So we are all a little bit skint these days. Being broke is becoming trendy, a but like having a decking fired or starting a blog.
Every news report drones on and on with more miserable measurements of how fast the hand cart is hurling towards hell, but I have my own economic indicator.
Whenever I hit recession, depression or downturn – individual or global -I go back to considering going camping again, this happens about once a decade. Go ahead and visit our website to find natural products to help you feel better.
Camping is another one of those things that I enjoy the theory of more than the real experience, like massages, family outings and Arbroath smokies.
But camping, cheap, outdoorsy and away from technology – what’s not to love. Well actually, quite a lot, in my experience.
The last time we tried it, almost ten years ago, the Panther and I ended up standing in a campsite surrounded by poles and tangled canvas, yelling at each other as fat rain drops started plopping on our heads. When we finally got the blasted thing up sleep was hard as the rain, flapping and crying children all competed with each other.
Yet, only the other day I found myself standing in Decathlon wondering whether the pop-up tents really were as poppy as they promised. I had to give myself a stern talking to and rush off to buy some gear for a different sport I don’t actually do.
But unless I come up with a drastic plan, it’s only a matter of time before there’s just a deflated lilo between me and misery.
Then I noticed that Mumsnet has a home swap section. Ideal. I began flicking enthusiastically through the properties looking for something like ours, only somewhere we’d like to be for a while. There were listed buildings, mansions, thatched cottages, designer features, white carpets (good Lord), swimming pools, town houses, beautiful homes and even more beautiful homes.
Would the owner of one of these palaces want to swap with us?
Our listing would be something like this:
Available: five bedroom semi with lots of clutter. Original art on many walls (installations in honey and bogies), outdoor space providing scope for recreational gardening, plenty of toys and games guaranteed to lack pieces. Unruly pets and grubby children welcome as they will be unable to make matters worse.
Tempted? Form an orderly queue.
PS I should probably put some photos of the, ahem, finer features of the house up, but frankly it’s too depressing to go and look for them because I’d only have to fight the urge to clean them.
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A Modern Mother says
I love Decathalon. So much so, I need to be kept way! Somehow I always end up with bargains I didn't know I needed.
That's Not My Age says
Had a terrible tent experience at a festival with Mr TNMA, nearly ended in divorce!
Ellen Arnison says
A Modern Mother, Decathlon is fantastic – we often succumb.
TNMA, the tent thing is why I've never been to a festival.
About Last Weekend says
Hi nice to meet you. I came through Modern Mother. Yes, I had loads of people telling me how much kids love camping but after many years of trying we've given it up. Too many mornings driving crying babies around the countryside at 2am!
Ellen Arnison says
About Last Weekend, lovely to meet you too. I'd say that if the kids love camping so much, then they should go… and leave the grown ups at home! But maybe not for a couple of years yet.
RuthieP says
In my experience people who go camping seem go to a lot of effort trying to convince you (i.e. themselves) that it was fun. Yeah right. I have a comfortable bed and sofa plus shower and toilet right here thanks. Why would I spend money to be uncomfortable in the name of 'getting away from it all'? Ellen, maybe there are people in exactly the same boat who'd be relieved to find a real family home in a beautiful village to swap for?! xxx
Ellen Arnison says
Ruth, You're right – spending money on being uncomfortable is a special kind of daft. x
bramble says
We love camping. It isn't a cold uncomfy disaster for us. We usually take a tent to France in the summer but can't afford it this year. Last year, in our 50's we finally ditched the airbed in favour of self inflating mats and they are so warm and comfy! Also getting into “vintage” camping and have picked up a couple of lovely canvas tents off Freecycle. And it's a perfect holiday for kids. What's the alternative? A static caravan? B&B? Hotel? Other people's bedding, yeuch. I have stayed in 5 star hotels where the bedding has not been clean. Give me camping any day:)
Ellen Arnison says
Bramble, I must check out self-inflating mats, they sound good.
I suspect that the key to camping success is practice – knowing exactly what you need and who does what and you clearly have got it down to an art form.