The first time I camped it was with the guides, and can honestly say I hated it. I was cold and sleeping on the hard floor was simply not my cup of tea!
I decided to give it another go three years ago, due the cost of holidays in static caravans and going abroad, going up and up. This time we had air beds and now we've electric the whole experience was sooooooo much more enjoyable.
I'm now completely hooked, and can honestly say, I get far more excited about our next trip than my children do. Not only can I have my little luxuries but, I can also get back to basics with cooking in the open and just generally enjoying the great out doors.
I don't have kids but I have enough trouble with the dog, luckily he's not huge (a total mongrel from local rescue centre). He runs round likw a wild thing when we're packing the car, in fact he starts following us around even if we just mention the caravan. We have to open the car door for him to get in and sit on the drivers seat otherwise he'd probably trip us as he runs in and out of the house with every bag we take. Once in the car he is still excited until I tell him we're at the 'Rusty Man' (Angel of the North) when he settles down until we turn off the A1 for the caravan site at Tunstall. We're on a seasonal so as soon as we get to the van he runs up and down in the awning a few times and once the door to the van is open he's in and jumps from one side to the other (I made covers for the seats) and then as soon as hubby sits down Coco climbs on to his knee and that is him set for the rest of the stay. At home he never bothers with hubby as he only wants me but at the van it's hubby's turn. He never likes getting into the car for the return journey though. He's not a greedy dog and normally only eats his regular amount but at the van he always seems hungry and is ready for everything going. Must be the Yorkshire air.
The original post brought back sad memories of a day way back in 1987 or thereabouts, when we were going camping at the Upton Folk Festival, round about this time of year. We packed up the tent and the rest of the kit, and the kids were obviously wired and excited by the adventure, but when we got to the camping field, by the River Severn, it was freezing, there was an absolutely bitter east wind, it was raining and sleeting, the wind was colossal, and camping would have been a total nightmare! We had a big frame tent then, with straight sides, and I didn't want to risk destroying it in the evil winds.
So we left Daddy to kip in the village hall with the other morris men, and we went home. The kids howled all the way home, and I felt like the Wicked Witch of the West!
But when we got back I put up a small tent in the living-room and they played in that for a while, and later we asked a friend round to play with them, and he stayed overnight in the tent I made out of the bunk beds and old curtains. A good time was had by all, which just shows... camping doesn't have to be outdoors!
we taking our 22 month old for his first camping trip in a couple of weeks. He got very excited just looking round the tent display at go out doors, mind you so did I.
Hope this will be a start of a life long love for him.
And theres nothing stopping us running around with hands in the air, My friend and I do it with our little ones in the park then burst out laughing. Great for making you feel happy!
We've booked 5 nights at Woodlands in Devon with a theme park attached, my little 4 yr old is so excited..she'll have her bike to ride & swingball, plus the theme park nearby..we love camping!!
I must admit, I think I get more excited than the kds but they love it too. We had to cut short our Easter trip but when I told them we'll sneak in another trip in June they were delighted! DD, aged 6, generally starts packing her camping bag at least 2 weeks before any trip and asks lots of questions about what the site is like, what is there to do, what will the weather be like etc - seems she's caught the bug young!
My three little ones (4, 3 & 2) can't wait. We've got our first camp of the year next weekend and they're so giddy it's unbelieveable! We've only been camping once before- that was at the end of summer last year to try it out)- and they loved it. I just couldn't put up with the over giddiness at bedtime. We ended up going for a drive to get them off to sleep - for the first time ever it didn't work! Cue very bleary eyed mum and dad lol! Other than that, we're pretty excited too ;)
------------- May - Fron Farm, Mold
Jubilee weekend - The Wharf, Shropshire
August - Gate House Wood, Kent
I think it's so nIce that children experience " the good life" because so many don't ..., I'm glad mine did and mine now want there's to to do the same ...I did something right ! X
------------- Coming home back to a caravan
2013
Whit week Kelpie Manorbier
July/Aug Carpenters Farm Isle of Wight
Hi everyone we're back and it's been great reading all the other replies. Some of them have really made me chuckle!
I'm glad to hear your dog gets excited too Marilyn. It reminds me of my Mum and Dad's old dog Jack who used to hide under one of the beds in the caravan when it was time to go home!
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: Excitement of little ones!
