Sorry to be a complete newbie, but can someone answer these basic questions?
Hoping to go away for a single night in the next few weeks, to try all this out. I have a bell tent from Obelink and we're doing a single night and avoiding anything relatively complicated like cooking. Partly because my old Trangias are at the other end of the country at the moment!
Is it normal to turn up at e.g. 5pm, pitch tent, drive/walk to pub for supper and then come back?
From these boards I know all campers are happy campers, but there will always be a few bad eggs about. Do you padlock your tent zip to stop opportunistic thieves? Staple it to the ground?!
What sort of time does everyone start moving around? Dawn is circa 6: do people lie in until 7 or 8?
What do people wear to the showers? Towel + bikini/trunks, or full clothes?
Thanks for taking pity on someone trying this out!
I'm not an experienced camper by any means - two years worth of experience (although we tend to tour so lots of ups and downs and moving around may count for more!!).
Can't see anything wrong with turning up at 5pm, pitching and then going off to the pub. As long as you're not too late back and not noisy! Take a torch with you.
Wouldn't bother trying to lock your tent up - it'll just give people ideas and they'll slit the material to have a look what's inside! Anything valuable should be locked away out of sight in the car or preferably at home!
As for the mornings - does depend on the site a bit. I'm an early riser and tend to be up and around by 7am latest. One site we were on this summer was pretty much like that whereas the next one - people didn't seem to really appear until about 0830! I'd say 0730 - 0800 to be safe.
Personally I tend to dress fully but it can be a pain in the showers. You see people wearing all sorts - pyjamas, dressing gowns - you name it!
I am not sure what is classed as 'normal' but we always try and arrive as early as we can to make the most of the whole experience, but of course it depends when you can get away/arrive etc. We always cook in the evenings, not been to a pub whilst camping (yet!).
No need to padlock your tent and I presume you were joking about the stapling - lol. If someone wants to get into your tent, they will but hopefully that would never happen anyway.
People get up/start moving around at different times - I usually need the loo by around 5am, and sometimes don't see anyone else at all at this time! We have young children so are awake by 7am normally anyway.
I just wear my normal clothes to the shower block, but do wear a pair of cheap flip flops in the shower itself (put them in my shower bag).
Good luck and remember the most important thing - HAVE FUN!
Hi,
Never think about padlocking your tent zip,a thief will just cut his way in with a stanley knife.And the main thing is if you need to exit your tent in a hurry(ie fire).
You can get up go to bed when you want.Most sites have a no noise after 11pm and no moving your vehicle before 7am.
Me personally,I get up about 7am (the showers are less busy then)
Best thing for going to the showers in,flip flops or crocs/shorts/and t shirt,although some campers go in there dressing gowns.
------------- Sue & Phil
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Quote: Originally posted by Surfin on 29/7/2009
Walking to and from the showers attire 18 to 30 a Thong Bikini 30 to 40 a Bikini 50 to 60 a Boiler suit
Glad you asked those questions giles... its all questions i wanted to know, but didn't ask lol.
I noticed some campsites are saying they won't accept people before the likes of 1 - 2pm... which I thought was annoying, as i want to get in early and get set up.
we are normally up between 6-7 am and go straight for a shower cos like sue says there not busy then, i normally come back from the shower in my towel cos i cant be assed to get dry in the showers lol
i have never had anything stolen from my tent so dont think security is an issue, however i would never leave anything valuable in it.
i hope you have many happy trips in your tent
------------- A tent is like a newborn born baby..... to some they all look the same..... but if its yours it's beautiful.
:o) gillychick
Willows - Laceby March
Lee Valley - London May
Nanctol Wales June
Croatia September
undecided October
Re shower clothing - If you are good at standing on one leg putting your trousers/shorts on trying to avoid dangling them on the wet floor and not falling against the damp walls then you are fitter than me. I think that is why I have seen lots of people wearing nighties and a fleece or just a dressing gown to and from the showers.
Given this is our first time, we'll do the dressing-gown and flip-flops- I hate changing in a tiny shower cubicle.
I didn't mean to say locking the tent while inside, but having seen some of the pics on this site of the more "serious" campers: there's a whole lot of kit inside the tent during the day! However, if you're on a campsite chances are you have the kit anyway and a couple more saucepans aren't really going to be very appealing to thief.
I would turn up at least 30min before the camp office is due to close, so that they have time to show you around/answer any questions etc...
Once you have arrived, you can do whatever you like, so if you do not wish to cook, then there is nothing wrong with going to the local pub.
As for tent security, I would not take anything valuable that I cannnot take with me or lock inside the car. My bike lives in the car and is never left out of sight. I lock my laptop in the car too.
I would advise against putting a lock on the tent, as it shouts "valuable items inside".
I get up when I feel like it, or when Borda the dog needs to go out for a pee. Afterall I am on holiday.
I wear a kaftan to and from the shower in the warmer months. I would probably wear a fluffy warm dressing gown in the colder months. Flip flops on my feet, or something similar to Crocs.
Not an experienced camper, just been to camping a few times, that's all.
Have fun!
DK
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I don't think time of rising or going to bed is the issue - it's what you are doing. As long as you aren't making lots of noise whenever is fine.
Daviebroon
Works both ways - sites that suggest later arrival times tend to ahve later depature times.
But it depends on how busy they are. If it's busy there may not be a free pitch if you arrive too early, when less busy they will probbaly allow you on earlier
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Topic: Very basic camping questions
