It's a balance between comfort and light travelling. For us for 1 or 2 nights that means we just take a small tent, sleeping bag of course, chairs, a tarp to sit under and an airbed and a blanket for the floor below the bed. Take only 1 simple stove to reheat a dinner in a saucepan one night, and then eat out the second. There are no frills like electric hookup, toilet tent, fridge or coolbox (take tea black, use cappucino packets that include milk granules).
It can be daunting at first, but you owe it to yourself to give it a go now that you have the gear. You can't teach experience, and the first time you go out is when you'll learn the most. Enjoy :)
Thanks for the replies. We've decided to camp at the
in-laws in a couple of weeks lol. they're away so we'll do our best to stay outside and get a real feel for how long to put up and what we need for next time.
Quote: Originally posted by kal4col on 26/8/2015
Thanks for the replies. We've decided to camp at the
in-laws in a couple of weeks lol. they're away so we'll do our best to stay outside and get a real feel for how long to put up and what we need for next time.
On the flip side, some years we booked a pitch on CL site with EHU, for week stay. Arrived 12noon, arrived at allocated pitch to find a caravan sitting there with its occupants. They proceeded to take all afternoon to drink tea and chat finally wound the jacks up and left around 6pm.
We had a Trailer tent, spent the evening pitching, when we should have been settled in.
Not amused, especially when the site regulations asked that the pitch be vacated 12noon.
I don't mind if people are packing up and are running over time, but to sit on the pitch and just drift away late is inconsiderate if there are others booked on.
Should mention the owners of the site were away all day.
Sounds like they knew the owners were away and decided to take advantage. If I'd arrived to find them still occupying the pitch just drinking tea I'd have had no hesitation in asking them to move, in fact I would probably have reversed my trailer tent towards their caravan to give them a big hint!
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Quote: Originally posted by silvertopsandra on 26/8/2015
On the flip side, some years we booked a pitch on CL site with EHU, for week stay. Arrived 12noon, arrived at allocated pitch to find a caravan sitting there with its occupants. They proceeded to take all afternoon to drink tea and chat finally wound the jacks up and left around 6pm.
We had a Trailer tent, spent the evening pitching, when we should have been settled in.
Not amused, especially when the site regulations asked that the pitch be vacated 12noon.
I don't mind if people are packing up and are running over time, but to sit on the pitch and just drift away late is inconsiderate if there are others booked on.
Should mention the owners of the site were away all day.
I'm off to put the kettle on... need to calm down after reading that!!!
One night. I'm doing the same on Sunday. Having loaded the kitchen sink (literally) before - I have to say, I am looking forward to the simplicity of basic camping with the absolute bare essentials,.
If my boys and I had our way, we'd pitch up in the farmers field next to the site and rustle up our own dinner from the warren, cooked on wood from the forest and not a gas canister in sight. Then a nice soak in a hot bath at hoe the next day with a roast in the oven!
If it rains, enjoy the bonding through playing cards, horror stories and farmhouse cider / scotch, tea coffee stew hot chocolate etc., p**sing in a pan and mastering handwashing from a bowl of soapy water and the ultimate hand drier (jumper!).
Seriously, less stuff, less time setting up. Less time packing down and then putting in the garage/lift when you get back. If the sky is clear, enjoy the best star gazing, chatter of neighbouring campers, zips and caughs. Plus the potential for shooting stars before sleep and warming beautiful sunrise with a waft of bacon and the sound of whistling kettles.
We have bought our first tent as a couple and hope for many weekends away, we have storage boxes we will keep packed with kitchen equipment, odds, a bedding bag, all stored ready to grab and go. On our leaving day we will get up, pack and go to where ever we want to explore that day and head hone from there.
Aw, don't worry too much. Camping isn't for everyone, but you may need to take a while to get into it and 'make it yours'. We started off by camping at friends and family, most of whom live in the country and have large gardens.
We have pitched for one night, but only in their gardens where arrival and departure are fluid and we only needed to worry about bringing the very basics.
Otherwise I'd recommend a minimum of two nights, starting somewhere close to home - no more than 90 mins drive (psychologically very important for me so I feel I can escape easily). Working out what matters to you, what doesn't.
As has been said, many sites can be relaxed about you packing up if you ask them.
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: newbie having 2nd thoughts :/
