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[stevejames]

Has anyone here ever travelled with a tent before and put it up in some random field in the middle of nowhere for the night? I love the idea of it, but I have a few reservations, especially the idea of camping on my own in the middle of nowhere. Can anyone encourage me that it's a good thing to do?

[rbisset]

I think it depends on how safe you think the country is? I watched a video of someone who walked the length of Japan and he put up a tent anywhere! Even in the middle of some towns.

I suppose you could do it in England but I don't know how safe I'd feel. Most places have campsites but not all are free. I've thought about it but I don't think I'd do it.

5 days at Glasto is enough!!

[wakingdream]

Yup, and it's definitely a grand idea! We crammed our bags inside and slept that way b/c of a slight paranoia that our gear might be gone in the am! Just be sure the area's not totally crawling with shadies before you snooze off into dreamland and wake up to who knows what, but you can only be so careful. Shady things can happen anywhere as you know. It's a nice, cheap way to catch a good night's sleep and sometimes the scenery can't be beat depending on where you are. I suppose it's better if you're already into camping in the first place. I love camping and the outdoors so I don't feel put out, but quite the opposite actually.

Where you thinkin'?

[whereshegoes]

I would do it. I have done it.

One of the funniest times was when we were so exhausted we just put it up so fast and crashed just before the sun came up. I was woken by something licking the tent. I was so scared! I thought we were about to be eaten by some monster grizzly or mountain lion outside. When my friend peeked outside, we found that we were surrounded by a pack of....




Cows. There were about 8 of them (complete with calves) just staring at us wondering what we were doing sleeping in their food.

Turns out we had picked a farmers field cow patch to make our bed for the night.

Still laugh at that one.

Mooooooooooooooooo!

[stevejames]

Where you thinkin'?

Just England and France, really... I want to cycle from Bristol to Paris, via the English countryside, and tent it... sleep in some fields, visit a few village pubs, sink a few Real Ales and the like...

...just an idea...

[wakingdream]

I once woke up with scorpian nested directly under my head underneath my pillow. True story. In Peru while camping. It was small, but it still scared the crap out of me when I first saw it. I had to get Jer to remove it, as I do, to deal with all uber-gross/dangerous bugs. He's a pal like that.

It's funny when you hear weird noises ouside your tent, when maybe you're awake in the middle of the night, and your brain starts conjuring up all these possibilities of who or what it could be, and you get all carried away and freak yourself right out thinking the absolute worst; axe-murder, giant bear, hungry wolf.....I have had these thoughts a few times!

...just an idea...

Sounds fun.

[rbisset]

I've been thinking about walking from John O'Groats to Land End. Reckon it'd be great and I'd see a lot of Britain in the process. I think I could easily do it in a month. If I had a bike I could do it in 2 weeks.

[thebackpacker]

i was thinking about just tenting it too, but i worry more about people than nature. if you think it is safe for a group to do it, do you still think it's safe for some guy by himself to tent it. any advice on how to tent it safelys

[whereshegoes]

I think that camping solo would be a very spiritual experience. Get away from people. Far away so you don't have to worry about the human element.

Sure there may be bears sniffing around and noises that you have never heard before. You may even find your self a little scared of the pitch darkness that comes with deep woods.

But once you face your fears and get to that level of peace and solitude, I am sure the reward of becoming one with nature, will be so much greater than any doubts you may have had.

Let us know how it goes!

[peacefrog]

Where you thinkin'?

Just England and France, really... I want to cycle from Bristol to Paris, via the English countryside, and tent it... sleep in some fields, visit a few village pubs, sink a few Real Ales and the like...

...just an idea...

I haven't been camping in the north of France, but in the south, and especially in touristy places, the town regulations will allow local police to fine/expell you. Just to keep the place "clean" of parasites like you who have no economical impact on their town.

I'm sure you have practised this, and I don't know if it fits into your idea of "random place": One thing that has always worked for me, in Scotland and in France, is to walk into a farm and ask where you camp in their fields. You have to be able to explain that you are not a hippy, that you are not scouting for the next rave party, that you will not set the whole countryside on fire, that you will not leave trash, and that you will be gone the next day... and look like you really need it. Usually they are conservative at first but then let their big heart out, let you know where the best spot is, where to find water, wood for the fire, etc...

[wakingdream]

One thing that has always worked for me, in Scotland and in France, is to walk into a farm and ask where you camp in their fields. You have to be able to explain that you are not a hippy, that you are not scouting for the next rave party, that you will not set the whole countryside on fire, that you will not leave trash, and that you will be gone the next day... and look like you really need it. Usually they are conservative at first but then let their big heart out, let you know where the best spot is, where to find water, wood for the fire, etc...

That's great. There's really nothing like an honest & direct approach. A good idea as well since you are on private property and wouldn't be harrassed by police trying to uproot you or fine you.

[Paul]

Steve, I have done that - slept in tent in middle of nowhere - heaps in Australia - well worth it.

Paul

[rbisset]

In Aus there were free campsites everywhere! Probably the same in UK and I'm sure there's a book out there somewhere that'll list them all.

[qwi]

Hiya,

yeah i have tented it a number of times both UK and abroad, as someone earlier suggest often if you just ask people are fine, i also had more than a few stays in my tent out the back of pubs (in the country of course) they know you will be in for some beers so all good for them.

Another thing i used to do alot was scout a good looking place in the light, go an grab food an stuff then just put the tent up after dark in an out of the way place, you will be up before all but the most keen and *poof* u disappear

as a few have said .. the scary noises and a vivid imagination are probably the biggest scares

Though i woke up to some greek people riding a moped round and round my tent and shouting at me one time in corfu, i decided if they dont touch the tent ill just sit tight, if they touch the tent i had better go out an speak to them ... fortunatly they went away after a while

[exploreamerica]

Steve, no worries on tenting. I have many experiences camping, but all are limited to the US (and just a few nights in Switzerland this past summer) so I don't know if that helps. It can be a pain in the ass to set up. The larger the tent then the more space, but also the more difficult to set up alone. I do a bunch of road trips in the US and always go by tent. When I am done I wrap it in a bag to avoid the dew getting over everything but when I am at the next stop it is easy to set up again. I recommend that you buy a large plastic sheet to put on the ground so your tents rests on that rather than the ground directly. You'll also want to get a waterproof roll on stick and use that on your tent before you go out. And if you are traveling in Europe then you would know the weather better than me, but it could get cold depending on the season and place so consider a high quality sleeping bag.


Stuart
My Webpage

[whereshegoes]

It can be a pain in the ass to set up. The larger the tent then the more space, but also the more difficult to set up alone.

I agree! I would pick a small one or two person tent as they are easy peasey to set up and keep warmth in much better.

[stevejames]

Yup... my four year-old nephew has a one-man tent that I am going to steal off of him

[whereshegoes]

I borrowed a kid's tent once...It was GREAT! It fit me just right and kept me from making a big mess spreading out my stuff all over the place.

AND...if you find a "special friend" you have a good excuse to get a little closer and CUDDLE!

[exploreamerica]

Yes, when I go it is always with a small tent. If you are an active traveler then it doesn't matter how big it is because the only time you'll spend in the tent is when you sleep and by that time you'll just pass out.

But still be careful of the time because I camped in Utah two summers ago and it was like being in an oven and other times in the mountains and it was freezing.


Staurt
My Travelogue

[wakingdream]

When we hiked the Inca trail, we took a 2-man 'Bike & Hike" tent and it was perfect. It was just the two of us, We chose our campsite every night, set our little two-man up, made some dinner and into the tent before the real cold set in. It was a small tent, but easy to carry at 5lbs. It was cheap too, a good 'ole Canadian Tire jobbie, waterproof and the works. Even fit our backpacks at the end in a bit of a squeeze but there were shady characters around so it was for the best. Random tent-pitching is always fun.