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Quote: Originally posted by PhatDad on 28/8/2007

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Hi, i have just bought the required items to start going camping and have booked a weekend off work near the end of September.

It will be our first time and have a couple of kids aged 7 and 4.  My question is, there is a high chance that come the end of september it will be raining.  What do you folks do when it rains?  How do you keep the kids entertained?  Do you still go for a hike or do you sit in your tents all weekend?  I'm struggling to figure out what us city livers will do if the risk of my wifes hair getting wet is quite high and therefore can't leave the tent. :D

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The same as we do when it aint raining but with a waterproof coat on lol

Quote: Originally posted by PhatDad on 28/8/2007

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Hi, i have just bought the required items to start going camping and have booked a weekend off work near the end of September.

It will be our first time and have a couple of kids aged 7 and 4.  My question is, there is a high chance that come the end of september it will be raining.  What do you folks do when it rains?  How do you keep the kids entertained?  Do you still go for a hike or do you sit in your tents all weekend?  I'm struggling to figure out what us city livers will do if the risk of my wifes hair getting wet is quite high and therefore can't leave the tent. :D

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Point them in direction of biggest muddiest puddle you can see and sit back and watch them enjoy themselves whilst wife has a nervous breakdown

Hi - have you thought of Clumber Park?

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/Planning+your+trip/UK+Trips/Site+Search+and+Book/Club+Sites/Site+Detail.htm?csid=CLUMBER+PARK&site=Clumber+Park&region=The+East+Midlands&county=Nottinghamshire

Have fun...

Scootie

One thing I noticed last time we were away, was how we all read more. My son, now aged 14&1/2 used to read a lot until he got to secondary school then he more or less stopped completely, but when we were camping he actually read a whole book and asked me to get him another one  OH read a lot more and spent a few hours curled up on the inflatable sofa with his nose buried in a book and daughter aged 11, 12 next month took a carrier bag of books with her!

We also played cards and spent a lot of time just sitting and chatting at nights. That`s what I love most about camping, the kids aren`t dashing out the door with friends, OH isn`t otherwise engaged and we actually all just spend time with each other.

We usually find something to do if the weather is bad and I tend to research the area we are visiting before we go, to see if there are any museums or indoor places of interest to visit in case of rain. If the kids make friends on the campsites we are on, so much the better as they tend to amuse themselves then.

I don`t bother about the kids getting dirty, just as long as they remember the rules of no shoes/wellies etc inside the tent, no lying on their beds/sleeping bags in dirty clothes and they have a shower and are clean at bedtime.

I also took our laptop so I could download photos off the camer and it doubled as a DVD player. If it was wet in the evening we would all shower after supper, then settle down together to watch a family film.

I really don`t think after the wet 10 days we spent at Bruces meet, that a wet forecast for our holidays would put us off anymore. Sunshine would be nice, but if it rains it rains, we will still spend quality time together.

Hi phatdad,

well, its just me and OH when we go camping, but I agree with comments earlier, when its rainy, we spend time curled up in the tent in our camping chairs, our fluffy blankets wrapped round us if its a bit chilly and either read, play cards or just chat and put the world to rights!  (cups of tea with choccy biccies or a bottle of red vino with nibbles is usually consumed between us too!)

But, to be honest, as our tent has a porch thingy, we tend to go out in our waterproof jackets, visit places and leave our wet stuff in the porch so we are cosy and dry in the tent. 

Finally, some girly camping advice for your wife.....I also have OCD with my hair and take....gas powered hair straighteners to tame my mad hair after my showers (these are in argos)!!!  Baby wipes are the best things invented for quick cleanups if you are feeling a bit grubby and I always take some dry shampoo in case I can't get to the showers to wash my hair. 

Also buy a camp mirror so you can always put a bit of mascara and lip gloss on in your tent - saves you trudging backwards and forwards to the loos with lots of stuff. (yes as strange as it sounds, I don't feel dressed unless I have my lipgloss on - regardless of what I am doing... LOL!)

Quote: Originally posted by PhatDad on 28/8/2007

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Where do you suggest then for the kagools in a bag?  I'm also looking for EHU and just about to search for the thread that was posted the other day.

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Quote: Originally posted by BevD on 29/8/2007

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Hi Phatdad, I looked into going to that campsite for our next trip this weekend, Looks a good place, but you can't use disposable BBQ's on site. Seems a bit strict to me. I'm taking my sisters, aged 12 and 15 and my mum.

I found this rather nice campsite in the area you were looking at:

Hardhurst Farm

It doesn't have its own website, but the reviews are good.

For 2 nights(friday and saturday), its costing £25 for 3 adults, 2 kids and 2 4man tents. I think this is fairly priced and the campsite is open all year round.

Me and OH went to have a look at the campsite the other day since we don't live to far away and the areas for camping are enclosed behind fences with trees around the perimeter. There is also a cafe(not sure what time that opens) and I think I saw a shop(not a 100% sure)and theres a laundry room and also the usual toilet and shower block.

Hope where ever you end up going that you have a good time and enjoy the mud lol. Theres always the laundry room for all those dirty clothes.

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Hi, Hardhurt Farm looks and sounds nice but I'm concerned with the shower facilities to be honest.  I think I'll stick with the one I first thought of mainly for the fact it has an information centre there too.  I did just spot Callow Top with all its games rooms, shops and heated swimming pool.  But, I want to go camping and rought it somewhat rather than live in luxury. :D  I won't tell the wife and kids about Callow Top though. ;)

Oooh, i'd not thought of Decathlon. 

I've gone ahead and booked the campsite now for a weekend in a few weeks.  I'm really looking forward to it now.