So all you MN'rs who said we should go camping even though the forecast was for rain, want to hear how it's going?

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It's a tale of highs and lows.

[Blandmum]

go on. do tell!

[Heartmum2Jamie]

I want to know!

[BBBee]

oh god - it is good isn't it?

[twoGsinBuggerOff]

isnt all of life with dc??

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Well, it was supposed to be a four hour drive, it was 7.

It was overcast, windy, but dry when we arrived so the cabin fevered dc's went to play in the playground while we put the tent up.

The moment we started putting the poles into the tent it started to rain.... really hard. It was by this point mega windy.

DH and I have managed to get the tent up on our own on twice, but with the wind and the rain we were really struggling. Luckily a couple of friendly fellow campers came to our rescue and offered to help, regardless of the driving rain - it was like a wet t-shirt competition!

We attempted to raise the tent, the wind was so bad that my feet left the ground numerous times and at one point I was almost dragged across the field. Dh a normally mild mannered chap started swearing and the other blokes gave me 'she's unreasonable' looks when I reminded him there were children around. We got the first peg in when we heard a snap - tent pole number one had gone. Two seconds later snap, snap, snap - three further tent poles completely wrecked. No way we were going to be sleeping in the tent.

We had to admit defeat, the campsite folks agreed to store the sodden wet bunch of canvas mascarading as our stupidly expensive tent.

[Blandmum]

my god, what were the highs?

[BBBee]

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The lovely campsite folk gave us a list of b&b's,, hotels etc - every single one said we were one of many families to call with the same request and all were booked. No room at the inn.

The local camping shop (closing in 1/2 hour) said they didn't do metal poles and that outwell don't sell them separately so we probably couldn't get replacements. They could order them for us, but wouldn't arrive until Tues/Weds.

[Millimat]

So what did you do next?

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At this point dh said all we needed next was a plague of frogs - honestly 5 mins later the dc's spotted frogs on the road and insisted dh swerve to avoid them - last count was 20 frogs.

Highs coming next....

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I range the Tourist Info at Barnstable - nearest big town, they had closed for the day, but a lovely lady answered the phone and didn't go home untill they found somewhere for us to stay. They tried everywhere, but as we have three dc's we had to have two rooms and nothing doing.

However, they'd just taken on a new b&b, suite of rooms one double, one twin own bathroom own sitting room with tv etc, but out of town would we like it - just let me bite your hand off I said. We rang the owner who was about to have a supper party for ten, but said yep, no problem come on down.

We arrived at the nicest house possible, lovely big rooms hot shower and bath, we were all made very welcome and the owners made a reservation at the local pub for a meal. The pub food was fantastic even our fussy ds said it was the best maccaroni cheese he'd ever had.

We found the nearest Outwell stockest in Taunton (1.5 hours away) and they repeated that they don't sell poles, however they were about to send a couple of tents back to outwell and if the poles where compatable we could swap our poles for the ones they were about to send back.

We had a great full english and the b&b and drove to Sommerset camping and caravans where a fab lady called Nicky helped us with our poles. An hour later we were furnished with new poles all re-elasticated and a whole heart full of hope - all for £10.

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Sorry for poor spelling, have had a glass of wine. BBQ ready - so back later.

[kiwibella]

that's absolutely brilliant!! The tale, of course, not your situation. I remember that campsite - it is a completely exposed field.

Don't forget to name and link the b&b when you return . Enjoy your stay.

[Jux]

Brilliant! And you didn't give up and go home!
(I remember trying to put up our new tent in the dark, when we hadn't even been able to try it at home first - I couldn't read the instructions, we couldn't see anything, I got the giggles and couldn't do anything. Eventually the guy from the next tent came and did it almost on his own! DH and I were USELESS!! And we're seasoned campers!)

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Yep even though the 'new' poles aren't an exact match and the tent was left sodden it went up no problem.

Ok it isn't sunny, but the dc's have had a fantastic day. DH and I have forgotten all the problems of the weeks before we arrived and the word cancer hasn't been mentioned or even thought of.

We went to the beach today and although cold all dc's went in the sea in their undies!!! Will buy wetsuits tomorrow.

[Millimat]

very impressed at these people who are on net whilst still camping! I presumed you were now home!

[Katsh]

Very impressed by your stickability! Just wondering where your b&b is - we are due to go camping in Somerset from tomorrow, but Dh is sick,and ds ( 10 mths) is having very bad nights, so wondering about ditching tent for b&B and yours sounds good

[Mercy]

Wow, you were so lucky to come across such helpful people.