The Man in the Tent: My Life under Canvas - The First Four Years

The Man in the Tent #1

by Tony Beardsall

THE MAN IN THE TENT is Tony Beardsall’s lively, informative account of his life since moving under canvas at the age of fifty-one.

In this volume he relates the first four years of his outdoor odyssey, from his initial escapist trips, through his gradual move towards full-time outdoor living, to his decision to put the harsh British winters behind him and head off to the more benign climate of southern Spain.

Sincere but light-hearted, this story recounts his experiences in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Scotland, alongside the mental journey leading to his conviction that a conventional life is no longer for him, despite the well-meaning advice of his family and friends.

The second and final part of Tony’s story will be available this winter.

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, British Literature

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2017

Reviews

[Rob Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us have been there - at the bottom of a rut wondering how the hell we got there and how the hell we can get out. Well here's one way, get a tent and go enjoy the great outdoors, divest yourself of the misery of a new three piece suite, carpets and curtains and a week in Malaga every year - go minimal, you won't regret it. I did something similar. All my money was spent on travel, as far away as I could get from the dismal situations I found myself in at home. Now I'm in China - can't get much further huh? So a kindred spirit spoke to me from this book. Don't listen to the doom and nay sayers in your life - follow your heart - just do it. A good read on Goodreads.

[Mark Keeble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. This will appeal to many people who have become lost (and lost many things) as they've got older. I currently live in a motorhome, but as my own children get older I'm seriously thinking of going back to basics and truly experiencing life as it should be - not just viewing second hand through a screen

[MR JOSEPH M DILLON · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Interesting and quite witty in parts too. Tony writes in a flowing easy style and takes the reader with him on his adventure. Highly recommended.

[Lee Prescott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Middle-aged Lancastrian gets divorced, has an existential crisis and goes to live in a tent. Fair enough. The transition is told pleasantly enough but nothing much happens of note. A short, okay read that isn't taxing.

[Linda C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thoroughly impressed with this account of Tony Beardsall's conversion to a life of camping. At 51, in 2004 he loses his job to downsizing and his wife leaves him for another man. He is forced to sell his house and ends up in a dumpy flat in a Lancashire town in northwest England having little success finding a job and drinking too much. Good friends Paul and Sue offer him a room in their house. He's reluctant considering it charity. They encourage him to try camping since he has free time and it would be a good way to clear his head and think about what he wants to do. He meets Malcolm who does a lot of camping and gets more insights. Over time he makes it his life and you get to see how his life is transformed. It is not a lifestyle I would ever choose but this explains how it all came about. Tony is writing this in 2017 after 12 years of camping and still going. It ends as he sets off to camp in Spain, the setting of his second book and the third covers living in France and Albania. I am definitely going to read them as well.

[Hazel Rayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about turning a series of bad experiences into one he'll of an adventure.

Tony shows that in the darkness of adversity, we can learn some of the most important life lessons. A great read which is utterly thought provoking. I'm looking forward to parts two and three.

[Andrew McRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read but ends abruptly just as getting interesting



This book gradually gets your interest but ends abruptly. Didn't seem like 4 years had gone by. I looked for more chapters but there were none

[SEAN BRADY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one I really enjoyed. Fair to say not a literary masterpiece but it gets you involved and I really felt I knew Tonyby the end, I'm so invested in his story that I cant wait for the second book to come out.

[Richard Hardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this nutter is going to have company

With the shock waves of 2020 impacting so many lives, I think many more will be questioning the lifestyles we lead.

An enjoyable read with a honest and heartfelt delivery.

[john foster, mrs Debra Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Adventure

Really enjoyed this guys account of living in a tent, a very brave decision in my mind. Well written, moves along at a good pace, and lots to keep the pages still turning. Can't wait for part two. Definitely recommend.

[adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure

Tony, you are a brave resourceful man.
I really enjoyed Tony's journey from pissed up in a crappy flat to contentment under canvas

[Gerard Mchugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Fantastic book highly recommended very interesting story for anyone who is thinking about camping great book very interesting to read

[John Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable reads I’ve had in years. No great epic story arc, but just a down to earth honest read that I looked forward to picking up each night. Straight onto the next book for me.

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

Als seine Tochter flügge geworden ist und das Elternhaus verlässt, ist das nicht in die einzige Veränderung in Tonys Leben. Zuerst trennt sich seine Frau von ihm, um mit einem neuen Mann zusammenzuleben, dann verliert er seine Arbeit und schließlich durch seine Trennung auch sein Haus. Frustriert sitzt er in einer kleinen Wohnung in einem heruntergekommenen Viertel, trinkt zu viel und hadert mit seinem Schicksal. Bis er eines Tages spontan ein Zelt kauft und damit seinem Leben eine neue Wendung gibt.

Mein erster Eindruck von Tony war kein unbedingt guter. Er ist verbittert, was verständlich ist. Aber er denkt nicht darüber nach, ob sein Schicksal nicht zum Teil auch seine Schuld ist. Seine Frau hat ihn verlassen und ist jetzt mit einem anderen Kerl zusammen. Ihm ist nichts geblieben, nicht einmal seine Bücher und sie lebt ein zufriedenes Leben.

Der Mangel Selbstreflexion zieht sich durch seine gesamte Erzählung. Er macht einfach und denkt erst später über die Folgen seines Handels nach. So fragt er erst am nächsten Morgen, ob er auf fremdem Land zelten durfte. Er campt direkt an einem Frischwasserreservoir und amüsiert sich über die Rangerin, die ihn erst nach Tagen entdeckt und bittet, zu gehen.

Dabei ist sein Weg spannend. Er beschränkt sich in seinem Leben aufs Wesentliche und besinnt sich (wieder) auf die Natur. Obwohl ich mir beim zweiten Punkt nicht sicher sein kann, weil es in seinem Buch zwar viel ums Leben im Zelt geht, aber er gleichzeitig sehr wenig darüber schreibt, was er aus diesem Leben im Zelt macht. Stellenweise wirkt es auf mich, als ob er ein ganz normales Leben führt und nur die Wahl seines Wohnortes etwas ungewöhnlich ist.

Was mich im Verlauf der Lektüre immer mehr gestört hat, war die Art, wie er über Menschen schreibt. Sein bester Freund ist außen vor, aber schon dessen Ehefrau, die Tony immer wieder dabei helfen will, wieder ins Berufsleben zu finden, wird nicht positiv beschrieben. Von seiner Exfrau ganz zu schweigen, aber auch Mutter und Schwester werden nicht liebevoll beschrieben. Bei den verschiedenen Arbeitgebern ist mir aufgefallen, dass er sie kleiner als sich beschreibt. Für ihn scheint niemand auf der gleichen Stufe wie er zu stehen, weil niemand den gleichen Weg geht wie er.

Sein Buch ist mit unter 200 Seiten kurz, aber es umfasst vier Jahre. Trotzdem kann ich Inhalt nur schwer zusammenfassen, weil er zwar viel redet, aber nur wenig erzählt. Auf die weiteren Teile werde ich deshalb verzichten.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Beardsall found himself in a difficult situation when he turned 51, he lost his job and his wife of 20-something years left him. As he was trying to sort it all out he took a camping trip.

With the trip he discovered that he liked it so much he continued to go camping until, he eventually spent full time in a tent and reshaped his life.

One thing which I love that he discovered that by living in a tent he had more time for reading. It reminded me of when I used to take along a number of books on a long camping weekend and have a 3-5 book weekend reading under the tall Ponderosa Pines.

I found this to be an interesting and thoughtful book and look forward to his two following books.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great life affirming read about wild camping - makes me want to head to the New Forest right now!

[Jennifer Barclay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I love camping myself and sleep in a tent in my garden in the summer in Greece, and it was good to read about the author's decision to live differently in various ways - not only sleeping in a tent but working differently, thinking of time differently. I liked his honest, open, unpretentious writing style. The story did feel slightly incomplete, although it was good enough (and cheap enough!) that I'd consider buying book two to find out what happened next...

[James Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

I found this book to be a good read. As our writer tells us his story. As the story unfold you hear how became more of a recluse and drifted away from the norm.
I look forward to part two of the stpry

[Pea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decent read

I liked this book- easy to read, a different subject to read about, well written & thought provoking I thought. The writer is likeable and is a lovely read for camping enthusiasts, outdoor lovers and maybe people going through divorce/separation. Very solid 8/10 and I would be inclined to read parts 2&3

[Andy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and reassuring story to those of us who found ourselves in similar marital situations at a similar age.
Having to discover who you actually are in middle age as opposed to who you thought you were (due to years of compromise), is a daunting task. It’s one Tony seems to have managed with minimal damage, thank you for documenting your journey (literally and metaphorically!).

[Dave Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Only a short read but so uplifting, after a family breakup amongst other things he takes on a new type of life that most of us wouldn’t even dream of doing. A truly uplifting and feel good read.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

From working for the man conformist to nature dweller - a great yarn

I enjoyed Tony’s gradual, zen like realisations that life is more than just chasing paper. Worth reading. Enjoy the ride.

[MRS H R EVANS, MR J T EVANS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathartic reading

Reading this made me realise that my own life, which is on the road that Tony’s was originally on, wouldn’t be that many steps away from the one he’s on now. Just a post it note on a fridge door away……

[John Ferrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

What an inspiration Tony is. Wonderful to read about his so different
Lifestyle and how he made it work for him.
Can't wait to read book two .

[Alistair barley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. I love to go camping but this guy has some balls. Worth a read 👍

[Haydn Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

Chose this book completely by chance,very glad I did.
Can't wait for part two! A splendid read,gets you thinking!
Highly recommended.

[Adrian Laishley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great life to live

Brilliant read, I would of liked to read more about Tony’s experiences during the winter camping and wild camping but the book was very gripping.

[Sheryl Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Shows how it is possible to live a different way. I enjoyed reading this book.

[marion jennette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I really enjoyed reading how living under canvas has changed his life both mentally and physically. Very interesting I’m about to start on the next adventure.

[Bethan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really thought I would love this book as I love nothing more than camping and fortunate to live in such a place where wild camping is allowed but it was so slow going and nothing exciting, despite the fact the author said at two different points it was about to get a lot more exciting, it really didn’t.

Instead it was filled with conversations between him and friends which just seemed to be endless patterns of him trying to convince them he liked living in a tent and them understanding but also questioning him at the same time.
I think I learnt more about his friends than about his actual experiences.

He also gives the impression that he seems to think people will think he’s ‘crazy’ or ‘disillusioned’ for doing what he is doing, going so far as to pretend he’s seen a therapist and having a fake conversation about him enjoying being in a tent and how the therapist views him as beyond help *le sigh*.

It often feels at times he’s trying to provoke and hopes for people to be shocked by his choice and is then let down when they aren’t all too bothered and this is more in relation to his love for being under canvas than living full time in a tent as that only really happened in the last chapters of the book. Camping isn’t that shocking, loving camping isn’t shocking, many people do and many people go for prolonged periods of time and I even know of other people who have chosen to live in tents, so it’s not as radical and groundbreaking as he deems himself to be.