Not been on for a while. The 'baby' in my username came in October, Isaac and will be enjoying his first camping trip with us very soon!
Anyway, the weather forecast isn't great for this weekend, and I know this is a silly question, but should we still bother going? We will be trying the tent we bought last year, a Vango Diablo, for the first time. Just wondered whether other campers go camping when they know the weather will be terrible.
We don't really have anywhere to hang it to dry when we get back so what should we do if we do go? Any tent drying ideas?
Also, it's our first trip of the year, what are we likely to forget to pack?!!
Hi ,we our taking our son also called Isaac a month older than your son this weekend so can understand your concerns. At the end of the day camping is about enjoyment so if you are worried dont go.
We have had the same conversation and decided to give it ago as the four year old has been talking about camping all week so will be gutted if we dont.
Seems like it wiil be showers with sunny spells up here so hopefuly will be ok.
We used to worry about the weather incessantly. Thing is, if you worry about the weather, you end up never going anywhere. Your Diablo gives you a huge amount of dry living space to keep all your stuff. Check out the local area and take details with you for a number of places you can do if the weather is really vile -soft play centres are great for a couple of hours -baby can go in the toddler section with one of you while the other has a coffee- museums, libraries, even the local shops. Take waterproofs and just get out and enjoy it. Things dry out in the end however wet they get!
We're off to the peak district at lunchtime and the forecast has now changed to just light showers, we live about 40 minutes away and have glorious sunshine right now so i'm chancing it!!!! (with plenty of waterproofs!!)
As I've already paid our deposit for the campsite and all the gear and food is ready to be packed into the car we shall be going rain or shine.
The forecast looks slightly better than what we 've had so far, I'm just praying the ground will dry a little before we have to pitch up. Then again, the forecasts told us it was going to be thundery showers where we camped last weekend and it was a scorcher. So I'm not putting much stock into BBC or Metcheck at the moment.
------------- Boys don't grow up. Their toys just get more dangerous.
We're off to Derbyshire later today - no matter what the forecast says.
In the last 2 years of camping we've ignored the weather forecasts and only had to pack up wet once.
The way I see it is we would only be stuck indoors at home yet another wasted weekend.
I have also found I'm not as paranoid about getting wet when camping as I am at home -and I love the sound of the rain on the tent at night when we're tucked up snug and warm.
I slept peacefully through a tremendous thunderstorm at Eskdale three weeks ago although OH kept getting up to check for leaks !
I've also seen some fantastic rainbows across camping fields from the inside of our tent porch !
I know exactly how you feel - we are off tomorrow for our first camping trip as a family of 5 to Cornwall. I am dreading it being wet, I don't mind it but I am sure OH and 2 of the kids will be miserable if its wet.
We did make it out. As we made the decision at the last minute, it was hard to find somewhere. We got to Boston, a longer drive than we hoped for but had a fab time and are so pleased we were real campers and braved the weather!
Our baby seems to share our enjoyment of camping and had great first time doing so.
We had a cracking weekend ( years ago when the kids were much younger ) when it never really stopped drizzling all the time we were there .
They still talk about us playing football in the rain ( campsite almost empty ) and watching the squirrels and rabbits racing around trying to keep dry
Best thing if it's forecast rain is : shorts , crocs/ sandals and a good waterproof coat .
Glad you were brave - I think camping is all about being brave and taking a risk as 9 times out of 10 you end up having a fab time whatever the weather . having said that we are leaving the tent at home and have booked a super euro tent in Cornwall for next week - not so brave !
------------- Meg xx
I'm not so shy now .Am colourful pyjama- wearing person who likes to say hello.
Minty - she's a girls best friend and Aurora and Colin keep us snug and warm.