camping first time

[j4ckos mate]

Well ive managed to convince the missus,

we are now the proud owner of a bargain basement halfauds camping kit,
one tent four bags and two air beds.


never done it before, just planning on one or two nights away with the dog, and fairly local

i was thinking of our usual pillows, some cereal for brekkie and eat out at dinner and tea, back to the site last thing, then straight to bed, a day where ever we are then home,

have i missed anything???

[Odie]

I'd get a cheap stove if I was you (a couple of quid for the stove bit and a few quid for the gas bottle, or if your handy you could make a pop can/penny stove) take a pan and lid with you and some bits and bobs to make a brew (mugs, tea bags, coffee, powdered milk etc)

TBH camp cooking is part of the fun.

ETA - You could get a 'swedish army trangia' you can used to be able to pick one up for about £5

Edited by Odie on Wednesday 6th June 13:52

[Fishtigua]

• Tea.

Yep, you will need hot water for all sorts of reasons but tea and coffee will make many of your discomforts better. Bovril and Tom soup are also great homey stuff to take.

• Dry socks and undies.

Does what it says on the can.

• Loos

Try to hold on until you get to a Pub/Little Chef/McDonalds. All campsite loos are foul. Take a roll just in case.

Thats my Top 3

[missdiane]

Beer for when you get back to the tent, it'll make the low beds seem more inviting

[SlidingSideways]

missdiane said:

Beer for when you get back to the tent, it'll make the low beds seem more inviting

Not too much though. Getting up to use the toilet at 4am is no fun when it involves first getting out of a warm sleeping bag to get dressed in the cold, and then a 5 minute walk each way in the rain.
I've switched to wine, same effect, less volume

[MrB1obby]

SlidingSideways said:

Not too much though. Getting up to use the toilet at 4am is no fun when it involves first getting out of a warm sleeping bag to get dressed in the cold, and then a 5 minute walk each way in the rain.
I've switched to wine, same effect, less volume

That is about the WORST thing about camping, I might try wine next time!

[Agoogy]

Just got back from 2 nights away in Lulworth...I've been camping loads, but my GF and her daughter had never been...
So:
Tent, mattreses, Sleepy bags, pillows, lights/torch
Clothes, toilettries, wet wipes
Stove - disposable bbq - lighter/matches
candles/candle-lanterns
pot, pan, kettle
cups, plates, sporks
bog roll
frisby/football
travel rug
cereal bars and choice foods
penknife
ear plugs - the dawn chorus at 4am in the countryside was deafening!
appropriate clothing for the weather..

[missdiane]

SlidingSideways said:

Not too much though. Getting up to use the toilet at 4am is no fun when it involves first getting out of a warm sleeping bag to get dressed in the cold, and then a 5 minute walk each way in the rain.
I've switched to wine, same effect, less volume

I thought most men went in the bushes behind the tent

[Fishtigua]

missdiane said:

I thought most men went in the bushes behind the tent

True.

If anyone denies this fact, its a lie.

[SlidingSideways]

missdiane said:

I thought most men went in the bushes behind the tent

True, the world is our toilet, after all
I was thinking of his O/H as ladies are generally (although not always) not fond of doing similar.

Back on topic, the things I find most useful (and most often forget) are:
A foam ground mat (one each) and sleep with it between your sleeping bag and the airbed. The air in the bed gets cold overnight which will make you cold.
Camping chairs - Sitting on the ground gets uncomfortable after a while.
Tin opener/bottle opener/corkscrew - Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
Pump/Compresser - Manually inflating an airbed or four is no fun.

[j4ckos mate]

does anyone know one anglesey or south lakes with a bar on it or somewhere pretty busy so i can keep swmbo occupied, if shes not kept busy and it dawns on her, she wont go again.

[PaulHogan]

Don't have a shag with the light on unless you want to provide a porno shadow show for the neighbours.

[whirligig]

We got that same Halford's tent outfit a few years ago. Be warned - the sleeping bags are very thin and we nearly froze, definitely worth upgrading your sleeping bags or take a double duvet with you!

[j4ckos mate]

Cheers for the tips. My little lad is like a furnace will sleep with him.


Does anyone know a good site in north Wales with a clubhouse or bar or something to do at night

[cailean]

Funny. I was just about to post a similar question. Our 2 young children seem keen and we were looking at tents and kit over the weekend. I was amazed at the kit you can buy. I'm thinking one or two nights is enough.....at first for a taster.

[Nobby Diesel]

cailean said:

Funny. I was just about to post a similar question. Our 2 young children seem keen and we were looking at tents and kit over the weekend. I was amazed at the kit you can buy. I'm thinking one or two nights is enough.....at first for a taster.

You're right - there is a huge amount of kit and equipment available.
For me, the most important aspect for novice campers, is to make sleeping as comfortable as possible. A poor nights sleep will be hard going the next day, when the kids (and parents) are all ratty with each other.
Invest in a good airbed (we have Aerobeds) and take the duvet from home, if space allows. A proper pillow and a sheet; perfect!
Also, keep feet dry and warm. Shoes outside the tent, slippers inside.
Kids enjoy having their own little battery lanterns.

If you go to a site with electric hook ups, you enter a whole new area of comfort!

[Odie]

j4ckos mate said:

Cheers for the tips. My little lad is like a furnace will sleep with him.


Does anyone know a good site in north Wales with a clubhouse or bar or something to do at night

Ive not been to this one specifically but I really do rate national park campsites.

http://www.caeducampsite.co.uk/

[Odie]

cailean said:

Funny. I was just about to post a similar question. Our 2 young children seem keen and we were looking at tents and kit over the weekend. I was amazed at the kit you can buy. I'm thinking one or two nights is enough.....at first for a taster.

If your just after a taster some sites have pre-erected tents that have some equipment supplied, so you dont have to buy the expensive stuff.

[SlidingSideways]

Nobby Diesel said:

Kids enjoy having their own little battery lanterns.

Wind up ones are a better bet, eliminates the possibility of the battery running out just as they need it.

[Bill]

Nobby Diesel said:

For me, the most important aspect for novice campers, is to make sleeping as comfortable as possible. A poor nights sleep will be hard going the next day, when the kids (and parents) are all ratty with each other.
Invest in a good airbed (we have Aerobeds) and take the duvet from home, if space allows. A proper pillow and a sheet; perfect!

This. Take a synthetic* duvet to go underneath you/on the airbed as they don't insulate very well and you'll get cold from below (*down compresses so isn't as effective)

And the part of camping I love most is cooking outdoors, so take a portable BBQ and a "camp bistro" stove is only a tenner or so.