Arrived back this morning following my first overnight camp on my own with my boys. Brilliant time had except the rain!!!! It didn't give up at all through the night!! So loud. Number 3 whinged and cried most of the night!!!
Boys did enjoy there aldi camp beds. I was lusciously snug after using the reflective blankets and a spare sleeping bag under my air bed!!!
Even managed to set up my new tent with number 1 son, as we want it for our break in the summer. Carpet and all ( another recommendation on here)
OH made a brief appearance for an hour on his ride home from work ( we camped only 6 miles away from home just in case it was a disaster) he declined our offer to stay. He is most defiantly not a camper!!
Home now footprint drying over the banister. Tent will be spread out in the dining room tonight.
Now to my questions-
Why was my air bed damp this morning on the sleeping surface? (I didn't have an accident)
Why was ds2's cambed damp too? (again no accident)
How do you deal with the noise from the rain?
Any other tips for camping on your own with kiddy winks?
I would be interested to hear about the damp air beds.. Is this condensation? Any tips to stop it happening?
------------- Hi Gear Voyager 6 + Porch, Footprint, Carpet & Every accessory you could possibly think of :-)(almost) - Next Trip - Pentewan Sands 27/06/2013
Questions 1 & 2 - this is condensation and moisture from your bodies; your sleeping bag's job is to keep you warm and dry by wicking moisture to outside the bag, so they were doing their jobs.
Rain noise - I find this makes the tent feel more snug, so enjoy.
My aim when our kids were little was to make sure they were knackered by bed-time - not hard on a campsite!
Glad you enjoyed yourselves
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
I always enjoyed the rain noise, until a few weeks ago when I was in torrential rain and it was like white noise on a TV, irritating and set my teeth on edge. I would recommend ear plugs, and maybe ear defenders for the little ones? Also try and have them tired out with some form of physical activity before bedtime so they'll sleep easily.
You won't always have a wet bed, condensation is a problem but can be managed. If it was wet outside there was a chance you had wet clothes in the tent. Also there's a possibility with the rain that you had vents or ventilation strips closed. If you did then next time leave them open. Put wet things inside a bin liner. Let the air circulation do it's job, taking that moisture from your breathing etc outside instead of gathering inside the tent and airbeds etc.
I wear ear plugs to bed, and bought the dog a pair of Mutt Muffs recently in case it is very windy.
DK
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Thanks again guys. We did have significant number of wet clothes thanks to number 1 spraying 2&3 with the water hose at the taps!!! He was also saturated as he declines to wear shoes and prefers walking around in just socks no matter what the weather!!!!!
Not so worried now about the beds!! Will need to get the sleeping bags back out and dry/air them off
It was so good (including the rain) I'm looking for some where for my next weekend off work. It looks like OH is gonna be spending a lot of weekends on his own :)
Quote: Originally posted by babycake on 23/6/2013
It looks like OH is gonna be spending a lot of weekends on his own :)
I spent the best part of 30 years poo-poohing anybody's suggestion to go camping. Because of that, non of us went camping, whilst our kids were kids. All grown up now, some with their own kids, and we are, to an extent, slowly making up for missed opportunities..... but I still have regrets.
Tell him, from me, he is missing out on some wonderful family memories, and an extra special bond with his kids, that can only come from sharing a tent and a field!!!
Thanks mucker. I'm working on him. I think he thought I'd fail miserably and wouldn't bother without him. I hoping that by seeing us have so much fun on a regular basis that he might get off his butt and join in xc
yes Babycake. I too have a non-camping husband. I have tried and tried to get him interested, but to no avail. I just pack up and go camping either just with my 3 x boys, or with my cousins and their families on a rather larger group camping sessions. Persevere and see if it works.
------------- its me again!
Top End Farm May
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Quote: Originally posted by babycake on 23/6/2013
Thanks mucker. I'm working on him. I think he thought I'd fail miserably and wouldn't bother without him. I hoping that by seeing us have so much fun on a regular basis that he might get off his butt and join in xc
Once he has sat through a few 'remember when' and all the in jokes from your trips I reckon he will soon feel left out and want some of the fun. Yes he might not come every time but even it he came once or twice it would be an improvement.
Barbecue or campfire; beer or pub; loads of gadgets, knots, improvisation; tales to be told over the communal washing-up; maps, compasses and arguments over likely wind-direction and sunrise: what's not for a bloke to like?
The airbed condensation problem can be mitigated by using a woollen blanket under the sleeping bag, and airing it each day. Or get a self-inflator.
Glad you had a good time, babycake. Get that stuff dry SAP.
Just shown OH the tribfest page on here and his interest has been sparked,just a touch!!
Think that I might be investing in proper camp bed ans SIM. Boys have them and were very comfy. (get me with the lingo).
Planning a trip up York way for July. Want to take the boys on the open top bus. Although having read the nutter Christmas thread I'm thinking of switching to lady heyes and touring Chester on the bus!!! The craft centre looks just up our street!
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: I survived!!
