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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

HEY - YOU GUYS CAMPING NEXT WEEK - I HOPE THIS WEATHER GETS BETTER

57 replies

sparkler1 · 18/05/2006 22:57

We are camping for four nights a week tomorrow and the weather at the moment is dreadful. Tonight the wind is blowing a gale, the last few days have been heavy rain.
Let's hope it improves.

OP posts:
giddy1 · 21/05/2006 16:18

Sorry to be a pain but can someone help me with a guide to the basics and essentials for camping (I know you need a tent)Wink
We have one for years and have never used it!!!
Is there a good thread in the archives with tips etc.
I know this sounds rediculous but I just said to dh ......."we'll have to practice putting the tent up in the garden" and his reply was "but its all concrete!" because it is a massive yard rather than a lawn.
I think I need a list of practicle bits to take/not take etc.
I would hate to be arguing in front of other people because we don't know how to erect the tent. That is how new to camping we are.

KBear · 21/05/2006 16:19

I am quite mad in that I don't care about the rain or the midgies, I just love being there. Although I will be snug in my massive statis caravan with all mod cons not in a tent.

I have packed sun block - ever the optimist!

KBear · 21/05/2006 16:21

Giddy - It's a rite of passage that you have to have a massive row with your old man when putting up the tent, it's kind of law when you're new to camping. Good to put it up at home rather than crying in front of a whole campsite!!!!

sallystrawberry · 21/05/2006 16:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jessajam · 21/05/2006 16:22

have said before, will say again, putting up a new tent is one of the THE tests of a relationship (my tactic is to suggest the right action once, maybe twice, wait patiently and assist compliantly while DH doesn't do as I suggest until he gets into huff and then step in calmy and cooly and do what I suggested in the 1st place...we have this down to a fine art now!!)

LucyCampCat · 21/05/2006 16:24

Have a look at \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=3&threadid=8402\this thread} it's quite good, when the archives are back up, there are oodles of good threads!

yep agree borrowing a friend's garden is good!

peachyClair · 21/05/2006 16:28

Dh will be putting up a new tent after no sleep (has to work night before.... again) so that'll be fun LOL!

What we took last year: tent (always a good idea IMO); chairs (for adults only, kids got pushchair or booster cushions from car); single burner stove; 2 readibeds plus extra bedding; travel cot plus bedding; airbed, two duvets; plus basic crockery etc and a lantern.

What weare adding this year (although last year was fab):
extra chairs for kids; better stove; airbed and sleeping bag for eldest, no travel cot.

Lots of extra lanterns.

Bigger tent {grin] Grin Grin

Next year adding roof box, EHU and a table. I want a kitchen tent, dh says bugger off.

giddy1 · 21/05/2006 16:31
Grin I kind of knew that would be the answer. I believe no amount of practice will make for a perfect first attempt at the real thing. DH and I love a good row!!!! The problem is we will be keeping an eye on a year old baby and DD1 who is autistic and has a tendency to be in the way and getting on my nerves (ah bless her), so I need to be fairly organised. I have just had an idea of doing a dummy run in mil's garden which is lovely and quiet in an oxfordshire village....(will choose a time when she goes away so she doesn't hear my evil tongue!!) My girls actually love being togged up in rain clothes and rambling on walks etc so I suppose they are made of strong enough stuff to do this camping thing!!!!
giddy1 · 21/05/2006 16:35

thanks for those tips
ooh travel cot..had not thought of that

Another question about sites
Near to toilets and facilities or as far away as possible??????
Do you just use a portaloo ????
sorry for yukky question

Blandmum · 21/05/2006 16:36

Bucket with a lid!

Jessajam · 21/05/2006 16:39

Reasonable distance from facilities.
We would rather trek for a bit to get to loos than be trekked past by the whole campsite as they head for them...
and yes, once ds is potty-training, bucket with a lid ( in fact, actually want one now, cos can't afce anouthr 2 in the morning dilemma about trekking in cold and dark/holding it and being unable to sleep/peeing on grass!!Blush )

Blandmum · 21/05/2006 16:42

oh and get a 'loo' bag. One big enough for loo roll, soap and a hand towel. Just grab and go!

peachyClair · 21/05/2006 16:43

the campsite e went to last year had lots of shower / loo blocks. so being only a inute away was enough to stop the traffice. It was perfect.
big up for Wood Farm in Charmouth.

Giddy, DS1 is Aspergers and camping is ideal because we transport our safe familiar space with us. Travel cots are ideal as they act as a playpen when you are cooking too.

We don't use a portaloo.... boys aim way too bad!

peachyClair · 21/05/2006 17:49

\link{http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=Southampton&day=4\metsearch}

gives the weather on the days we are away (thursday until tuesday) as ........ mainly dry!!!

I knew buying wellies would work Wink

giddy1 · 22/05/2006 15:05

Anyone seen the lidl's 8 man tent?
Just done a 70 mile round trip in monsoon conditions only to fail to find it anywhere. They have up to 5 man tent but we don't find ours big or tall enough.
The customer service people refused to give me any phone numbers of the stores claiming they are ex-directory (thought I'd save myself a journey if I could know in advance if the store didn't stock it)
Anyone seen them in their nearest store?

SecondhandRose · 22/05/2006 15:08

The thoughts of unloading the car after camping are really scary for me.

Jessajam · 22/05/2006 15:09

oooh metsearch gives me some hope for camping in cornwall this weekend.....

peachyClair · 22/05/2006 16:20

newport Lidl has it, or it did this morning
we got their lantern- Dh very impressed, and as DH a lighting erm, enthusiast that's good!

Wisp · 22/05/2006 16:23

I'm in Devon, near Torquay this weekend- looks like rain :( bum

peachyClair · 22/05/2006 16:29

I wouldn't worry, the long range forecasts are improvinga s the days go by, and even the met office admit beyond 2 days is guess work!

groggymama · 22/05/2006 19:39

we've just thrown in the soggy towel, what a nightmare the last two nights in a tent have been, we flounced off the campsite today 4 days early, slunk home to grandparents, we've left the tent and aim to retrieve it tomorrow Sad
its not cos I missed mn!

SOULGIRL · 22/05/2006 20:12

UKCAMSITE have a useful checklist...excuse me if the link goes pearshaped - i dont always seem to get it right!!! But you will get the gist of it!!

\link{http://ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=7}

Yeah I know im a bit of an anorak but its quite a useful site, specially the reviews of the campsites.

Original poster
sparkler1 · 24/05/2006 20:34

oh dear Sad oh dear Sad oh dear Sad oh dearSad - this is NOT good.

OP posts:
SOULGIRL · 24/05/2006 21:38

It was sunny for about 15 minutes today so I convinced myself I really WANT to go camping this weekend. I have a hideous aversion to mud though.

Unfortunately cannot drink myself into enjoying it as

  1. hubby will beat me to it and I will have to take care of the kids.
  1. I get a dreadful hangover after 2 alcopops these days.
Surfermum · 24/05/2006 22:00

I'm off to look for a new pair of wellies tomorrow. Mine seem to have shrunk. Going to dig out my all in one waterproof boat suit that I normally wear afloat too. Looks like a lifejacket might be useful too Grin.

All together now campers:

Always look on the bright side of life
de dum de dum de dum de dum