Chat around the Campfire....

[SeaShellsUnderCanvas]

So last year we had a general chat thread for bragging/nattering/safe havens from when the trolls were out in the main boards! Thought we would start one again as it was lovely!

We're moving back to the UK in two weeks, does any one have any recommendations for campsites near Bristol for easy weekends if the weather there picks up.

Mucho - how old is ds? Could he take a friend?

I generally go with another mum and her children but would like to try camping with just ds and I. The advantage of going with my friend is that she always remembers to pack the things that I've forgotten .

Last year, ds brought a friend with him and that worked really well.

Re booking pitches. We're very fortunate to have a fab site a couple of miles away which is still fairly inexpensive and usually has grass pitches available even when booking at the last minute.

However, we tried to book two nights after the jubilee bank holiday (Tuesday and Wednesday nights), on a site in Cornwall, and they are only taking bookings for the whole week at £40 per night . The frustrating thing is that when my friend phoned to find out about booking they had loads of pitches available for that week because the weather has been so bad.

this site has been recommended on here.

I know issyocean, it was mostly dad's and their kids whilst mums had the weekend off but I wanted to tag along. The one family have teenage boys and are always doing roughty toughty stuff but the other had small girls 3 and 6 ish. I was amazed that they slept all night just under a rain shelter so they must have had warm sleeping bags.
We're in Northern Germany so generally the weather is quite similar to home, colder snowier winters and hotter summers (sometimes) We haven't had the rain here like you have but it was only about 4 degrees overnight on Saturday night. The camfire kept us warm whilst we were all awake.
It was brilliant watching all the children toasting their marshmallows.

oops last post was for loubielou31

My D thought that the fire had turned the potatoes and apples silver

Thanks, that site looks lovely.
The guy who'd sorted out the whole weekend had loads of stuff for cooking on a real fire and I really feel the need to get in on the act, with the reassuring back up of a gas hob in the van if it all goes horribly wrong.

I tried making dampers but they just fell of the sticks.

I just took the grill from my cooker and balanced it on the stones around fire.Managed to cook chilli on it

Didn't think of an oven shelf as a grill, good plan.

Loubie - This is my 'local'. We have camped there quite a few times over the last couple of years. Take a look at the pods!! It approx 20 minutes from the severn bridge.

Thanks mogs0 I can't wait for some lovely weekends. I'm going to try and get the van all sorted and packed so we can just go as soon as the weather looks good.
That is obviously a much higher priority than unpacking all the boxes full of house stuff.

Did anyone go away at the weekend?

I was considering going camping solo this weekend. Does anyone do that? My kids go to their father's some weekends and I really fancy taking myself away in a little tent and doing some exploring.

I have been thinking two things today.
Firstly I prefer sites with basic facilities,few people and beautiful surroundings.
DD is happy just to run around a field or explore a wood and H will stop winging if he can have a fire.

Secondly I NEED a frontier stove for my bell tent.Now,what can I sell?

Migsy1 I would love to go away on my own but have no chance.

Migsy, I have one weekend this year when I could well do that! I'm very excited about it.

Blu It could be very peaceful. I'll let you know how it goes if I manage it.

Just booked Cote Ghyll and am starting to get geared up for half term camping. I am feeling more optimistic now that the weather forecasts are improving!

Just need to nag DH into sourcing a roof box or it'll be a very cramped journey.

issyocean - I am with you on liking basic sites - and I like them small too.

Migsy - sounds like heaven.

I'm also getting very excited now since the forecast is looking better. Half term booked in Norfolk so fingers crossed.
I need to get a windbreak and so far looks like the best is blue diamond www.outdoorworld.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/1295/s/blue-diamond-deluxe-windbreak/category/86/

Does anyone have this and what do you think?

We are off to Forgewood for 1 night on Saturday - looking forward to it.

We are off to a campsite in Spain at the weekend (Gallicia). Not camping though - height of luxury in a log cabin with a bathroom. Ooooh could be nice!

Blu - enjoy Forgewood - it's a firm favourite with our family!

Hillbilly, we haven't been for a few years - the reviews from the end of last year are a bit damning! But hey, it's woods, fields, we can have a fire and the weather is good, so I can't see what can be wrong with that! We could have gine to Welsummer but in the view of some of our 10 yo boys the woods aren't big enough there - they can't get lost and roam miles away fom us.

Oh, and we have decided to go on Friday, so it will be twio nights - yay!

First outing for the Icey Tek!