As a child, we traveled a lot in the car. We lived in Portsmouth and would visit Cornwall yearly for holidays. This was ok when I was very little as nothing seemed to faze me. Then I grew a bit and suddenly travel sickness plagued me whenever I even thought about a car let alone get further than the end of the road. My joy of a trip was completely replaced out by the thought of having to get in car clutching my Tupperware sick bowl. Oh, how I hated Tupperware. Even now if I catch a glimpse of a Tupperware lid in my parent’s cupboards in brings back memories. So many memories of laybys up and down the south coast.

But I am ancient now and yep it still happens. Even just a  trip to the local supermarket can bring it on. I like to think of myself as just very sensitive to the motion, the other half just rolls his eyes.

There is a trend or rather a necessity these days for people to have their holidays or jollies within the UK instead of going abroad. It’s getting so trendy it even has a name. Staycation.  I like the idea of these. Our last holiday was a Staycation and we enjoyed it so much were hoping for another this year.

Yes, I have turned to the very middle-aged if not old age love of camping.  I never in a million years thought I would like it but there is something wonderful about making beans on toast on your knees and crawling to the blanket to sit and eat it as you watch the other campers doing their thing.  Give me a few glasses of wine and I’ll climb in a hammock hooked to a tree with just a carabiner and watch the world go by. I do have rules though, these are firm and not negotiable.

Electrical Hook Up – I can not wait for coffee or toast I need electricity for that.

A Quiet Site – I only want to hear the sound of nature and the smell of the neighbour’s bacon. I don’t want to hear radio 1 or any other station, to be honest.

Walking Opportunities – I don’t care for looking at towns or markets. I can do that on a normal day. I want to walk.

Proper Showers and Toilets – This is the rock solid will not budge rule. I don’t do portaloos or hoses.

Car All Tickety Boo – When I get further than walking distance from my home I can get panicky that I cant get back. So the car has to be all sorted with the RAC motor insurance and roadside cover. It has to have spare ‘stuff’ in case its needed too.

We sometimes forget how beautiful our own country is and we are all too quick to rush to other countries before fully appreciating what we have on our doorstep. So I am rather happy with this trending Staycation. This year I want to visit more of our wonderful countryside and camping does make that possible. At a drop of a hat, we can pack the tent up, set a route or just head in a direction.