I've always camped pretty light, even with children. As a single Mum I had a few years of hanging on to a toddler/preschooler with one hand while throwing up a quechua 3 with the other for slightly bigger child to peg. The the eldest got big enough to hold a pole onto a pin so we upgraded to a 6 man: loads of space for the three of us when it rained but still not too much kit to pack up.
Now we're a blended family of 7 we have a great big tent, but it's still a quick-to-pitch tunnel and we camped lots last year. But then....we went away with friends earlier in the year and I started browsing the equipment forum on here, so we now own a little kitchen stand and lots of comfy chairs, as well as the bits we had before.
In the course of one shopping trip we have gone from last years 'sun's shining, stick the tent in the car!!' to last weekend's 'it's so much faff for one night, lets just leave it until next year'
I can see that our 'frequent camper' days are over, and all because we bought a bit more kit. Boo.
We have all the stuff too but for the rest of the year we will be doing non electric basic 1 night camps where we leave all those big luxuries at home. We did it last weekend and actually really enjoyed the simplicity of it. We still took the big tent but left behind some tables, carpet, all electrical items and extra stoves etc. Was a back to basics camp and we still loved it. At this time in the year we cant be bothered with the faff either but will be looking forward to getting it all out again next spring for longer "glamp" type trips where we are all cosied up :))
Currently getting stuff together for some backpacking next year....Living in a flat and carrying all the stuff up and down stairs at the start/end of a trip can get a bit wearing...Working myself up to going back to sleeping on the ground and basic cooking stuff etc(Cos its years since I did that) But needs must...If it means I can get off without too much faffing about on some of my trips next year so be it.....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
but ive got it down to a fine art, from little camps to big long ones..........just take out what we really really need
having the van helps too, i can just fill up the water and off we go
got to get some things ready for storage, but going to be using basics this next week or so in Cornwall, then it will be time to sort out, pass on and buy new,lol (i dont need an excuse to buy, i am a camper,)
I have different tents for different lengths of stay. The problem is that I still need to take the sleeping gear, eating/cooking gear, at least two chairs, one for the dog, and one for myself, because he will nick the chair. Kids can if need be sit on the floor. Because I only have a Micra, I need to two so there is the temptation to shove more stuff in.
Got to admit this year the dreadful weather has put me off the odd pack and go weekend during the school holidays. Impossible during term time as Scout's is of a Friday evening - used to be during the week until we lost the use of the hall, and had to find a different venue.
Quote: Originally posted by Camping nutcase on 11/9/2012
I have different tents for different lengths of stay. The problem is that I still need to take the sleeping gear, eating/cooking gear, at least two chairs, one for the dog, and one for myself, because he will nick the chair. Kids can if need be sit on the floor. Because I only have a Micra, I need to two so there is the temptation to shove more stuff in. Got to admit this year the dreadful weather has put me off the odd pack and go weekend during the school holidays. Impossible during term time as Scout's is of a Friday evening - used to be during the week until we lost the use of the hall, and had to find a different venue.
I think that a big tent, 7 SIMS, 7 sleeping bags, 7 pillows, a handbag stove, kettle, disposable barbecue, crockery, a few bits of food/milk/t bags etc, a couple of picnic rugs , one table and some tripod stools was doable last year (we didn't even take the coolbox for overnights) but the addition of chairs has tipped 'him indoors' over the edge.
I have a very small car (Ka) so am restricted whether I like it or not! It does make getting away for just a night or two very easy and I also have all I need for a fortnight's holiday.
i too have loads of stuff, but at this time of year all i need for a short trip is:-
tent. either kampa minnis or trout lake
carpet for living area
air bed + pump
sleeping bag + 1 inflateable pillow
camping gaz grill/single burner with hotplate thingy
moon chair or blow up chair/sofa
ehu cable
big coolbox of food and drinks, bag of ice + ice packs to keep cold.
some clothes and thats it.
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: too much kit too little camping!
