The serious hazards are about fire - CO from BBQs etc indoors, as above; and gas cylinders catching light from mis-installation. Always cook in a well ventilated area that you can escape from if needed.
A small kit with plasters, bite/sting cream, hand steriliser (or gin - can be drunk in emergencies). Small torch; knife (or multitool) for emergencies, and a backlit clock watch or mobile. You're unlikely to sleep well on the first night and may be counting the hours. One of the joys, however, is going to bed with the birds and getting up with them, to the dawn chorus.
Make sure you're well insulated underneath, with mats, cardboard boxes or camp beds. (Airbeds can be chilly.) The ground is very cold this time of year. Thermal vests and long johns are good to sleep in, and should be put on before evening meal. It's not a fashion contest;you need to keep as warm and dry as you can.
lack of sleep/noisy neighbours are probably the worse thing. Lightning storm was exciting and wonderful and I never felt unsafe. The auld buddies next door that kept shouting at each other till 3:30am that was another matter, thankfully doesn't happen very often.
Invest in some decent pegs, the crap thin hook ones are desighned to cause injury, the rock type are robust and will not bend when hitting them, buy a decent puller to get em out though a solid one piece one not one with a moulded handle as the handles pull off.
I use an airbed and have a heater and an electric blanket, if you opt for an electric blanket you need a couple of layers between air bed and blanket or it makes the plastic weak, I use a couple of blankets and its fine, just be wary in really wet weather that all electrics are off the floor as leaks or condensation could cause problems
I appreciate all of your replies. Yous guys are awesome! I'm sure I can worry and hear about all your experiences but i will never know fully until I try it out for myself. I go on Friday night with a few of my friends past Loch Lomand way and im sure I'll have a blast.
Bring earplugs. That's the best way to deal with noisy neighbours. From experience I know not to try and approach drunk people with a polite request to keep the volume down at silly o'clock.
It's a rare occurance but if you camp often enough it will happen sometime, even if it's just people laughing a little loudly keeping you awake. It's easy to pop earplugs in your toiletry bag.
Strong gusty wind....Would be my main concern when off camping (Had one or two tents destroyed by Gale force winds)
But I don't let that put me off getting out into the green stuff when I need/want to
I have no control over the elements when pitched....So...With a bit of common sense factored in....I don't really worry what happens once I'm set up....
I reckon if we waited for those calm sunny settled "Ideal" camping days to set off we would only get away 3-4 times a year....And that's not enough for me....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
If you have gale force winds, slightly slacken your guys. This allows the tent to flex in the wind. Many people introduce a bungee hook between the peg and the guy to give this flexibility.
Camping seems to bring out the accident-prone gene out in my children - since 2009 we've had trips to a&e with broken bones for each of the three children (one wrist, one collar bone and one index finger!). Also had tooth abscess, allergy to some sort of insect bite and eye infection over the years, so the only other thing I'd add to the list would be the details of your nearest medical centre! That said, we've never found any of the above ruined our trips and have carried on with the holiday.
Tent-wise, we've been very lucky with only minor leaks and slightly bent poles, even in severe weather. I have spare guys, pegs, seam sealant, fabric repair kit and emergency foil blankets in a tub, just in case.
We have been camping for a long time and never really had a problem. Apart from one time in The Vendee,France when we were camping with our girls and in a pine forest. The eldest, who was then about 6, had an allergic reaction to the pine and her eyes swelled and became like slits and she could hardly see. One particular day we went to a penguin show, we went early so that we could sit somewhere in the shade and found a very large tree. Unfortunately by the time the show started, we were in full sun, so had to use other methods to shade her. OH got stung that year too with the his arm virtually doubling in size and the "poison" very slowly creeping up his arm. UGH!
The same daughter, whilst working at festivals, tripped over a guy line and chipped her elbow which was quite painful.
Other than that, we've had (touch wood)no problems. And yes, the worst things for us (so far) is torrential rain and waking up and desperately needing the loo.
In my experience you have to go with the flow or else you'd never do anything. Just enjoy
------------- May - Dorset
July - Saundersfoot
September - S. Wales
October - S. Wales
The downside to camping... let me think about it...
I know buying camping gear becomes addictive.
You'll never be able walk down the high street without an essential trip to Millets, Blacks, Cotswolds, Mountainware and purchase the latest must have camping essential. You'll search Amazon and ebay for tents, lights, pots and pans.
You're shed/garage/loft will become full of tents, shelters, stoves or various designs. Your airing cupboard stuffed with sleeping bags, blankets, bags of bunting and pillows.
You'll buy roll mats, self inflatting mats, air beds and countless styles of camp bed....
You'll dream of your next tent to add the collection of 6 or 8 you already have, as you'll need different tents for different trips away. The huge family tent when you all go away for a week or 2, then the slightly smaller for weekend trips and the countless 2-3 man tents when its just you and the partner. The kids will start collecting their own tents too. Then you'll never want to part with any of them, that first tent you bought 20+ years ago with a ripped fly sheet and broken poles all carefully mended with duct tap..
And then the other decides you also need a campervan as the estate car isn't big enough even with a roof rack and possibly a trailer...
I've not been on here for while as I've been in rehab for my addiction....
Quote: Originally posted by HarryBear on 04/4/2015
... so the only other thing I'd add to the list would be the details of your nearest medical centre!
I've never thought of that, but I always take details of the nearest vet in case the dog gets ill or has an accident. Ironically, the only time we've needed medical treatment on a camping trip was when the ex got bitten by a dog (not one of ours, I hasten to add!).
We have 2 first aid kits: one for dogs and humans, and one for the tent.
And if you're accident prone, fluorescent guy ropes are good. If you're really accident prone, some of those solar lights that go in the ground are helpful.
If I had £1 for every time I've tripped over a guy rope, I'd be able to buy my own campsite.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camping Worries
