First Time Campers - Sandy Balls

[CurlyLisa]

Hi, I'm thinking of going camping to Sandy Balls in the New Forest with my hubby and 2 boys (age 5 and 3). We can borrow a 4 person tent which comes with 2 double airbeds and sleeping bags but we've never done camping before and haven't a clue what to take. Any suggestions? Anyone know of any good books or websites? What is Sandy Balls like? Any advice greatfully received!

I've never been but I've heard good things about it. have you looked at the reviews on ukcampsite?

we haven't been but friends have so we're going to brave it and go in August when they open their cornfield. It's supposed to be busy but still good, the amenities can apparently just about cope.

Sandy Balls is lovely for first timers with small kids, we're going back there this Whitsun (must book that quick actually!)
Try and get a spot near a playground so you can give the kids a bit of freedom.
Best bit for me: pub does takeaway beer cartons so you can have a pint of real ale outside your tent!
If you're going during peaktime, they have free play activities for the kids.

Recommended restaurant in nearby Fordingbridge: The Duke (or something like that), just on the river as you enter the town over the bridge. Lovely patio area at river's edge (with fence) so kids can potter about talking to swans.

We've booked in August for teh cornfield as well... might see Flutterbye there then.

Think there's a list on the sandy balls site of what to take, but if not see if you can track down lucycat for her Official Mumsnet Comprehensive And Slightly Anal Packing List LOL.

And remember there are local camoing shops, we got ot the Forest often, so if you forget anything it really is no biggie- as longa s its not your wallet, obviously.

it all depends on how long you are going, the weather, if you want to cook or not and how much room in the car!

I have always taken ( with two boys who started camping when they were 1 and 2):

1 board game ( buckaroo or hungry hippos to start with and now we are on monopoly)
1 ball
bag of rubber bands ( for dens and gadget building)
felt tips & colouring books

as for food, well i just take lots of non-cook snack foods and drinks and some beers. i would take a picnic set, a washing up bowl, tea towel and some wet wipes.

after that, enough warm clothes and bedding, a teddy and pillow each, some lanterns and a head torch each.

we also take a folding chair each and a picnic table. Other than that (quite a basic list) its up to you really. Even if you dont cook for your self there will be a lot of snack food rubbish and mess so take some bin liners.

have fun!!

oy Peachy! anal did you say? I'll put that down to pregnancy hormones

anyway yes I pack with precision and have never forgotten something vital yet - may have to leave the dds at home soon though, I am fast running out of room!

Do you want a link?

ok so here you go remember this is a anal comprehensive list for 3 weeks away!

PMSL Luce

we have a slightly smaller car this year (well SpaceWagon) with an extra baby to boot, but fortunately it has atow bar so may well end up hiring a trailer or buying ojne and keeping at Mujs (cant keep here, no access to rear garden and no front garden or aprking at all)

Should be interesting.....

Went last summer with 18m old and DH. We stayed in one of the ready tents so had a fridge and light plus beds. Just had to take food and sleeping bags.
It rained all week. We weren't too miserable though, mainly due to the fact it is a very well run site, and a pleasant place to stay. Toilet blocks are immaculate, and site is lovely to walk round, with good facilities.
I'm a totally useless camper bu top tips from me (all food related):
Take a chorizo sausage, which is a great base for lots of dishes so you don't need to bring oil.
Tins of m&s chunky chicken in white wine sauce are fab.
Buy a collapsible plastic crate for dishes.
Have fun and hope you get better weather than we did!

oooh a trailer Peachy - dh won't entertain the thought,he's a bit of a speed merchant and wouldn't like to be limited..... although he was looking at a back box for the car the other day one of these jobbies where he thinks he's going to put it gawd knows.

I've just found it saved in his favourites btw

Sorry CurlyLisa to hijack your Sandy Balls thread btw.

Haven't been but looks very 'organised'.

Thanks for all you advice . Having never been camping (well not since I was about 12!)and being a complete planner (was previously a PA), I like to have everything covered and make lists for everything! We'll probably just go for about 4 nights the first time - to break us in gently. Not sure whether to cook or just take snacks as jamsambam suggests. My neighbour has offered to lend me a load of stuff and I think he said he has a little stove, so could do some basic stuff I guess. I'm hoping we'll all really enjoy it, so we can have many "cheaper" holidays in the future!

Actually Lucycat can I just take you with me!

if you get a stove and some pans, take a load of super noodles 9 or the real things) and the pasta/rice packets that just need water. We tend to take them with s and buy a few sausages or some bacon and have quite basic meals, then it becomes a trat when you go to a local pub!!

As my two are older now and well trained, we tend to cook on a fire in camp sites that allow them. Jackets potatoes done in the embers and lots of marshmellows!!

right, thats it..im camping in the garden next week....

sorry about the spelling....getting too excited about marshmellows again!!

That's a great idea re the pasta. I know Tesco's do that stuffed ravioli you just bung in hot water! That's be nice and easy.