what not to take camping?

[groggymama]

I have an increasing mound of stuff piling up to take when we go camping in 2 weeks time and it'll never all fit in the car. I feel that we are taking everything we own, so what can I leave out? (Got a 13 mo and a 4yo btw)

[sansouci]

do not take a baby! you will spend your time in the tent feeding & watching over the little precious bundle while the rest of family have a wonderful holiday in the great outdoors.

[fennel]

lol sansouci

i'd say don't take a toddler. babies are easy when camping in comparison.

dont' take deckchairs, table and chair combos, camp beds, pillows. loads of food (you can always buy food).

but we are fairly hardy about camping.

never leave out the winebox though unless campsite is right by a pub.

[sansouci]

I speak from experience, albeit 2nd hand. My sister has 3 dc, lives in Canada & is married to a kayaking freak. She has spent more hours in a tent than anyone should have to, watching as dc 1 & 2 have a glorious time with dh while she's stuck watching over dc 3, swatting flies, mozzies & bored out of her skull.

[Orinoco]

I'd say don't take dp/dh. Far less arguments that way

[groggymama]

sansouci I'm thinking of digging two leg-sized holes in the mud to act as a baby walker


fennel its all the tables and chairs I'm wondering whether to take, if I'm squatting on the floor most of the time my wine glass may get knocked over, heaven forbid

[sansouci]

now that's a good idea, groggy!

[essbee]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I actually took hair straighteners with me! I just threw them in out of habit

[butty]

Do FORGET your mother in law don't FORGET the Beer

Thats my method for this year, and one with out the other is deffo better, especially that latter.

[groggymama]

lol essbee hair straightners, what about false nails?

butty mil would be there if she could be

i saw a programme once with a woman sitting outside her tent with a stocking over her head to keep off the midges, I won't be doing that

[bluebear]

I agree with fennel - don't take food - buy it locally after the tent's up.
We didn't take pillows when we went recently and it really affected my sleep so pack them!

[overdraft]

mother in law

[essbee]

lol! I usually tae a single false nailaway with me incase I break one too!!!! (I have long real nails)

[fennel]

oh yes, the difficult question of stopping your wine getting spilt on the campsite.

This is tricky. tables tend to be on wobbly ground anyway so IME wine does tend to get spilt a bit too often. using a chunky mug rather than a glass helps with the spilling (but, again IME, tends to lead to over-enthusiastic consumption, Plus i have some rather fetching plastic camping wine glasses i'm too attached to). take extra wine box in case of spills maybe....

or become a beer drinker, i suppose.

[Blandmum]

don't take those chair/table fold out combos. Take separate folding chairs and a table.....much more comfortable....but that might be because I have a Hugh Jarse!

[triplets]

Husband and kids in my experience!

[groggymama]

lol martianbishop I remember that thread about table/chairs, does my arse look big in this

so far i'm not taking:
antiseptic wipes
mil
ghetto blaster
pair of old tights
hair straightners
false nails
husband
kids

[alligator]

Our policy is quite simple. If it cant be carried in a rucksack it doesnt come. Cuts down on the amount needed by a long way.

[triplets]

Perfect!