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Outdoors - July 2009
I had a terrific camping trip recently, just a one-nighter at a campsite in Rhayader, Wales, and it had all the hallmarks of a quality trip: a touch of sunburn, at least one completely trashed frying pan, and five very happy people.
The site, despite it being an average weekend in June after the weather had turned a bit more 'English', was very busy indeed, almost full; we pitched our delightfully sexy Coleman tent at the far end of the site and indulged in the camper's finest hobby: tent envy. "Look at the size of that one!" my wife enthused, as my stepdaughter and two family friends joined in. It's true, it really was a whopper of a tent, a home from home that you'd have to stay in for four days to justify putting it up at all.
You find yourself checking out everyone else's gear, but not in an unpleasant or really envious way, and you chat to people about gear, tents, and everything inbetween at the washing area.
So many of my friends are discovering camping this year, it's really quite wonderful. It's not even really the recession that's caused it, though it may have been the catalyst that's changed their thinking. People I know who are in good and secure jobs are still staying home, and booking long camping weekends; one couple local to me has booked four-day weekends right through the summer holidays instead of a two-week trip abroad. They've been bitten by the camping bug, well and truly, and long may its infection last...
Jon Bruford, Editor
SGB Outdoor
01584 877177
