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Camping, but not as we know it.

When I was a young lad, I liked nothing more than sleeping overnight in my crudely assembled wigwam at the bottom of the garden (providing it was mid-summer, of course).

The thrill of being outside under the stars more than made up for a poor night’s sleep on canvas.

These days, people are far more demanding. To be fair, children can probably still see the attraction of curling up in a sleeping bag as rain lashes against their tent, but the parents are having none of it.

Instead, they want all mod cons and a decent night’s sleep in peace and quiet.

Over 50 per cent of people who visit campsites, or rather holiday parks, in France, Italy and Spain, are now opting for top of the range mobile homes.

Some of the facilities in these homes – power showers, ovens, fridge freezers and even flat screen televisions – are just not the kind of thing that I associate with holidaying outdoors.

It’s camping, but not as we know it.

Even the tents in French holiday parks, which are more like bungalows and are far posher than anything I stayed in as a lad, are not deemed good enough for most happy campers in 2008.

As one of my friends told me: “The term ‘camping’ is a bit of a misnomer these days. People are just no longer prepared to rough it any more.”

It reminds me of a story I wrote in a previous newsletter, about how youth hostels were becoming far more luxurious.

As the mobile homes are so well kitted out, you wonder why holidaymakers don’t go the whole hog and stay in hotels. Many do, but lots stay with the parks because they offer a safe environment for children to play in, and have some excellent facilities, such as bars and restaurants.

It’s just a shame that no one sleeps under the stars anymore!

What are your experiences of camping?

Guest Article by Jeremy Skidmore