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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask you all to sort out my camping list with me please?

57 replies

Diddydollydo · 09/08/2012 12:46

DH has just called to say we are going camping. Tonight. We are going camping TO NIGHT. We have never been camping before but he has been to Go Outdoors and bought a stupidly large tent, sleeping mats and bags and other 'stuff' as he says. He's even booked a pitch somewhere.

What the bloody hell to I take? Have to DCs 8 and 6. I love his that he's so unpredictably but sometimes he can be just plain daft. HELP!

OP posts:
GobHoblin · 09/08/2012 13:10

seriously... a table for 2 nights camping?!

Kladdkaka · 09/08/2012 13:10

I want to go camping now too :( Envy

ViviPru · 09/08/2012 13:13

Me too Envy bloody working all weekend now though SadSad

shewhowines · 09/08/2012 13:14

Airbeds would be better than mats. Much more comfortable. Can he change them? Single ones so that the other person turning over doesn't bounce you to the roof.

Overcooked · 09/08/2012 13:14

It will be fab and the kids will absolutely love it!

My top tips:-

  1. old washing up bowl, to put just outside tent door or even in porch for peeing in the night;
  2. wet wipes - lots;
  3. snacks - lots;
  4. toys, books for DC's if they wake before you so they can play and leave you asleep;
  5. Disposable BBQ - really easy for cooking;
  6. waterproofs - just in case;
  7. plastic bags to sort out dirty/wet clothes etc; and
  8. a torch or lantern.

Although this is unikely to happen to you as you have DCs, don't make the mistake DH and I had did by hanging the lantern in the top of the tent and then having sex thus giving everyone a silhouette sex show...

Kladdkaka · 09/08/2012 13:16

And a swingball. It's not proper camping if you don't have one Wink

Kladdkaka · 09/08/2012 13:16

:o @ Overcooked

Ecgwynn · 09/08/2012 13:17

Wet wipes.

Diddydollydo · 09/08/2012 13:17

Looking at all those lists we do have most of these things anyway, so that's good. Bit worried about the mats though, they are self inflating ones if that makes any difference or are they still rubbish?

OP posts:
Diddydollydo · 09/08/2012 13:19

The sex thing will NOT be happening. I expect to be far too pissed for any of that jiggery pokery.

OP posts:
shewhowines · 09/08/2012 13:20

Self inflating would be better than the basic ones I thought you meant but i've no idea how good they are compared to airbeds.

QuenelleOJersey2012 · 09/08/2012 13:22

I love your DH. What a nut! Grin

Nothing else to add, unless nobody has mentioned taking one or two of those plastic-backed picnic blankets. They're handy for putting underneath your sleeping mat/airbed and using as carpet in your many many bedrooms and your incredibly massive living area.

Honestly, for two nights as long as you can eat, sleep and drink plenty of Wine you'll be fine. Have fun, your children will love the freedom they get on a campsite.

Raspberrysorbet · 09/08/2012 13:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thecatsminion · 09/08/2012 13:23

Salt, tomato sauce, margarine, vegetable oil and tea and coffee. You can take them in little tupperware containers, carried in one big tupperware container.

Also, toilet roll. In case the campsite runs out, but it's useful anyway.

A plastic fish slice and spoon.

If you're having a bbq, then firelighters, charcoal, matches and tongs - you'll likely be able to buy them when you get there, assuming you're not going anywhere too remote.

I think a 3 season sleeping bag means its suitable for all seasons apart from winter. I rarely get cold in mine - even on a camping trip where there was ice on the top of the tent in the morning.

If it's your first time, then a saucepan with a lid can be used instead of a kettle. But I like my whistling camping kettle.

Midge repellant, unless you're near the sea.

An easy one pan meal is a tin of stew mixed in with canned potatoes and heated up. But I quite like cooking out so usually do more.

When we get there, we usually get bread, bacon (or other breakfast stuff), biscuits, milk, a bag of salad, crisps, and, if we're having a barbecue, a jar of sauce of some kind (hollandaise, usually). Plus whatever meat we're getting. And shitloads of booze.

WelshMaenad · 09/08/2012 13:24

The self inflating ones are fine, better than airbeds!

Take playing cards, camping us the only time Dh and I play cards, but after a few ciders it's weirdly fun.

Towels. More than you think you'll need.

Kladdkaka · 09/08/2012 13:24

You won't need some of the stuff on the lists. They're handy for checking what you do need, reminding you of things you hadn't thought of and crossing off pointless stuff. EG if you're going to a proper campsite with toilets you don't need a shovel (for digging a latrine).

Diddydollydo · 09/08/2012 13:26

I would take the address of a nearby hotel. And room reservations for aforementioned hotel. Grin Grin

I'm actually very excited now. I'm going camping for the first time in my life!! I'll report back when we get home to let you know how it went.

OP posts:
SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 09/08/2012 13:29

He bought a ten man tent for 4 people? :o

Season 3 means summer. Take duvets. Another top tip is to put a fleecy blanket/roll mat/picnic blanket between the bottom of the air bed and the groundsheet to insulate you from the cold ground. Air beds provide bounce but no insulation.

Also take lots of bottled water, kitchen roll and bin bags. Shoes off before you go into the tent.

TBH though you're going for 2 days. Even if it is a complete nightmare it doesn't really matter and unless you're going to the Outer Hebrides you'll be 30 minutes max from a shop that will sell whatever it is you've forgotten.

QuenelleOJersey2012 · 09/08/2012 13:29

I'm very jealous Diddydollydo. It could be the first of some fantastic holidays for you and your family.

Raspberrysorbet · 09/08/2012 13:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 09/08/2012 13:36

I love camping BTW, I was just nagging DH about it last night.

ecuse · 09/08/2012 13:43

Exciting! Grab a couple of disposable bbqs if you don't have a stove. Get fish and chips for the first night and eat out of the paper on your lap. Have fun!!

I'm going camping this weekend as well. Not by any means for the first time, but for the first time since I had my (now 15 month old) DD. Wish me luck!

MummyPigsFatTummy · 09/08/2012 13:54

Oh you are going to have a ball! And the children even more so. I am very jealous - would love to be camping this weekend - the weather is supposed to be great.

List-wise, I would just say, don't buy anything else if you can help it until you have been and worked out what you want. Just take from home.

As others have said, warmth is the most important thing. 3 season sleeping bags are good for everything except winter but maybe take some duvets/blankets just in case. If you have thermal underwear, take some for everyone - once you have that on under your clothes of an evening, you will be toasty.

If not, get yourselves and the kids into pyjamas early-ish in the evening and then layer up on top. Then noone has to fully strip at bedtime which can be chilly. Take hats or hoodies as most heat is lost through the head (although you may be fine as it doesn't look like it is going to be cold).

Torches, or better still head-torches, are vital. One for everyone. They would be the one thing worth buying if you haven't already got them.

Try and eat out if you can a fair bit on your first trip. Take a small cooker for cups of tea and bacon butties for breakfast. If you do want to eat your own food, perhaps make a spag bol or similar at home and bring it with you and just re-heat when you get there after cooking the pasta. Maybe bring a disposable BBQ. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TO COOK IN THE TENT AND NOT TO BRING A BBQ OR ANY GAS APPLIANCE INTO THE TENT. I am sure you wouldn't but there have been some tragic carbon monoxide-related deaths in the news of people who have done this.

Does the campsite your DH has booked allow fires? If so, this is one of the best things about camping, sitting around it and toasting marshmallows/chatting. Also you can cook baked potatoes/chocoalate-filled bananas in the fire so it is worth bringing some cooking foil if you might have a fire.

I am SO jealous. I also think your DH has done well getting a big tent. If you all take to camping, you will appreciate the space.

Make sure the children take a ball too - children with balls always make friends IME.

And head for the MN camping section - it is full of good advice.

Grin
Peeenut · 09/08/2012 13:56

You'll begins on self inflating mats. Many, including myself, prefer them. They're much warmer than air beds. They give you the insulation of a foam mat but with padding :)

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 09/08/2012 14:17

Do not leave used disposable barbecues inside tent/tent porch

You will die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Public Safety Announcement