well, have booked a site, bought equipment, enough to sink the marie rose so hubby tells me, and we are off on saturday to hollands wood in new forest. i have never ever camped before, kids have been with school etc, they are aged 15 and 17. don't panic everyone, they are nice kids (although i am obviously biased). i must admit to being quite excited although a bit nrervous about this. We have tried out tent, boys went to santa pod for a weekend and it survived heavy rain, wind and thunderstorm, despite being a bargain from argos. so any advice please. Have you visited this site, and also we have nothing electric so no EHU, really going back to basics - what do i keep food in etc. Have a bucket, these forums are brill, would never have thought of a bucket for night time emergencies. lol.
I have just returned from our first camping weekend away and now have booked our next weekend for the coming bank holiday weekend. it was great and I really enjoyed it, even although I didn't have my straightners!!
We didn't have EHU either and we just kept our perishable food in a cool box, we were unable to replace the cool blocks as there was no facility for this on the site, but the food, (even the milk) kept reasonably fresh for the couple of days we were away. I have seen that a lot of people fill up water bottles and freeze them and this seems to last longer than the cool packs so depending on how long that might be an option, another tip is to buy the ice cube bags and fill them up.
My family who are all seasoned campers, hikers etc swear by getting UHT milk as it doesn't need to be kept cool until you use it, they also swear by packets of pasta and noodles and the like for food as again it doesn't need to be kept cool. Another idea would be to cook chicken or whatever and freeze then it will last a couple of days. I suppose it really all depends for how long you are going for and what facilities are on site, nearby for fresh food etc.
good idea about pasta etc, my lot love super noodles so thats a good option. we are going for a week, and our nearest place i think is brockenhurst. never been no idea whats there, but i guess there will be a shop that sells food, lol.
Well i say first timer,I used to go camping when i was about 6/7 with family and then in my teens as a marine cadet,am 34 now I am taking my girlfriend who has never been before,realy looking forward to it.We only plan to spend a couple of nights away for our first trip and don't plan on going to far from home.
If you want to know where the nearest chip shop (as an example) is to where you are camping just type into google chip shop and the post code of where you are staying. Saves the endless driving around randomly looking for it. You will also be able to see on the map where it is in relation to where your campsite is.
THere is a Tesco Express there that sells everything you need, plus an amazing butchers, patisserie and greengrocers all situated next to each other. The venison sausages are amazing!
I have been to the new forest on many occasions one word of caution dont and i mean dont leave any food of any description lying around either outside or inside your tent unless in properly sealed boxes as you will find the horses and donkeys will confiscate it and they are not worried as to how much you have paid for your tent they really dont mind.
Just a word of caution from someone who has had a horse in there tent and had it ripped
have a great time though it is an amazing place Brockenhurst is the best place for shopping as said before tesco expess and there is a chippy and takeaway all within walking distance of brockenhurst.
------------- Easter: Forest Edge
May Bank Holiday: Southbourne
May Half Term: Verwood
August: Setthorns New Forest
August Bank Holiday: Arundel
and many weekends in between
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: FINALLY GOING CAMPING
new camper alert.
I am taking my girlfriend who has never been before,realy looking forward to it.We only plan to spend a couple of nights away for our first trip and don't plan on going to far from home.
