camping is summer holidays, we both work in education and both kids at school so it is the only reasonable time available. Should be prime camping weather but as you know in the UK anything can happen!

Don't mean to sound like a miserable anti-camper. I've done it loads thats why I know this year I would quite like a nice easy holiday. I'm not asking for an all inclusive carribean retreat... just maybe a static caravan with a kids play park.... maybe, please?

Startail Wed 09-Jan-13 00:49:56

I have always refused to buy camping kit so as to not feel guilty for not using it.

PandaOnAPushBike Wed 09-Jan-13 00:55:59

smiling we only stayed because we had no home to go to as we don't live in the UK. My daughter was 17 at the time and had her own tent with a friend. They were both in with me, my husband, my friend and the 3 dogs because they (and my friend) were too scared to be on their own. The gusts were so strong that the tent literally flattened on top of us and then pinged back again. We were amazed that none of the pole broke.

smilingismyfavourite Wed 09-Jan-13 01:17:37

panda You see... right there you have given me the exact reasons why I don't want to book a camping holiday in july wink

Twattybollocks Wed 09-Jan-13 09:14:41

You say you want to go to a holiday park? There are loads within the uk which are campsites, but which have swimming pools, play areas, games rooms etc. your kids won't be bored I promise, there are loads of other kids all wanting to play and have fun, they will probably have the time of their lives. I can imagine a campsite without facilities etc for long walks etc for 2 weeks would be most 7/8 year olds idea of hell, but it doesn't have to be like that. We stayed at one in Norfolk a couple of years ago with family. My kids aged 5 and 7, my sisters kids aged 10 and 14. They all made friends with other kids and had a whale of a time biking up and down the campsite, round the pool, in the games field playing footie, badminton, cricket, swing ball etc, on the play area, climbing trees and in the games arcade playing air hockey, table football, etc. they were knackered every night, slept like logs, and ate for England, something mine don't do at home!

I'm in agreement with OP on this one.

We had one of 'those' camping trips like Panda's at a lovely site at in cornwall The owners of the site were great though and refunded us the nights we hadn't used when our tent got shredded in the wind.

It is actually a great site, with the holiday park entertainment, and a private footpath to a lovely beach. We did go back the following year, but in a caravan!

Another good compromise site we have been to near cardigan bay was

Labradorwhisperer Wed 09-Jan-13 10:23:24

Camping isn't for everyone, and I can imagine if its rainy and you have DC to entertain, it would be a nightmare!

I suspect there will have to be some sort of compromise... Can you find a campsite with an indoor pool/social centre where you would like to stay? I know of a few good family run places in Derbyshire for example that have this. The key to camping is planning, and the right kit. Hope you get something sorted!

Flobbadobs Wed 09-Jan-13 10:35:06

Take them to a festival! Farmer Phils in August offers 5 days camping plus weekend tickets and I think under 12's go free. We've made some great friends there. Nothing like bonding over a campfire while the children play.

LaCiccolina Wed 09-Jan-13 10:35:32

eBay the stuff whilst he's at work. Use money to fund a holiday surprise of two weeks in France at eurocamp type place.

Sounds bloody wonderful! I'm with u, no more fields! Fields for cows! Give them back their homes!!!! Ra ra ra...!

YouOldSlag Wed 09-Jan-13 10:40:48

I have put my foot down in my house. I work like a bloody fool all year and the last thing on earth I am doing for a holiday is going somewhere where it's even harder, with no comforts.

DH is welcome to take the kids camping, but I will be at home in bed with the heating on after a nice hot bath.

As for your DH saying holiday camps are chav- he is mad. Hoseasons have lovely Lodges, many other holiday parks are very quiet with no entertainment shows, just a shop and a laundrette, and even if you do stay in one that he might regard as chav- well you don't have to go to the shows and play in the arcades, you can sit quietly in your caravan away from the noise and have a very peaceful time.

By the way, the Sun Holiday deals work out quite cheap and they have good parks such as Parkdean and Haven. We went on one and did not come home as "chavs" whatever that may mean to your snobby DH.

Ephiny Wed 09-Jan-13 10:42:58

He should take the kids camping on his own, while you have either a week to yourself at home, or whatever kind of holiday you like.

I do love camping, especially wild or semi-wild sites, and don't really care what the weather is like, the whole survival against the elements thing is half the fun (and you appreciate a campfire way more when it's cold and wet!). But I can see why it wouldn't be for everyone, and there's no point being dragged along on a holiday where you're going to be miserable.

StuntGirl Wed 09-Jan-13 10:49:58

You wouldn't get me on a camping holiday, I can just about manage a weekend at a music festival and that is only due to the bands!

NickECave Wed 09-Jan-13 11:27:02

Do you have any other friends with kids who like camping? If you go as a group there are always other kids to play with. We almost always camp with other parents and go to campsites that allow fires as they're fun for the kids and then you can sit by the fire and drink loads of wine (since the days of staying in the pub til closing time and staggering back to campsite in the dark are long gone).

Flobba said it before me - go to a festival! There are loads of family friendly ones.

Ragwort Wed 09-Jan-13 11:33:28

Yes, there is a compromise, suggest he books it, takes the children and enjoys the camping.

You would prefer to stay at home. grin.

I am having a similar nightmare deciding what holiday to have, quite honestly I would rather not go away as trying to find something that we would all enjoy is almost impossible. I am more than happy with two weeks home alone !

Arcticwaffle Wed 09-Jan-13 11:35:55

yanbu. I love camping but not in bad weather and the last few summer holidays have been pretty bad camping weather. And I can quite see why people aren't wild about camping.

Agree to go for a couple of weekends but not for your main holiday.

Kahlua4me Wed 09-Jan-13 11:41:13

Woodlands leisure park in Dartmouth is lovely. You camp and get to use al the rides etc as you want. All non manned stuff is available after hours too.

First time we went there it rained solidly for first 3 days but we all had a ball. Lots to do inside as well as out. Facilities were good, hot showers, clean loos etc.

Cantbelieveitsnotbutter Wed 09-Jan-13 11:46:56


PessaryPam Wed 09-Jan-13 11:50:35

YADNBU, it sounds hellish, and just a continuation of the daily grind with less facilities. Why not let him take the kids and you can stay home and have a rest?

gordyslovesheep Wed 09-Jan-13 11:57:12

I LOVE camping but we always go in a big gang - with lots of kids and lots of wine grin great fun! even in the rain (big tent!)

theodorakisses Wed 09-Jan-13 12:10:08

January February March April May June July August September October November December. Always unreasonable. I am still scarred from the terribleness of childhood camping.

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