i need to go camping.

[stitch]

i have never been. but i want to.
can someone tell me where to go? in the new forest perhaps?
and what equipment to buy?
and can i go for the first time ver, with two lo's on my own?
i have one kids sleeping bag, and one adult sleeping bag. and nothing else. but i do have lots of experience putting up tents for scouts, school etc.

[gigglewitch]

c'mon then, stitch! Just got back from a weekend 'tin-tenting' as they call it on here, twas fab.

[stitch]

[jealous emoticon]
tell me how to do it. and just walk me through it all.
i want to go. [stpmps foot]

what is tin tenting?

[gigglewitch]

have you googled for this sort of stuff?
We have one rule The Place Must Have Showers. Thus loos etc. Civilisation. Do not claim to be 'ard, or wish to try my luck without facilities with three young DC in tow. We are in the Camping and caravanning club, which if you get truly addicted may be worth joining. We have been on one of theirs this weekend.

[gigglewitch]

Tin-tenting=caravanning.

[stitch]

ive googled, adn it seems like a different language.
i; just a scared wuss really.
i want someone to hold my hand and take me along. tell me i am not doing it all wrong. iyswim

[stitch]

so, do i just go to tesco, buy a tent, drive to the campsite, and pitch it?

[stitch]

sally, i have no friends who want to go.
most have said that they categorically do not want to go , ever.
tbh, i would be ok, just going for one night at first. i just want to go....

[gigglewitch]

err, almost

sallystrawb's got it.

Dylansmum posted earlier that there are bargains to be had in Tesco for camping stuff. likewise Aldi, IIRC [recently, anyhow]

[gigglewitch]

last week we were starting a bit of a campaign for a mn campsite meet-up

[stitch]

that sounds as if i could do it.
trip to tesco's....

do i need to get a big tent, considering i have three dc, and dh unlikely to ever come camping?

[gigglewitch]

Laugh if you wish, but our first trip was to the seaside, err, approx 12 miles from home
I can recommend it. Within comfort zone, and know where all the shops/hospitals/relatives are in case of panic!
Salstrawb's list is pretty much covering it all, imo the most tricky bit of it is the cooking, but if you've got a barbecue then that has it covered (hoping for semi-decent weather at least) with wet-weather back up of the nearest chippy
It is good fun, go on give it a go!
is this any help?

[gigglewitch]

BTW, how old are the DC's?

And what is it with men????? My DH now trying to get himself out of the next trip away

[gigglewitch]

Top tip from my way of doing things take a few stacker boxes, transport your stuff in the car in them, use them as cupboards / drawers/ wet weather gear store when you get there, and if needed then sit on 'em!

[gigglewitch]

I think this is a good guide

[gigglewitch]

ok i'm bombarding you with links


but checklist i couldn't resist. Not as good as salstrawb's tho

[stitch]

lol
i cant wait to get going.

[handlemecarefully]

If you must camp, don't go to a campsite with too many facilities and social amenities - it attracts the 'wrong' type of people

Also Mon - Thurs makes for quieter nights

[gigglewitch]

good point HMC. avoid with plague proportions those who claim 'leisure' facilities, swimming pools and such. Mad and rowdy.

[stitch]

no, i dont particularly want, or need a swimming pool.
actually someone in rl said that to me as well. she said people who couldnt afford 'proper holidays' went to places like that. i kept my mouth shut at the time.

[bamzooki]

stitch - till May this year I was a tenting virgin - but have been 3 times since then and it's fab!
In fact....heading off to the New Forest this very afternoon!
Not your normal kind of tenting though cos it is driven by hauling round shows while my DD does Shetland Pony Grand National racing. But still - its a great laugh and I plan on continuing the camping with the DC even when that circuit is over as the tent I am borrowing atm will very shortly be mine. Hurrah!