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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

How do you deal with that freezing cold damp evening bit when you're camping?

35 replies

geraldinetheluckygoat · 13/02/2011 19:59

You know, when the kids have gone to bed, and its starting to get dark, and it gets all damp and chilly in this country. Unless you miraculously manage to coincide with the one or two weeks of freak warm evenings in this country?!
Im thinking the best way is to find a campsite which allows camp fires? Our tent doesn't have sewn in groundsheet so is breezy, so I think a heater would be useless...

I LOVE camping, except for the miserable evenings, so im interested in what you all do to make them more fun! Would like to stay up beyond eight thirty....

OP posts:

Guadalupe · 13/02/2011 20:01

I can't bear camping without a fire. Not the same at all!

Like you say, damp, cold, may as well go to bed.

NorthernGobshite · 13/02/2011 20:06

ONLY ever camp where can have fire. Sit around fire listening to radio, reading etc. Take lots of fleeces, hats and blankets and enjoy the moonlight...lovely.

PinkFondantFancy · 13/02/2011 20:15

I agree - campfires all the way. Also, I've taken to bringing along a 15 tog duvet to go on top and underneath our sleeping bag, mmmm cozy! TBH, I quite like going to bed when it gets dark when we're camping - only time in my life that going to bed at 8 is going to happen!!!

Awww you've made me want to go camping ASAP! There's nothing much better in the world than sitting next to your campfire all wrapped up with something nice to drink and marshmellows to toast

NorthernGobshite · 13/02/2011 20:19

We always take duvet and pillows now. Camp in comofort is our motto!

mummyshreddingnora · 13/02/2011 20:19

wine

nannyl · 13/02/2011 21:55

another vote for campfiress, hat, fleece blankets, warm jumoers, wine and chocolate!

Slubber · 14/02/2011 11:11

I thought the tip I picked up from here last year about pjs under clothes was a good one.

When you get back from your day out or whatever when it is still reasonably warm put your dc (and you if you want to) into your pyjamas and then put your clothes back on over the top. That way you have got the thermal layering effect going on whilst simultaneously warming up your pjs and thus preventing that AWFUL frantic strip dressing and gah! donning of the cold nightwear before you get into bed.

I got some bobby bargain thin fleece thermal base layers (hyper attractive long johns and high necked long sleeve top) from TK Maxx which I plan to use in bed when we start camping.

I also love the particularly worthy and anoraky tip that I read the other day that COTTON KILLS. Basically it retains water and the resultant cold and damp sucks the life force heat from you.

Fleece all the way now with us [static tastic]

Curiousmama · 14/02/2011 11:15

Dp and I went camping last March. When we got in from the pub we were camping behind there was frost outside and inside the tent! Luckily it was a little vango so our bodyheat warmed it up. We'd invested in a really snuggle double sleeping bag and ended up warm.

I haven't camped with a fire it sounds lovely though

Curiousmama · 14/02/2011 11:16

snuggly

Curiousmama · 14/02/2011 11:17

Good idea re:pjs under clothing slubber.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 14/02/2011 11:17

Wine, thermal undies, fleece, coat, hat, wristwarmers, thermal socks and blanket.

I can't wait to go camping again.

mousymouse · 14/02/2011 11:17

make sure you don't get cold in the first place. those fleecy sweatsuits are great and layers and layers of blankets.
and going to bed early, reading in the sleeping bag or watching someting on the iphone...

Slubber · 14/02/2011 12:46

Curious I think it was a omdb tip, and she should know. Her of sleeping on the cold floor minimalism.

mousy yy, I tend to forget that fact and get caught up in the wine swigging and biscuit gobbling and then wonder why when I get into bed it takes frigging AGES before I can start to feel my feet. My socks and thermal layers, as brilliant as they are aren,t actually generating any heat, only I am, so if I am cold from the get go it's no bloody wonder I spend such long time feeling freezing and grumpy.

This is why the hot water bottle lives in the box of essentials, along side the diarrohea tablets and spare pegs.

I was reading something just the other day that said you should get into your sleeping bag nekkid and that way your body heat can quickly start the thermal trapping-ness that good sleeping bags are meant to do.

Think I'll stick with the long johns and vests.

poppyboo · 14/02/2011 13:18

I go to bed at about 8.30-9.00 because
a) I'm cold
b) The children have exhausted me

so I have no tips I'm afraid...

brambleschooks · 14/02/2011 13:41

Hot water bottles, layering of sleeping clothes with a fleece on top.
Block your eyes and ears now slubber...

Picnic blanket under mattress, then a patchwork quilt layer, sleeping bags topped off with a duvet or two.

Slubber · 14/02/2011 13:50

La la la la la laaaaaa @ patchwork quilt.

This week I am going to commence on my own home spun utilitarian take on camping bedding by turning my new Aldi Thermal Fleece blankets into ever so versatile sleeping bag liners-blankets-thin sleeping bags.

Have finished The Tent, The Bucket and Me btw. Cried with laughter at some points. V v v good camping book

NormanTheForeman · 14/02/2011 13:55

Have a barbecue, then put more coal on the BBQ after you have finished eating, and use it to warm yourselves up brazier-style....

LadyBiscuit · 14/02/2011 13:58

I'm with the people who say FIRE. Only way to go :)

kahlua4me · 14/02/2011 14:01

We use bbq as a sort of fire pit. Just keep putting logs on it til we go to bed. Never been told we cant or got into trouble for doing so! Just make sure it is out before you go to sleep.
Also I wear dhs thermals as pjs. Attractive they are not but so very warm.

Oh I cannot wait to go camping again. Already planning trips!
Dh took me to Go outdoors today as a valentines treat!!

brambleschooks · 14/02/2011 14:44

Hoping to see new hand crafted liners on the washing line like giant scary aldi bunting.

Glad you enjoyed the book, I rocked with mirth at it. I hear she's another coming out soon.

Slubber · 14/02/2011 14:57

There is one on the line RIGHT NOW mrs (sans Velcro bits)

I like her writing style very much, plenty of profanity

brambleschooks · 14/02/2011 16:51

Ooer.

Actually that's a thought. Velcro bits would be very handy for camping especially if a lavvy is not near by.

Slubber · 14/02/2011 16:53

halfcaff · 14/02/2011 16:58

We do the bbq thing - we've got a handy one with a lid which we take camping and put on one of those metal camp kitchen shelf sets to keep it off the ground. Add more fuel to keep it going til bedtime.

Ineedalife · 14/02/2011 22:02

I recommend putting your pj's on under your clothes, when you put the kids to bed. Solves lots of issues

You warm your pj's up.

You have an extra layer on to keep warm while toasting the marsmallows.

You don't have to strip in a cold dark tent, risking squashing one of the kids when you fall over[never due to alcohol].

Oh and I put a hot water bottle in my sleeping bag too, sheer luxury.

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