Well it is Monday evening. We have a trailer, a camping stove, car power inverter(?)all the legal road requirements ie. triangles, hi-viz jackets etc. heater/cool air fan, flip-flops for showers(!) and fleeces for cold evenings but nothing to sleep in or on. I'm a bit more relaxed about finding somewhere to pitch now reading all the helpful hints everyone is leaving but boy am I stressed. Husband however is cool as a cucumber and looking forward to a wonderful adventure on the road! I didn't mention two of our children suffer from extreme car sickness. Are we mad? Definately, but I'm starting to get into the spirt of things and looking forward to a bit of an adventure - with lots of Joy Rides for children to pop!!!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Try 'Travella' - a homoeopathic remedy for travel sickness - and works very well, even for cynics.
No you're not mad - but a tent might be a good idea! If you don't get anything to sleep in (as in sleeping bags) then take your pillows and duvets from home - we do. Camping mattresses would be a good idea, but if you don't get any then a large French hypermarket will sell them.
If I were you I would just head generally south - and take some good guide books with you. Either that or stick to the coast west of Calais and just keep driving until the sun comes out! We use the green Michelin guide, Alan Rogers, and the Caravan Club - but you may be able to borrow some of these from the library. That way you know where to head to find sites. Once you've got your tent pitched on your first site, and realise it isn't so bad, then you'll be fine!
By trailer do you mean a trailer tent or do you still have to buy one?
This has me fascinated! It took me so long to persuade OH that camping was for us and then so long again to research the exact tent, cooker etc!! That's before I started on where we would go.
You'll have a great time. Head south for the weather as Val has said. It's actually very easy and very relaxing. Totally unlike camping in England, which I love, but not as much!!!!!
Well, with 3 kids in tow and never being camping before you're certainly brave! Have you got your tent sorted yet? when you're buying that think of where you're all going to sleep, e.g. will your older one want a separate bedroom to the younger 2? Do you all want to share a room (wouldn't recommend myself but lots do) If it were me I'd probably be going for a tent with bedrooms either end of a living area with one of the rooms dividing into 2 for some privacy for older child. Go for a good recognised brand and test pitch it in the garden beforehand.
As to sites there's plenty of good ones listed on here and although I've not tried them the large hotel chains (formula 1 etc) apparently offer good value for stopovers. French sites we've stayed at have been great for big enclosed pitches and great facilities.
I hope you have a great time, don't forget to let us know how you went on when you return.
------------- Kate
Trailer tent, caravan and too many tents!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Latest update. Have had "camping meeting" tonight with husband's friends who are seaasoned campers. Giving lots of advice and gone through list of what to buy! When I say trailer - Pink Sequin - I mean just trailer! Which following "meeting" it has been decided is too small so husband is going to purchase another tomorrow! We are purchasing a Outwell Idaho XL if that means anything to anyone out there! I am meanwhile booking myself into the Priory - it will probably cost less than all this equipment we now have to buy! And I have purchased my husband some speedos - have been told these are obligratory in french pools!! My son is refusing to acknowledge his father is he wears them! I will be in constant fits of laughter which will make the entire holiday! My youngest, who is a very naive (just turned) 5 year-old, doesn't understand what camping is all about and keeps asking when we're booking the hotel and why we have to drive and not go by plane like we normally do! Will keep you all posted and may even post some pictures!!!!
If you're relaxed enough at this stage to still be able to smile then I'm sure you'll have a great holiday. Just remember French roads are so much better than here, as are French campsites, French markets, French wine, and (most) French restaurants, so at least you're off to the right place. You'll also find you 'stumble' across villages which over here would be tourist traps, but over there are just places people live in.
If you can borrow any equipment, rather than buy, then do so - our friends borrow our top box (no trailer), and portable 3 way fridge - they're in France at the moment.
My two sons loved our camping holidays, and when my niece (9) and nephew (7) were asked this year what they wanted to do for their summer holiday they said 'Go with Auntie Val and Uncle David in their caravan, on a nice campsite'! (And Hong Kong, Malaysia, Grand Canaria, and Cyprus have all featured in their recent holidays!!!!)
bugeye the initial outlay for all the equipment is expensive but will more than pay for itself over time. Unless of course you hate camping and never go again.
Outwells are good tents. Ours has stood up to wind, rain and thunderstorms. Here's hoping you don't see any of these on your trip. Will you get a chance to view any tents before you buy?
We are now the proud owners of and Outwell Idaho XL as well as every other piece of equipment we will need for our trip! Husband arrived home earlier with car bursting with equipment - he even had to put all the back seats down and we have a Nissan Pathfinder 7 seater which if you've never been in one, they are huge!!! We now have rather large trailer too to transport all this gear. He did however forget to buy pots, pans, crockery etc.! So I guess that'll be my job tomorrow. I can't complain though he's done very well to get it all sorted in one day! The bank even rang him to check someone hadn't stolen his credit card due to the huge amount of money spent in somewhere "foreign" to our normal spending pattern - lol!!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Take your own pots and pans - it's much easier, less hassle, and they feel familiar, too. I know there are 'specialist' items made for camping, but the old pans that everyone keeps at the back of the cupboard just in case are perfectly fine. Take your own plates, mugs, dishes, knives and forks, and then if you really don't like camping (I bet you will love it) then you haven't wasted any more money.
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: Camping Virgin
