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Topic: Spring Camping

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kazzy232

16/1/2011 at 8:32pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Outwell Carolina M and Nevda M

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I would like some advice please. I am itching to go camping and would like to go in March. I have two tents: a Carolina M (steel pole) and a Nevada M (flex pole). My questions are:

1) which tent is best to use or doesn't it matter.
2) what would I need to take, and would I need an EHU.
3) I live in the Southeast in Essex and only want to travel unto 200 miles, so where would be best to go this time of year. I would quiet like to visit the Cheddar Gorge, but not sure if I should wait till later to go there.

I am a real novice. I have only spent 5 days camping in my entire life (I am in my forties now). I would appreciate any tips and advice.

millermicm

16/1/2011 at 9:12pm
Location: west country
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can't adviseon the tent but being a Somerset lad I can say that Cheddar Gorge is nice. The gorge itself is probably a day's entertainment at most unless you like walking. There is a lot around the area though.

The weather in March can be variable. It will probably be between 5 & 15 degrees. Cold at night. You will need heating.

Wether you want EHU or not depends on how you intend to do your cooking, heating & lighting. If you are going to use Electric clearly you need EHU.

If you are going to use gas you do not.

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Steve

kazzy232

16/1/2011 at 9:15pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Outwell Carolina M and Nevda M

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Thanks does it tend to be very windy there in March

seantomtom

16/1/2011 at 9:23pm
Location: manchester
Outfit: gelert utah 4x4 gelert morpheus 8

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It does not really matter where you go or what you take ehu or not,its about getting away from it all and having fun.if youve nowt to cook on eat out.all you need is something to sleep in,something to sleep on,and a glass of wine,make a list of what you miss and take it next time.hope this helps.just enjoy.

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seantomtom

Bob61

17/1/2011 at 12:58am
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The Cheddar Bridge Campsite at Cheddar is adult only and first class. Walking distance from Cheddar village and the Gorge. Quite sheltered too, and if they haven't whacked up their prices this year they are still very reasonable.

PagsUK

17/1/2011 at 10:41pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Swift Challenger 510 & loads of tents!

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I've got a Nevada M and it's stood up to plenty of bad weather. You could take either however - just ensure you peg out every 'loop' and use the guy ropes!

EHU will ensure you have sufficient light if you use one, and can suggest a small heater to blast away the cold mornings/evenings!

Just go and have fun - camping is great at any time of year!!

Glamper Puss

18/1/2011 at 9:36pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Outwell Ohio XL

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You take a chance anywhere really in March. We live in Essex too and last March (end of) camped at Sandy Balls in the New Forest with our Outwell Ohio XL. Boy, it was cold and wet, but we still had a fun time.

How about somewhere in Norfolk? I'm not sure of Clippesby Hall near Yarmouth or the C&CC site at Sandringham are open then. We have stayed at both and they are pretty good sites.

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andycwb

18/1/2011 at 10:15pm
Location: Berkshire
Outfit: Oztent RV4

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Quote: Originally posted by seantomtom on 16/1/2011
It does not really matter where you go or what you take ehu or not,its about getting away from it all and having fun.if youve nowt to cook on eat out.all you need is something to sleep in,something to sleep on,and a glass of wine,make a list of what you miss and take it next time.hope this helps.just enjoy.

10/10 for attitude.

From the man who is wondering whether to accept an invitation to camp the last weekend in February.

Liverbird08

19/1/2011 at 7:57pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Quechua llll Bell t

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Andycwb - I have camped in Feb/March for the last two years, with children and without any heating other than warm clothes/bedding and a big log fire! if you camp anywhere at that time of year, try to go where you can have a fire so that you can sit around and keep warm!!

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2011-
Dec/Jan -Cornwall nr Padstow (cottage)
Feb - our garden (tent)
March - Llangollen (cottage)
March -Town Farm, Bucks.
April - garden..again..need to get out more...
May - Acoustic Festival of Britain Uttoxeter

Liverbird08

19/1/2011 at 7:59pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Quechua llll Bell t

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Just to mention - each time the weather was fab!! warm during the days with lots of walks and cycle rides but frosty at night but by then all tired out and snug.

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2011-
Dec/Jan -Cornwall nr Padstow (cottage)
Feb - our garden (tent)
March - Llangollen (cottage)
March -Town Farm, Bucks.
April - garden..again..need to get out more...
May - Acoustic Festival of Britain Uttoxeter

nicolaburns

20/1/2011 at 8:32pm
Location: Wirral
Outfit: Silverline Silvercrest and Pino Pi

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I would definitely take an EHU and fan heater. Go to the supermarkets now and buy up all their stocks of reduced mulled wine for at night and take a duvet or 2 as well as a sleeping bag!

Liverbird08

20/1/2011 at 8:36pm
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Mulled wine good - we took a bottle of champagne and proper glasses and sat in the field whilst the owls toowhitted and toowhooed! Felt great being wrapped up and warm with the kids tucked up and drinking chilled (by the natural temperature outside!) champers (we only do this rarely, if I recall it was a belated birthday celebration as my husband is often away and misses the good bits!)
Oh and a slanket so as to keep your laps warm!

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2011-
Dec/Jan -Cornwall nr Padstow (cottage)
Feb - our garden (tent)
March - Llangollen (cottage)
March -Town Farm, Bucks.
April - garden..again..need to get out more...
May - Acoustic Festival of Britain Uttoxeter

Speedcamp

21/1/2011 at 10:13am
Location: Sunny south coast
Outfit: Columbia 600 Bude 4

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Extra bedding, base layers and hotwater bottles!

victoria1

21/1/2011 at 1:04pm
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The choice of tent doesn't matter. The EHU is more important and the fan heater of course. And wear thermals for PJ's.

ANGEDAWS

24/1/2011 at 7:31pm
Location: Northern England
Outfit: Coleman Mosedale 5

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If you cant (or dont want to) have EHU then you can get gas heaters. Obviously you need to be careful with them and cant leave them unattended but we wouldnt be without ours.

Personally mid-May is the earliest I would camp nowadays but each to their own. I guess the sites will be quiet which is always a bonus and you can pick and choose your pitch. Take plenty of clothes and a comfy fleece or jumper that you can sleep in.

dezzie

24/1/2011 at 9:45pm
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Im with Angedaws on this one. Mid May is when it starts to get warmer. I had to stop easter camping (April). It was absolutely perishing, the kids were miserable, we were miserable. Taking the tent down in the cold sideways rainy weather was just a nightmare - we even got snow one april down at Eskdale. Bear in mind we had a nice warm fan heater, but it was still cold at feet level as the hot air rises, so your top half is nice and warm and bottom half is freezing.. Its at night you feel it worse!

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Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on

Cool campers use Delta Pegs.

The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have

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