Airbeds...

[Filyjonk]

Have accepted the necessity of camping this year. Can probably blag a tent but need a decent airbed otherwise I will sulk. I cannot stand sleeping on cold lumpy ground all night. Am quite grumpy here as I felt my camping days were over. Would very much like to be enthused.

So what are good brands? We need enough airbed for me, dh, ds (who will be nearly 3) and dd (who will be nearly 1) to sleep on.

Planned to take all our duvets in a couple of those vacumn pack things, plus some zip together sleeping bags. (I did camp in a former life but severely on the cheap-didn't even have a camping mat!)
Cheapness is very good but not at the expense of a decent night's sleep.

Oh and btw is smoking often a problem on campsites? We're going with my mum who has very severe asthma. Do campsites have non smoking sections or anything?

TIA

We bought double airbeds for £20 in a camping shop - they were fine. Good idea about the quilts if you have room - being cold is BAAAAAAD! We have the two doubles together with me and DH on the outside and the kids in the middle so they don't disappear down the crack at the edge! Also warmer for them.

You can buy camping beds but I don't know if they are more comfortable - seem a bit confined to me - ARGOS book have them if you want to have a look.

Smoking - probably not a problem. You're not usually that close to other tents.

Looking out my window today at the artic wind blowing and the grey sky, I can't imagine us camping at Easter this year and I can't wait to go...

Re the asthma thing. My ds has asthma.It is well controled but he needs a steroid inhaler in the winter to keep on top of things. His chest is never better than when we are camping!

We now have camping beds rather than matresses....we like a very firm matress and found the air beds 'gave' too much. They also kept deflating, and that didn't help.

If you do go for beds you must put a crash mat or rug underneath you.....or you will be cold.

I bought mine in argos about 6 years ago, It's ble on the bottom and red on the top. It's a cheapy one from the camping section and as long as you keep it pumped up its great. Weve got an electric hand pump that fits into the cigarette lighter on the car.

Re smoking, you shouldnt be too close to other tents and can pitch yours, so that you get privacy. Also i dont know if it makes a difference to asthma but you will be outside.