"CAMPING?

You Janice camping?" Tony the Evening Times editor laughed out loud at my plans for the weekend.

"Yes Tony, camping in Comrie, not Outer Mongolia."

And I wondered why the idea of me camping was so incredulous.

To be fair, Tony wasn't the only person in the office who laughed in my face when I told them of my weekend plans.

However, I remained undeterred and determined to embrace my new hobby with my colleague Susan and 22 other campers.

But, being very much appreciative of my home comforts, I have to say that I was more than a little nervous about 'roughing it', as I had never even set foot on a campsite in my life.

"It'll be basic, that's for sure," Susan warned, not really helping improve my state of trepidation.

"And let's face it Janice. You've had your heating on since last October."

So, arriving at the campsite, Susan and I made our way through the muddy grass to find our friend Christine, who turned out to be the Hyacinth Bouquet of camping.

Her four-man tent, complete with scented candles, literally had everything in it but the kitchen sink.

As the perfect hostess she immediately asked: "Drink girls? I've got chilled beer, red or white wine."

Susan and I unfolded the chairs we had over our shoulder and joined the campers as Christine poured us a glass of wine.

"Ice with that?" offered the lady of the tent.

I was well impressed.

Later we discovered Christine had also brought a L'Oreal face peel, a hairdryer, a hot brush and hair straighteners, to name but a few of the many accessories I certainly didn't expect to find on a wet muddy campsite.

"Olives anyone?" Now it was Steve's turn.

"And I also have some Normandy camembert, Greek feta or Italian Ricotta cheese if you prefer."

"I thought I was doing well remembering to bring a giant packet of hand cut crisps," said Susan.

"Me too," I agreed as I pulled a measly packet of Hula Hoops from my rucksack.

Wayne, who was in the next tent, was studiously engrossed in building his shiny new barbeque.

I nudged Susan: "He's gone to a lot of effort, hasn't he."

Soon, all the tents were erect and the shiny new barbecue was starting to smoulder.

And then the heavens opened.

"Oh well, that didn't' take long," I shrugged trying to keep a brave face on.

Quickly gathering all our bits and pieces we headed to the shelter of a giant tepee which was in the middle of the campsite.

"It's really cosy in here," smiled Susan who had been shaking with the cold.

A text message beeped from my daughter Jenna: "Hope you're OK in the cold mum x."

"Fine thanks," I replied. "I'm tougher than you think xx."

An amazing aroma from Wayne's barbecue soon filled the tepee, so we decided to investigate.

And Wayne had surpassed all expectations.

His offering was more than a small sausage or two.

He had various flavoured chicken kebabs, coriander burgers, yummy sausages.

And his piece de resistance was a giant shoulder of steak which apparently he had marinated overnight in mouth-watering delicious herbs and seasoning.

Loyd Grossman had nothing on Wayne as he mastered the barbecue like a professional chef, with a glass of red wine in one hand and barbecue tongs in the other.

"This is amazing," laughed Susan.

"And everyone at home thinks we're roughing it."

"Another wine girls?" asked Christine topping up our drinks before handing us a napkin.

"I also have toothpicks, hand wipes ..." Her list of products was endless.

"Here's to roughing it," I said, raising my glass.

Susan and I toasted each other as Raymond and the others entertained us with a sing song in the background.

Another text: "You must be starving mum. Hope the camp food is OK x."

Next morning we gathered for a six-mile walk in the forest which was much needed after our indulgence the previous night.

"I think we should eat out tonight," suggested Raymond.

"That way no one has to cook."

Next minute my friend Yvonne phoned to make sure I was surviving.

"I'm impressed Janice," she said, "I thought you would have packed it in the first night and come home."

"It's not easy Yvonne," I lied, "but I'm fine."

Later, after a three-course meal we relaxed in front of the roaring hotel fire.

"Yes Henry," agreed Wayne, "I think we will all have a wee liqueur to finish off our night."

So, reluctant to go back out into the freezing cold night, we snuggled up in front of the hotel fire until three in the morning. Ah luxury.

Now, as luck would have it, the planned walk next day was called off due to the awful weather and we found ourselves having no choice but to meet up again at the hotel for Sunday roast.

Another text: "Hope you slept OK mum x."

"Yep. Not too bad thanks x." I replied, while chuckling to myself as I packed my rucksack for home.

And I had to admit that this camping weekend lark was much better than I'd ever imagined.

Oh. And by the way, I'm not sure I mentioned it but, although Susan and I did spend a fair bit of time at the campsite, we actually stayed both nights in a four-star B + B with en-suite facilities and a full English breakfast.

And we're looking forward to next camping trip already.