Have just come back from our first family camping trip... I completely forgot how addictive it was...
Apart from taking way too much stuff, it really couldn't have been more perfect! The campsite was beautiful, very basic but thats what we wanted. The tent catered more than enough for our needs, very spacious for us & the 2 kids, they had ample play space inside, not that we needed it this weekend!
Had to pack up in the rain this morning but managed to put the tent back up once we got home & it dried off, all except the guys ropes so it'll be coming out again once the sun shines!
Off to check out some advice on items we decided we could do with for our next trip next month, so all the extra stuff we didn't need this time will soon be replaced with stuff we just 'can't do without'!!
Thanks to everyone who posted with advice before the weekend, I really can't wait til we do it all again in 3 weeks time!
So glad you enjoyed it Linzi. And as for being addictive, well, at least its an addiction with positive benefits!
I always take too much stuff but we are going to make a big effort for our next trip (its getting closer!) to only take what we're going to use, and if it means we have to visit the laundry because for the first time all the weather I pack for has happened in the first few days then so be it.
Glad you had a super time. We are also addicted after our first family camping trip - it's just so brilliant isn't it?
We didn't get much sleep to be honest - we didn't choose our pitch very wisely, but that just means we'll be more careful next time and plan a bit further in advance.
But even sleep-deprived, we're still hooked. Our self-inflating mats were brilliant, our stove was fantastic and I'd do it all again tomorrow, but for much longer than just one night.
How did you find putting the tent up with the kids? We did get a bit stressed to be honest with our 3 year old trying to help and running all over the tent - but he was just so excited, you can't blame him really.
Where are you off to next time then? I'm going to book our next trip asap!
Kids were fab whilst pitching the tent... they were just running around like nutters!
First night the kids were just too excited... our eldest (5) went to sleep about 11pm & our youngest (nearly 2) had a tough time of it, it was her first time out of her cot & it was chilly friday night, my OH ended up lying next to her til 5am... I had a fabulous nights sleep with the double areobed all to myself!!
The next night was totally different, she didn't have a daytime sleep, we walked miles & played loads, I has halfway thru changing her into her PJ's at 7pm & she fell asleep in my arms whilst trying to put her top on... she then woke up 12 1/2 hours later... the same happened sunday night too... so relieved that she didn't struggle after that first night! Was your little one worn out too??
We are very local next time (heaven farm, danehill, 5mins drive) as we are going the day of my son's sports day, we'll set up in the morning & then head straight back. I've also said maybe we should book there for a weeks stay in the school hols & he can commute to work whilst the kids & I camp out!
Our 3 year old was also exhausted! He was so excited about sleeping in his sleeping bag that he wanted to go to bed as soon as we pitched the tent at 10am on Saturday morning! We had decided to let him stay up for as long as possible and not force him into bed, but he was so shattered we ended up insisting he went to sleep at 8.30pm. We did have a bit of a struggle for about half an hour but he eventually dropped off and slept til 7am which is unheard of - he's usually up at 5.30am!
Heaven's Farm looks lovely - that's on my shortlist too. Trying to book either Woo Woo or Manor Court Farm for our next trip. Both are only about 30-40 mins away from home for us. I don't really care about how far we go at this stage though - I just want to go!
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: Addicted!
