following on from the 'what type of camper are you' thread......

[princesscc]

I'm starting camping this year. We've research and bought the tent, got the cooker and the airbeds and sleeping bags. I've got all the basic stuff I think we will need, but what is the one thing that you have found really useful to have, that I won't think of?

The air pumps are a good idea- and cost about a fiver or so in Tesco.

We don't tkae food, there are supermarkets enough wherever you head! The only exception is for trips of 2 nights, its not worth wasting the time shopping.

I would recommend caravan and camping club membership- their sites are nice (like the one in cardigan bay a lot)

wine boxes are much better than bottles - that way when you are camping on a slope and they fall over - and they will - you don't spill any wine!

Second the wine box idea, we remove them from the box so the cardboard dosn't go all soggy in the cool box (bag of ice)

So lets just re-cap - Don't forget the cork screw, red wine coz you don't need to cool it and take boxes of wine coz they're easier! Are all campers alcoholics!! If so, I think I'm gonna fit right in!

Erm yes, isn't that the point of camping?????

Peachy scratches head trying to think why else one would spend all night in a cold piece of canvas.....

no, there are some green camper / serious backpacker types out there. They're odd

(I suppose this would be the wrong time to say DH takes JD as it doubles as a great chicken / steak marinade....)

Welcome to camping, hic

earplugs
(DH is a snorer and apparently it is compulsory for anybody else who camps within a five mile radius of my tent to snore loudly all night too....

whisky!

hot water bottle [wimp emoticon]

It's all that alcohol FMV. Makes me snore too

I always take flipflops for the shower too.

always bring lots of tea towels and hand towels - great for moping up, and for when the weather's crap and you still have to do the washing up!

Another wino here

Collapsible crates (mentioned before) are fab, great for taking the washing up in etc.

The phone No & directions to (if they won't deliver) the local takeaways!

Bin bags - great for wet stuff as well as rubbish.

Hot water bottles?

Sun cream (we have been caught unawares).

Extra matches.

Lantern.

Mozzie spray, you never know you might need it!

Old terry squares are great as mops/hand towels/teatowels/any emergency you can imagine.

We have the collapsable crates and Ikea bag for the beach too Lucycat!

My tips would be take a carrier bag for the shower. If it's only a small cubicle you can put all your clothes in there and hang it on the door.

I also take an old towel to put on the floor for when I get out of the shower. They're often covered in grass/mud, which is a bit inevitable when camping.

Also, put a blanket or mat (or both) underneath your mattress as the cold comes up from the ground - you need blankets underneath as well as on top of you.

I just found cold water disposable sterilising bags.I can'twait for it to warm up so I can take ds on his first trip.

an open mind and a screw-top tupperware for night-time loo emergencies.

The one thing i didnt take last year (first time camping) and will take this year is a foldup chair for me - i squeezed my behind into a childs plastic chair for a week and it wasnt very comfy. There was no room left in the car for my chair and i thought i could manage......

The one thing i did take last year and wont take this year was a 20 strong soft-toy menagerie - all of whom just Had to Come.

This year there Will be room!

This thread is making me so excited about camping this year.

I reckon the reason alcohol is such an essential is that you have no chance of sleep unless it is under the influence of well over a bottle of wine.

Then wake up at 5am when it goes light.

My essentials include a collapsible water bottle and a compact gas powered light (is about 5 ft high and great for evenings on the porch.

Wind up torches and lanterns are fab and you don't end up running out of batteries.
We also keep a 'loo bag' (contains loo roll, kandoos, squirty soap, small towel etc) next to entrance to tent, then when you need to go everything is ready and you don't have to play 'hunt the loo roll'!

Agree with others about door mat, brush and dustpan, collapsable crates and proper mugs.