Persuade me I want to go! Tell me it won't be as bad as I imagine

[MrsSnaplegs]

OK we are not camping virgins, DH and I have camped 5-6 times a year from Mar - Oct for past 4-5 years with DD now nearly 6.

Every late May holiday we go away with like-minded Landrover addicts to a farmers field in Stourport. It is basic camping, portaloo in one corner of the field, stand pipe tap in the other, sheep to wake us up in the morning - normally love it, freedom, open fires, DH goes and plays on private land with the cars getting muddy, DD and Dog run around free and safe!

So - I also have mild chronic fatigue syndrome, had it for 14 years, live with it, deal with it, get by - BUT over past few years my pain in my muscles and joints has been getting a lot worse so 18 months ago I told DH I couldn't "do" airbeds anymore and could we "upgrade to a caravan"

We can't afford a fortune so ended up deciding on a vintage 1970s caravan which my DH is going to restore - unfortunately this isn't finished yet so this May we will be needing to go in the tent again.

I am not sure I can face it, I camped up to 7 1/2 months pregnant last year and our last trip was difficult as the airbed died on the first night so ended up sleeping on floor (at 7 1/2 months pregnant)which left me in a lot of pain and grumpy for a lot longer!

This year we will have 2 DC (5 and currently 22wks) DH, me and the Dog. We have a couple of tents but neither of them seem big enough this year so DH is currently looking on fleabay for a 3 pod type one that we can afford. I know it is only a long weekend but I really cannot get any enthusiaism for it and if it wasn't for the fact some of our friends are getting married I would possibly say I'm not going.

Please motivate me, re-enthuse me, HELP!

PS photos of the caravan on my profile.

Bump

Oooh, good on you for giving it a go last year!

Could you buy a camp bed Then no deflation issues. Not sure how comfy they are, maybe throw a duvet down to soften the mattress, or, could you fit a single bed mattress in the car to take with you?

or a hammock?

Sorry, probably not that helpful.

cant you hire something like a camper van for the weekend?

Can't hire a camper as whole point of this weekend is landrover club off roading and I can't drive, also couldn't really afford a camper hire

Not sure we would get a mattress in our current tents and no way to transport it

Sorry not being deliberately obstructive

O, dear! But most airbeds won't deflate - buy a new one and layer with cheap duvets for extra comfort? Can you have a wee glass of wine to ease the pain of camping? Works for me Take a book to read (in an ideal world while others busy as you describe) and say you have to sit with your baby and can't possibly do anything else! And take some really nice stuff to cook. Good luck.

Can you b&b with the baby and just come to the site during the day?

slubber - I have thought about that, but it makes me feel like i'm cheating
I know I will go I just don't want to be miserable through lack of sleep/pain!
lostlady - we seem to be jinxed with airbeds unfortunately!

Has anyone tried the fancy autoblow up ones? Are they worth the money?
There will be plenty of alcohol - we all make flavoured vodkas to take - and a nice big open fire using some of the trees the farmer has cut on his land that year!

DD would really miss it if we didnt go to see "farm dog" - her name for the farmers dog that adopts her every year! There willl be plenty of "aunties" to help with childcare of DS in the day as although we are from all over the country(internet based club) we all share responsibilities when we are there.

The more I think it through the easier it is getting - just pray it doesn't rain as DH will be off driving all day and I hate being stuck in the tent in the rain with bored children!

OK so find me the best airbed for the least money that will fit DH and I (he is 6ft 2) that will be comfy and not leak

can't help with the airbed search I'm afraid.

Camping is meant to be fun, not an ordeal. I would feel no guilt whatsoever about enjoing all the wonderful day time bits and then sleeping in a warm and comfortable bed at night

It will be fine if I can find something comfy to sleep on and it doesn't rain I think. I plan to take lots of books

OK, we have this one www.amazon.co.uk/Campingaz-200974-Smart-Quickbed-Double/dp/B000K0K7OO/ref=sr_1_11?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1305229475&sr=1-11: dh is about 6'3 and I am by no means a dainty soul (ahem) and it has also been slept in by the dc with us and has not deflated. I am of advancing years and not a natural camper but have been v comfy on it. Have just got a really cosy double sleeping bag, but have not tried it out yet.

We also got a cheapy big pop-up tent from Decathlon to use as our camping living room - great for if it wet: you don't get your sleeping tent all muddy and can relax with a book and watch the rain come down.

My other tip is take kites and bubbles to amuse children. (I sound like Mary Poppins, but am actually shallow old witch who cant be parted from her make up and wine, haha.)

We were camping over the royal wedding weekend. The one thing I was determined was that we were NOT going to be cold and we WERE going to sleep well. We got two Downmats. They're unbelievably over specced for camping in the UK, but they were soooo much more comfy than the airbed we had before and lovely and warm. They also make a synthetic version that is allegedly as comfy with slightly poorer insulation properties. They don't self inflate, but have an integrated pump and it really was pretty quick and low effort to get them up and ready. They weren't cheap but they should last, and if we can get a good night's sleep it'll be well worth it - so far we're pleased :) Oh - and by the time I'd put a fitted double sheet over the two XL ones we had, they made a full size double bed and didn't even have a gap between them.

When I called the shop to check returns, the lady I talked to also said it might be worth considering the Thermarest Dreamtime - apparently when they had one out in the shop it was "ludicrously comfortable". Thermarest also have an extremely good reputation when it comes to customer service.

Hope you can find something suitable and have a great time.

Lostlady ok that looks good and in price range will have a browse

Tangle unfortunately out of price range this month, we have just had to replace dishwasher and also need a new car seat for "the boy" as he is so big! They do look good though and would be a serious option for future for short breaks when we can't take caravan (London to Brighton run)

Princehumperdink thanks I think that is my worry I need to be as comfy as possible otherwise I'll be in pain and grumpy

We may have a solution, dh is going to ask his sister if we can borrow their caravan!! I think he's taken the hint!

Our current tents aren't big enough for me to sleep separate from dh and I suspect I will want ds very close as he's so young

Just waiting on SIL getting back to us on the use of their caravan. Supposedly they are in the process of trying to "upgrade" so we need to wait until they know if they can do that. If we can't use their van they will lend us their bigger tent so we will have more space - that means DH doesn't "Have to" buy another tent on fleabay and I can maybe spend the extra money on somewhere comfy to sleep.

Fingers crossed!