Hi,
We came home today after camping in Hayling Island, and the weather was totally gorgeous, hot and sunny the whole time, and was so unexpected we've returned with red noses!
My son ( who is usually at Uni) joined us with his girlfriend and our 5 year old, and it was really good to have other adults to spend the evenings with, as usually it's just me and the OH and our youngest son.
I'm going to leave a site review, as we really liked the site- it wasn't cheap, but the staff were brilliant, helpful and so nice to chat to, and the site was kept lovely & clean, with lots of nature points to look at with the children, like the Butterfly Bar, and bumble bee boxes.
It's in between a lake and a creek in Hayling Island,and you can walk from the site to the beach in about 10-15 mins.
We were on the lake side, and the wildlife was great, we even heard woodpeckers. I've added a couple of photos for you
Next week we're of to the IOW, then hopefully Kent for another short break... that makes ( if I include Easter time)5 holidays this year... much better than the local lady who holds her nose in the air at 'camping... ugh..' and her one week all inclusive holiday that cost nearly 3k!!
The views from our pitch-
Nice & safe for scooters !
It was Scarecrow festival, so they were everywhere! My son loved them, so here;s one for you!
And I was soo pleased the older son wanted to come along, and he had a whale of a time being a big kid with his baby bro... there is 17 years age gap between them, so I love this photo of running with buckets to make a moat on the beach.
There were a lot of caravans there & motor homes, but everyone was so friendly, I'm booking for next easter!
------------- First camping trip, Blacklands farm Aug '10
***
July '11- Laleham camping Site
July '11- Fishery Creek
Aug '11- IOW
Aug '11- another SE site, haven't decided yet!
Fantastic pics and comments. You obviously had a great time!
As for the local lady that turns her nose up at camping.... I bet she never leaves the confines of her hotel on her 3K holiday... what a waste of time and money.
Building memories for your kids that will last a lifetime, that's partly the attraction of camping for me.
Go to one hotel complex... you've seen them all, where's the memories in that?
------------- (Quechua popup addict!)
Planned for next year, hopefully!
Summer Solstice wild camp.
Chilled in a Field, July.
Crantock, August. Fouth year with the fantastic Quechua Base Seconds 4.2!
..... and the odd night wild camping in my Argos 1 man tent...
Quote: Originally posted by Finnboy on 01/8/2011
Fantastic pics and comments. You obviously had a great time!
As for the local lady that turns her nose up at camping.... I bet she never leaves the confines of her hotel on her 3K holiday... what a waste of time and money.
Building memories for your kids that will last a lifetime, that's partly the attraction of camping for me.
Go to one hotel complex... you've seen them all, where's the memories in that?
Thank you.. I know it's probably not a site that appeals to all, a lot of campers seem to like rugged, very basic sites, but as this is just my 3rd camping trip since i was a child, I do like sites with nice showers, a park for the little one ( normally he is like an only child due to the huge age gap, so parks keep him very happy at 5!)
The hotel family are planning on sitting around the pool all day drinking, while the kids are in kids club. I don't see the point of a family holiday if they're going to try to palm them off all the time
We can't wait to go again, we have definitely got the camping bug this year!
------------- First camping trip, Blacklands farm Aug '10
***
July '11- Laleham camping Site
July '11- Fishery Creek
Aug '11- IOW
Aug '11- another SE site, haven't decided yet!
Quote: Originally posted by FriendOfOwls on 02/8/2011
Thanks for the pics. Haven't been to Hayling Island since 1967, but I really loved it.
Kudos to your big son that he's happy to holiday with you and be Big Bro. to his Little Bro. Good man!
FoO
I went a few years ago, just for the day, and it is pretty 'tacky sea-sidey', with loads of nic-nack shops etc, and pubs that need a lick of paint, but for the kids, if you have the beach, and ice creams, the rest doesn't matter!
They enjoyed the steam railway ride, and the funland, but most of the time we were all relaxing on the site or on the beach.
It was brilliant, as my son is usually living in Bristol for Uni, so seeing him spend time with little bro made my day
It must have been good, as he and the gf have both said they'll come away with us next year too!
------------- First camping trip, Blacklands farm Aug '10
***
July '11- Laleham camping Site
July '11- Fishery Creek
Aug '11- IOW
Aug '11- another SE site, haven't decided yet!
Aww Minxz, you are like us! We have a 20 year old, a 17 year old and a 2 and a half year old! I love nothing more than seeing the older ones play with the youngest one, but it seems to be a rare occurrence most of the time. We also look for the same kind of sites that you do for the same reasons, it's usually just the three of us and we need plenty of things to occupy him - well, by that I mean a park of some kind and somewhere to run around and maybe kick a ball about - camping has always proved to be by far the best kind of holiday for that as he always seems to have much more freedom to do this. We love it! Your pics are great, my favourites are the view from your pitch and the scarecrow one I think
Thanks for the pics Minxz, I'm always interested in sites not too far from home and now the new Hindhead tunnel is open Portsmouth is much easier to get to.
The South East is a bit short on sites. I'd be interesred to see where you go in Kent. We had a great couple of nights at the C&CC site at Folkstone last year.
Kat- glad you liked the pics, we were very lucky with the sunshine :)
It's not often I meet others with big age gaps like us, its not easy sometimes juggling the two generations is it! I find my son gets v shy, and often tries to join in with children he meets, but if they already know others they often snub him, possibly because they're a bit older, but its hard for him to make friends on site to play with. One reason ee like sites near plenty if things to do together!
Shame you don't live in the south, my son would love playing ball with another little one, even if he's a bit younger!
------------- First camping trip, Blacklands farm Aug '10
***
July '11- Laleham camping Site
July '11- Fishery Creek
Aug '11- IOW
Aug '11- another SE site, haven't decided yet!
Heather, it was si much easier using the tunnel, and son loved it!
We may go to the isle of Sheppey, nice sandy beaches.
------------- First camping trip, Blacklands farm Aug '10
***
July '11- Laleham camping Site
July '11- Fishery Creek
Aug '11- IOW
Aug '11- another SE site, haven't decided yet!
I was thinking exactly the same thing last night, if we weren't so far apart we'd both find it ideal! My lad seems to prefer to play with children older than he is but he also finds it difficult on his own, not so much shyness as me not letting him go off too far on his own, and then as you have found, other children not necessarily letting them join in when they already have their own friends or siblings. Interestingly, I've noticed that if he already has a friend with him, then other groups are much more willing to let them get involved.
As for the age gap, I don't know about you, but he is a completely different kettle of fish to the other two - much more of a handful. I don't mean naughty (although we are of course at the terrible two's stage....) but just so much more forward and hyperactive! Or maybe it's just because I was younger back then and didn't feel it so much!
I am enjoying everyones photos at the moment. I cannot wait, as I am going on Sunday for a week, to the Lakes.
Can I ask you Heather, What does the cbell stand for i'm intrigued. Only reason my surname starts with a c and ends with a bell with amp in the middle.
We were AI holiday makers and have had some fab times in some beautiful places, but having moved to Northumberland we realised how beautiful this country is too and are now looking forward to holidaying in the UK with our tent. Our little one loves the outdoors and for us it was an easy choice (especially as he starts school in September) and as you quite rightly pointed out - one or two holidays abroad each year or several holidays and lots of mini breaks with the tent - it was a no brainer!
I love looking at everyones pics too and will get some of ours posted up when we come back from Bellingham at the end of the month.
Jewels
------------- Jewelsm - a fair weather camper
August 2013, 14, 15, 16 & 17-Trevornick for two and a half weeks of sea and surf (and ever optimistic -lots of sun). Some other weekends if I can persuade DH
Waving hello from our Hayling Island home . So pleased you had a good time here. Nice pics.
OH and I were born and grew up here and we love it, though can never understand what its attraction is to non-islanders. My mum lives on the other side of the creek next to the campsite where you stayed. It's very pretty when the tide's in.
Minxz they are great photo's. We are off to Chestnut Meadow this weekend with our two sons (15 year gap). It's a very family friendly site near Bexhill with a fab play area and indoor games room. Also the C&CC site in Oldbury is great for exploring the woods and Iron Age Fort.
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: Back from a long weekend -with pics
