Top tips for camping!

[Cathycat]

I have a good one that I thought I'd share - I am packing right now! - we get a big bag for each person(eg rucksack or holdall)- pack one outfit per day and put each separate outfit in a carrier bag, within the large bag . That way things match even at the end of the holiday. We put two fleeces and 2 pjs on top of it all. Any more?

that sounds FAR too organised for me

I take along one of those fold up washing baskets and all dirty clothing gets put in there and then it is taken straight to the washing machine when we unpack once we are home.

I have a glamping tip if that's any good? Just bought a small antique cash-box from the local eastern-furniture importer place. It fits exactly in DS's footwell and is now full of camping lanterns, cards and travel scrabble, and once empty will be my bedside table. I'm so practical

Maarks spot for intersting tips.

we got those net thingys for storing bathroom toys.
we use them to take shampoo, toothbrush, flannel etc to the wash rooms.

Doesn't the toothbrush fall out mousy?

no the mesh is too narrow for that.

Budget an extra £15 in the holiday fund. Once home, take all the camping clothes for a service wash at the laundrette.

Normally I do my own laundry, but since doing this post holidays, the "urgh, it's all over" feeling greatly reduced when home again.

Wee bucket!!! For night time emergencies for kids too old to use a potty.
Also 1 pair of trousers to be worn only for playing round the site. Changed when going out and put back on when arriving back at the site. They tend to walk home by themselves at the end of the hol but save on washing many pairs of muddy trews!

Footballs, I have been contemplating a wee bucket for a bit: do you have a proper one or a ordinary one with cat litter in it? I have read that that works really well, too, but that the bucket should have a lid in case of accidents!!

Cheap plastic flip flops:

great for gruesome shower floor avoidance (just wear them while you're washing)

saves faffing every time you need to nip into the tent for something but don't want to get grass/mud all over the place- you can slip them off without having to use your hands

....those large S shaped hooks for hanging up on any internal poles in the tent, useful for hanging up just about everything.

I saw someone with one of those 3-tiered wire basket things (orginally intended for fruit & veg I think) up in their tent by their camp kitchen which seemed a good idea.

Mouseymouse, liking the net idea very much.

footballs - like the trouser tip
and also like the chepa flip flop one too!

Everyone wears shorts/cropped trousers and puts waterproofs on as soon as it starts raining, saves on the washing.
A folding crate for carrying/storing the washing up .Put the clean wet dishes back in the box and they will be dry next time you need them.

Good idea about flipflops but where can I buy them now?

I tend to go to the supermarkets who have sold everything for summer already, b**stards.
!

try the bath section at bigger boots. or the sports section in department stores.

crocs are great for camping. Picnic blanket under the air bed is a must for warmth. We also take our duvet and sleeping bags and have always been warm.

thanks

Washing line and clothes pegs for hanging up towels and tea towels to dry.

cancel if rain is forecast.

Primark for flip flops - 2 pairs for £1.50

Try using a large washing machine string bag (the ones you are meant to put your underwear / socks etc in) instead of the kids toy bag - they have a zip on the top which stops everything falling out.

I have one which I take swimming as it's great for the shampoos, toys, goggles, swimming costumes etc.

the kid*s toy one has got loops on the top so that I can hang it up in the shower or the washroom.

Some strong carrier bags to put your clothes in while you are in the shower, the ones at the site we stayed at recently could soak your clothers bag even though it was on the hook by the door.

Numberfour, our wee bowl is actually a smaller size washing up bowl. - Then I can walk off to tip it away without the whole site knowing exactly what's in it! - unlike a potty! No cat litter but we do keep it just outside the tent door in case of 3 am spills. Also the fact that it's a bowl means that it is low to the ground so harder to tip over. No accidents yet!

• take washing mashine tablets - the kind wrapped individually in case you need to do a wash
• folding shopping boxes are great for storing kitchen stuff and also doubling as table.