Quote: Originally posted by Eskymew on 07/3/2015
Hi just thought that I'd introduce myself.
I camped a lot as a child but now have two small people of my own. Last year we tried camping with my mum's 20 year old tent and deflating airbeds. The kids loved it so we have invested in a vango Isis 500 and are looking into sims.
I'm so excited about the comming camping season that I just went out in the dark and wind to see if all of our stuff fits in the car boot. It does so I can take "roof box" off the wish list.
I remember thinking similar however as the others have said you get lots of great and useful things and if you are like us you see them then want them. I've went from having sporty cars and managing ok to a flipping Jeep Grand Cherokee with 480 litre roof box rammed full and I do mean full and that I am afraid to admit is just the wife and I. Oh did I mention for this season have ordered a trailer. However don't let these things in any way put you off as the reason we all end up with so much stuff is we love camping so much.
I have also said to friends who think we are nuts buying all this stuff there is two points one its not all purchased at once rather acquired over the years. And two if you were to take the amount of time away we have had on our trips and work out what would have been spent on B and B or hotels there is a very good financial case to be made for it lol
The main thing is to get out there and have an awesome time. Wishing you many happy trips for the future ENJOY
Agree, keep the roofbox on the list, we went something like this:
Estate Car
Estate Car + Roofbox
Estate Car + Roofbox + Thule shelf
7 seater Car + larger Roofbox + Thule shelf
7 seater Car + larger Roofbox + Trailer Tent
7 seater Car + larger Roofbox + Trailer Tent + Luggage Rack on TT for bikes.
Family of 7 I hear you say, no, just three of us and a dog.
Happy Camping
------------- Nick
2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!
You would think.....Having camped for a few years now that the "Buying Stage" would ease off slightly...That we would all be happy with the set ups we have...Be comfy with the way we arrange our gear on site etc etc etc...
That of course is true for many of us.....But we still suffer from "Tent Envy" or "Gear envy" etc....Not that we get insanely jealous or go into "Must Have " mode...But when we see pics of folks gear or indeed have a look round on site we STILL think to ourselves "Oooh! I like the look of that!!" Or..."I could use that in my set up"Etc Etc....
Not long back from a north/south joint meet up in Glencoe....All (I would say) experienced campers used to doing it their way and happy with their gear/set ups....But among all the laughs and banter and good times had there were still serious discussions going on all around re a particular tent or piece of equipment one or other of us had spotted on the "Grand Tour" round each others pitches...There were queues forming outside some of the canvas/bell tents at one stage with folk wanting a wee look round.....
I certainly came home with some new ideas for the future as I'm sure did many others...
Moral of the preamble...It never really stops does it??
There is always going to be something that catches our eye or some tip passed on by the good folk on here...That will have us at least checking it out...If not actually buying.....
Long may it continue.....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Hi Eskymew & welcome! We were new to camping with littlies a couple of years ago, they love it too. Stuff wise we have the tent, 3 sims, foldy table stool thing plus picnic chair each, coolbox, foldy kitchen shelf thing, sleeping bags for them and duvet for us plus assorted odds and ends and that with us all fits in a Ford focus if that helps.
Thanks novicemummy. I'm glad to hear that it's possible. We're just getting essentials right now but I can see the kit growing over the years. I can't see us going down the fairy lights and scatter cushions road though.