The "joys" of camping

I’m waiting for the filling to cool before I insert it into a parcel of puff pastry. It’s Corned Beef Slice for dinner tonight.

As I do, one of the things that pass through my mind was one of the statements made in yesterday’s “Food Programme” on Radio 4. The theme of the programme was the joys of camping. I sympathised with the view expressed of camping being a nightmare. My one & only endeavour at camping involved hordes of biting midges & eventually being flooded out as the tent developed holes in the midst of a very heavy downpour. My friend & I sought sanctuary in a nearby YWCA.

However, at one point, it was commented that all magical childhood memories take place outside. I find myself thinking back to my childhood. My memories are of apple tree climbing, playing football & cricket, games of tag of one sort or another, getting stuck in a bog & losing a shoe in the process, & generally exploring the big outside world. However, not all my good memories took place outside. I remember hours curled up with a book inside, playing cards with my parents after weekend lunches, playing with Matchbox toys with my brother etc.

I can see the point that part of camping these days is getting the kids away from TVs & mobile phones, experiencing really dark starlit skies. The idea of singing & chatting around a camp fire sounds magical, though, I suspect even now I would say the image has greater appeal than the reality. The idea of getting down onto & off a camp bed is a nightmare as far as I’m concerned. I much prefer the idea of having a break in the comfort of a hotel or cottage any day.