Things you have learnt when camping this "summer" (using term loosely!!)

[Kbear]

I learnt that it is better to wake DH and tell him I am creeping across him to reach my bag than to make him jump and think we have an intruder

I learnt that waterproof on the label of a jacket doesn't necessarily mean that.

I learnt that no matter how many pairs of socks the kids have you will need to treble it.

I learnt that no sleep is not conducive to happy marriage. (High winds, tent flapping, stress of being blown into lagoon = no sleep).

I learnt that it's not the rain that is the problem, it's the wind.

I learnt that jumping in muddy puddles is fun fun fun, though the fun is diminished for me if they are actually inside the tent.

I learnt that dh is not foolproof when it comes to packing so I must Grow Up and Take Responsibility a bit more.

I learnt not to trust bantams when there is food about.

I learnt that if you use an airbed you might as well buy one of those pumps that plugs into the car cigarette lighter.

Lucycat, I second the bit about windy coastal sites. We would have taken off at East Fleet this week, were it not for DH double and triple pegging it down. (My hero emoticon).

i learned to keep food locked in the car when camping amongst New Forest ponies.

I learned to take a portable radio when bad weather is forecast but that local radio forecasts can be useless.

I learned that taking a small real bbq rather than disposables is much nicer to use.

I learned that we need a new tent

Bad Kitten - where in the New Forest were you? We want to go there again.

I learned that my children love just being allowed to be. They don't need a six foot teenager dressed as a monkey and smelling of fags wandering round a "clubhouse" at 10pm whilst their parents drink themselves stupid; they don't need a beach that's as crowded as the Northern Line on a Monday; they just need a few other children and a safe place and they'll run around until they drop.
I, on the other hand, learned that I need a large cup of proper coffee every morning. And I don't like other people very much.
And I quite like Zinfandel. In buckets.

Kbear - we go to Hollands Wood. Where do you go? We are going back mid september when dd has a couple of inset days.

Last time we had a really cheeky pony who first tried to nick the marshmallows off the rug. We took them off him so he tried to get into our open tent. The second time he arrived he had our bananas off us before we could say boo. I was talking to dh when I felt a presence over my shoulder and there he was again!

Fully agree with all you say brandnewhelsey. Except I prefer beer
All dd needs is some other kids and we are all happy.

We have been to Holland Wood BadKitten and last time camped at Romsey, just outside New Forest as couldn't get in it!

I like the other Forest sites but so many don't have loos and showers and I have camping hygiene issues! ie I do like a shower and a loo!!

I learned that I can sleep through people singing drunkenly at 3am but I Cannot sleep through a howling gale on a cliff top site.
I learned that I am not an athiest after all - I was definitely praying the tent (and us) would survive the night
I learned that all airbeds are a sack of shite.
I learned that I am always right and dh should have filled up the gas canister before we set off...!

brandnewhelsy - I'm with you on the other people thing - there were lots of campers at Trevornick this year who weren't 'campers' iykwim. No idea that polyester doesn't stop sound and that if I wanted to listen to their conversation then I would have taken a botle over and introduced myself. My kids have to abide by 'campsite quiet' when we're away - shame other people couldn't give a shoite.

I have learnt that I hate lots of windbreaks making a corral effect around 4 tents.

I like fresh croissants delivered by the baker for breakfast.

and at least 2 mugs of tea before i can talk properly to anyone - especially dh

Megalegs - PMSL at your dh buying a Dragonfly! Some of dh's hardcore mountaineering friends have those. Boils a kettle in no time flat, but I saw one flare up once and it was a bit too spectacular....

I agree, camping would be great if it weren't for the people. My favourite site is, unfortunately, 500 miles away and there, there are few people, I like that. I want my own field and deluxe toilet blocks!

you are exactly the same as my dh KBear - his own field with our own toilet block.

when we buy our campsite I'll book you in

I learnt that it can get as low as 5 degrees celsius in August in Britain, and that's too cold to sleep when you have an Argos sleeping bag.
Also learnt not to trust dh to pack everything on my list (which had included hot water bottles).
Agree about kids being much better behaved in the absence of screens.

Lucycat you should go to where we go, it's near Trevornick. There's a 10.30 curfew that everyone abides by. And very clean toilets.

First post on here, so be kind to me!! Been lurking for months but thought I would join in!

I learnt that no matter how much space you have in the car, it's never enough. Gained a roof box since last time, and still ended up sitting on the boot to get it shut. And stuffing as much as possible between the kids and at my feet.

I (well, DP actually) learnt it's not a good idea to boil the kettle on the one-burner stove without standing it on something first. Cue one big hole in the groundsheet. Whoops.

I learnt that if your pitch is on a 45 degree incline (at least it felt like it), you're not likely to get much sleep.

I learnt (well, remembered), that our electric coolbox is nigh-on useless and we're better off sticking to icepacks and the cheapy coolbag we got from Woolies.

I learnt that I should just ignore DP's words of wisdom when it comes to what we don't need, and take it anyway. Eg. spare gas for the lantern and wellies when you're going to a festival and it's been p*ing it down almost every day for the last three months.

I learnt that I should make sure we've packed the adaptor for the pump and not just take DP's word for it.

I learnt that we love Devon and Cornwall

I learnt that taking your big tent to a muddy festival is not a very wise idea, and you will come to regret it when you get home and have to try and clean the damn thing

This summer I learnt that ds is now tall enough to undo all the doors even when the zips are done up at the top. I also learnt how fast he can run when he wants to....

Welcome to Mumsnet LittleFriendSusan. This is probably a good place to start as the camping threads rarely kick off.
Love your name.

Lucycat, when were you at Trevornick? We were there from Aug 5-11 in the Sun Field, and there was one particular group who were really doing my head in, up (and rowdy) till all hours almost every night. Loved Holywell Bay though, and the walk to the beach was lovely, so that made up for it.

Thanks Kathyis6incheshigh I did want MillyMollyMandy but it was already taken!

I've had Mumsnet on my favourites since I was pg with DD (who's nearly 5), but had forgotten all about it till I found the camping board - and now I'm hooked!

I have learnt the following:

NEVER get to your pitch after dark. Especially not with overtired kids.
And especially not if it is one of those eco resorts that has pitches spread across a deep dark forest.

Starry - where is this eco resort then?

Following on from the post about the roofbox further down.... I learnt that it is blissfully easy to pack and repack when you have a big car, a roofbox and a trailer.. although I do have my eye on a massive transit van, just for the little extras (sofa, kitchen sink etc etc)

I learnt not to camp within earshot of a water feature otherwise I'm up several times during the night needing a wee

(We were only camping in PIL's garden so at least it wasn't a long trek to a toilet block somewhere in a field)

LOL at water feature!!!