Campsite TV - What is it and how do I get in on the action?

When going tenting like we do, one of our favourite pastimes is Campsite TV. This doesn't mean getting out an aerial and looking for some signal while shouting "left, a bit right a bit!". I mean the comings and goings of other people on the campsite. The caravans, campervans, the tents, the site staff all going about their business without a care in the world.

In my view, the best campsite TV occurs when you've been pitched for a couple of days and know the lay of the land so you can sit and judge others, (only in a kindly fashion), on where they believe the best spot is for them. It is particularly funny if the wind is blowing a bit hard or if this is a new or borrowed tent and they have no idea how to pitch it. Then you get to watch them pitching their tent / place the caravan and see how it was all jammed into their cars, wonder at the amount or lack of things other people have. Lust over their tables, chairs, awnings and flags or tell them under your breath that they are doing it wrong and should have bought something else. 

"Oooh that's a really good one, that's what we will get when we need a new one. Sneak over and get the model number when they go out", or just ask them outright as tentists usually love to talk about their gear. 

We were in for a treat in Scotland when we saw a caravan appear to move on its own. The owner was standing cross armed staring at it and it was moving like she was using the force or something. It turned out that her husband was using a remote control to manoeuvre the caravan into a slightly better position. There was a wheel system connected to the front wheel and through a series of many many point turns he moved the caravan without any physical effort whatsoever. Genius and very much a back saving device.

Camping and caravanning has its own set of issues and gear to combat those issues. In no other time do I even think about getting a peg puller, talk about a good price for a rubber mallet or think about the price of gas by the cannister. Your cooker is now a single ring or a box with fire in it, water is out of a tap in the middle of a field and the toilet is in a different building to your bed. So why on earth do we do it? 

Tenting is a lovely way of connecting to nature if you can get a site that does this and weather allows. (Although spending time in a tent in the pouring rain when you have nowhere to be and nothing pressing to do can be very enjoyable). You an explore the country for a fraction of the cost of a hotel if you plan a little bit in advance. The average hotel price we have had on our trip has been £105 the average per night price of the campsites has been £30 per night. Granted you have to cook your own food or go on the hunt for some, but this is the same with a hotel, and you have to bring your own room and bed when a hotel should provide these. 

It is a great way of being with your family too or indeed as I have been discovering this year on your own. You tend to settle into a routine of a simpler life with just the basic needs needing to be met and I am thoroughly enjoying being a tentist. 

So if you want to be on Campsite TV or watch it yourself, get yourself a tent or caravan or campervan and just start watching!

Until next time 

xx