Poles, pegs and porches

Not enough yet plentiful space

When was the last time you pitched a tent or went camping?

Whether it’s during a downpour during a traditional British summer or next to a fast flowing Ardeche on a warm spring’s day, being in a tent adds something to the occasion.

I am very fond of camping, and enjoy a multiday hike or kayaking trip that forces you to find your piece of, and peace in, nature. The thrill of being outside the whole time, the community that comes with it and the idea that you have become one with your surroundings.

Yet tents are such controversial spaces. From the one man to the almost gazebo-esque, camping and glamping, it truly isn’t for everyone.

When I was younger I never once camped. I wasn’t part of the scouts or anything similar, and my mother’s love of a proper mattress and electric blanket, among other home comforts, pretty much destroyed any potential trip.

In fact, as a kid, it never once crossed my mind to go camping.

So how is it that I’ve fallen in love with it since?

When I reflect on the times I’ve been camping, there are a few key moments that stand out, and they all stand out for three themes.