I thought, on a light-hearted note, I’d draw attention to an amusing article I noticed this past week. “Like a living hell!” was the fierce opener, all suggesting this past summer can be remembered by unhappy campers.

Personally, I’ve been an overwhelmingly joyful camper. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve managed to escape to Exmoor, Dorchester, and Pembrokeshire thus far, thoroughly enjoying each. That said, I’ve been awfully lucky with the weather…

Is that the key to all these unhappy campers? It certainly seems to be a part of the picture. These unhappy campers appear to have been afflicted by a perfect combination of dreadful conditions, deceptive online advertising, and congested sites.

Still, camping is somehow only growing more popular.

Unhappy campers:

It has allegedly been the summer of unhappy campers.

“Wet, cold, sleepless, hungry.”

Is that camping for you? It can manifest as such when it all goes wrong. At it’s best, camping is a glorious way to explore the outdoors and feel the countryside. At its worst, well

“More like Chernobyl than Champneys”

One definite culprit has been Cloud Nine, a holiday company setting up glamping sites in Dorset, Norfolk, and the Cotswolds. Claiming to offer the ‘Ultimate family escape’, at the modest old price of £2,300 for a weekend escape, it seems such proclamations might have been misleading.

Failing to produce the entertainment advertised, instead presenting appalling conditions and pretty disgusting communal facilities, on unsatisfied camper even likened the experience to the infamous Fyre Festival.

It certainly speaks to the potential dangers of camping, and I suppose the risks of shelling out for glamping.

Lots of happy campers?

Just as it can be disastrous, camping has still been growing in popularity. That is due, in no small part, to the pandemic forcing many holidaying Britons to remain at home, where they might otherwise have ventured abroad. There are still plenty of reasons to go camping, but more so than ever this year.

500 new camping sites have been established this year, on top of the 90 new ones from last summer. Furthermore, bookings have risen by 233% this year. In fact, suppliers are even struggling to meet demand – Trail Outdoor reported a 60% uptick in sales. There are lots of people trying, at least, to make the most of this summer. Camping seems to be the way to do it. Where you go, and the skies you’re under, might remain something of an unpredictability.

The summer of unhappy campers?
There’s always sunshine in the end…

Thanks for reading! If you’re interested, feel free to explore my latest travels or the best camping advice. Alternatively, for a change of pace, check out my musings from a tent

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