We were lucky enough to camp with our outdoor group in the grounds of Penpont House, South Wales, last May.
Own private 100-foot lawn in front of our Khyam, no other tents in site, stunning grounds, camp fire each night...no kids/chavs/dogs (sorry if that offends)...
for me it has to be when we went to conniston hall camp site up in the lakes around 9 yr ago, we'd crammed everything into our (then)little fiat sciento and popped the two dogs on the top of it all and sang silly songs all the way up like a pair of giddy kippers, we got there got our fav spot,set up camp and then the heavens opened from then till 4days later when we went home, we didn't have a care in the world haveing imprompto bbq's in the tiny porch of our little tent, keeping things dry by alternateing lifting either side open to let the smoke out and keeping out the blizzard aswell, playing cards and drinking whisky when the rain was heavy, then swimming in the lake or out walking with the dogs when it subsided, over to the village of conniston for supper and a pint by a big,warm open fire when the mood started to dip and haveing a drunken singsong on the walk home to entertain the sheep....ahhh happy days!!!
Now we're to be civilised, sober parents to-be this year and from then on our camps will be so much different.....till the baby goes to sleep
I've racked my brains and I don't think I could possibly identify my best trip.
We've had so many wonderful trips of varying types that have been fantastic. There are some great moments that stick in my mind on race circuit campsites these are often late at night with groups of friends, Le Mans during balmy evenings with race cars going past the camp site is hard to beat.
Then there are the quiet morning moments, sitting wrapped in a blanket with a cup of coffee listening to the birds and the noise of the trees. Sometimes these are on quiet campsites with barely any other campers, sometimes on busy campsites waiting for others to start moving.
Then the wonderful night we spent eating seafood pasta, drinking champagne and watching the best night sky I've ever seen - only to be woken 5 hours later by a rave on an adjoining field
For me it has to also be the Hopleys meet last November. The weather was cold and we had 24hrs of horrendous storms but Zenobia, ValBarley and myself stuck it out and we really bonded because of their unselfish help and companionship.
There was a big build up for us before this meet and it was not an anticlimax, it was very sociable with everybody joining in I have made some very special life long friends, you know who you are, thank you guys.
------------- July 1-9 Nantcol Waterfalls meet Sept naturist week Sept SVR w/e Oct Secret meet Nov hopleys meet
For me it has to be my first ever experience camping with my dog on a very basic site which was my idea of camping anyway and immediately falling in love with waking up under canvas and suddenly having a very chilled out dog. The weather was perfect for 8 days, the background was a romantic steam train tooting, nearby miles of beaches to exhaust us both, just a complete sense of freedom and because it was so blissful I returned and witnessed the starriest sky ever in my life. As for meeting the love of your life, that's another story. but my first campsite has brought me a lifelong love of camping and I have met some great people already. I will never forget my first campsite.
Last year in the New Forest - 2 weeks (ages since we'd managed a full fortnight's camping), huge comfortable Vermont XL tent, lots of lovely new & reorganised old kit (thanks to this site)carried in our new trailer, and great place (needing another holiday as didn't cover it all).
Hoping to top that hol this year but destination undecided as yet....Northumberland, Wales, Peak District????? Quite different options but all have their merits!
We have had some great camps as a family, but my favourite two were the ones I had on my own with my daughters aged 2 and 3 - such special times (campsites were Bowkerstead Farm in the Lake District and The fabulous Rowlestone Court in Herefordshire).
The holiday I am most thankful for was the two night stay at a nondescript site not far from home in Cheshire. There were flies everywhere. The pub was rubbish and the was really cold - which could have been bad, but was all made ok because on the second night, we made this (Link updated)
And it really doesn't get much better than that...
2 years ago.
First time camping and arranged to go with a group. fNot sure if we would be going as weather had been very iffy and OH not enthusiastic at all.
Last minute decided YES.
Bought the tent the day before. A special offer at go outdoors. If that had sold out don't think we would be going. Phoned OH and told him it was in stock and they had just put it on the till.
Assistant looked at me funny and said 'Vango 600 DLX?' I nodded, she looked across towards the door and said 'Thats yours love, on the trolley' . When I saw the size of the box I nearly dropped. Had to get one of the guys to help me to the car. His face was a picture.
Skoda fabia awaited him. Boot has 2 picnic chairs and a table in borrowed from my dad. We had to put in the back seat. Still got the photo on my phone. My daughter had to sit in front seat!
I was so excited!!
Took with us:2 adults, one child, 1 dog, 1 tent, 2 chairs, 1 table, ehu, kettle. Hot chocolate and coffee cups from Homebargains. 3 airbeds and 3 sleeping bags borrowed from my dad. 3 cups, paper plates, wipes and spare clothes.
It felt like christmas when I was a child.
Arrived at the site and welcomed. Then the fun began. Didn't have time the day before to try tent, sorting stuff to take! (mostly begging off my dad).
We didn't know which way round it went, where the door was. Nothing to open the tapes around it. Thank goodness for the group we were with!! They watched the dog, the child, helped and all with laughter and fun.
Later we ate at the cafe on site and sat out with friends. The children played. Everything was an adventure. We got ourselves, towel and clothes wet in the shower. Live and learn.
I will never forget that first time. The sound of the trees at night. The dogs tail wagging on the tent floor and walls. The birds. The 'smell' of earth and grass.
It was the best holiday I had had for years. A truly get away from it all. And now, I only have to smell earth and grass and I feel the exitement I had on that first camping trip.
Now onto our second tent as the vango was a little too big or our car was a little too small!!
OH!! forgot to mention, I had hurt my foot the wwk befor and was limping. Couldn't get myself off the airbed without help. When we got home I went to casualty and it was broken. Thank goodness I didn't get it x rayed before we went. We would never have gone if I had had a pot on.
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 24/1/2011The pub was rubbish and the was really cold - which could have been bad, but was all made ok because on the second night, we made this
Wow if I sent the postage could I have the pattern?
It was really just a joint effort - the main hint would be to get it done quick before we froze!
Our best ever was in the early 70's. On the Quantocks in forestry commission land. You could have open fires, with the rule that the wood had to be on the ground and not attached to a tree. In a small valley was our party (2 families) and further down another group of two families.
You have just reminded me - this sounds like Ramscombe, a truly wonderful back to nature campsite. I also remember many visits in the 70's. there were no showers I'm not even sure there was hot water in the toilets, but it was a magical place. Such a shame it is no longer available for camping.
I went camping with a mate from school ,In the Sixties to a basic campsite In Edale Derbyshire . We had an old style white canvas tent .After a good day out hiking up Kinder Scout and visiting the local pub's In the village . We were having a late night cuppa when the gas ran out on our stove . The canister was one of those with a small ball bearing that you pierced when you connected It to the stove . "We did not know that It was slowly leaking ". In those days the back up ,was to always have a candle .Well this mate had already lit the candle and came toward's me Inquiring to see what the problem was. "Well ........ Caramba Mucho Calor " . Next a WHoooooos,h like a roman candle . "Flamming eck" Quick I said get the door open ? This old colonial type tent did not have a zip . But ties all the way from the top to the bottom . And my mate was having a job panicking undoing It .
Yikes Crikey !!! I did not hesitate any longer . As survival was tantermount . I booted the stove and canister toward's the door and lifted up the tent door and out with the flamming thing . It went down the hill like a Catherine wheel glowing and spinning until . Mercifully the gas gave out . So the tent was saved Hooray . The only thing that got burnt the most was the two of us . Both our eye brow's were gone and eye lash's . And worse the front of our hair was singed . Gone curly and and shrivelled back on the front of our heads . But we were safe . We just went to bed by candle light . Exhausted and glad to be safe. Next morning . We went down to the village to get supplies of food and new stove . Everybody gave us strange looks !! . Then we decided to go Into the Ramble Inn to drown our sorrows . Well It was like been In the wild west .
Everybody moved to the other end of the bar . We looked like 2 Alien creatures that had just landed ........... Everybody asked us how . And what happened . It was So so funny unforgettable .. . This was one of my funniest times camping . "Titter not".
I have more to tell . Watch out TALE's from a Campsite
Probably our best ever trip was the weekend that we camped West then East at the end of the Summer. The kids missed 3 days at school due to our trip. To be honest, we were actually seriously thinking of just running away. Sometimes when you are desperate, that's the kind of insane thoughts that go through your head. We had stopped camping for a few years due to my wife suffering quite a bad attack due to MS. We had moved house, I had been laid off from my work as I suffered from M.E. But my wife's deteriorating health meant, I could be there for her and the kids too. Now the new house we lived in was perfect for us - in theory, but the neighbours were complete scum. They made our lives pure hell. I cannot even go into what they put us through because it was so painful. But one thursday afternoon, not long after the schools had returned from summer break, we had just had a serious load of hassle from our neighbours and I just packed the car, took the wife and kids to Allonby and we camped there. It was fab and we'd paid till the Sunday, so we had a weekend of no hassle, threats, intimidation or violence towards us. It came to the Sunday and I packed the tent up. Drove into Silloth for Lunch with the family and then I just said, lets never go back. For one insane moment we really thought we could just not go back. I drove to the East coast to the Waren campsite just outside Bamburgh, and we booked in paying night by night. It was deserted, but peaceful. We just needed to get away from the hell that was our lives, and just being there and not caring a jot whether we were going back "home" gave us all a chance of being a family again, smiling, playing games etc. It was fantastic. It came to the wednesday and sanity kicked in. We went home. Home to our telephone line pulled off the wall, Sky dish damaged, windows smeared in dog poo, etc etc. To this day we dont know why this family done this to us. We are the type that close our door and bother no-one. We've always been like that.
Anyway, that was our very best camping trip ever. If we hadnt went on it, I seriously dont know what we'd have done as a family. It gave us the strength to carry on.
Even the kids school was very understanding when we explained why we went away. They knew of this family and what they were capable of, so they knew we wouldnt have taken the decisions lightly.
On a brighter note, we've moved house, it was 4 years ago now and we've all recovered.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
Quote: Originally posted by valbarley on 22/1/2011 ... the hopleys weekend in november was one of my best trips!... so many laughs and best comradery ever
Quote: Originally posted by floggitt on 23/1/2011For me it has to also be the Hopleys meet last November
Yeah, I have to agree with Val and with Floggitt - Hopley's might not rate as my personal 'best ever' but it was a really great weekend! So good, in fact, that the same gang will be doing it again in four locations this year - everyone is welcome to join us.
Quote: Originally posted by snowyowl on 24/1/2011 I will never forget that first time. The sound of the trees at night... The birds. The 'smell' of earth and grass... truly get away from it all.
Nicely put, SnowyOwl - you really capture the essence of camping.
I have enjoyed many wonderful trips and they've all been different so I'd be hard put to narrow it down to a single 'best ever'. Who knows - maybe the best is yet to come?
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: best camping trip **EVER**
I went camping with a mate from school ,In the Sixties to a basic campsite In Edale Derbyshire . We had an old style white canvas tent .After a good day out hiking up Kinder Scout and visiting the local pub's In the village . We were having a late night cuppa when the gas ran out on our stove . The canister was one of those with a small ball bearing that you pierced when you connected It to the stove . "We did not know that It was slowly leaking ". In those days the back up ,was to always have a candle .Well this mate had already lit the candle and came toward's me Inquiring to see what the problem was. "Well ........ Caramba Mucho Calor " . Next a WHoooooos,h like a roman candle . "Flamming eck" Quick I said get the door open ? This old colonial type tent did not have a zip . But ties all the way from the top to the bottom . And my mate was having a job panicking undoing It .
Yikes Crikey !!! I did not hesitate any longer . As survival was tantermount . I booted the stove and canister toward's the door and lifted up the tent door and out with the flamming thing . It went down the hill like a Catherine wheel glowing and spinning until . Mercifully the gas gave out . So the tent was saved Hooray 
. The only thing that got burnt the most was the two of us . Both our eye brow's were gone and eye lash's . And worse the front of our hair was singed . Gone curly and and shrivelled back on the front of our heads 
. But we were safe . We just went to bed by candle light . Exhausted and glad to be safe. Next morning . We went down to the village to get supplies of food and new stove . Everybody gave us strange looks !! 
. Then we decided to go Into the Ramble Inn to drown our sorrows . Well It was like been In the wild west .
. This was one of my funniest times camping . "Titter not".
