Camping - how to do it better next year (DIBNY)

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Before we even set off this year, DH and I were discussing how we could do it better next year, and it occurs to me that this is one of the great (and many) pleasures of camping.

So what will you do better? What’s your DIBNY?

Our first thought was that we would get a load of boxes that exactly fit the boot of the car and pack into those. And bring a bottle opener.

A real pillow - you put your pjs, socks, hat in there so you can find them at bed time. Hate being cold. Hated every travel, blow up version.
Car cups to avoid spills. Head torch, wet wipes, toilet roll.

Rather than a strapless dress, I take a towelling dressing gown. Wear to and from shower block, dress in comfort in your tent.

An upgrade to this would be the dry robe another poster has suggested - I saw them in Lidl this year much cheaper than the original price.

The tribe I belong to has a fab thread about upgrades for camping, and another member suggested that their luxury item was a bath mat. Great idea - it does transform damp shower blocks if you step out on to a fluffy gorgeous cloud....

Do most sites have charging facilities for non EHU campers? I think I'd feel a bit vulnerable on my own with the kids with my phone and power bank flat. Car socket doesn't work 😫

Lots do but probably not all - they’ll always say if you call them up. Often you just have to leave whatever you want charging in a public place though (eg a plug socket in the freezer room) so I always leave power packs to charge rather than phones. Best to take a couple of fully charged ones and restrict phone usage.

Good call about leaving the power bank rather than the device.

None of the non EHU campsites I've stayed have had charging facilities. Some not even a freezer.

I think I've stayed at some with charging facilities for non-electric pitches - I tend to use my car though anyway for charging. Depends on how basic the site is generally I think - some don't even have hot water, just a stand pipe. Good call on charging the powerpack over the device!

Yes, it does vary hugely. We rarely go anywhere with EHU but usually filter on places with freezers for ice packs, that have toilets and hot water showers, and that allow campfires off the ground. Often they’re just summer seasonal places, compost loo and solar shower etc.

And it’s not exactly a charging facility, more a spare plug socket in the freezer room or ask the campsite owner and they’ve got an extension lead they let people use in the shed.

Yes we go non ehu. Love places you can pitch where you like. We do insist on loos though and showers if more than 3 days.

Usually exception has a freezer you can swap freezer blocks and some basics but if we're going for just a weekend we're not too worried about having a freezer either (lovely summer field type places!)

Camping sounds really hard work. 😬

Get a villa in Spain.

😂 Sorry, not helpful. My fam arrived in the UK in 2003. Camped every summer from kids 3/5. Every year, we upgraded our kit. Til we reached peak-camp; car trailer, WiFi, EHU, day tent/canopy.

That was 2009.

Week on a lovely site near Dartmoor. First port of call was buying wellies in an industrial estate outside Launceston first day, as the grass was a foot deep as they couldn't mow it.

We made the best of it, WiFi alerting us to the most shit weather, but we sat outside with our friends with a glass or two ONE evening.

We sat, damp and dim, kids in bed, 9pm, day 5? And went- what?

We subsequently booked a villa in Spain every year for the next 8 years.

Guaranteed sun, pool, Med, food and culture.

I have to say, we're 3 miles from a Malaga/Alicante airport which helps (Southampton).

But villa, flights, car hire. Still SO worth it. Guaranteed sun.

Think you're on the wrong thread fordian sorry

I've recently bought a rocket stove fire pit - light & portable so ideal for beach campfires.

My newest DIBNY is to make a sign for myself that says

’JUST BECAUSE THE SUN IS SHINING NOW DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT WILL NOT RAIN ON A BIBLICAL SCALE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS AND, THEREFORE, YES, YOU SHOULD PUT THE CAMPING CHAIRS INSIDE THE TENT BEFORE YOU GO OUT FOR THE DAY.’

Or something catchy like that. They dried off quite quickly, though, and the sun is shining again this morning (we are pitched on a cliff overlooking the sea - it’s been quite a show!).

Putting the handbrakes on!! that's a good one.😆

Thats a good one 😆

Camping is a bit of work but doesn't have to be a lot of work. Pitch tent, throw out a few chairs, put a stove on a table and some cooking stuff near it, unfold sleeping mats and bags, open wine.

Then, other than feeding people and persuading them to get clean occasionally, go out and have adventures. Cook on a bbq, give people jobs to help with cooking/cleaning up.

And the other bit of work is packing up to go home but not that much worse than leaving a self catering house (and no mopping/cleaning bathrooms etc needed).

My camping gear is a 45l plastic tub with a lid and a 22ltub with a lid and housemaids insert, my tent and my table - which are in a lockup because we have one but would fit in a corner of the shed or in the attic storage space if not. But because that stuff is a couple of miles away, I keep my 1 ring gas stove, spare gas canisters and the pots for that, my Kelly kettle, my travelling fire pit and my camping chairs in the shed to use at home if we have no power or to relax in the garden.

Glamping site so you don't have to bother with the hard work - or a hotel😁

@Fordian @londonmummy1966 how lovely that you guys can afford hotels and flights!
🙄

This thread is great, even though I can barely afford 3 nights camping this year. Getting some good ideas.

But why would you want to spend ages in an airport then hours on a plane when you can pitch up and have this view with your morning cuppa.

I've just bought small foldable bedside tables to go next to our new camp beds. Fed up of duvets flopping on the ground and this way we have space under the beds for stuff and a proper spot for books, watches, phones etc.

DH and I were discussing how we could do it better next year, and it occurs to me that this is one of the great (and many) pleasures of camping.

So true! On my list for next year are collapsible pans and solar fairy lights.

we’ve previously only ever camped in farm type sites. This weekend we tried a big holiday park site. It was awful. We had the chaviest neighbors arrive on the second afternoon. The language would make a sailor blush, the kids were feral, they were playing loud music until 1 am. And they were encroaching on our pitch. We decided to cut the trip short as I we were all having a terrible time. So next year, we’ll be back to farm campsites.

Where is that @Iheartmysmart ? Beautiful!