So we bought a tent! More camping questions (sorry!)

[marthamoo]

We've bought a Vango Colorado 8 - on the recommendation of happymerryberries I'm very excited

So...more questions (and apologies if these have already been answered and I missed them). Lighting? I know a few of you said no to campinggaz lamps as they get too hot. Both my kids sleep with the light on - is there a battery driven lantern type doodah that won't get drained of power too fast? I'm thinking of something low level that can be left on all night if needs be. What other kind of lighting do we need?

Sleeping. We already have a double airbed and I bought the double sleeping bag sallystrawberry recommended (and I cannot get it back in the bag). We also have a Bob the Builder ready bed which ds2 will fit in. Will that be warm enough though or would he be better with a proper sleeping bag/airbed?

Keeping things cold? Mum and Dad have a rigid coolbox we could borrow. What sort of ice packs do we buy? My friend says most campsites do a swap-over with ice-packs so you can get fresh ones.

How are we going to fit all this stuff in the car? That ones's rhetorical actually.

We need a camping topic - I'm going to go and look at all the other camping threads now.

I bought a rechargeable fluoresent (sp?) lamp from Millets - £20. It has two tubes plus a nightlight option. We charged it before we went and were about four nights and it's still going! Would recommend. Gas lamps are ok but if it touched your tent or your child it would burn, definitely.

Take too many blankets rather than wonder if you will be cold - nothing worse. We ended up buying cheap quilts from ASDA last week because we froze on our first night cos the sleeping bags were useless (borrowed!).

Rigid coolboxes are better than coolbags - my stuff stayed cold alot longer this time using the rigid one. Most sites freeze your icepacks for you - for a charge.

Have fun.

Hark at me - Kbear the Camper!! Only been twice.

Oh and spot the deliberate mistake...just looked at the thread where hmb recommends the Colorado 8...please tell me a Vango Colorado 8 is not a lemon (as opposed to the Outwell Colorado 8 which is what hmb actually recommended )

LOL!
We are off tommorrow for a two night campfest!

That Millet's lamp sounds exactly the sort of thing I want - thanks, KBear. I don't know if we're going to be ready in time to have a weekend this year - have to wait for the tent to arrive first.

Where you going drop?

Campsite recommendations please my "favourite campsite" thread.

Remember when babies were the be all and end all to your thinking? Now it's camping. Should I leave Mumsnet and set up MumsCamp?

I've got an Outwell colorado

Vangos are great tents.

Lighting. We have a rechargable lamp that has tthree setting, one gentle down light, one fluorecent and one blast you eyes out setting . It can be charged from an ordinary plug or a car battery. Fuly charged it lasts about 12 hours. It is a wynster

Getting it into the car.....we ended up buying a pod to put on the top of the car

And don't worry your vango is not a lemon! They are great tents!

Or Campmums even??

I am off to Tenterden in Kent-have been there a couple of times before-it is a great base to drive to Hastings and other seaside towns plus has a lovely village too.

Yes, get a roof box. Halfords often have special offers or there are loads on ebay. We have an estate car but still needed the roofbox!

www.wynnsteroutdoorleisure.com/lanternrechargedetail.htm

is the lamp we have. I would also recomend you get some torches and the kids love them and the lantern you get might be too heavy for trips to the loo in the middle of the night.

Oh, on that topic, get a nappy bucket with a lid for night time emergencies with the kids! Life saver!!

I got some headlamps in Woolworths - perfect for lighting your way to the loos in night, sorting out the beds when it's dark or even reading a book! Kids loved them.

No need for you to blush, hmb - it's me who didn't read the thread properly. Please don't anyone tell dh we bought the 'wrong' tent!

Oh blimey, I can't see him going for a roof box. We have a Rover 820 so it's got a lot of boot space. We will have to manage!

First time we go I'm hoping to go with troutpout (Mumsnetter, bessie mate and expert camper) - they're going again some time in September but I don't think we'll be ready in time.

My boys would love head-torches!

Oh and definitely taking a wee-wee bucket - I have a bladder the size of a pea.

It's very addictive isn't it? I was wandering round Millet's yestaerday like kid in a sweet shop

Just watch out, it gets to be bloody addictive!

I've had 4 camping trips this year and I'm already planning next years. We have booked the summer already and I'm planing on going with a mate and the kids in the six weeks (she is another idle teacher!). I'm also planing a trip at whitsun. I've found a fab site in Wales with no noise, discos etc 15 mins walk from an idilic beach, £99 for a week at peak season!....jobs a good 'un!

Seen them in Robert Dyas too. Let me know if you can't get any and I'll send you a couple.

Oh and if your bucket is big enough you can put your gas cylinder in it.....saves on space!

Don't forget wet wipes for hands and also for tables.

A toilet bag with a roll of loo paper, liquid soap and a towel incase the camp site doesn't provide.

Glow in the dark sticks for the kids.....cheap ones that are £1 for 12....they love them

Cheers, KBear. I want my tent to arrive and I want to go now! Well, not right now...it's pouring down.

Thanks hmb - keep 'em coming!

Definitely go with friends! It makes everyone behave better, laugh more, drink more and look less desperate about it, and stuff like trekking to the loos trailing 6 toddlers or washing up in the pouring rain at midnight seem less of an endurance test and more like an adventure.

I'm actualy mad enough to want it to rain when I'm in the tent!!!! So far we have had excellent weather....crazy isn't it!

This is a list fronm UK campsite

Packing
Backpack
Bags - Tent bag, plastic bags, etc.
Cardboard boxes if needed
Ice Chests
ICE! Ice Packs
Bucket
Lighting - Check batteries!
Gas lantern (these are superb)
Lighter (as in cigarette)
Matches (preferably water proof)
Spare batteries and bulbs
Spare lantern fuel and mantles
Shelter/Bedding
TENT!!
Sleeping bag
Duvet (if you've got room!)
Ground Sheet
Mattress or pad - Inflator for air mattress
Pillow
Windbreak
Hammer to sink tent pegs
Medical
Suntan Lotion (ever optimistic!)
Insect Repellent - Spray
Aspirin, Paracetemal etc
Tweezers for splinters and ticks
Antiseptic, plasters and bandages
First Aid Kit (may include all the above items)
Pocket Tissues
Cleaning and Personal Items
Soap
Flannel
Shampoo
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Comb/hair brush/clips/bands
Make-up bag
Razor and shaving cream
Towel
Deoderant
Toilet Paper (essential)
Miscellaneous
Swiss Army knife
Compass and Map
Safety pins
Mobile phone / extra battery and car adapter
Camera / good battery and extra film
Camcorder / good battery and extra tapes
Books, radio, cards, games, toys, etc.
MONEY, credit card, etc
Guitar
Bike ?
Binoculars
Chairs
Travel Clock
Clothesline and pegs
Basic tools (screwdrivers, pliers, etc.)
Maps!
Cooking
Stove with fuel and lighter
Newspapers for lighting a campfire
Charcoal and Grill for BBQ
Frying Pan
Sauce pan - ; With lid
Can opener
Thermos flask?
Corkscrew / Bottleopener
Dishes
Plates
Mugs
Sharp knife
Knives, Forks, Spoons and Teaspoons
Dish Cloth
Tea Towel
Washing Up Liquid
Consumables
Paper towels
Rubbish bags
Paper plates, cups, bowls, etc.
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Aluminum Foil
Food and Drink
Cooking Oil
Baked Beans
Crisps
Butter
Bacon
Eggs
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Onions, mushrooms, Tomatoes
Bread
Salt, Pepper, Spices, Sugar
Fruit - Small fruit cups or fresh fruit
Veggies
Coffee and Tea (don't forget SUGAR!)
Milk, juice, soft drinks
Beer !!!!!!!!!! (don't forget this!)
This checklist was supplied by the UK Camp Site Web Site, at www.ukcampsite.co.uk

Sorry if it is a bit long!

I organised my camping trip in two weeks from having nothing! You can do it. Go for it.

Check out poundshops for melamine mugs (although i do take my china ones cos I like my coffee in a proper mug!) and plates etc, buy a beach mat for inside the tent so you don't fall over on the slippery ground sheet, take a rubber doormat in case outside the tent is muddy.

OH and most important MAKE THE KIDS DO THE WASHING UP.....Minus andy sharp knives etc

Asdas are doing a set of 4 cups, plates , bowls and cutlery for £2.99 and a bag to keep them all in!

You lot are marvellous! Thankyou! Oh I love lists! I wanna go, I wanna go (dh thinks I am slightly mad but is going along with me for a quiet life and in the hope that he may get some semi al fresco how's your father. I don't see this happening, myself )

Take a mirror too. Just can't pluck my eyebrows in front of other campers.