Tell me everything about camping...

[MrsPiddlewink]

Somehow I have agreed to going camping this year. I've put it off for about 5 years.

We have nothing.

What are the essentials?

There are 5 of us (DH is very tall) + dog. Kids aged 3 - 9. Will a 5 berth tent be big enough? What features should be looking out for? Do we need a carpet?!

Please give me your tried and tested tips to make this experience as bearable as possible!!

LOL Lancelottie - he was grazing the ceiling at the sides, yes.

We've located an extra long camp bed and sleeping bag, but seating has been an issue as nothing seems to be rated over 90kg which is about 14st I think. DH is 100kg at race weight so will be on a bench at the table but I anticipate significant wear on the chair as I think that was 100kg or less. Bet he swaps with me frequently to knacker both even out the wear.

In related "DH can be a dick" topics, he hates wearing anything in bed. I was planning to pack his vair vair sexy Christmas fleece onesie regardless. I will be right, won't I?

I never go without my hook up and heater.. ever. unless the hookups are booked up then I inwardly seethe

Best camping tip I read on MN; take the pouch out of a white-wine box and freeze it.
Cold wine + giant ice block.
Win.

MrsHathaway yes you will be right. My dh hates wearing anything in bed too, but when we go camping he ends up sleeping in jogging bottoms and a hoodie! (he doesn't own pjs, such is his dislike normally).

Presumably you don't take a full wine bag?

Yassss about onesie. I may pretend I have not packed it...

Oh and I went and bought the pretty solar-powered fairy lights. I got plain green (tent is green) and some truly so-fugly-they're-gorgeous multi-coloured mini lantern things on a long string. I couldn't find any windmills larger than two inches across [woe]

LOL Lancelottie We do play "hunt the DS", but I meant bunting! Fat finger typos!
All this kit talk has revived my camping keeness! Off to drool over sites and make a shortlist.

We love camping. Has anyone mentioned bog in a bag for those 5am wees? Tunnel shaped tents are easier to put up. Spare blankets. Proper mugs. Bistro type stove and kettle. Something to carry water. Mop bucket for washing up. Good lights and torches. Hoody and joggers for sleeping. Wellies whatever the weather. Wet wipes for hand washing. Fold out chairs and some sort of table. We use a car ciggy lighter pump for blowing up airbeds. Pegs for hanging out towels. Lots of tea towels. Room in the tent to sit on a chair if it's raining.

I've just freezed the whole bag in the past.

Do let it defrost well before drinking of you'll be drinking just the alcohol which isn't pleasant.

Some great tips - thank you everyone!

Actually might be coming round to the idea

Think we've decided on this tent

Do we need the footprint and carpet do you think?

You don't need them but its certainly more pleasant with them so if budget allows I would!

What does the footprint do?

I've seen that tent in action. Go for it! Its amazing

I think the footprint stops wet (and possibly cold) from coming up from the ground. You could use a tarp but you'd have to fold or cut it to get the pegs in the right places.

It also protects the built in groundsheet from being damaged by stones, etc. if you get a small hole in your footprint it's not a big deal but a hole in your expensive tent is.

With a footprint you can easily plan the position you will pitch your tent in and move it about until you are happy.
Then when you pack up, often the underside of the groundsheet is wet and muddy and you have to clean and dry it before you told your tent otherwise the wet mud gets on your tent walls and you have to unfold the whole thing and dry / clean it when you get home. The footprint keeps your groundsheet clean and dry, and is much easier to unpack by itself and sling over the washing line to sweep off the mud etc once home. Not essential, but practical.
Personally I don't bother with a carpet , we just never spend any time inside the tent unless we are sleeping. And I need to keep the car load under control. But carpets do help keep the tent warmer.

We have a 6 person vango (4 of us and dog).
Well recommended,and it stood up well in 'tail end of hurricane csmping' last Summer with no damage.

One of the pound shops does a frog that croaks when someone crosses its path.
I'm taking it next time to go in the entrance to the toilet block.

In related "DH can be a dick" topics, he hates wearing anything in bed. I was planning to pack his vair vair sexy Christmas fleece onesie regardless.
This is why I love MN. I pop over to check out the camping thread and stumble over this.
The thought of it will entertain me all day.

Flip flops/ Crocs to wear in the shower

I am normally quite a robust sort of person, but the muddy, hairy, grassy shower cubicles give me the serious heeby jeebies :(

Always choose a site with good showers. We used to use UK Campsites which is a kind of Trip Advisor for campers.
We started small and worked up with tents. We (DC and I) had a three man and just did one night the first time and ate out, just making tea/coffee on a small gas stove. Eventually we worked up to a Gelert Horizon 8 which was great (don't know if they still make it, but they will have an 8 man) and lots of equipment.
One thing to remember is that big tents take up a lot of space in the car and sometimes come in two bags. By the time we were really into camping we had a Ford Galaxy packed to the roof and there were only four of us! (DH enjoyed it too in the end).
You are making me nostalgic OP. We downsized to a Vango 500 at the end of our camping career and as a brand they are pretty good.

So sleeping, do I have this right?

Yoga mats.
SIM's for all of us... one each?
2 season sleeping bags.
Pillow and blankets.

Take phone number of nearby B&B just in case.

DD and I gave up last Easter (when the tentpole broke) and upped sticks to my parents, 40 miles away, for the night.

2 season sleeping bags? I would go for warmer - 3 season at the least.

Apologies if any of this is repetition as I haven't RTFT.

Have you checked Ebay and Gumtree for bargain tents? At this time of year you can do really well (admittedly I can't see any Nadinas on Ebay at the moment). We got a Vango Palena last year for about £200. So if you are prepared to be flexible with the exact model you might do well.

If no one has already said it, headtorches are the bollocks, allowing you to go handsfree which can be v useful at times. You will look deeply uncool, but who cares on the way to the loo in the middle of the night with your fluffy PJs on and only the owls to judge you?

The wine tip is a fab one - similarly for first night meals (though I am sure others have said already). Where you can to save space, source collapsible things, eg, collapsible washing up bowls, kettles, buckets, bowls etc etc

ALDI also have their camping event coming up sonn and there are usually some good bargains to be had.

Happy camping!

PS, again apologies if this has already been suggested but these chairs look good for the taller/bigger person: www.caseysoutdoorleisure.co.uk/item/Kampa/The-Guvnor-Armchair/54C?gclid=CNmsqNyftMQCFUnLtAodhxgAYg