Going camping for the first time in May

[vickster11]

We have got a tent and ground sheet to go underneath.

Can you please recommend the best things to buy.

Not sure what to do regarding sleep as myself and dh are very overweight.

Whats the best type of sleeping bed thing to get for a 2 1/2 year old.

We had roll out mats for the dcs when they were that age and put blankets under for extra warmth and padding. They're spoilt with an airbed now they're a bit older. We just use an bog standard airbed ourselves and put a fleece under blanket on it under our sleeping bag.

Have fun!

Beds - best self inflating mats you can afford. Look at Thermarests and Alpkit Dozers. We have the older version of Dozer (Fat Airic) and they are very comfortable. You have to try them out to see for yourself. Good night's sleep and good insulation against cold from the ground.

Something to cook on - single burner to boil water on for coffee, or alternatively a Storm or Kelly Kettle. We have a Storm and I love it.

For cooking, you could use only the gas burner / fire (where allowed), but the following two have strong followers:
Cadac
Cobb

These are things I really like. However, it's probably best to try and borrow everything you can from friends for your first camp, as you can then figure out for yourself what you like need. If that is not possible, take the basics only and only buy the more expensive things after that. Do, however, make sure your first camp is warm enough (take more than you think you might need) or you'll hate it.

I would definately recommend borrowing things we have a full complement of camping gear as DH wanted to start goig camping and the first time we went I hated it.

I mean really hated it with a passion to the point I will never go camping again! Luckily DH will take DD by himself so its not all wasted but before you invest any money into it go and try it out with borrowed gear.

If you can't borrow gear I would buy the cheapest stuff you can. I kitted us out (myself and Ds) with everything we needed for about £120. The only thing I already had was a sleeping bag for me. I figured if we (me!) hated it then I'd spent the cost of a weekend away. We upgraded some stuff (eg gas cooker) but some of the cheap stuff we used originally is still good (tables, sleepmats, kettle, cutlery, crockery, lights). Things I've bought since are better chairs, bigger tent (our first cost £28 from Millets). I lust after more stuff like a Cobb but am limited fortunately by car size (I have a two seated sports car).

You will find that no matter how much gear you get you will always meet people with more. Last year I saw someone camping who had a large (probably 26") flat screen tv with them complete with large aerial!

thanks for the advice everyone getting excited now :o