General Chat

You didn’t say what type of tent you have, if it’s the older frame tent type that fits together like a meccano set, it’s worth assembling it at home and before dismantling colour code the poles with coloured insulating tape, then mark the plan that came with the tent with corresponding felt pens. You will then know which pole fits where. Sounds like a lot of work but having had many heated discussions assembling a caravan awning, believe me its far easier in the long run TC

Elecric hook up are very safe in tents,they are insulated against dampness. My husband and I used electric hook up when we went to Wales in 2002 and it rained for a few days but the hook up was fine. The camp site owner wouldn't be allowed to have Electric hook ups if they were not safe. Sue

You have only camped when it rains cos that is what I call camping

It's been interesting reading everyone's views and advice on camping. The one trial night that we did in our tent was great, It felt strange sleeping outside with only a layer of tent against the elements. When we woke really early in the morning it was raining so we experienced rain under a tent too.The tent that we bought is a very large/high dome shape it has three rooms, a central section and two separate bedrooms that fit kingsize air mattresses too. We can't wait to give it a try in the summer for a few nights at a time, it'll be an adventure for everyone. Keep the advice coming in. Thanks. Louise

Louise. A while before you go make up lists for everyone of everything that you may need otherwise you can guarantee you will forget something. Oh! Put the kids at the top of your list. I started off in a tent and worked my way up to a caravan (best thing i ever bought). ENJOY YOURSELVES!! Regards Alyson

Louise Your tents sounds just like ours what colour is it? If you intend on going for anytime longer than a weekend you'll be better off with electric hookup.I know it seems alot to splash out on in one go but buy as mch as you can and it'll make the holiday so much more enjoyable. We have an electric fridge too, worth every penny, when we went down to Devon last year it was boiling hot and the fridge certainly paid for itself, ice cold beers, meat for the barbie, drinks for the kids and so on. Like someone else said make sure you have warm sleeping bags as it can be cold on a night no matter how warm it is during the day. My 2 boys love it when we go camping, last year we took them on a cruise round the caribbean but guess where they want to go this year..... Yep back to Devon and Cornwall LOL!! Its great for them they can come and go as they please, no worrying about the mess. We take so much stuff with us we've had to buy a bigger trailer this year. By the time weve put all the tent things in and the clothes and fans , one for the warm weather , one for the cold, pillows,dingy's airbeds, flippers and snorkling thing etc, there really isnt much room left at all. In fact we now could do with a bigger car. We always take wind breaks too to put round the front of the tent for privacy and to make an outside kitchen if its good weather. A portable bbq is a must too. And if you dont have a porta potty make sure you take a bucket just for the nights. I could go on for ever but the best way to learn is by going and trying it out and then the next time you'll know what you need. Just one word of warning tho. remember if your stripping off on a night and you have a light on in your tent , people outside can usually see you through the tent material lol. Can be quite embarressing . Deb X

Lots of good advice here (apart from the softies who prefer hotels). All I can add is - don't be embarrased to ask for help if you have a problem. People who camp are, in my experience, really nice but are often shy of volunteering. Also you should try to arrive early because you get to choose your pitch, and the best entertainment on site is watching the late-comers struggling with a borrowed tent that they have never seen before, that has a vital part missing. Bob

We bought a kingsize sleeping bag from Argos only to discover that it had one zipped side which meant that it felt too enclosed. We tried the girls out in it and they decided that they wanted to snuggle together rather than have separate bags. We're wondering whether to take a duvet instead because there's more freedom of movement. We wondered whether to buy two medium cool boxes to distribute the bulk in our car as it's not a tardis. Will campsites freeze the freezer blocks for you so that they can be reused? Keep the advice coming. thanks. Louise

The most important thing to do is to make a check list. Every time you go camping tick off the items you put in your case/crate. pillows, sleeping bags, pans, matches, bottle opener, tin opener (combined penknife is sometimes useful), pills for headache, diarrhea, towels, teatowels, face flannels, roll kitchen paper, toilet paper, soap, tea, coffee, cup of soup etc. etc...................................... Keep this list on this computer and every time you go camping run a list out and check off the items. Sylvia xxx

Most campsites will freeze ice packs for you. Use a blanket on top of the airbed under the sleeping bag to insulate you from the cold air in the bed. Don't forget woolie hats. I have had to wear them in bed at Glastonbury in mid summer! Take a small tupperware box to put your matches in. It can be the difference between having a cuppa when you wake up or waiting an hour for the match box to dry out! I guess as you are going to a campsite, you won't need hand sanitizing gel! As for easy cook food, get the tiny pasta shells (Dont forget a strainer) and those small stir in pasta sauces (think might be dolmio) sun dried tomato and roast garlics my favourite. Also tins of pineapple with ring pulls make a great desert and cut out the washing up. But don't forget the wellies, tin/bottle opener, suntan lotion and the flip flops for the shower.

After too many wet and cold camping holidays when I was young, my tip would be leave the family in the tent and book in at a nice hotel down the road! Bliss! Daisy

Make sure you pack all your food away in a secure container. Me and my ex went camping a couple of years ago and didn't put the food away properly - and had late night visits from hedgehogs. Wondered what the hell it was - woken up in the early hours by this loud rustling (well it seemed v. loud at that hour) - heart pounding - only to find a couple of hedgehogs feasting on our choccie biscuits!! Have fun Kxx

I've been perfecting the one pot pressure cooker meal and have had great success. I think that I'll take that along to save on the washing up. Louise

Don't do it. Len

Make sure that your food is all packed away from the squirrels! Last year I had a small seperate tent to keep the food. Lucia :-)

Stay at home LOL