The absolute essentials of camping

[Loonytoonie]

We've been camping squatters for years, so have our own air beds (complete with puncture and sleeping bags. And that's it. We just doss in our friends mansion spacious tent.

DH has booked for us to go camping in the summer. In France.

We don't yet own a tent.

Erm.... help?

Hello. This thread is a little old - for more up-to-date tips, take a look at our round-up of Mumsnetters’ top camping advice or check out this list of their 10 favourite UK campsites. MNHQ.

So what should we do our washing up in? [perplexed]

ir yioopur bare bare hands in a steram using a twug

twig

bad dishwasher vodka

No NO NO

what happens in camping staysin camping

I've got a document called Camping Checklist, originally created for a three month tour of Europe back in 2003, I copy it to a new document every year and update it. There are now two major versions, one for two weeks at the seaside type hols and the other for three days in eg the Brecon Beacons.
Will be happy to paste it here if requested

OK Slubber. But would you like some water with the dishwasher vodka?

ooh yes please fb, paste away!

2 washing up bowls, one to carry dirty dishes in and one to wash up in, clothes pegs to dry towels etc on guide ropes. Most essential for me was a hot water bottle (until we got our tentipi with stove, worth every penny) Can get nippy through the night, however being in France I'm sure you wont have that problem!

wiiiiiine hahahaha

you can waer a washing up bowl as a hat if thinsg gey serios

It's very long... Sorry! Appropriate for two adults and two 12 year olds who like a bit of surfing for two weeks in N Cornwall. We camp elcheapo on Camping and Caravanning Club Temporary Holiday Sites with minimal facilities.

Holiday Packing List August 2011 version

Tentage
Blue tent, Porch, Footprint,
Utility

Spare pegs, guys and mallet

Airbeds, 1 x double.

2 singles
Plugs
Air pump
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Pillows

Wind up torches
Wind up lantern
Rechargeable lanterns
Charging unit
Headtorch
Spare batteries (AAA)

Loo
Chemicals
Sacktruck
Handwash
Loo-roll

Washing line
Pegs
String
Bungees
Washing powder/tabs

Kitchen unit
Table
Folding chairs x 4
Cookers x 2
Spare gas canisters
Plates x 4
Bowls x 4
Mugs x 4
Drinking cups x 4
Knives, Forks, Spoons, teaspoons x 4
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Slotted spoon
Spatula
Tongs
Can opener
Corkscrew
One large one medium saucepan, lids
Kettle
Frying pan
Barbecue
Charcoal
Washing up bowls x 2
Liquid, sponge, scrubber, drying cloths
Cold box
Freezer blocks x 2 sets

Bicycles. Bicycle repair kit Helmets

Beach tent Body boards. Buckets and spades. Kite
Picnic bag. Rug.

Wet suits
Swimming costumes
Towels
More towels

Bug hunting kit. Wildlife books. Binoculars. Kids back-packs

Maps, Guidebooks, membership cards.

Mobile phone and charger

Money, cards etc

First aid, medicines

Sunglasses, suncream, insect repellent

Waterproofs and wellies

Warm clothes

Cool clothes

Shoes

Underwear

Artbox

Reading books

Outdoor games

Gah, Rhino bucket not on list! Better than the other washing up bowl Lisa, being rubbery it sort of expands to fit in all the vile stuff without dribbling frying pan grease down your front!
Slubber you are a girl after my own heart, I'm on Pinot Grigio but it hasn't affected my spelling yet!

Great list fussbucket. It'll make a good template.

Slubber...put the delta peg down

Changing the subject utterly, I bought myself a Tilley Hat today. I'd only gone to buy a replacement section for a bust flexipole...

I lost my list when we were burgled a few years ago, so I need to come up with a whole new list. I can feel a spreadsheet coming on.

I love that list! Thanks tons!

I'm a leetle bit scared by the enormity of it all - where on earth do I put all our clothes?!

Tomorrow, our adventure starts. We're going shopping....

You put all your clothes in one of these compare.ebay.co.uk/like/350497088997?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla

I love that wardrobe! I didn't realise I needed one until I saw it. Now, how to convince DH...

I love that wardrobe! I didn't realise I needed one until I saw it. Now, how to convince DH...

On the subject of washing up bowls, I have just bought one of these:

www.amazon.co.uk/Collapsible-Washing-Up-Bowls-Grey-Rim/dp/B005X6TNAY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1335008124&sr=8-4

I also bought one of these:

www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Craft-Colourworks-Collapsible-Colander/dp/B003WOHBF8/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1335008196&sr=1-5

DH laughed very hard at my description of this as a "space saving essential". He will laugh on the other side of his face when he doesn't have scalded fingers from straining veg through a saucepan lid!

They haven't arrived yet but will report back on their washing up-/strained veg- holding qualities when they do.

I should add, that list can only be transported using either (a) the trailer stuffed to bursting, the roof box ditto, and the bikes on the carrier on the boot. Or (b) all the kit in DP's Transit plus my car so that we can get under the barriers at beach carparks when we get there.

Fab list, thanks fussbucket.

Ta. I've ordered half a dozen delta pegs. Bring on the wind!

Marking place for fab list.

You missed off bunting and fairy lights

Bin bags/rubbish bag

Co monitor/fire alarm especially if using a stove etc in tent.

Fire bucket

Cc&c membership card (avoids begging to be let in like I had to do last weekend

Op- there are fab sites with preptched tents on the continent which are worth considering-there are lots of threads here discussing them :)

Hot water bottles, sleep mask, ear plugs!

This is a great thread - thanks to you all.

Went shopping today and we both fell in love with the Gelert Beyond Corvus 5+2 with the front porch. Shop in question only had the display item left so we thought we'd try and better the price on the internet.

The only problem is, while we've seen a couple of identical tents, we can't find any choices that allows us to include the front/side porch etc.

Help!

Also, DH was completely adamant that he's going to buy a halogen heater for when we start camping. I'm not convinced that they're safe. Can someone out there reassure me please!