TO CAMP OR NOT TO CAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

TO CAMP OR NOT TO CAMP.

REVOLT IN THE KITCHEN.

BY CATHERINE CAIUI.

Less than fivo weeks till Christmas time and so much (o clo! Modern life sets such a pace for us, lays such a swag of responsibilitie3 upon our shoulders, and chivvies us on so relentlessly that the end of the year is apt to find most of us somewhat breathless, lagging a little in our footsteps, wearying for the delicious moment when wo can dump down our burden and go t.o sleep under a tree! All of which brings us to tho question of holidays. A family discussion on the subject of what (o do and where to go fur the holidays always brings up the same problems. What is a holiday ? It used in be a " holy" day, but the word has lost its ancient significance. To-day. wo think of a holiday as a> complete change from cur daily avocations, a timo to rest or play in unfamiliar surroundings—and forget'. if we can, the cares and perplexities of the daily round. 'lhe great essential is change, and that is why it is often n difficult matter for tho family to enjoy its holiday en masse. Father speaks first. "'What about camping? We could take tho car and a couple of tents. We could see a good Dit of country, and jtist carry, enough food to last us from one township to another. Great furi cooking over tho camp-fire. What about it, kitls'.' (Exclamations of delight from the family). What do you say, mother''" I Mother has grown very quiet, trying bard to look enthusiastic). " Doesn't the camp idea appeal to yon 1 But surely—'just flying along in the car over new roads, "frizzling a chop over a camp-fire when vou'ro hungry and sleeping under the stars?" " Yes, dear," answers mother, in a very unconvincing voice. " I'm sure it would lie very pleasant—as long as tho weather held good, but you know frying chops in tho raiil over a few smouldering sticks and holding the tents down when u sudden galo springs up are not really such funny capers as tlicy sound. However, we could try it. . . . , , But tho family is now thinking hard. What about a house at the beach suggests someone. " That would at least lie a fixture, whatever the weather, and V(> could all take turns at the cooking and washing-up. Mother could just sit on tho beach all' day and do nothing. Coaxing smiles are directed at mother, ami having had time n<*v to mask her private feeling on tho matter she smiles her acquiescence to tho family plans. What she doesn't tell them all is that she detest 3 camping under a futile, flapping piece of canvas or " baching ' in a drab, half-furnished beach-house because in spite of the allurements such novelties may offer tho others, to her it is in either case nothing but house-keeping under difhculties. Tho family must still be fed—tind their appetites will bo voracious—the plates and tho pannikins and the nasty tinny forks and spoons must still be washed. Beds must bo tidied anil sand and mosquitoes kept out of tho Jarder. And though everybody will " take turns lit the work, mother knows perfectly well that it will almost always be her turn. While tho younger folk are bathing and fishing arid playing tennis she will just fiuietlv carry on with the job that she does all the"year round—and pretend she is enjoying herself enormously. Mothers of families are wonderful pretenders. Only when you catch them with a wistful io'ok in the eye whilo I hoy are endeavouring to cook a meal for tho family with inadequate utensils over a smoky kerosene stove, you can hazard a guess that they are dreaming of some wondrous future holiday in tho housewives' ideal " camp"—a luxurious hotel with a clean, soft bed, literally nothing to do and three delicious meals, a day that they have not had to plan or cook or wash-up after! And if father doesn't care for that fiort of holiday, if the dream ever comes true, ho can take his family and his fish-ing-rod, his pipo and his old panama and camp to his heart's content!