When Martin first packed the car for our one week camping trip to Bidart (a small surf town just south of Biarritz) I figured, like all other times, Martin had just slightly overpacked. We had everything and then some: a 3 room tent, electric ice chest, table, two chairs, blow up air mattress, bedding, 6+ towels, kitchen supplies, gas stove, gas lights, portable BBQ, dish bucket, tent for the beach, wetsuits, boogie board – you name it, we had packed it. And while it had been some time since I had last been camping, it seemed a bit excessive.
However after rolling into the 4 star campsite I quickly realized that on the bell curve of preparedness/ luxury, we were actually on the lower end of the slope. These campers – French, Spanish, German, Italians, Dutch and British - knew how to do it right. Our set up was put to shame next to the deluxe RVs, trailer campers, tents larger than ours and stuff I had never seen before. But I guess it made sense, we were at a 4 star establishment. Our area – 20x20 feet surrounded by rows of hedges and trees, with water and electrical hooks was just one of the 150 spots in the resort. And the resort itself boasted a spa, swimming pool, store, restaurant, showers, dish area, laundry area and beach front access to the private beach below. It really couldn’t get much better….And then it did.
After the two hours it took to get set-up, including a brief discussion with Martin as to why we needed to stake down the tent, add the rain cover and stake down the rain cover ropes given the sunny blue skies (God love the German in him needing to do everything exact and proper) we were officially home for the week. And if that was camping, I would do it every day. We enjoyed full European breakfasts at our campsite each morning (including champagne for my birthday breakfast), baguette sandwiches on the beach while taking in the sun, playing in the surf, and perfecting our skills of beach paddle ball and BBQ dinners every night followed by cold beers and games of Yahtzee and Set…I was one happy camper!
However after rolling into the 4 star campsite I quickly realized that on the bell curve of preparedness/ luxury, we were actually on the lower end of the slope. These campers – French, Spanish, German, Italians, Dutch and British - knew how to do it right. Our set up was put to shame next to the deluxe RVs, trailer campers, tents larger than ours and stuff I had never seen before. But I guess it made sense, we were at a 4 star establishment. Our area – 20x20 feet surrounded by rows of hedges and trees, with water and electrical hooks was just one of the 150 spots in the resort. And the resort itself boasted a spa, swimming pool, store, restaurant, showers, dish area, laundry area and beach front access to the private beach below. It really couldn’t get much better….And then it did.
After the two hours it took to get set-up, including a brief discussion with Martin as to why we needed to stake down the tent, add the rain cover and stake down the rain cover ropes given the sunny blue skies (God love the German in him needing to do everything exact and proper) we were officially home for the week. And if that was camping, I would do it every day. We enjoyed full European breakfasts at our campsite each morning (including champagne for my birthday breakfast), baguette sandwiches on the beach while taking in the sun, playing in the surf, and perfecting our skills of beach paddle ball and BBQ dinners every night followed by cold beers and games of Yahtzee and Set…I was one happy camper!
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about camping in france
2013. Regards
My blog - Demetria
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