Hellcat Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 *tip of tongue sticking out of corner of mouth* Wine...lanterns... Any more? Oh yes, potty... keep going, everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Helen you sound like the kind of girl who really enters into the spirit of things...... You'll be great!!!! Make sure you let us all know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 This should surely have been set up as a poll- camping love it or hate it? It does seem to stir up some strong feelings. I have to say I'm in the hate it group, reading Kate's earlier posting reminded me so much of our family holidays when I was a child. But my Mum has always been a real sun-fiend, so family holiday on a tight budget in a hot climate. Oh, the joys of long, long drives (we lived in the North West those days) all the way down to the South of France, to then have to start putting up tents when everyone was exhausted and bad-tempered No privacy, hearing everything that went on in adjoining tents, bugs and beasties, tropical rain storms, disgusting communal shower and loo blocks, carting bowls of washing-up to the sink block. I could go on . A few years ago hubby and I decided to try again with our children, he'd never been, I managed to convince myself that things would be more sophisticated now. We went to France with Eurocamp, in a tent. I won't bore anyone with the disaster that hoilday was, suffice to say the weather wasn't great, the amorous teenagers in the park area behind our tent stopped being funny by the second night. and the baby in the adjacent tent seemed to be nocturnal We went home 5 days early Never, ever again. BTB, not meant to be a slur on Eurocamp, we had a successful holiday with them in a mobile home the following year, and their service was OK- it's just the tent bit that I don't get on with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 Now then, I'd just adjusted my thinking that it won't be that bad. then this! we will have to see. I'm with you Kate A, as already stated but sometimes you have to let the Big Boys have their heads - keeps 'em quiet when it all goes tilt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 I don't 'do' camping either but hey each to their own My 'own' doesn't include sleeping under the stars or fields Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Sorry, Helen, just my opinion . There's no reason at all why you should agree with me- you'll probably have a great time There are an awful lot of people who really enjoy camping, and I think that it's probably a great way of having a family holiday. I hated our last trip, but what I didn't say was that the children loved the first week, made friends, ran wild in a safe environment, and it was a brilliant trip for them. We left early because I was sleep deprived, felt grimy, and most importantly their friends were all leaving at that time and the good weather had already gone. I do think that weather has to be the biggest single factor in influencing a camping holiday. The positive factors were so good that we tried to replicate it but in more comfortable surroundings by doing the mobile home thing. Basically I think I'm just a bit of a namby pamby who likes having everything just so, and who likes a bit of rest and pampering on holiday. The children and your man will love it, I'm sure, just pray for sunshine and take a good book, or several and I'm sure it'll be fine Oh, and don't forget to tell us all about it when you get back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 4, 2006 Author Share Posted April 4, 2006 Right. the day is looming (Friday - eeek!) we have the tent, we have the sleeping bags, we are borrowing a cooker. We have an electric hook up, a kettle, a corkscrew stake for the dogs, blow up mattresses... What have I missed? (Still don't want to go, its going to be freeeeezzzzzzing!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 You will really enjoy it Helen. Don't forget your thermals Hope you are not camping anywhere North. We had snow Yesterday and this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 4, 2006 Author Share Posted April 4, 2006 Don't tell me that! We're going to River Dart Adventure campsite, which is near Dartmouth. Snow? OMG!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 Extra blankets to put under you as well as over - you get a lot of cold coming up from the ground. Wine plus corkscrew Pack of cards - great way to amuse everyone when it rains Try going on the Girlguiding UK or Scouting websites, or indeed any of the international scout/guide websites for ideas for games and activities while camping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 Ooh Helen, you are brave! Good on you!! It will be chilly at night. What part of the country are you going to? It does make a difference if you have a good, thick layer underneath you as well. The ideal would be a quilt under and over if you have enough space. I'm in favour of the electric hook-up and the mattresses. I like certain home comforts! We'll be off with the tent hopefully at the beginning of the summer hols. Hope you have a lovely time. Report back..... ps Did you say you have a corkscrew? You'll be fine then!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 Buy a cheapo fan heater from Argos. Thats what we did. Keeps the tent nice and cosy, and because you pay a set amount for the electric hook up it can be kept on.....all night if necessary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 4, 2006 Author Share Posted April 4, 2006 Wine plus corkscrew But of course! Didn't list that, thought it was compulsory. blankets? Pah! I'm taking the duvets as well. i should point out at this stage that we are going for 2 nights only and are taking 2 cars!! (dogs in the boot of mine and a roofbox - not enough room!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 Helen, you've got the right attitude to really enjoy it. Cookie, when are you giving your tent an outing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 Helen we're off camping on friday too I'am hoping it's going to get warmer, drier, sunnier, less windy. we're still planning to go boating but i think it's probably going to be too choppy north, south, east or west, which direction is the best Answers on a post card before friday........PLEASE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Managing Director Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 just remember a corkscrew for you too We love camping but it isn't basic, lots of blankets, beds for the dogs a piece of carpet so you don't step straight out onto the grass/cold floor lots of plastic bags because they are always useful, a chopping board or a tray, a spare light preferrably one with a remote control so you can curl up in your sleeping bag before the lights go out, duck tape for the day a strong wind whips your brand new tent over the car and smashes half the poles (with 10 month old baby and 4 yr old that really wasn't funny but we survived) a bucket (really handy to chill the wine/cider that is essential to camping) a pair of scissors and a torch, one soap bag and mini toothpaste per person saves a lot of hassle) more towels than you can imagine you'd ever need becuse they never dry in time, and most important of all a really good sense of humour to get you through the moment when your brother sets fire to the tent making toast camping is great fun but not sure it's a holiday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 Great, isn't it! If you have windbreaks, it's nice to position them around the plot to make your own space. I also hang candle lanterns around the plot - it looks so cosy and welcoming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 River Dart park is excellent Helen and great for children there is so much to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 She doesn't look very happy Dan.....................You and Debs look a lot happier but that might have something to do with holding a bottle of beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Cookie, when are you giving your tent an outing? Hello! (or Hi-de-hi...) Our tent isn't having its first outing until the first May bank holiday, but then it'll be in great demand over the summer. We've got Summer half-term at St David's in Pembrokeshire, then a week in August in Snowdonia, plus a music festival in the Brecon Beacons at the end of August. And as many weekend trips away as we can fit in in between Mostly to the Kent coast, near Whitstable, or Suffolk. Can't wait Helen, I hope you have a brilliant time - take plenty of G&B as well as the wine Thick warm socks and wooly hats are a must at theis time of the year. If your head and feet are warm when you go to bed then the rest of you will be too. Have a fab time - I'm very jealous! Love, Cookie. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Lots of Wales then Cookie! I love St David's. It's a very special place. OH and I sang in the cathedral there for a week, camping in a church hall! My daughter is currently singing in Bangor and Llandudno, so will have to pass by Snowdonia to get from one to the other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Yes, I think we're a bit Wales obsessed at the moment! We'd not been before until last year and completely fell in love with it on our summer holidays last year. We went to St David's for a week's camping and then on to stay in a cottage in Cardigan Bay for a further week. This year we wanted to go back to St David's but earlier so that we can take a trip out to Skomer and see the puffins (DS loves puffins!). So we thought we should try North Wales for our big camping trip in the summer holidays. Mind you, this year we're then going on to Scarborough for our week in a cottage so we do have a little bit of time away from Wales. Haven't dared work out how long it is going to take us to drive from Snowdonia to Scarborough Living in the grimey East End is a lot nicer when you plan regular trips away Love, Cookie. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Have I missed you Helen..have you gone already...!? Only just caught up with your tent thread! I always like to take a pair of flip flops for in the shower. There's nothing worse than treading on a yucky cubicle floor, or trying to dry feet in a small shower only to put your socks on and trread on the wet floor in them. Saves carting shoes over there too. Dry feet, and apply shoes and socks when you back to the tent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
