Hello, bought our tent last year and it's actually coming out of the box next weekend!! (Hope it's all there!) Just been to buy necessities ie sleeping bags, table, kettle, etc but can't help thinking I should maybe have got a heater? What do you think? And if I should get one which sort? Also, looked at cool boxes and fridges (not for next weekend as our food is all being sorted out for us as it's a footie tournament). Which is better and can anyone recommend anything else that extreme novices may regret not bringing with us. Also will be looking for 'proper cooking equipment - there seems so much choice it's hard to know what to get. Also is a windbreak a necessity and whilst I'm on a roll what about a toilet? Worth it or not - and how easy are they to operate/clean? Well that should do for now but I'm sure i'll think of something else in a minute - maybe we should just have got a caravan and be done with it, but I think tenting will be so much more sociable. Thanks and look forward to some great advice.
Blimmin heck Chris, I have been camping 30 yrs and not bothered with all that stuff . OK lets see, the weather is warming up now so I don't think there is need for a heater at the moment...I guess they would be ok for late or early in the season Nov/March (my opinion only). Most sites have serviceable toilet facilities so I never needed a portable one so I would say that unless you have difficulty walking forget it, just added expense. Put the money towards something that is needed like a good cooker or maybe windbreaks, cool box and ice packs.
Woolworths have a single burner stove with a heater attachment on offer at half price now for £15. Its the suitcase type stove and I think it uses the dispoasble gas cartridges.
have you got a lamp of some sort?
You havent mentioned airbeds , you will need something to sleep on, even if its just the roll up foam mats. if you are using airbeds, don't forget the pump, and its a good idea to put a blanket or roll mat on top of the airbed to insulate you from the cold and prevent condensation on top of the airbed. Extra blankets, as many as you can fit in.
It's not neccesary to get a a toilet, they take up a lot of space, most tenters have a bucket with a lid. Woolies have them in the nursery section £3.99. You can put other stuff in the bucket to cut down on the packing.
the favourite reccomended fridge is the waeco combicool or mobicool as it has been renamed this year. it runs of mains , gas or 12volt whilst travelling.
windbreak is handy, specially if your cooking outside, and great for hanging wet towels over to dry.
Don't forget the mallet, and most important the corkscrew/bottle opener . Have a great time.
Thanks both, I feel from Phil's comments that I may not have got really into the spirit of camping and might be a trifle spoilt!! My workmates have bets on as to whether I will actually manage to stay 24 hours in a tent, so I'll let you know next week! However, on a positive note we have got airbeds and corkscrew and I have my own personal bottle of Bacardi. Very grateful for the tip about bucket with lid and I wouldn't go anywhere without the mallet as it could have a dual purpose if hubby and I struggle with erecting tent and he gets lippy!
I don't think you're being spoilt about things at all . It is all down to the individual. Some like to go with everything in a pack on their back, others, with kids to consider, can fill a transit van with neccesities. WE did. There's no point you going and suffering discomfort, it is supposed to be FUN. Some say it's not REAL camping if you take an EHU (electric hook up lead), but I wouldn't be without ours.
I go camping without my husband quite often and pack a lot less than when he comes with us. For example, he won't go anywhere without the TV. I can't stand the damn thing, I go camping to get away from it.
My sister wouldn't dream of going without her hairdryer and straighteners, I get a short, scruffy cut at the start of the summer and let it drip dry.
You just take whatever home comforts you want, and you'll know what to leave at home next time. You have your priorities right anyway, Bacardi and BWL.
Go for a long weekend away not too far from home and you will soon find out what you need/forgot to take.remember to take a pen & paper to write down what you need!
------------- a bad day caravaning is better than a good day at work
As long as you take your sense of humour, you'll be fine!! Whats the worst that can happen?? OK guys...........no need to answer that!!! You'll find after your first trip that there are things you wish you'd brought and things you brought that you wish you hadn't!..........Confused??.......You will be lol
Your post sounds very much like the conversation i had with my mrs...... should we get this, should we get that, what about one of those..... blah blah blah.... and that went on for weeks on end. Eventually we settled for the tent, 4 air beds, wind break, 2 single burner stoves and the most important thing of all..... The Quilts !!!
We went with the most basic of stuff and the cheapest tent i could get, purely because i never expected my mrs to enjoy, how wrong could i be !!! We had a fantastic weekend.
Just get out there have fun, forget about the home comforts (quilts being the exception) You can buy stuff just for the sake of buying it, then you have to store it and clean it and pack it and before long it becomes a night mare trying to fit everything in.
My only addition to the kit is the new bigger tent.
I think you learn as you go along as it`s individual tastes and needs, what one person sees as an absolute must is a non essential to another. Windbreaks are an absolute yes to us as we can `cordon off` space in front of the tent to cook in and sit in with some privacy. We have flock topped mattresses and have never found the need to put a blanket or anything on it, but I insist on taking pillows with me as I can`t sleep without them, my hubby laughed at me the first time I took them but he is the first one to grab a pillow now!
We also like to take those cheap disposable BBQ`s with us ( at £1.99 or less in most shops) as it makes a change plus hubby will BBQ to his hearts delight while I sit with feet up. We bought a games pack from Argos with tennis bats/badminton bats and net etc in it and find that ideal to keep the kids occupied, along with the old Connect 4, pack of cards and a chess set we can amuse them for hours.
We just got a EHU and a 35 litre electric cool box as our `normal` cool box just wasn`t big enough and getting more frozen blocks for it was a pain at times.
I cannot go anywhere without my hairdryer and after a few trips thro the night with the kids to the toilets (which always seem to be further away in the wee small hours) we have now bought a camping toilet but I still think those welly type shoes would be a great idea for walking on dew sodden grass.
I also pack two seperate toiletry/shower bags, one for the `boys` and one for the `girls` that way we can all head for the showers etc together without having to wait for one lot to go first then hand over the toothpaste/shampoo/soap to the others so they can go.
A couple of small torches to find your way back with at night is a good idea as well as a spare pack of batteries (handy for torches/gameboys etc).The list is endless but you learn what you need as you go along and what YOU need may not necessarily be what your neighbours consider essential.
We met a couple last year who swore they couldn`t survive if they didn`t take their microwave and toasted sandwich maker with them and the wife insisted she couldn`t sleep without her `nice` duvet cover etc, it was strange seeing a double air bed made up with lacy satin duvet cover, frilly pillowcases and a few scatter cushions to make it more comfortable, but that`s what she felt was necessary for her.
Personally I feel it`s individual taste but the basics are pretty much the same for everyone one, as long as you are happy that`s all that matters.
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: Exactly what do I need?
OK lets see, the weather is warming up now so I don't think there is need for a heater at the moment...I guess they would be ok for late or early in the season Nov/March (my opinion only). Most sites have serviceable toilet facilities so I never needed a portable one so I would say that unless you have difficulty walking forget it, just added expense. Put the money towards something that is needed like a good cooker or maybe windbreaks, cool box and ice packs. 
..........Confused??.......You will be lol
