Quote: Originally posted by dezzie on 04/4/2011Its a bit "off" to just point you in the way of the search button.
No it's not - the power of the search facility may not be obvious to first-time users of UKCS Forums yet it unlocks a vast wealth of information. Search should be the newcomer's first port of call. Quite apart from helping newbies locate info, it saves the rest of us having to answer the same (understandably popular) questions again and again. Why keep reinventing the wheel?
As for 'just', I went on to offer explanations and advice on specific points as the thread developed. I spend quite a lot of time trying to explain stuff to new UKCS members in jargon-free plain English so it's a bit rich to imply I was fobbing Mav off.
Quote: Originally posted by oldham on 05/4/2011...]keep it simple...the more you take the less you go...
Leave the EHU until you decide camping is for you...
Both those points are good advice for a first-time summer-only camper. Suck it and see - if you like camping you can add to your inventory as you go on.
I highly recommend the Kampa airlock junior airbed for young children -- it gives you the comfort of knowing that your little one can't roll around on the floor and provides just enough air underneath them to keep them comfy. We've had ours for a couple of years, and there have been nights when I had to comfort our son in the middle of the night, and the airbed allows me to lie down next to him quite comfortably (more comfortably than his toddler bed at home). Doesn't take more than 10 minutes to blow it up as well.
Also, I find he sleeps like a log while we camp -- doesn't kick off his blankets like at home. We all sleep better when we camp, really!
I think when you are starting out it helps to think about what you need in terms of the different areas – i.e. sleeping, living, eating. Makes it easier to work out what you need.
Agree with what everyone has said about sleeping being the most important. Personally I like the airbed (go for mid range £25-30 for a double) as the cheap ones tend to go down, plus if you don’t like camping it will come in handy round the house if you have guests or children’s sleep overs. I also like a double sleeping bag for me and the OH. You get the benefits of the warmth of a sleeping bag but it feels like a quilt. I get tied in knots in those mummy sleeping bags and prefer something cotton lined (think mine is a Coleman one and got it reduced for about £40).
Other than sleeping you can probably go cheap on the rest and improve later if you like it. Can pick up folding chairs for a fiver a go (less for children’s), a cheap folding table, two ring cooker for £20-30, cheap windbreak etc.
Best investment I made was in three plastic storage boxes. Means that I can keep a large amount of the camping gear packed and ready to go. In one I keep living accessories – torch, lamp, playing cards, plasters etc, in the other pots pans and plates, and in the third all the associated bits for cooking so tea towels, dish clothes, washing up liquid. I find that it makes packing so much easier and you are less likely to forget things. Everything is put away clean and dry before we leave the site and I have a sticker on the top of each on which I write anything we have run out of when packing up so I can replace it before the next trip.
Here’s my list if it’s of use (obviously you will need children’s bits and bobs too)
Quote: Originally posted by Sceptical Camper on 05/4/2011
Quote: Originally posted by dezzie on 04/4/2011Its a bit "off" to just point you in the way of the search button.
No it's not - the power of the search facility may not be obvious to first-time users of UKCS Forums yet it unlocks a vast wealth of information. Search should be the newcomer's first port of call. Quite apart from helping newbies locate info, it saves the rest of us having to answer the same (understandably popular) questions again and again. Why keep reinventing the wheel?
As for 'just', I went on to offer explanations and advice on specific points as the thread developed. I spend quite a lot of time trying to explain stuff to new UKCS members in jargon-free plain English so it's a bit rich to imply I was fobbing Mav off.
Quote: Originally posted by oldham on 05/4/2011...]keep it simple...the more you take the less you go...
Leave the EHU until you decide camping is for you...
Both those points are good advice for a first-time summer-only camper. Suck it and see - if you like camping you can add to your inventory as you go on.
oh dont be so precious Scep. I took your "search" post as a little bit officious and as the original poster apologised for not knowing posting ettiquette, i'd say I wasnt alone. It came across like you were giving them into trouble for not searching before posting. I'd feel a bit intimidated if I asked a question and was told I should use the search function first.
------------- 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
Getting back to the subject of SIM's, at my peril, with those thermarest ones (I'm looking at the ProLite Plus) do you reckon they would be ok without any additional insulation underneath such as a karrimat assuming I'm camping spring to autumn in the UK and I use a 3 season sleeping bag.
I'll be camping fairly light (though not quite backpacking) so taking one item instead of two would be good.
I only know people with the Dreamtime, Luxury and Basecamp Thermarests. The NeoAir isn't a diced foam and air SIM, its a Lilo, albeit with clever baffles and fabric coatings. It doesn't self inflate and has no insulation bar the fabric coating and the baffled air. Personally I wouldn't go near it for use in cold weather, one review I saw said it varied firmness significantly depending on temperature.
I think you need to seek out a specialist shop and talk it through with them.
your taking a big risk asking this lot on here by the time they've finished giving u advice on wot u need you would b cheaper buying a hotel seriously tho u hav cum 2 the right place they REALLY r a great bunch of people on here & each & every 1 of them seem 2 hav sum great ideas & advice
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 with a question
seriously tho u hav cum 2 the right place they REALLY r a great bunch of people on here & each & every 1 of them seem 2 hav sum great ideas & advice
