Message Forums

Well we finally had out first camping trip last weekend and i must say i have mixed emotions about it. Using a borrowed Coleman sahara 8 we pitched at High Yedmandale site (thank you all who reviewed this site previously) near Scarborough.

The site itself was great, as was the owner, not overcrowded and plenty of space but maybe a few more facilities would benefit it as there was only 1 washing up point and 2 showers (Ken, the owner ,said by Saturday there would be 33 onsite).

we had a fairly decent setup with camp chairs, foldy out tables, 2 ring stove, a little foldy out kitchen and other bits and pieces.All was good.

Sleeping on the first night was a problem but it was my first time and there was a small thunder storm and heavy rain and i had to go to the loo at 2 in the morning but by about 4 ish i drifted off - to awake at 6.

The whole camping and cooking thing was taken with relish by my wife and we ate heartily each morning .By the second day the kids had friends to play with too. We had a trip to Scarborough on the Saturday which was ended mid afternoon by horrendous rain which stopped by the time we drove the 15 mins back to the campsite. The saturday night proved to be chilly for everyone and we were all tucked up in bed by 10.30 and even i got to sleep before 3 am. Sunday morning was glorious and we ate and slowly started to pack eveything up and head of home via Grosmont.

This seems a bit rambling - sorry about that but overall it was quite enjoyable and hasn't put us off. A few things that we need to look into are heating and some decent lights without resorting to EHU. A better pump for the blow up beds (took forever).A tent with one of those extra living bits on the front.

Like you I also had my first camping trip last weekend. Both me and the kids are now well and truly hooked!

SO pleased you weren't put off by the weather!! It is something that you get used to with experience!!! I only started camping last year and am totally hooked now, we have gathered valuable tips from other campers and friends who camp, its just so much fun no matter what the weather or equipment you have.........it is a huge bonus when the sun shines!!!

There are lots of experienced campers on this site with lots of valuable tips and advice so keep looking and happy camping!

So glad you had a good time, weather can be a pain but we all learn to live with it

If your buying a tent make sure it is big enough so that you can sit indoors in comfort six berth minimum, eight would be better, my own preference is for the canvas frame tents, plenty of bargains around and they last for years if looked after

As for air beds pump, i have one of these, takes about three minutes per bed

As for lights, these are very good, very bright and the batteries last ages, not many pounds from Poundland, wilkinsons etc. Or off Ebay. We also have a campingaz gas lamp which gives off a bit of warmth when the tent is closed up for the night

Hi there - glad you enjoyed most of your first trip!!

I'd second what has been said about researching/testing out tents - I'd made my mind up what I thought I wanted, read the reveiws and everything and then we went to a camping display and stood in some tents and it was only then that we realised what we really needed/wanted.

To combat the cold at night...wear a hat in bed.  Seriously, most of your body heat is lost through your head.  And socks for the other extremities!!  If you can get sleeping bags with a hoody bit on, even better.  Layers also help. 

The electric pump for airbeds is great - we have one that uses either the EHU or the car for power and it sucks and blows air too which hellps when you are trying to get everything back in the car quickly.

Thanks for all the good advice (as usual) and they seem a couple of really useful bits of kit caster.

The tent i have been ogling is an Outwell Idaho XL but its a bit pricey.

My in-laws want their tent back this weekend as they are off for a week (lucky devils) otherwise i would have been heading on back over to the camp site search.

One thing i noticed was that i seemed to feel the cold from under the blow up mattress, would i be better off using a sleeping bag rather than the duvet we did use

(the little terrors are 7 & 4 btw)

Forgot to mention that my father was also with us and probably will be in the future- always handy as a baby sitter i guess (other relatives are also making noises of intent too )

One thing he did have was a wolf eyes torch - my god i have never seen anything so dam bright.

Oh earplugs are a good idea - i must admit i am a bad sleeper anyhoo even at home

I understand what folks are advising about buying a bigger tent than you need for the extra room but not everyone wants the outlay at first and obviously paying for it may be an conern for some!! And also there is erecting it if your a newbie!!  We've just bought a Orchy 600 for £130 from GoOutdoors and it suited me, my wife and our two kids (7 & 3) perfectly, plenty of room inside even with the doors shut!!

Just my thoughts!

GC

A very wise thought too

the likelyhood that we will have that sort of money for a tent is pretty slim atm.

Quote: Originally posted by GC08 on 24/7/2008

---

I understand what folks are advising about buying a bigger tent than you need for the extra room but not everyone wants the outlay at first and obviously paying for it may be an conern for some!! And also there is erecting it if your a newbie!! We've just bought a Orchy 600 for £130 from GoOutdoors and it suited me, my wife and our two kids (7 & 3) perfectly, plenty of room inside even with the doors shut!!

Just my thoughts!

GC

---

Ooops sorry I sort of forgot it was a 6 berth!!  Would be small for 6 people but its ideal for 4 anyway!!

GC