With the downturn in the world economy, and everyone having to 'tighten their belts' and economise, many are deciding to holiday at home rather than fly off to other countries, which is good for the planet, and much better for their finances. So, rather than bad news all round, a recession can actually be good for some, among them the home based holiday destinations which are already seeing an upsurge in interest and bookings. But rather than switch from one overpriced hotel abroad to an equally overpriced hotel at home, why not do something really different, become self sufficient and go camping?
Those who have never camped might be horrified at the suggestion; the idea of being way outside their comfort zone, living in nature without benefit of walls, piped water, electricity, gas and the security of locks, makes many panic, but it doesn't have to be that way. Camping can not only be fun, it can be a great way of unwinding, relaxing and removing all the pressures of modern life.
Initially, it may not work out any cheaper than staying in a hotel as you have to purchase the equipment needed; a tent, air beds, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, lighting etc. In fact, you could spend even more in the first year, but from then on it is just the cost of getting to your destination and the camping fees which are normally quite reasonable.
There are economies which can be made. You don't have to go for the very best brand new tent, but can look around for second hand ones as people upgrade to larger tents, or just replace a somewhat worn, though still serviceable, tent. Some of the pegs may be a bit bent, the guy ropes may have a few knots or frays, but most will be usable, and a tin of waterproofing solution can be used to renew the water repelling qualities and ensure that no matter what the weather, you will remain snug and warm.
Tent pegs, the normal ones are aluminium [US=aluminum] wire, and can easily be hammered straight again with a hammer on a flat surface. Guy ropes can be replaced if necessary with a good quality string from the hardware store, and if the groundsheet is holed, a good replacement is a sheet of heavy duty polythene as used in a number of industries.
If you don't already have sleeping bags, they are quite cheap to buy, or you can use your home duvets which are perfectly adequate, although you should pay attention to what's under you as a lot of heat loss occurs in this direction; you can be snug under a thick duvet, but absorbing cold from the ground if not insulated. With a little pre-planning, there is no reason why you shouldn't be warm and comfortable at night.
There a many holidays where camping frees you to do what you want,and go where you want. You can go walking, carrying a small tent which can be put up quickly when you decide to stop - there are two person tents for sale now which erect themselves in a second, you just release the ties and it springs out into a fully formed tent, folding back to a small pack when moving on. These are often marketed as 'festival tents' as many going to outdoor festivals have never camped and need something easy.
There are many camp sites around the UK, most registered with UK Camp site, so having chosen the county or area you would like to visit - Lake District, Wales, Cornwall, the Peak District, there are so many beautiful places in the UK that it's hard to choose - you can search and get a list of sites, read what they have to offer and link to their website where you can book, with some you can even choose your 'pitch' the spot where your tent will go, on a site map.
These sites are sometimes used for overnight stops by walkers, cyclists or others touring, but are largely used by people staying a week or more for their holiday. So many have play facilities for children as well as the usual ones expected such as: wash rooms with hot running water [often showers], electricity points, a shop where food and other camping essentials can be bought, washers and dryers for clothes and the better ones will even have ironing facilities, although I have never felt the need myself! To me camping is about relaxing and not bothering with being smartly turned out.
Home cooking utensils can be used if you don't want to purchase special camping sets, but a gas ring, preferably a double, is essential unless you intend to go off every day looking for a restaurant. It's surprising how quite complex meals can be cooked on two rings. A steamer can be very useful, enabling two or more vegetables to be cooked on one ring, it's also economical. A barbecue is also extremely useful, many would say essential, and small portable ones are available which pack flat for easy storage.
If you really want to get away from it all this kind of commercial site may seem too busy, but there are many places where you can camp alone, either on common land or after asking the owner's permission. Many farms will allow campers for a small fee and will usually supply you with water, and often with fresh eggs and milk. I have camped beside small, but fast, rivers in woodland in Wales and had the best night's sleep ever, to be woken by the woodland birds in the morning, there's nothing quite like it for renewing the soul. Always be very careful to leave nothing behind, cover the signs of your stay and above all else, if you have a fire, keep it small and make sure it is totally out before leaving. Remember, to many creatures this is their home so treat with respect.
You can even camp on some beaches [the more remote ones] although pegs don't anchor well in sand, but a sewn in groundsheet will prevent the tent coming adrift as your weight keeps it stable, there's nothing like going to sleep to the sound of the sea. Be careful to pitch the tent above the high water mark though, or you could wake up sailing out to sea as a surprise for the coastguard!
If you really want to travel light and have as little of the 21st century with you as possible, you can take a piece of tarpaulin or heavy plastic, some string and a sharp knife [essential for any sort of camping], and build a bender, a temporary shelter used by humans for millennia and still to this day. Having cut a number of long, narrow, straight and flexible sticks of around ten feet long [these are common in woodland as trees compete for space], you place them in a circle and dig one end into the ground, bending the stick over until it can be lashed to its opposite at the top, this making a half circle [think of half a large ball on the ground]. Smaller sticks can be tied horizontally into this basic structure of 'ribs' to strengthen and stabilise it, and then the cover is thrown over and tied in a few places to secure it, leaving a gap for entry. The inside becomes a cosy, warm space in which you can sleep. The next day, you return the sticks to the wood and remove your self and what you brought with you, leaving the environment as you found it.
Camping, whatever the equipment used, is a relaxing, ecological way to explore the countryside, have fun, and save money in increasingly tight times. It's appeal can seem illusory to those who have never tried it, but believe me, it's worth it in the long run.
