I have not read all the posts in detail, however, I would have the following within easy reach:
Brew kit, or make up a flask with hot drink in advance.
Hammer and pegs.
Head torch or lanterns in case it gets dark (running the car in order to have the headlights on is annoying IMHO).
Waterproofs in case it rains.
When packing the car, think of what needs to come out first, and that should be the groundsheet or additional groundsheet then the tent.
I have seen peeps putting the groundsheet(s) and tent into the car first when the boot was empty and easier to load the bulky items, to find they had to take out most things before they could get to them to put up the tent, not ideal especially if it was raining as the rest of their gears would be unprotected from the elements.
Enjoy your trip!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Don't say what your thinking to your partner when it's not going as planned
Expect the unexpected
Laugh about it all the day after
------------- Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Just wing it and do your own thing and forget camping etiquette within reason! Much more enjoyable. It will still be light at 9pm so no issue there. Hope you enjoy your first camping experience.
As a couple of peeps have pointed out, if you're really struggling likelyhood is that someone will offer to help you.
On our very first caravan outing we had all the awning out, scattered across the grass trying to make sense of the poles, a lot of head scratching and puzzled 'exclamations', (for that read expletives).
Next door caravan couple took pity on us and came over to help.
Have a good break.
..............
Andy
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Just make sure you have head torches handy. Sods law says that if you don't something will go wrong and take time to sort before night falls. Car headlights also work well. Enjoy!
7.30 is still early on a campsite and if it takes you two hours to set up camp that is still only 9.30. If it does take you only two hours to set up camp (usually takes me longer than that) you will have been the source of entertainment rather than annoyance to all those people who have nothing better to do than to sit outside their tents watching the newbies setting up camp...it saves then having to cart the family TV with them on trips.
I have to admit that when I go camping I arrive usually about midday and I am probably just about set up by about 4pm but that includes taking several breaks to bow to the audience...unfortunately I rarely get an applause!
Failing the above...most of your fellow campers will be so plastered on red wine and beefburgers they probably won't even notice you arrive...unless you have a Citroen C5.
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 27/5/2021
It will still be light at 9pm so no issue there. Hope you enjoy your first camping experience.a
Still light at 11pm in central Scotland. The “simmer dim” all night in the far north. If you need torches then you’re probably in the late arrivals car park outside the locked security barrier !
Have a great time, whatever happens. It’s often the disasters you remember years later, long after you’ve forgotten the perfectly good trips where everything went totally to plan.
Quote: Originally posted by junglesim on 22/6/2021
Just make sure you have head torches handy. Sods law says that if you don't something will go wrong and take time to sort before night falls. Car headlights also work well. Enjoy!
Head torches are a great idea, you can knock the tent pegs in with a mallet in one hand and hold your can of Special Brew in the other.
There is however, a special place in hell for those who arrive after dark and pitch by the light of their car headlights, for this not only illuminates their pitch but often also lights up, outside and inside, other peoples' tents.
------------- Never argue with fools........They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
People often arrive late if theyve had problems with the traffic, a breakdown, etc etc, I prefer not sit there and be all judgy cos one day that might be me.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by Belle-tent on 04/7/2021
I would love to know how you got on, Staffsfamilyrylands! Did you have a great time? Will you ever go camping again 😂 I hope so!!
We had a lovely weekend thanks Belle, needn't have worried about the arrival time - it was the Friday of the bank holiday, I think we were one of the earliest! We've been camping again!! But unfortunately won't be able to get away again until end of September so will be an EHU pitch for a heater I think - but we've definitely caught the bug and the kids have loved both times.
Quote: Originally posted by Staffsfamilyrylands on 07/7/2021
We had a lovely weekend thanks Belle, needn't have worried about the arrival time - it was the Friday of the bank holiday, I think we were one of the earliest! We've been camping again!! But unfortunately won't be able to get away again until end of September so will be an EHU pitch for a heater I think - but we've definitely caught the bug and the kids have loved both times.
Good to hear you have had a good time, and caught the camping bug.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I think the fact that you have bothered to ask indicates that you won't be a problem. Don't feel rushed. Setting up is part of the holiday - enjoy it and learn. Hope you have a brilliant holiday and it is the start of a lifetime of great times camping.
------------- A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools
Quote: Originally posted by Staffsfamilyrylands on 07/7/2021
Quote: Originally posted by Belle-tent on 04/7/2021
I would love to know how you got on, Staffsfamilyrylands! Did you have a great time? Will you ever go camping again 😂 I hope so!!
We had a lovely weekend thanks Belle, needn't have worried about the arrival time - it was the Friday of the bank holiday, I think we were one of the earliest! We've been camping again!! But unfortunately won't be able to get away again until end of September so will be an EHU pitch for a heater I think - but we've definitely caught the bug and the kids have loved both times.
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: Late(ish) arrival - Etiquette
via mobile 22/6/2021 at 4:52pm
We've been camping again!! But unfortunately won't be able to get away again until end of September so will be an EHU pitch for a heater I think - but we've definitely caught the bug and the kids have loved both times.
