first time camper!

Jacko_amz

the campsite we've chosen has shower/toilet blocks but no restaurant. i'll look into the camp stoves. They also allow dogs at extra charge and on leads at all times

quite exciting looking at all the bits and bobs!

Octobergirl

We've been camping for 20 years and try to go with the bare minimum. more tricky now we have kids! We've never used hook up. Bought a cool box last year but wished we hadn't bothered, only used once, not worth the car space.
Tent, sleeping bags, foam mats (air beds are nightmare) blanket
Really usefull box, illumi / look what we've found meal pouches, cooker
Corkscrew, bottle opener, sharp knife, sporks, matches, gerber, metal cups, plates, colander for rice or pasta. Pan, washing bowl, liquid, jcloth. Tea towel.
Baby wipes, lots of carrier bags for rubbish, torch
Dog stake (corkscrew with loop and lead attached so dog can explore 360 degrees). Airtight dog food container. Water bowl for dog.
Insect repellant. Small paddling pool for kids bath. Easier than shower in warm weather.

eamon

I do most of my camping at music festivals. Facilities tend to be basic, portaloos and drinking water points. Though as they are festivals there are loads of food stalls. The principle is the same though always have wet weather clothing. The key thing though is getting a good nights sleep. I'm fine with sleeping bags but have some friends that prefer to bring duvets. Camping in spring is fantastic. Wildlife kicks off before dawn its incredible.

photome

eamon wrote: »

If you go the electric hook up route then you need 12V appliances these are not they same as your household stuff and are not cheap. Portable gas stoves are probably best though hard core campers would use spirit burners. Assuming you are using organised camp sites then they all have shower/toilet blocks and sometimes cafes, restaurants & bars.
Once you have been camping a few times you will quickly know what items get used, not used and what works best for you. Organised camp sites also tend to have many rules break these at your own risk. As your are planning on taking your dog, check with the site first.
After many years of using inflatable mats I now use a camp bed (older) makes getting dressed/undressed easier.

I have never used an electric hook up but thought they supplied 230v, am i wrong

Katiehound

As this is also the overseas board just to say if you are taking your dog abroad you will need a pet passport. If that is the case allow enough time to get the rabies vacc etc.
I have seen people with dogs making the dog a run out of the builders orange or blue plastic netting with stakes so the dog has a bit of outside freedom. Think you have to buy a whole roll of the stuff 'though!

paddyrg

Take something to sleep on and in, torch, toothbrush - the rest you can buy as you need. Take a couple of bowls from home for cereal, eat out at the pub at night. Lunch you can either buy a loaf and some cheese, or play by ear.

It's easy to buy lots of gadgets and things that will end up weighing you down to marginal gain. It's easy to spend and spend, getting 'solar shower bags' and things (forget it, we don't get enough sun, they're small, and decent campsites have hot showers). Go light.

bex2012

Just thought of something else - trugs! The rubber flexible buckets you can pick up in asda etc. Great for pretty much anything, dirty shoes, rubbish bin, keeping beer/wine cool!
And bin bags... You can never have enough.

jobbingmusician

Personally I'm a duvet person rather than a sleeping bag. Less different from ordinary bed, less restrictive. However, if you suffer from the cold, it is worth having a hat, or even a balaclava, to sleep in on really cold nights. (Or a sleeping bag with a hood. This made all the difference to me when I was in the freezing desert in Namibia - I was the warmest person in all our group, I think, because I had a hood!

I also like airbeds. I have another duvet under me, but I travel alone (the car would be FULL of duvets if there were two of us!) A cheaper but effective under-you heater is a reflective blanket (Best with a sheet on top so it doesn't drive you made crinkling in your ear all night).

xHannahx

photome wrote: »

I have never used an electric hook up but thought they supplied 230v, am i wrong

eamon wrote: »

If you go the electric hook up route then you need 12V appliances these are not they same as your household stuff and are not cheap.

We paid about £12 for a low power kettle from a camping caravan discount shop. It's low wattage, but 230v still. We have always plugged phones and tablets in without problem.
Looking on go outdoors web as an example they have low power kettles and toasters both under £20. Looking on there all appliances are 230v but low wattage.

travelgran

Put your tent up first at home! I can't emphasise this enough. The first time, struggling on a breezy campsite, instructions in hand, trying to identify which poles go where is a nightmare. We've watched and helped people often enough.
Colour code the poles if the manufacturers haven't. Identify the back and the front, not always obvious with some models! Identify the main door and be sure it's placed in the position you want. Check the mallet, hammer whatever is actually strong enough to hammer in tent pegs.
And when you go, if it's a large tent check the bag contains all the poles. And don't forget the tent pegs. Believe me, I speak from experience!
Enjoy you holiday, we do!