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Yes...another post about the awful weather!

We took new tent for its maiden voyage last Tues-Fri. We got there and although sunny extremely windy. The inner went up first and t5he tent was being blown very dangerously forwards and then 2 poles split!!

I took it down quick and told my 2 poor kids we would have to go back home.

A very kind couple opposite had been watching and came and helped, we got some gaffer tape from the site maintenace guy and tapd the split poles. Then the husband from the couple roped in some others to help and we thankfully got the tent up.

That night the wind seemed to die down and we all slept quite well.

The next day (Wed) we had gale force winds. I spent the entire day just completely paranoid that the tent was going to collapse. We ended up spending money I hadn't planned on spending as the weather conditions made it extremely hard to cook outside of the tent.

The kids ere fine, legging it about, playing.I really wanted to go home but they begged me to stay so we did.

Finally some great weather on Friday and we did have a good day. The only thing that ruined it was when in the bar that night my son came in really upset and told me one boy had hit him and the other had called him a d*ckhead. My sons only 6 and this boy was about 12 or 13 i guess. When he saw me he legged it but then backl at the tent I heard someone cycle past (our tent was pitched backing onto the main drag back from the bar) and say 'thats the tent there', I went out to see the boy who'd upset my son cycling off so then I proceeded to lie awake all night waiting for him to return in the dead of night and sabotage our tent!!

Packing up Friday morning then realised my purse with a fair bit of cash in it was missing.

We retraced our steps and asked everywhere had they found my purse with no luck-i was nearly in tears!

So with a heavy heart i drove home but a happy ending as the campsite rang when we got home to say they had found my person with the money still in and that they would post it back- hoorah!! 

Anyway thats the end of my tale of woe!!

Dear glassofwine

sorry to hear you had a bad time!  We have just got back from Cornwall after 16 days away in tent!  The weather was dire some days but also glorious on others!  The secret is a canvas frame tent!  They are strong and water tight!

As for other peoples unruly children that is something else that can be difficult to stomach!  On every site there is always one!

On a more positive note it is heart-warming to know there are some honest people about - honest enough to hand in your purse and contents!  Hope you have a much more enjoyable hol next time!

Thanks bankwallganger. Hasn't put me off though, I will still carry on camping. I can cope with bad weather, rain and cloudy skies but gale force winds are another thing altogether when camping.

Hi Glassofwine,

Really glad you aren't giving up after this bad start.

A real shame your son was bullied - and bad luck! We used to go away with our two daughters who weren't much older, and still camp with friends who have young children. We've never encountered such a problem - usually they quickly make friends.

It sounds like you were at a big and fairly commercial site: if so it might be an idea to try a smaller one next time. Apart from anything else, badly behaved kids will find it harder to hide, but kids can still have fun on smaller sites; many provide playgrounds and all will have space to play - that's what camping's all about.

I hear people talking optimistically about an "Indian Summer". I hope they're right! We're taking our 3 year old grandson away in a couple of weeks.

Hi Hairywol

I have been going camping for a good 5 odd years now. We do usually go to quieter out of the way sites but I chose this one as I knew the weather wasn't going to be great so I thought at least there would be a bit more on site for the kids to do. I just didn't bank on the awful winds.

To be fair the campsite wasn't too bad at all. It had its own beach which was nice. I think if our tent had been a bit more away from the main drag it would have been better. We probably should've steered clear of the clubhouse but my daughter had got wind of a talent show and was desperate to watch it!!

Ah. My mistake.

This is what comes of reading threads without glasses. mistook your tent's maiden voyage for your own .

Still glad you're not giving up though.