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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.

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Original poster

So tell me your secrets, how on earth do you get a good nights sleep when camping ?

73 replies

rookiemum · 15/07/2007 11:07

We bought our tent a few weeks ago. V. excited meant to go away last time but cancelled as camp site flooded. Weather reports very mixed for this weekend and as we have a 15 mth DS decided to pitch tent in garden to try it.

Anyway DS slept like a baby right up to 1.48am when we decided to go inside because we couldn't sleep at all.

We have a double air bed and linked the two sleeping bags together. We found that the air bed lurched us both into the middle, and every time one person moved the other one did as well. Also we have camped in a two person tent before, this was a family tent with rooms and it was a lot colder than we were used to.

We have two separate air beds and are thinking about using these instead as might be better.

What arrangements do you find work best for you to sleep ?

OP posts:

justgivemeoneminute · 15/07/2007 11:14

Definitely use separate air beds...we've got a double and it was so uncomfortable because when dh moved I rolled towards him and spent the night moving further and further to the edge so I was virtually on the ground! If you have separate beds it's a lot easier and less rolling! We also use separate sleeping bags - I like to be snuggled up and feel the cold - dh doesn't....the kids have their own air beds and sleeping bags too.

StripeyBroomstickSpottyWand · 15/07/2007 13:07

lots of beer.

dd sleeps in our room in the tent as she won't go in her own yet. We have seperate air mattress things, they're just the very thin backpacking air mats, not the big mattresses so you don't roll about on them. And we don't link sleeping bags.

moopymoo · 15/07/2007 14:54

we have a double mattress each, dcs have a single each though mini ds tends to end up with me. we are quite large people, a shared double plus a toddler did not work...plus i hate sleeping bags we take duvets and blankets. kids have bags though.

Lucycat · 15/07/2007 14:55

Put picnic blankets under your air beds (some say on but we don't) take a proper pillow, a warm sleeping bag and lots of layers - I find that if you are warm then you will sleep. Hot water bottles too!

Are you in the same room as ds, when it's really cold we all sleep together and the body heat creates warmth. You may well find that your separate air beds does the trick.

oh yes and beer!

Original poster

rookiemum · 15/07/2007 17:39

Thanks everyone, we will go back to the separate air beds.

Beer sadly will not work, I already need to go to the loo at least once a night so I dread to think what I would be like after a couple of drinks.

DS in another section as we all find it hard to sleep in the same bit, plus we wouldn't all have fitted, but maybe if its really cold we should rethink that.

Thanks

OP posts:

Wisteria · 15/07/2007 17:43

Get as much exercise as you can in the daytime, that way you're so exhausted you sleep like a log - and don't share anything, pillows/ duvets/ or airbeds!

Wisteria · 15/07/2007 17:44

Oh and you could try a stiff spirit type drink before you settle down - doesn't create as much pressure on the bladder!

bilblio · 15/07/2007 17:54

Duvets.
We do have a double mattress, singles would have been better but we make do now. But we can't deal with sleeping bags, even single ones are too confined I can't stretch my legs.
We take 2 duvets, one for underneath us, one for on top. Also proper pillows.

Also when you go to a campsite rather than your garden you'll have had plenty of fresh air the day before which always helps with sleeping.

ejt1764 · 15/07/2007 17:58

We have one of these ... you don't lurch together at all, and it's really comfortable. We also use duvets as we find them more comfortable!

Also, putting a blanket under the airbed and between airbed and sheet seems to insulate from ground draughts.

Oh, and take a potty for those night-time wee stops!

Kbear · 15/07/2007 17:58

kingsize sleeping bags, lots of running around in the day, a large night cap!

justgivemeoneminute · 15/07/2007 18:05

We slept in our back garden a couple of weeks ago sharing a double air bed...my husband is just over 6ft and such a fidget in bed....never again will I share an airbed with him - it was a water bed - I had to get up for a wee just before 2am...I walked past our bedroom to get to the bathroom.....and on my way back I thought 'sod it...I'm going to bed'. Needless to say he didn't notice me missing until the kids woke him up at 5am!

justgivemeoneminute · 15/07/2007 18:06

sorry....it was LIKE a water bed..!

Peachy · 15/07/2007 18:11

alcohol helps I find

we havea fleece on the floor, then a readybed but wedont sleep in it (its ike a poly bag the adult one, all cold yet youre still sweaty- yuck), on top we pop a Lichfield flannel lined double (argos)

works a treat

LordPan · 15/07/2007 18:20

I have found that alcohol is crucial, Peachy.

PandaG · 15/07/2007 18:22

ear plugs and an eye mask are useful too, once you have found your preferred sleeping bag/duvet/airbed combo. we use a double outwell self inflating matress (5cm thick version, 3.5 cm doesn't cut it) and 2 sleeping bags zipped together, layers of clothes, and a blanket over the top.

Alcohol is also pretty much a given!

Original poster

rookiemum · 15/07/2007 19:21

I like the idea of the stiff drink wisteria - makes camping seem like an endurance sport !

Also liked the potty tip, I had been thinking of that as DS will need potty trained in the not too distant future, but DH was adamant that none of my wee shall remain in the tent, don't ask me why I don't know, he has seen me in labour so its not as if I retain any mystique.

I always use ear plugs, as DH tends to snore a bit and it helps him to hear DS first, hee hee.

OP posts:

milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo · 15/07/2007 19:22

Two single airbeds, duvet,pillows, thermals, sex and wine

peanutbear · 15/07/2007 19:23

Brandy !!!!!

mabelmurple · 15/07/2007 19:34

Definitely get a self-inflating mattress - air beds have too much air volume which doesn't heat up, making you feel very cold. Also, wear lots of layers in bed - always thick socks, a vest, (and a tee shirt if very cold), thermal leggings - the works. Not very sexy, but neither is feeling like death because you've had no sleep. Get a three season mummy shaped sleeping bag and draw the hood around your head.

Lucycat · 15/07/2007 19:36

wow mabel - hard core!

I don't like to camp at anything less than freezing!

mabelmurple · 15/07/2007 20:17

LOL Lucycat!

Wisteria · 15/07/2007 22:20

Camping is a bloody endurance sport (well t'is for me anyway)

Frizbe · 15/07/2007 22:27

hmmm we're at the stage where dd1 shares a double airbed with me, dd2 is in the travel cot and dh and ss share a room with single matresses, so guess whatever works to keep em all asleep!

MollyWeasleyWays · 15/07/2007 22:28

Mulled wine is good, also warming! We have also just got a self-inflating foam filled mattress to replace our airbed.

Wisteria · 16/07/2007 09:17

OOh - how much was that Molly?

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