Well just wanted to say a huge thank you to all that's helped me planning our 1st camping short break.
We went on the weekend for 2 nights with 2 adults, 4 kids, 1 dog and 2 cars lol. Found a great site 30 mins away from us with 3 parks, level ground, ehu and for £21 per night arriving as early as we want and leaving as late as we want which is rare for our area most wanted us off by 10am-12.
Our 2nd time putting up the tent and it took us 30 mins (frontier 6), and we didn't look like newbies thanks to you tube!. Tent is a great size, and felt very homely with the carpet, airbeds, duvets, kitchen stuff and the heaters. Was so lovely to relax and see kids enjoying in the parks whilst we just enjoyed our new 2nd home.
We had electric hook up which as great and we soon figured out what appliances we could have on at the same time. By 6pm after a glorious day it started turning a little cold so heaters came on, film and popcorn and we where settled for the night. Everyone had thermals and pj's on, with the 13.5 tog duvets to go on the airbeds which where lovely, but will definitely either get flannelette sheets or a thin cheepy duvet to go under the sheets just to not notice the lack of heat in the airbed. Temperature was 0' don't think we could of planned a colder weekend to camp but it was great, but we all came back with sunburn, so will definitely be packing the suncream for our next outing.
Toilet at 4am with 3 kids was tricky and we will definitely be buying a porta loo for next time.
Cant believe its taken us this long to get a tent, weve all defintely got the camping bug and I'm hoping to go this weekend :). But weve agreed with 4 kids and a dog were only going to go when arrival and departure days are dry as trying to watch kids and unpack/pack was hard work alone in the rain!.
That's great! Having followed the journey to here from your first post I'm really glad you enjoyed it. It is a learning curve, but you've made a good start.
Well done. Sounds like you had a great time. Its sunny weather like today when we all dream of future camping trips.
Re toilet in the night or porta potty..
We do not bother but send them on lots of toilet breaks in the eve. ie. toilet and wash hands before dinner, toilet when i'm doing the washing up, toilet into pj's with teeth and quick wash or shower if dirty, last wee before lights out. It gets you to about 6.30 or 7 am when I also need to go.
We got the Hi Gear Portable Travel Toilet from Go Outdoors last year and I've got to say, after initial reservations, it is a very good addition to our kit. It is a similar idea as the Luggable Loo.
It has a loo seat and lid with a wider base than a normal bucket. We use it for wees only and put a waste sack with a bit of wood cat litter in the bottom which absorbs the liquid with no smell or mess.
Fantastic report Glamping Mummy. Well done, we too wish we'd done it years ago.
For keeping kids out of the way when pitching and packing up I have the following suggestions:
Electronics (ipads, Nintendos, games on your phone...). Our two don't touch these devices during the trip normally, they are too busy playing so half an hour of it so they are out of our hair isn't a big deal.
Threats or bribery! Mine respond better to bribery ie: if you can sit quietly whilst mummy and daddy do this bit, then there is some chocolate in mummy's bag for you. Sometimes its more like if you don't sit quietly then mummy is going to be very cross. I have threatened to pack up and go home before now but thankfully they are good girls mostly and we didn't have to!
They very quickly regard themselves as veterans and want to help, passing pegs, carrying light weight stuff etc... can actually be a help rather than a hinderance.
Sometimes we've been at sites with a play area which is in our eyeline so I've been happy to let them go off and play.
Camp with friends who can watch them for you!
Right, I'm off to check out the site you went to and see how far it is from us.
------------- Mummy of two daughters and two guinea pigs
Regarding the air beds I normally use a mattress protector and what called Terry towelling sheet, they are very elastic so fit great around airbed and made with cotton so good at keeping heat.
Glad you got the bug its fab with children, a porta potti for night time is a good idea, when we had our tent it had 2 bed pods across the back the potti fitted in between the pods in the day out of the way, I just put it in the living area at night now with the folding camper I just leave it in the awning. If space in your vehicle is limited then pay the extra and buy the porta potti 335 cube
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
Good report and made me feel positive about getting out under canvas again having not done so in a while. Isn't it good to chill out and watch kids have so much fun really feeds your soul.
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: Amazing 1st camping trip :)
