camping advice urgently needed please!

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I am going on holiday to Spain in a few days. The first week we are in an apartment by a beach and the second week, we were originally planning to stay with a friend but this has fallen through at the last minute. Rather than change our flights, I have decided to book a pitch at a nearby campsite.

Today, I bought a lightweight (10kg) tent which will sleep me and my 3 kids and am borrowing self-inflating lightweight mattresses. We have 4 sleeping bags, all of which I have packed into a suitcase. Because we are flying and not hiring a car but using public transport, I am trying to travel very light. All our clothes, toiletries and everything else for the 2 weeks will be packed into a large sports bag/holdall. Can you give me any idea of absolute essential items I need for the camping part, which is on a largish and well equipped site. Its quite a few years since I camped and that was with a partner and a car!

So far, I have thought of a corkscrew (!), plastic plates and cups, a knife for chopping salad etc and pack of cards and a torch. Bear in mind, space is very tight! We will eat out or do salady things, frites, pizzas etc.

All advice very welcome

Bucket with a lid for night time pees

cork screw and wine - solves all camping problems

MB will have to get that in Spain - can't imagine carrying it through airport check-in

Forgot to mention, kids are 12,10 and 6 so not babies. And am also taking a few good books!

Seriously are you going to eat out? Cos if you are then bedding to sleep and the tent along with sleeping bags and blow up pillows, should do it.

Bowls for cereal.

head torches to read in bed at night

Well we were planning to, Ivy, except for stuff like bread, fruit, salad, cheese etc for lunch so no need for cooking stove etc. Does it sound unfeasible? I am already panicking at the last minute change of plans so am just trying to make it as easy and stress free (and cheap) as possible for myself and the kids. Cereal bowls and spoons are a good idea

Travel towels will save you some space.

i was in spain last week and it was stinking hot, so you might just sleep under a sheet?

few tea towels/cloths

string-for whatever and for hanging up clothes to dry (pegs)

mozzie spray/ tea lights its the citronella ones they hate.

good ideas piratecat. Thanks - didn't think of tea towels or pegs

sounds very do-able to me, good for you!!! wish i could go too!

well i know you say you won't be cooking but you will need to wash things off and wipe stuff down.

will there be picnic type tables there?

I was hoping to buy a small washing up bowl and dishcloths/washing up liquid at the camp shop. I know they charge more but needs must etc.

42 in seville today - where are you going to keep the food? How are you going to keep it in the heat?

I would just get breakfast cereal in supermarket and milk each day from the camp shop (you will get through a pint each morning.

Although in campsites I stayed in in spain you could hire a full size fridge from the camp site - so maybe or just eat out - just buy enough food for one meal at a time from supermarket.

Don't panic you will have a fab time.

beach towels for around the campsite pool and swim suits. Somewhere to sleep and you'll have a ball for the second week. Live in swim suits and no washing!!

Ivykaty
we will be in Catalonia and I was just going to buy food as we needed it ie for b/fast and lunch and eat out cheaply in the evenings. Thanks for the vote of confidence

I would pack in your suitcase a couple of tupperwares - pop stuff inside for the flight out so they dont take up any extra space.

Then you can use the tupperwares for things you dont eat at one meal and then can eat at the next meal. If you dont end up needing them it doesn't matter as they wern't big to carte around but they may come in useful.

I travel with two dd's and only ever take one large washbag rather than three - it saves lots of space.

Pop your 8 pegs in the wash bag and take some rope to make a washing line.

Get a universal plug for the sink!! saves buying a washing up bowl and the plug will come in handy after the holiday. If you have a small plastic container pop some washing up liquid in the container and pop in your wash bag will not take up much space but you will have the washing up sorted.

Have a good time - weather in Barcalona is 30 today