OK. Convince me. What's so great about camping then?

[OrmIrian]

We have a tent. I'm told it's a very nice one with all the bits it's supposed to have ...apparently. Although someone seems to have left out the bathroom and proper walls . We have air beds, we have sleeping bags, we have a little gas cooker thingy, plastic plates, cups etc...all that malarkey. But.... I always get back ache, it's always too hot or too cold and damp and I inevitably need a pee in the wee small (cold and damp) hours of the morning. Everything in the tents gets messy and damp and it seems to be loads of work just to do something simple like have breakfast. And as for sorting it all out when we get home...

So....assuming that our tent will see the light of day again (and I think it will as DH has been making 'lets go camping' noises again recently, and the kids love it, and truthfully we live quite near to some nice places to camp.... what would make life under canvas () easier? What tips and advice do you camping afficionados suggest. Please....

[PandaG]

go with another family so you can share the cooking and childcare - and the children can amuse themselves easier with a few mates.

wrap up in the evening before youget cold - I change into my pjs early on in the evening (avtually I sleep in joggers and a long sleeve t) so you don't get cold undressing just before you get into bed.

We've just bought a fridge - much less hassle than freezer blocks in a cool bag.

[PandaG]

take a bucket for the middle of the night pee - I use nappy bucket with lid.

blanket above and below sleeping bag to insulate yourself

[Mercy]

A bucket with a lid can be used as an ermergency toilet (© Martianbishop)

What sort of tent is it? I've not really had a problem with damp as far as I can remember.

[OrmIrian]

fridge panda? Do you use an electric hook up?

Getting wrapped up early is a good idea. I am usually paralysed with cold by bed time.

[OrmIrian]

It's one of those domey things with 2 sleeping compartments that stick out at each end. Quite big as the central area is high enough to stand in and big enough around for about 6 people to sit in chairs. There isn't an inner for the central area so if you touch the roof or the walls it's damp.

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

A campsite with a view.
If you are somewhere that feels like a nylon housing estate it's easy to wonder what the point is, but if you stick out your head in the morning and are surrounded by mountains with the early sun on them, all the things you mention seem utterly unimportant.

[PandaG]

have bought EHU for next camping trip at Spring Bank, but used gas last time - it is a dual fuel fridge - can be run on gas/elec or even the car battery from cigarette lighter.

[PandaG]

agree Kathy - we did our first camping trip as a family last year to Great Langdale campsite - absolutely beautiful, I was completely hooked!

[OrmIrian]

OK Kathy. I'm willing to beleive you . I know there are some beautiful places to stay - visited some friend who were staying in Doone Valley last summer and it was heavenly - but don't the more remote places tend to be the poo in the hedge and wash in the stream sort?

[PandaG]

Great Langdale not - showers and loos fine, and a potwash and a small shop, but nothing else except a heavenly view!

[Tigana]

Fridge and electric hook up.
Storage - like hanging pockets, keep wash stuff, hairbrush, sun lotion and sunglasses[hopeful], drinks, toys etc in there. Everywhere needs a place.

TAke extra layers for when the sun goes down - takes as many as you think you'll need then add another - just in case.
Barbecue for dinner/lunch
Scrambled eggs and bacon and/or fruit for breakfast.
Nice cup of tea is number one priority in the morning when camping in UK.

What is so good about it? Sitting out in the evening sun drinking with friends and family. Strolling/trekking to the beach at a moments notice. fresh air and spaceto roam. Cheap and can be done fairly spontaneously. (Keep all your camping stuff together in a big box in a cupboard so all you need is clothes and food and the big box and off you go...

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

What's wrong with pooing in hedges?

[OrmIrian]

I love Langdale. Used to go as a child but self-catering. Don't think we'll be venturing that far this year.

I think my views are coloured by 6 weeks in an old canvas tent on a farmers field when I was at uni. We were on a dig at Avebury. No hot water - apart from a small sink in a barn for 30 of us. One toilet - or the hedge. There was a shower tent rigged up with a cold water hose. We were banned from the swimming pool in Marlborough And food was cooked and served in a kind of canvas galley. And it rained and rained. I think it scarred me for life. It took weeks to get properly clean...

[Skribble]

ONe thing that might make it a bit more civilised is a gazebo, I have seen quite a few people set up a tent and then a gazebo in front.

Great for leaving all the messy shoes and stuff like the bin in. You can set up the cooking area in here too and you can actually stand up , gives you a place to sit when the kids go to bed. Put sides on and its great.

There must be loads of nice sites with veiws and all that that have good toilet blocks.

[squidette]

Perhaps nothing 'material' will make camping a delight or life under campus easier - instead, what about a shift in thinking?

I know people that will camp blissfully with literally just a tent, sleeping bag and something to boil water with. Others need carpets and hairdryers and portable dvd players to make the holiday bearable. The only difference really is how they 'see' camping and the thoughts about it.

I thought i would hate it, but i loved it. Not because i had ALL the gear that i thought i would need, but because i took an opportunity to leave it all behind.

[Blandmum]

The things that I love best, the smell of fresh coffee in the fresh air, first thing in the working. Wonderful.

I love the fact that the kids get some freedom.

Key to keeping warm is to have layers underneath as well as on top of you.

[PeachyChocolateEClair]

Where are you going? Coz I would suggest from where you are, Broadway House in Cheddar- they have a website. We go there sometimes, they have a fab plyground for the kids, and somewhere to go if its damp so its not a problem.

If cold is an issue (is for me), you'll be amazed the difference you get if you put a fleece on all the floor areas of the ten, especially the bed pods (taking especial care to line the areas under beds regardless of type of bed)

otherwise, wne and beer help immnsely, as do pringles.

If the tent is getting messy you might have one too small for you?

[OrmIrian]

Sorry. I thought this had died a death.

peachy - we normally go down to East Devon with friends. But I'd like to tackle N Devon or Exmoor I think. I know Broadway farm I think. Next to Yeo Valley on the main road into Cheddar? Too near my parents - they'd probably keep dropping off food parcels I don't think it can be too small. It's huge! Compared to the one we had before that is. I think that the lack of storage is the problem - everything ends up in heaps everywhere. Maybe a week would be different - you'd have to be more orgainsed.

mb - the 'freedom' for the kids has been part of the problem in the past. When they are tiny the fact that you can't confine them anywhere makes it so exhausting. But they are all older now so it's not such an issue. I have to admit that the first cup of tea/coffee that is one of the best things about camping.

squidette - I don't want huge amount sof 'stuff' TBH. I wouldn't dream about wanting a hai-drier. But hot showers and flushing toilets are essential. Perhaps next time I should pack a change of attitude Where do i get one of them then....

[Listmaker]

I went camping for the first time nearly 2 years ago and hated the whole thing but have signed up for two more weekends of it this summer. The kids loved it and I'm hoping that this time I'll be more prepared mentally for it all.

I hated the cold, sleeping in a sleeping bag, the lack of sex (how can you do it when it's so cold??!) and sleep (due to crying baby in the next tent!).

But we must be more positive and I will try and enjoy it more this time!!

[PeachyChocolateEClair]

The other one i'd recommend is Wood farm in Charmouth- great showers / loo blocks!

Fortunately my parents are stuck in bridgwater without a car, so we get to dictate when we visit them (actually not often enough and I do mis them ) but DH's Mum means we would have to keep any trips to Ilminster / Dorset a secret!