Single mum + dd (3) getting bus to campsite -help me pack light!

[Lmccrean]

Looking for a 3 person tent (dd sprawls, lol) which can be put up easy and is light, as Ill be getting a bus to and from the campsite, carrying everything. And Ive never put a tent up in my life...

Any reccomendations?

Anyone tried the starter pack from millets? Is it a decent tent?

Lmccrean think we may have that started tent in the loft let me check with dh as if we do you can have it.

if you are using a bus, then bed rolls, not camp beds or inflatables and good lightweight sleeping bags (but get 3 season ones so you don't feel cold) Are you planning on cooking?

for lighting one of these
\link{http://www.wildday.co.uk/productslist.aspx?DepartmentId=24&selection=1&categoryID=147&productGroupID=511\the gelert torch lantern} It converts from a torch to a lantern, ideal for reading stories at night with!

oooh..that would be cool! In Northern Ireland tho, so cant do a pick up! Just saw millets have a sale on too :)

pants - is it the family starter? just realised the "standard" one is only 2 person - lady in shop told me it was 3 person.

\link{http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Outdoor_Megastore_Single_Hoop_Tents_151.html\what about this one for a sleeps three, and dead easy to put up and very light weight}

4.5kg too much or OK? gelert Eiger 3, 3 man lightweight weekender, 16 X 63 cm pack size, only seen it in catalogue but looks ideal.Alternatively Tornado 3, also 3 person, higher 4 kg, 15 X 50 cm pack size.

Really basic tent but on a campsite that's what you need! if you'e going for more than a weekend, do what my Sisdoes, and buty a wilkinsons cheapest gazebo at the destination for about £20 then give away at the end of the week, ditto cheap plastic chairs.

\link{http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=51101801&desc=TORNADO+3+TENT&\ tornado- £39.95}

\link{http://www.wildday.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=651\ eiger £32}

good prices both

will you be needing a cooker? even if it is just to make drinks in the morning?

How long are you going for?

\link{http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/pp/Cooking/Lightweight_Stoves/Gelert_Portable_Gas_Cooker.html\This stove} looks like a lightweight one and much more stable than the upright ones.

lmccrean....can you see how sad we are, all rushing to wildday etc to look for stuff for you. It's because we are all addicts!

shopping vicariously is soooo much cheaper and nearly as much fun!

we have the cheaper of \link{http://www.charliesstoresltd.co.uk/product_pages/product_details.asp?ProductID=1708\ these} it comes in a bag and you can always get the gas on site if you don't want to carry it.

I know, we really do need help don't we lol

OR we could make a fortune starting an advice site for camping famillies, or writinga book!

(do you know I keep my tent catalogue by the PC now? LOL)

Will prob cook, but just get those disposable bbqs when i get there, rather than lug stuff around. Will prob just use our picnic rug instead of chairs :)

Regarding weight, I lifted a 4.5 kg one in millets, and it seemed fine.

Are bed rolls those rubbery pad things? Sorry for being so thick!

We will be going for a few days next week, if i get my act together, and then hopefully for longer periods over summer, just travelling round NI to start off with. After that, it would be weekends only as dd will be in nursery (if I can get out of this weekend work!)

Any of \link{http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/results.asp?region=Overseas&county=N%20Ireland\these sites} any use to you? The people on ukcamping are super helpful and the reviews of the sites are pretty spot on!

yes, those are bed rolls

You can get all sorts of supadupa ones

What sort of price range are you looking at?

Disposable BBQs are OK, but get expensive. Will you want a cuppa in the morning for example?

something like this

\link{http://www.wildday.co.uk/productslist.aspx?DepartmentId=24&selection=1&categoryID=144&productGroupID=208\the camping gaz one} is about the weight of 2 packs of butter and you can pick up the gas cylinder on most sites

nah, i dont really drink hot drinks. will get disposable bbqs for first few times, until i work out how much I can carry, and how close the closest chippy/takeaway is....

OK, but will you need plates? If you do, go to asdas they do plastic plates, cups etc dirt cheap and being plastic very light.

\link{http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Outdoor_Megastore_Vango_Nitestar_Sleeping_Bags_33.html\this is a good adult bag

my kids have a gelert kids bag and it good.

oh, and price range - cheap is good, but happy to pay a bit more for good quality and ease of use!

ah ha, plates etc - dd will be "responsible" for those -ie putting them in her backpack and bringing them on bus. lol. Asda is pretty new to here - think there is one round here somewhere!

lucycampcat - thats a great site - thank you.

This is the place Im planning to go first, as its not far from home :) \link{http://www.larne.gov.uk/carnfunnock_attractions_and_activities.html\Carnfunnock}

In terms of sleeping pads there are thought to be the muts nuts, but I don't have one myself (the mat, not the mut! LOL)

\link{http://www.outdoorgarage.com/acatalog/Self_Inflating_Mattresses.html?GCID=S15915x003&KEYWORD=sleeping+mat\ thermarest, good but not cheap}

erm...when it says Tent (2 person) £8, Tent (3-5 person) £12.50 , is it the size of the tent, or the number of people in it? looks like its the size of the tent?

number of people. But it is a generous estimation for number of people IYSWIM. So going for a three birth rather than a 2 for you and dd would be a good idea IMHO

great, cause the £4 difference could add up! Right, off home now and will check back tomorrow and attempt to compare all the recommended tents! Thank you all :)

try to get a tent with a hydrostatic head (HH) of 2000mm. This is a good level of waterproofness for use in the UK