Camping right now and watching newbies set up

[Baileyscoffeeandcampfires]

Am camping at swissinternationalin Henley at the moment and slightly concerned about the group setting up opposite.

First tent is now up but the awning poles look like they are bent wrong and could snap any minute. If I could figure out what they had done wrong I would let them know. Not very helpful to just go over and say it looks wrong but I don't know how to fix it.

Their friend have just turned up with a brand new tent still in halfords box. It doesn't seem to be going up easy. I really hope that they have bought decent sleeping bags as going down to zero tonight.

Now the kids have all been given bubbles. Don't they destroy the waterproofing of tents?

It's going to be a long night! I'm predicting a row at 2am as their mattresses have gone down and they've not bought enough warm stuff!

This is why there has been camping accidents in the news recently, people going camping at all times of the year without a clue of what they are doing.

The halfords tent looks like a bag of shite.

Their kids were running around with one of gas lighter things firing it at each other earlier.

nooooooo
go and be helpful BEFORE they start slamming each other with the mallet

I just told them that they had a child jumping on the roof of their car.

That was helpful

DP and I have been camping loads but always seem to manage to be the cabaret while setting up, as discussions escalate into furious hissing at each other until we realise the two year old is missing only to be found paddling in the freezing sea with shoes, socks, trousers, coat all soaking wet.

It is cold st the moment. Hot water bottles saved the day for us over the bank holiday.

DH bought and beautifully wrapped a mallet for my birthday last year.
A considerable amount of willpower was used in not testing it out immediately

I think the children must have been cold. (not mine but dc's in halfords tent opposite)

We had the had the half hour extended version of ' I want my mummy' screamed at 2 am followed by a 5:30 protest that it wasn't time to go swimming yet.

My 2 are still asleep

oooh oooh what was the site like Baileys? We are off there for the Jubilee weekend, anything we should know?

Oh God, that is going to be us!

We camped there last year, up on the top field along the fence I loved it and would go back and would thoroughly recommend!

I am as we probably won't be going camping this year

Lovely site, spotless showers and a really nice vibe. Pool doesn't open until June 1st.

The red kites are amazing to watch and it's only a 10 min walk into Henley. If you walk through Henley following the river (don't go over the bridge) there is a good play park in the water meadows.

Can't believe that it's only 30 miles from home and we have never been before. We will definitely be going back.

Get the nice man on reception to give you directions to the chippy. Largest, nicest portions of fish and chips I've ever had. Had a really nice meal in the pub opposite Starbucks / patisserie Valerie as well.

As they were not busy they let us stay until 4pm on Sunday for no extra charge. Always a plus point as you can get the tent dry properly.

The halfords tent family packed up and left by 9am. Overheard them saying that they were too tired and cold to hang around for breakfast. It's such a shame when people get put off by buying the cheapo tent packs.

We watched a group on the next pitch put all their carefully foil wrapped potatoes on a metal grid over their campfire on saturday evening, with the flames merrily leaping around the potatoes.

I expect they had cheese and beans for dinner

Sounds great! Will write down those recommendations :) As we go on June 2nd I am praying for a heatwave as I'd very much like to spend some time round that pool!

Thanks for the info.