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Quote: Originally posted by PH68 on 22/8/2008

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Hmmm...
Lets be honest, price is the biggest factor why most people camp, rather than stay in a Hotel/B&B.

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Not at all. When I booked our 2 week holiday abroad last year my kids said....  "but we are still going camping arent we?"

We enjoy the outdoors. We love sitting around the campfire toasting marshmallows. We love the games we play in the tent before we go to sleep.

Its not like anything else, so even when we stay in plush hotels or foreign countries we always continue to camp here in the UK and enjoy the simple things like fresh air and eachothers company.

were definatly campers!

my girls have their cereal in a  mug,as if it's on a bowl they will spill it everywhere!

we  don't use EHU, also we got to sites with outdoor pools, and regardless of weather  my girls  like to spend most of their time in them!! To get them off site and go any where is a  nightmare!

My 3 year old list for a 3 day festival with friends:  (based on modular packing)

it is the basis for a similar list for 11 days in a field on a slope with just me and him. No parking by the tent, hence the trolleys.

I have managed to fit it all into an Astra van in the past but last time i had to leave some bits behind :(

I don't think there is anything on the list i haven't actually used on at least one occasion.

The List

absolute essentials / to be kept close at hand.
husband
booking details
phone (must practice txtng so I can txt back!)
medication (and a bloddy 'medicine cabinet' so I can find it when I need it!)
money
loo roll
camera
radio
map (just in case we get lost)
pick up stick

for getting stuff up the hill
barrow
my lovely green trug thingy
shopping trolley (good for the 'warm' stuff if you don't tick it off 'til you have checked everything is actually in it!))

Shelter (for 3 days in a field!)
tarps
tents *3
tent poles
tent pegs & mallet & puller outerer
tent instructions (all of them!!)
groundsheet
tent inner
tent annexe
tent annexe poles and pads (see instructions above!)
event shelter (&delta pegs)

clingons (to hold it all down in the wind)
screen canopy (and extra poles)

comfort (we're too old and creaky to sit cross legged)
chairs
fold up stools
tables (didn't take my picnic ones, wished I had.)
umbrella spikes
umbrellas/parasols

basic drinking ( this section may be added to )
cider (bags of it!)
mugs
water

basic eating (if we left behind the cooking stuff)
bread & pittas (took too much, as usual)
butter
cheese (relied on dutch friend for this and she did us proud!)
smoked sausage
baked beans
knives
forks
plates
spoons
bowls
cereal
milk (but not waitroses organic)

sleeping
non slip stuff, to stop bed sliding downhill!
(Just need to work out how to stop me sliding down the bed )
fat airics and beds (new fishing ones )
pump for friends
sheets
duvet(s)
pillows

for when it's dark
best lamp
lights/torches
ambient log & something to burn it in
spare batteries

keeping warm
warm stuff, including grobag
next time do his and hers warm stuff, so his doesn't get left out
coat
jacket
socks
fleeces (including husband's even if he says he doesn't want to take it! just in case above goes wrong)

keeping dry
rain coats (festival ones)
tent coat..( Even though I have enough tents )
towels

keeping covered up
clothes (sorted into his and hers, tops and bottoms)
underwear, as above. bra and pantses
new jim jams
hats

advanced eating & drinking, involving cooking.
gas canisters (I have some left!)
mayo, ketchup, hp & mustard salt & pepper
emergency spice rack
bacon
eggs
olive oil
onions
tinned mushrooms
rice & beans (not used this time but we didn't have the curry either!)
bacofoil
californian kettle
cooker stand
second cooker stand
frying pan
gas cooker(s)
hub cap BBQ
kitchen paper
oven glove (or thick tea towel)
saucepan
spatula
tea
coffee
toaster
tongs

keeping clean(ish)
hand cleaner
toiletries
towels & flannels
toothbrush (left behind last year )
toothpaste
oxydising mothwash
wipes

first aid
bite stuff & lotion
RESOLVE
tweezers & scissors

general living
washing up stuff (used by others!)
pink sink
kitchen roll
bin (missed my bigbin this year.)
bin liners
folding bucket from pound shop
wipes (disinfectant type.)
insect sizzler (tennis racquet type)
spider catcher (used to get beetles out of bedroom!)
dustpan and (long handle) brush better for getting beetles out of bedroom!
doormat (to keep mud out of bedroom)

useful bits and pieces
soft tie & snippers
duct tape*, didn't use it but wouldn't lose it.

 .. *used for the first time in August 2008 and saved the annexe!

for putting stuff in
stuff tent (usurped by the annexe so could be left behind )
folding boxes. (not enough)
hanging thingie. About the only thing left behind and I did miss it, for keeping important stuff out of the general meleee. See above for medicines.

Done a bit of everything really from backpaking, motorcylcle camping to frame tent then nylon tent. It all has it's pros and cons. I have camped most of my life and can't imagine ever not doing it, it makes me sad to think that one day I will be too old to continue. I suppose we are a bit of a mix, don't own EHU only because we find it easier to get a pitch without. I always cook because it's a bit of a fun challenge and I like it. The weather is also something that doesn't bother me too much, getting wet is part of the fun. I love the pace of camping, things take longer to do and it's good to slow down. Being outside, the sounds, the smells the people( although not all of 'em) make it a pleasant experience. The family seem to have more time for each other and work together. I love it all. We take what we need and can fit in. Over the last 40 years my 'kit' has changed many times. I am sure it will change again. I don't care what others take with them it's their trip, unless they've got some funky new thing I might find useful. The best thing about camping is that for the most part it's live and let live and most campers help and support each other. It's a rare thing thing these days.

Oh dear, my daughter & her BF have gone off for a week in a tent. He's camped all his life but it's the first time my daughter has slept in a tent & I think I'm worying about them too much. Reading this thread  I think I've also sent her off as a glamper. I packed her car with an EHU, a 240/12volt fridge, an electric air cooker, an electric heater, a kettle & a hair dryer. Sleeping bags,air bed & pump, towels Plastic bags & a box of groceries with pans to cook in & gas rings to cook on.

BB

I think I have Glamping potential......just need the finance dept. to catch up with the planning dept.

Jo

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/moslive/article-1023036/Be-happier-camper-The-gear-makes-great-outdoors-sexy-again.html

We are deffo glampers!!

Love the stuff in this Coleman Evolva, I want that one!!!!!

I was definitely a camper when I did my frst 3 nights in my ancient freecycle tent with only an old sleeping bag, no EHU and a tiny bluet stove.

But next time I will have my lovely new tent, an airbed, EHU, fan heater, carpet, footprint etc, etc.......................... definitely nearer glamping!

 We camp for the sheer enjoyment of it. This year we have already had one holiday abroad and another booked in October, we have also had 2cottage breask one B & B one camping holiday and hope to get a week end away before the end of the year. It;s not the money its the experience. Yesterday afternoon we even put up my daughters old outwell sahara in the sitting room, and campped with our 3year old grandson, we would have gone outside but the ground was too wet.

Maggie

Honey,

I love that Daily mail article! I'm not there yet!!!! BUT I think we are definately on the Glamper side of camping!

Rich

Dont think we are galmpers but working on it as we get older.

The spot we have been going to 33 years has no facilites. Just water from the tap in the milking parlour. otherwise a field on the river cows next door some days with just an electric fence to keep us apart, but have had the odd cow jump the fence to join us.Our three duaghters learnt to swin in the river. The two eledest had their first bithdays there and the younges was 4 months when we went.

Have always used.Tent toilet tent and chemical toilet

This year luxury of a utility tent for cooking

Quote: Originally posted by Wheelygoodstuff on 15/9/2008

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Honey,

I love that Daily mail article! I'm not there yet!!!! BUT I think we are definately on the Glamper side of camping!

Rich

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          Its ace isnt it? My idea of camping heaven !! I aspire to this, Go Glampers!! lol

Quote: Originally posted by HoneyC on 15/9/2008

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Quote: Originally posted by Wheelygoodstuff on 15/9/2008

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Honey,

I love that Daily mail article! I'm not there yet!!!! BUT I think we are definately on the Glamper side of camping!

Rich

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          Its ace isnt it? My idea of camping heaven !! I aspire to this, Go Glampers!! lol

 

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What a brilliant article....if ever I doubted it before, I'm def a "glamper".   I've now bought myself a blue flower printed fleecy "blankie" for next weeks trip that matches by blue tent!!  £2 from Primark, bargain too!

I have special camping jim jams in co-ordinating wynciette too!!!