Eurocamp tents

[doggiesayswoof]

We are Eurocamping in France (Vendee) and will be in a tent with DC aged 5 and 2. I have camped a fair bit before but years and years ago, never with DC. It all seemed like a good idea at the time but now I'm starting to think about the details and panicking...

So please can you share your experiences? I am thinking about practicalities. The pitches have electricity but will we need to take an extension cable? The only thing I want to plug in is my mobile.

Cooking - we are sorted as we have a little hob and a fridge in the tent, so that's ok.

Sleeping - we have sleeping bags for us all except DS who is 2. He still sleeps in grobags at home and I was just going to take his grobag - winter weight in case the nights get a bit cold. Is a grobag ok?

We are flying so can't fill the car with stuff - so minimal packing needed too.

What else do we need? We have a lamp (with batteries), a torch - anything else?

Food storage,keep most stuff in fridge or in boxes--we had mice once!!
Don`t want to put you off its a lovely holiday

Thanks maddy - good tip

We have mice at home currently, the little bastards, so it will be comfortingly familiar (or something)

Any other tips since you've done it before?

Do the DC just stay grubby? My two are a bit showerphobic and I've been telling them they will have to have showers on holiday. They're not keen though.

They can wash in the sea I suppose.

We've been with Canvas a few times. Definitely keep stuff in mouse-proof containers (having spent a number of evenings devising ways to turn our cool box into a mouse trap...)

There should be a lamp in the tent. There should be power in the tent (in Canvas its UK sockets, and I can't imagine Eurocamp would be different).

Growbags should be fine, but you might want a sheet to cover the mattress with as well.

Is there a swimming pool on the site? A lot of pools have guidelines that you're meant to shower first, so you could stiffen that up into "you can't go swimming if you don't shower"... There are worse things in the world than children that haven't had a bath for a few days, especially when you're camping If they go in the sea I'd be keener to get some clean water over them to wash the salt off.

Take playing cards!

If you have sugar in anything you might want to take a small supply - I'm not sure if its changed, but it used to be a nightmare to buy anything apart from cubes. And you had to get a lot of them. ditto seasonings - probably easier to pack what you'll need rather than have to buy it all there, even if you do wind up spooning pepper out of a plastic bag for a week!

A decent sharp knife - there will be something in the tent, but all the ones we've had have been absolutely useless for cutting vegetables.

There's 1001 things you can take, but very little that you can't cope without.

Totally agree with Tangle. They do provide everything pretty much. Campsite shops normally understand campers needs - I've seen salt/pepper pots for sale even.

Too right about knives except if my husband gets there before you as he insists on bringing a knife sharpener and sharpening all the knives to the point where we could perform surgery with them.

Take a roll of toilet paper as often this wont be supplied in campsite loos. You soon get used to seeing people trotting off in the mornings with their own roll. The campsite shop will have this but you might want one to get you started(!).

Eurocamp should have toys & books which you can borrow. They will have info on local things to go and see but a good guidebook may help you get the most out of the holiday.

Tangle thanks v helpful.

We're getting bedlinen in the tent, so sheets and pillowcases will be there. Hadn't thought about sugar and seasoning - will take some.

Kids will be fine in showers I'm sure and I am not too fussed about them being a bit grubby! Hopefully there will be showers at the beach too so we can get rinsed off.

I am getting so excited about going - only 4 weeks

thanks Suzie x-post - brilliant.

We will check the knives just in case your DH has been at them!! DH will be taking his opinel knife too.

Toilet roll going on list.

The French site i went too had large sink type baby baths
The tents are so well equipped you really need to take very little.

hav eyou got the Angela Bird book?

if you are at La Tranche and it's next week, give me a wave