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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

Ok No Turning Back, We Are Going Camping!!!!!!

71 replies

magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 12:14

Just booked the pitch, 4 nights 27th August A haven site in Dorset

Just got to get the tent now!!!
So questions!!!.....

1: 7 of us in the tent, 2 adults, 5 kids is this tent ok? here
2: We are going for the basic pitch without elec hook up. Are we mad???
3: I need to find the most easy to use but cheapish stuff for making tea, cooking dinner on?
4: What do I sleep ds1 in he will be 9 months old?
5: Any tips to make it kind of stress free???

Oh god I am going camping!!!!!!

OP posts:
ktmoomoo · 19/05/2007 12:20

for a start camping .. are you mad lol
tent looks great though , you need a travel cot for baby,power suply would have been better to be honest with you though.
good luck hun , i think you gonna need it lol
no really , have a great time xxxx

VerySensibleKbear · 19/05/2007 12:21

Robert Dyas have camping stuff - melamine plates etc as well as chairs and stoves. Check out ebay too for equipment that people are flogging when they've had one rain lashing camping trip too many!!

Good luck - have fun.

PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 12:21

tent is an A1 brand, will be fine.

I would give the new zips a spray with waterproofer (a few quid from Millets) but seems like a good buy.

Never used anything except a basic pitch in may years (21!) of camping, can't see point of EHu bar a fridge and cant be arsed just for fridge iyswim

ds1- one of those my first ready beds, with an extra fleece blanket- thats what we did for ds3. A travel cot is an alternative, if so line it with fleece as well fro insulation.

I would seriosuly recommend you but either a camping gaz party grill combo which will do all of you, or 2 of the party grills- cheap and easy and we have relied on these with great results.

Stress- just remember to relax! Let the kids be kids and they will have fun, being rigid about food / sleep / etc won't be.

VerySensibleKbear · 19/05/2007 12:22

We don't have a hook up, we are REAL campers! It's fun. I don't want it like home from home.

PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 12:23

Nah kbear you're not proper campers unless you have a 2ft high tent with at least a 6" gap between groundsheet and fly.

Or at least that was the unit owned by some bloke last time we were away who kept making jibes about us not being proper campers LOL!

ktmoomoo · 19/05/2007 12:24

im a caravan or cottage holiday person camping just not appeal to me at all!!!!

VerySensibleKbear · 19/05/2007 12:32

Peachy - his opinion doesn't count as he was obviously barking mad!!

I am a wuss when it comes to bedding when I'm camping, it's like the princess and pea in our tent. Layers is the secret!!

I can't wait to go again.

DeviousDaffodil · 19/05/2007 12:34

Just bought tent last week.
We have a shop nearby called 'The Range' which sells good value camping gear. Not sur f they have them elsewhere.
Also check out Lidl/ Aldis.
Can't wait to use ours!

Original poster
magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 12:34

Thanks ladies

Ok hubby wants to use bbq for most of the cooking??? Is that as good as a campingaz thingy or not? He says what about a bbq and a gas stove for boiling water?

I am so paranoid about gas bottles, how easy to use and what abou the kids?? (got images of explosions )

OP posts:
ktmoomoo · 19/05/2007 12:35

bar b que great idea i recon

PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 12:36

Thats fine, do look at the camping gaz thing as its much like a barbecue with the griddle on but no risk of smoke. have a think about the stove you use if you do get one, stability is all important imo, esp. with kids!

Original poster
magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 12:39

Ok, how easy are the gas bottles to use ect.... Do you just buy a gas bottle hook it up and hey presto?
God can't you ell I'm a beginner
And what about toilets???

OP posts:
PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 12:39

you'll find the ones we use plus other great alternatives on here

I was worried about the gas too, but its always been OK. Youc antr eally get by without if you want hot drinks

DeviousDaffodil · 19/05/2007 12:40

I have a camping gaz barbie it is great and easy to use.
Gas bottles are safe all sealed and have taps etc,

PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 12:41

Toilets vary by the sites, have a look at the uk campsite website- has reviews for a great many sites on it. Camping and caravan club sites are great for beginners, as the owners are able to help and the facillities are always clean- however theya re a bit basic in terms of no entertainment etc.

Whereabouts are you, I am sure someone can recommend a few sites?

Original poster
magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 12:50

Have booked a pitch at Haven, Seaview, Dorset. Do we need a portaloo or is it ok to wander to the toilet block at 3am???

OP posts:
PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 12:52

You should be fine there, try and schedule in a visit to Charmouth is you've never been there- lovely. Quiet, but perfect for kids.

We go to the toilet blocks at 3am, but most people on here just use a buvket with a lid. Portaloos a bit expensive for just nightimes I think, unless you camp an awful lot.

Original poster
magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 12:56

Omg, I can imaginge my kids kicking the bucket over Thik I will take one for emergencies but try to use the toilets!

Right so the campingaz party grill, do I need a regulator for the gas or not? It says it boils water how?? I can only see the grill bit in the pic, does it do lots else?

Where do you put it when you aren't using it?

OP posts:
PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 13:04

the gas regulator comes with it, the unit has a stove ring built into it- the other attachments imp,y go over, much like a stove top gridle iyswim?

PeachyChocolateEClair · 19/05/2007 13:05

oh the party grill is quite basic, ring and then detachable griddle- the combo also has a bowl you can use for stir fry / curry / etc etc etc really. Only thing we might take a pan for is pasta

Original poster
magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 13:20

ok, great How long does the gas last?

I am going to wimp out and get take aways

OP posts:
Original poster
magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 13:24

Ok more......

If it's cold, I know it's august but you never know. Do you use heaters?

Do you take all the stuff (cooking /plates ect) up to get washed or wash them by the tent?

OP posts:
Original poster
magnolia1 · 19/05/2007 13:41

Ok help!!! There is another tent on Ebay this one

So the sunncamp or this one?????

OP posts:
Mercy · 19/05/2007 14:06

We don't use heaters (didn't know you could get them) - just dress in loads of layers if it's cold; thermals come in handy.

Camp site usually provide a washing-up area (sink, hot/cold water, draining board) Put your dirty crockery etc into your bowl and take it over to the sink - just wash and dry and put it all back in the bowl. You will need a couple of tea-towels, a scourer and some washing up liquid.

dustystar · 19/05/2007 14:24

The lid on the bucket helps with spillages magnoliaTake plenty of things for the kids to play with no matter what the weather to help reduce stress. Argos do a box of games for about £10 that has been used a lot on our holidays, also colouring books and pancils, playdough, wikistix etc. Anything that will occupy the children but not take up too much space. We have a swingball anywhere and we fill its box with other outdoor stuff too.

How old are your children? I live in dorset and may be able to recommend a few days out.