BeckyBoo Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 (edited) I suppose going camping doesn't normally require luck, it's just that this is the first time I've gone without OH. So it'll be me, a tent, three kids and a big smelly dog heading down to the New Forest. Haven't got any fears about the week, only about getting the tent up! Luckily the children are already in the New Forest with SIL (Yes, the one that caused all the trouble at the Christening ) so I'm going to find a pitch, and try to get the tent up before she brings them over as a surprise - they'll think they're going home having spent the weekend with her and MIL at their caravan. I absolutely CANNOT put the tent up with smallest boy running riot! I've no doubt he'll help me take it down when the time comes...... So, I'm on here when I should be sorting clothes and washing, luckily I have two Tescos trays with all the hardware in, just got to pack food. And dog foord. And clothes. And bedding. And buckets and spades. And airbeds (I don't do uncomfortable camping ) I'm sure it will be fine...... Mrs B Edited August 2, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 It'll great fun!! and the children won't know any different if it all goes pear shaped so long as you just laugh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 yep thats how weget through most things here lol by laughing i had to today (another post) we are off to lake district for 4 days over weekend, not been that long in tent since i was kid. Kids love it it will be fine, if a newish tent should be easy to set up! good luck and what a great surprise for kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 It'll great fun!! and the children won't know any different if it all goes pear shaped so long as you just laugh!! Was going to say the same kind of thing. Don't stress, what a great surprise for your children. As someone has said on here before "I love the idea of camping....." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Sounds like the kinda holiday that will be loads of fun. Have a great time and if all else fails, get the dog to help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 sounds brilliant, and what a lovely surprise for the children! Good luck with the tent, I'm sure you'll be fine with it - and in my experience, anyone trying to put a tent up on their own usually gets offers of help from someone nearby. Get a couple of dads showing off to each other, it'll be up before you know it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Exactly what I was going to suggest Olly! Rope in some manly help I know I couldn't put our tent up on my own - you get to a certain stage where one of you has to go inside and hold it up while the other quickly puts the bendy poles in the little loopy things Hope you don't have a tent like mine!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 Thanks guys, unfortunately I've just seen the weather forecast I think I'm a rain goddess, all the rain clouds love me and follow me around as they want to be near me! Oh well, as long as it doesn't rain EVERY day..... Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Sounds like fun....they children will love it, especially the surprise element. Good to hear that the storm with the SIL and MIL blew itself out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Mrs B. I think the sun MUST be shining on you I hope you have had a great time. I hate camping. We go every year. I only like it if the sun shines, and usually it dosent. My hubby and the kids love it though. They always cook me sausages, baked beens and smash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 We are supposed to be going to Dorset tomorow. 40mph winds and torrential rain forecast We lost a frame tent ripped to shreds in a storm in July 2003 in Dorset, we are hoping the forecast is wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basset Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Have a fantastic time. I do admire you for being brave enough to attempt putting up the tent by yourself. When we arrive at a campsite, I always disappear with the children for an hour or two to explore(!), and only return once OH has everything up and sorted. Hope the sun shines and have loads of fun, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 Well we're back, washing machine is in overdrive, still haven't washed everything up, children are overtired and overexcited and it was FANTASTIC! We did have a fair amount of rain, luckily a lot of it overnight just a couple of showers during the day. Managed to get the tent up ALL BY MYSELF! was very proud of that, especially as OH told me on the phone which way round to put the top sheet, but actually told me the exact OPPOSITE of how it was supposed to go Cue 40 minutes of me tugging it and pulling it about before I managed it, but anyway, the whole week was brilliant. I'm never going to a campsite again that has "facilities" again, where we were was just a field. The children didn't look at their Nintendos once, no TV, no radio, just us, the grass, the fresh air, and the barn owls screeching all night long. The farm did cream teas and tea and cake, smallest boy who is still only 2 asked for tea and cake every day! So we had cream teas, and cake and I ate "childrens food" every day to save cooking twice, sausages, tinned beans or spaghetti and bread and butter nearly every day and would you believe it I lost 3 pounds! It was only £10 a night to camp we were in the middle of the New Forest and half an hour from the sea. Met some lovely people, gosh, I could keep on and on all night long, it was great, I can highly recommend it Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Welcome back! That sounds absolutely fab . So glad it went well and you all had a good time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Sounds wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Brilliant - and well done on getting the tent up on your own. I love camping, for all the reasons you describe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Sounds absolutely, perfectly, idyllic! Glad you had a lovely time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Glad you had a great time. We love camping and have just upgraded to a caravan from the trailer tent and the tent tent before that. I couldn;t do ti with no facilities though Mrs B good on you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Sounds like you all had a brilliant time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Glad you enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Sounds like you had a fab time all of my childhood holidays were spent camping in the New Forest - it really is beautiful and not far at all from the sea. Where did you stay? We used to stay on a Forestry Commission Site at Holmsley which was quite close to Burley - beautiful little village with a lot of witchcraft shops it was great. We used to go crab fishing in Mudeford and over to Bournemouth for a day on the beach. All this reminiscing is making me wish I was there now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Glad you had a great time. Intrigued - what do you mean by 'no facilities'? Did you have to dig a latrine pit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Happy memories to last through the year and look forward to the next time with confidence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzjones Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Hiya Mrs Berty... I'm camping mad. I've been camping for about 4 years now and just bought a touring caravan this year. Although it's on a permanent pitch in Tenby, West Wales, one of the most gorgeous coast lines in the whole of the UK if your looking to find somewhere for next time. I love the whole thing with cooking breakfast outdoors and still take my caming stove to do that instead of in the van. Then of course there's the sipping wine under the strarswhen the kids are in bed... That's quite a good part too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Glad you had a brill time- i did too, my campsite was a field that usually has cows in it for 49 weeks of the year, so no facilities there either, apart from a marquee for meals, outdoor sinks for washing hands & cleaning teeth, a portacabin with toilets 7 one for showers, & a slide & swings for the littlies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
