A glass of wine sat around the campfire...

[SeaShellsAndTheInlawInvasion]

so I am fed up with the rest of MN (this whole mamazon shite really is the ,last straw), so I am assuming that if any of you are trolling you are showing extraordinary persistence by delving into the thrills of iceytec and are worth chatting to.

So anyway, hi, I am SeaShells, I have 2 dc and have been camping and trapsing through the Great Outdoors all my life. I hang out here as my love of camping is more a love of the countryside and life, and you lot have a similar outlook.

< admires well made fire and tastefully arranged logs with throws>

I'm sorry for creating the sock'n'sandal angst. It's a versatile look, not one that has to be embraced at all times. I loathe bitten itchy feet, and am not a big fan of smearing horrid unguents all over myself or the dc to keep the biters off, so that's when the combo is used in force.

I have to admit I have not gone to The Next Level and done shorts, socks'n'sandals. It's always with long trews that diminish the look a little.

Once you've done it once though you feel a little liberated. Like not hiding your pants when you go for a smear; do it once and you free yourself from gusset shame.

lost what about Keanes (or is it Keens?). Ellis Brigham man was most enthusiastic about them and said they were perfect for the Laydee who is wide of foot.

Ungulent. I'd forgotten what a top quality word that was! Unnnnnnnnnngulent.

Oh hell, smear tests....I am so over due. right that's Monday am priority. I don't think dh will fall for a 3rd pregnancy to avoid having a smear...

Right Keen's, there's this or possibly these which are a little different but look quite 'sensible'. I still don't like them anywhere as much as these. Actually looking at the last link, I don't like Keen's at all, I want a pair like slubbers

Well, just made birthday cake for MIL, and got last couple of bits today. Pack tommorow, off on Monday morning. Oh the joy of the M25 at 9, cant wait!

Also I now have now got a grotty cold. Expect my period will start next just to spite me. Gahhh....

Seashells, sympathy re: the smear. Just lay back and think of delta pegs or scarysandals or something...

arf at 'lay back and think of deltas' not sure I would want to be thinking of a big yellow peg......

Mine is overdue too, will also phone on Monday.

Lost, your first pair of shoes is blatently a pair of men, are you considering those instead of sandals? No doubt they could be found a use....

Get yourself the Tevas, I wonder why they are called 'Terrify' though? Maybe it's a death sock reference?

I think I am the only made up camper amongst you, my day doesn't start without eyeliner

Loll @ thinking of deltas.

Lost I was mightily confused too. Afaik men on bikes do not good walking sandals make. The tevas would only be a real problem if you had Hobbit wide feet. They have the adjustable straps to get a perfect fit.

Terra Fi is the cunningest play on words ever isn't it Wildy. Terra being the earth and Fi being, I dunno, " Fi!" like you might shout at a dragon in Olde Englande, but also Terrify cos they are well ard.

Same here wild, same routime wherever I am- I dont do unmade up anywhere. Would traumatise me to see my pink piglike eyelashes.

Oh dear how did Lance Armstrong creep in there . Still you don't want to see the sandals, they were too unlovely.

Sad to say my feet do resemble a hobbits, I tried a pair if pretty sandals today and because my feet actually get wider towards the toes the shop assistant couldn't get them on my feet properly whatever she did.

at delta pegs! That's one traumatic image

It needs to be done-oh well wildthings, let's both get our phone call dine on Monday!

Hmm, smear tests. It's been 4 years. Yes, I know, I know. Might try the Big Yellow Peg approach. If nothing else, it will make me snigger (and push nurse to discreetly pass a note on my mental state to the gp...)

Came back from glorious camping trip about an hour ago. Due to Friday-night whimpishness, we arrived there first thing Saturday, pitched and settled, then lit fire and did a whole lot of nothing. Fab. Oooh, and had so much fun with my new stove. Played around and made perfect toast in minutes, and great that it's on anyway, so didn't feel like a waste to try random things on it.

Was SO furious just as we were about to pack up though: We were sitting around fire, thinking what a shame it'll be to pour water over everything in a minute, but sparks etc etc, and next second, "Bang!!", through the branches, landed a lit pringles tube (tube full of lit paper etc stuffed inside) in front of our tent! Some IDIOT thought it's a good idea to make Pringle rockets and shoot it into the trees. I'm not sure if it was because I was in the safety / sparks frame of mind, but the thought that a freaken flaming tube was very likely to have landed on our tent, possibly light it, and, potentially, burning us (or another family, of course) to death... Not funny. At all. Well, I know it must have been young children, but for heaven's sake, you'd think if you're happy for your children to run off with their friends for hours of playing in the streams / woods (which is fabulous and how I spent most of my childhood holidays), you'd make sure they know the rules wrt fire safety and not potentially setting fire to others. We couldn't find any group that looked like it could be them, which is just as well, I was too cross at what could have been. But, rant aside, what would you do? I couldn't find group that might have done it, so couldn't drag them complain to their parents. I should have complained at reception before we left, shouldn't I? Not for them to find person, obviously, but possibly to mention in future to all campers? Or am I making a big deal over a once-off here? Advice greatly appreciated. If reception, I can always write to them if you agree.

I should think phone reception and let them have a notice up in the window, or for them to go and chat to people around where you camped. Not surprised you were furious.

I'd've been livid. I can't believe there were kids there doing that.

Having said that I am rubbish at confrontation (not a problem in class but having a firm word with people's children when they are there, I can't cross that line)...would definitely have gone to reception though.

SO I have my £30 vango juno 500 in the house (a little early for my birthday but I wanted to play make sure everything was present and correct) but my sodding sinuses are hurting like mad and I can't move without full head throb. Humph. Class full of 4/5 year olds should be entertaining tomorrow.

Oh my god what idiots, I would have been vibrating with rage. I hope it didn't spoil your weekend.

Well we have spent the day clearing out the car and getting our kit ready, we practiced loading everything in and it's all stored so neatly I think it's all staying there. I think that's the earliest I've ever been for a holiday! Small bag of clothes and we're off. Hurry up next Sunday I want to go!

Will call reception first thing tomorrow.

It wasn't from anyone camping around us (by that stage they've all packed up anyway, but it was mostly young families with toddlers in the pitches leading up to ours anyway) (we camping in this trail thing, so a pitch every 10 metres or so, quite secluded). There is however lots of ditches and little streams where groups of children play together. Having calmed down, I can bet you I know which group it was: When we arrived on Saturday morning, there was a group of boys about to start a bonfire in the fire pit on our pitch. (We probably spoilt their fun anyway, as it's a lovely pitch completely sheltered from any other campers, so good for adventure if you're a ten-year old.) As we were supposed to have camped on Friday, it means this would have been empty from 12pm Fri morning. Anyway, when we arrived, dh told them we're about to start pitching there. Nothing, them staying put. Dh: You're welcome to play around here or in stream, but we're going to start a fire here soon ourselves. Them: But we've dragged all this here for our fire, Dh: You can't start fires and unless you want to join us around ours, you will have to go and play with something else. They did leave, although moaning, grumbling, shuffling feet (which I thought fair enough, we did spoil their fun!) Dammit, I bet you it's them. Probably more stupid (as in not thinking) boys than malicious, but still. Dh did try and see if he could see any groups around, but except for a couple of girls playing in the stream, no-one around, so either rocket going far (?) or ran away. Heaven knows, but it did worry me - for example, the three of us had a long nap in the tent from 3pm Saturday, and I dread to think what would have happened if our tent caught fire with us asleep inside... Though, door was completely open, as well as the side flaps, so probably ok. Grr, sorry, am boring you all to tears with this. Trying to get it out of my system, will shut up now.

PS: Thanks for indulging me and being nice. It didn't spoil weekend, but it did make me realise that I need to think of other risks too - because we've never camped close to other tents, I've never really thought what I'd do if our tent caught fire from someone else's fire, if that makes any sense, whereas if close to another, there is always the risk that sparks can fly etc.

Moan over.

Now, lost - in my state I completely missed the fact that you're packed one week early! I am in awe and booking you for our next holiday.

Scary, hope you feel better soon. Stock up on drugs. Suffering is overrated / meds underrated. emoticon

God, MilSal thats scary! I would have gone to reception I think and let them know... probably... depends on tired/wine interface though TBH

Yes, Lost am v v impressed with pre-packing! We are off tommorow morning, DP has done his special incredulous face at the stacks of stuff ready to be packed that I have stacked in the dining room...

Actually packing it into our car should be fun.

Have had grotty cold all weekend too, seems to be finally going, have nice hacking cough though, expect I'll be know as 'that bloody coughing woman' on site.

MisSal - bloody hell, you're so not overreacting. I would've been furious and after blood. Hope your next trip isn't as surprising.

Wildly impressed lost, I bow to your organisational prowess.

Would love to take credit but it's all down to DH. It takes a while for teachers to change from term time to holiday mode, DH goes into an exceedingly annoying organisation frenzy. I think school holiday camping may have saved our marriage because I respond to his organising madness by taking to the computer, no one noticed did they?

Cor Sal, I would have been mightily cross too. I may have stomped around the site just being loudly cross and glaring at people accusingly.

Have a good trip glitter.

Another one here who is v impressed at lost's dh's pre-packing.

MisSal - that would have scared me half to death too. I would have a word with reception to warn them.

Getting closer to summer holidays - I'm trying to figure out how I can fit an extra weekend camping trip into our already full schedule. DP thinks I'm mad...