What a fabulous film. Sex and the City 2 that is. I don’t know what all the bad reviews were about. OK, so it got a little cheesy towards the end and the outfits for shopping in the souks were nothing short of ridiculous but how funny was Liza Minnelli singing ‘Single Ladies’ and how brilliant was Samantha and her hormonal sweats?
One of the most beautiful scenes was when they went camel riding in the desert and they were served drinks in a stunning Bedouin tent. Which got me to thinking (in true Carrie style) about camping and how much it’s come on over the years.
Having spent the majority of my summer holidays camping in France when I was growing up, I’m well accustomed to the more negative aspects of living under a badly constructed piece of polyester. I remember the long, hot, sticky car drive down to the South of France all too well. By the time we arrived, our cramped Renault 6 would stink of camembert and ham (which my sister and I hated so stuck down the side of the car) and tempers would be seriously frayed. My otherwise meek and mild dad would switch into army commander mode, winding up my feisty French mother even more than usual, and begin the operation by pounding tent pegs into the over baked, solid earth.
It was only when we reached our teens (and he was sick of our whingeing) that we were allowed lilos as “I had groundsheets in the Scouts and I survived”. You soon got used to the stones, mice and moles moving around under your back. I’ve also spent 4 nights camping at Glastonbury but would rather push to the back of my head my experiences with the ‘she-pee’ (I thought it collected wee but didn’t realise it had a hole at the end) and the baby wipes – as well as a sleepless night spent camping ‘à la ferme’. Sharing a toilet with a couple of chickens is not for me – sorry mother.
However, it would appear that camping as I know it has been seriously overshadowed by something the trendies have nicknamed ‘glamping’. This is camping at its most glamorous. Actually, I don’t think it can even be linked to camping if you’re not roughing it a little bit but here goes – my guide to ‘glamping’ it under the stars.
The Wagon, Pewsey, Wiltshire
Forester and furniture maker James Noble used natural Sussex oak to construct this little wagon. It’s completely secluded so don’t come here if you like people watching. There’s a hammock, a barbecue and even a clay pizza oven. Camping…yeah right. From £90/night.
Ekopod, Bodmin, Cornwall
If you’re a bit of an eco warrior this is the ‘tent’ for you. It’s a luxury low-carbon retreat on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The white dome tent has a wood-burner and a transparent wall with views onto the garden. In a separate cube tent you’ll find a mini-kitchen and bathroom with a wood fired bath tub – there’s also a wooden decked area where you can eat from the breakfast hamper left for you. From £90/night.
Sapperton Yurt, Westley Farm, The Cotswolds
The group of people who set up this project are seriously into sustainable living so don’t come here if your idea of sustainability is enduring a hardcore night out. They lay on courses and activities like bushcraft and foraging for guests so if you don’t fancy wandering down to the village shop then you can hunt for your dinner instead. This yurt is in a converted horse trailer (so not camping) and has beautiful rugs, a woodburner, a double bed (bed? What’s wrong with a groundsheet?) and a roll top bath. There’s a hammock, a private decking terrace and fairy-lit trees. From £65/night.
Caravan field, Hazlegrove Farm, Ashey
Helen Carey is a stylist from London who just happened to buy a 1965 Airstream vintage caravan off Ebay. She now has 10 trailers and uses her love of all things beautiful to kit them out in true vintage style. As well as showers on the trailer they also have a separate shower facility and proper loos. No she-pees required.
Sleeps 4 per trailer. From £360 to £565 per week. Weekends from £160 to £240.
‘Wind in the Willows’ caravan, Abergavenny
OK, I give up. This is so not camping. This caravan featured in the film ‘Wind in the Willows’ (hence the name) and is a proper Romany caravan (albeit recently renovated). It has a full size fold out double bed and a woodburning stove. As well as the caravan you also get an off grid ‘eco cabin’ with a kitchen, dining and shower room.
No need for baby wipes or she-pees at these luxurious places then. If you can’t rough it, glamp it!
Valerie x
Morning…
Digital Age
Christmas Caravan
