Hi from Amsterdam

[lijn]

Hi!


Noob hammock camper here.
Funny really, I'm kind of the black sheep in my family for loving camping (they don't understand what's wrong with a hotel or vacation rental), and ever since I've done my first trip to the jungle of Suriname where we slept in hammocks, I've been hooked on them.

I've long thought of modifying my heavy cotton Brazilian style hammock into something I can camp with, and had almost forgotten about it until, last week, I stumbled onto some instructables for penny stoves, and then one thing led to another. Hammock camping! Wow! I didn't even know it existed until last week.

Unfortunately, I am blessed with a guy whose interest in camping and bushcraft goes no further than watching Bear Grylls and Ray Mears on our media center. Camping in small stuff: uh-uh, and the bigger-than-a-house tent I bought to convince him didn't help either. So I'm left to start early indoctrination on our kid (4 this January) (I might send the BF to a bushcraft training weekend though - Birthday present darling! ).

I've spent every free moment the last 10 days browsing the forum, watching Shug TV, and loving every minute of it. I can't wait until spring time and get me and my son on my bike and find a place to set up camp.

Another thing I like about this forum is that I love to tinker and have always liked the fun approach more than go for looks. I've ran linux on my computers since 1998 and when I still owned a horse I was more into endurance and trail riding than dressage. Speaking of horses: since you don't need any tent poles for hammock camping, I can totally see myself on a multiple day trip on horseback, bringing my hammock. As for the tinkering: I've already thought up plans for modifying my new DD to get rid of the tension in the middle, modifying a rain jacket to accommodate my pack and using old sleeping bags to make UQ's and/or TQ's with pads attached. God help me At least I'll have enough to do to get me through winter!
Lightweight/small pack camping here in The Netherlands seems to be more about the right brands, and I don't feel quite at home at that. I like it a lot that hammock camping and the forum seem to be about gear, but in a very! nice way.

Oh and last but not least: I used to be a babywearer. My favorite carry is one called the double hammock. This must be my destiny

[2ply]

Welcome to HF from Georgia! Lots of great DIY projects to get you through the Winter.

[Big Bacon]

Welcome to HF from Oklahoma!!!! Sounds like you have some great plans. Sorry your guy don't share your love of the outdoors. Hopefully he will come around soon!

[Wlb007]

Started and ended my October vacation in Amsterdam. With a rail pass and a bike you can go anywhere allowed in EU and hang your hammock. Welcome and Enjoy!!!!

[bruinfan]

"I'm joost from Amsterdam" -the way. love that guy. always brings a party
have safe
be fun
welcome to hammock forums. be prepared to spend some bling.

[Dead Man]

Welcome from Mississippi. I lived in Wassenaar while in college and loved going to Amsterdam and kicking around. Miss that part of the world.

[rofo]

Welcome to HF from Georgia!

Georgia, I was there last summer that Black Sea is something else!

[tri-pod bob]

Welcome to HF......from the "Wilds of western Mass!"

[Pretbek]

Welcome to the zoo. I understand your predicament, I grew up (in the Netherlands) camping while my wife and kids (born and raised in the US) are not developing much of an affinity for it.
Have fun with the new hammock camping addiction.

Your username, is it from Marjo-, Cathe-, or a different lijn? Is it string maybe?

[GoSmitty]

A-dam has perhaps the best combination of beautiful and romantic scenery and wonderful people of any city I've ever been to. Welcome from the Pacific Northwest!