I would like to put a foreword on this - Warning, could get long.
History: My oh has wanted us to go camping for YEARS and I have always said no way. (Married for 14 yrs next, week bugging me for more than that). My son has been wanting to go for about 4 years and my daughter for about 2 - I have said no way.
My experience with camping was 3 times with the guides and then twice 'enforced' by my old company when I was sent on outward bound courses. These inolved carrying everything on my back pack, sleeping in wet, carried tents,sleeping bags, wearing wet cold clothes,drinking and washing from streams and smelling of the sheep poo that I spent my time sitting on, sleeping on . I think all my rehydrated camp food was also seasoned with sheep poo. The pooing in the open and leaving 'solids' covered up with rocks was the worst bit for me, (aside from loosing my toenails from walking in crap walking boots so far). I worked for BT and was the only female in a bunch of men....
This was my reasoning behind not wanting to go as a family - I had been put off.
HOW WRONG CAN A PERSON BE !
We have loved it, all four of us - even me .
I 'came around' to the idea about a month ago. The pleading of my 2 kids finally did it.OH showed me the Halfords start pack and said could we try it. I agreed to the camping (grudgingly) but wanted something bigger. So started the shopping. 
At this point I would like to point out I had not been introduced to this website, so some (possibly) ignorant decisions were made.
We found a 'Rage' on ebay and bought it. It is 6 person and looked nice and big for what we wanted and of course the pretty colours and price tag seemed so reasonable.
Then we decided that Swanage at bank Holiday weekend sounded good. We booked a 'coastal path' site.
Then I was shown this site and thought 'Oh god' we have bought a bummer-I have been so scared of coming out of the closet as a rage owner. Also, going away for bank holiday seemed a REALLY bad idea. Add to that all the winds,rain and broken tents in the posts - gave me really bad visions of my kids being spiked in their sleep from high winds and broken poles.
So what did I do? - I bought Delta pegs with hope in my heart. And kept my mouth shut to OH, not letting him read the site. By now I was keen.
The shopping continued and I fervently read everyones tips etc. I'm sure I made bad choices but also some good.
We stuffed everything in the car Thursday night. Got in the car hoping for the promised good weather Friday and drove down to Swanage. I took a list of 3 sites that were 'turn up and pitch' , after reading reviews on here,also in Swanage hoping that we would not have to go on the coastal site.
We struck lucky as we managed to get in at 'Downshay Farm'. We found a pitch by the entrance to the top field, tucked in behind a hedge and tree.
Then the fun started, me and dh thought we knew which way to pitch the tent entrance - but then looked around and everyone else put up facing the other way. Knowing we were new to it all- we did what any sensible person would do, and copied everyone else.
Tent up, we then set up camp. OH was amazed that so much had fitted into his car, raised his eyebrows by all the blankets I had smuggled in.
We managed all this without arguing, and I think without making ourselves look stupid - so many were arriving and setting up also. How fast and proficient some were.
Tips much appreciated from on here. We were on a slope so sleeping with heads higher, even though the bed rooms were designed for the other way round.(no headaches) Blanket between sleep mat and sleeping bag (nice and toasty at night) Own pillows not camping (Nice and comfy). Bucket with lid (much appreciated by my son).Taking frozen , pre cooked dinners. (kept my wine nice and cool- also yummy home cooking in hardly any time).
Dare I say it Delta pegs - lady from pitch next door came over to comment and admire them. She has been a camper for 22 years and had never seen them before but now is wanting them. When she said 'but I expect they came with your tent' I could only imagine what 'Rex's' face would of looked like, I know a smile came across mine when I thought of it though. She now has the website address.
Our tent, stood up fine. Admittedly Friday, we had good weather. The winds whipped up a bit when I was trying to get to sleep, but then got scared and couldn't sleep as I waited for it to collapse around us.
Saturday morning the tent still looked fine. We were on the beach most of the day. I bought a windbreak for £4.50 that was handy for cooking. Saturday, during the day was stunning, weather wise. Saturday evening the rain and then wind started. Out came the wellies and I washed up (no cover) in the pouring rain - but it was so social and fun.
Putting the kids to bed, we realised that there was LOADS of rain collecting on our flat roof . If my OH held it up in the middle ,on the bit that we had wondered what the ties hung down from (double layer) the rain ran off and tent was more dome shape rather than flat (it was dome tent supposedly). I had my eureka moment - those two 'spare' poles not mentioned in the instructions, went there! Out to the car boot, 2 poles inserted and we had a dome tent with the rain running off and not pooling. The best bit - my 6'2" OH could stand up and not stoop.
We woke up today to still more rain - the tent had stood up to the rain with no leaks, and not moving in the winds. As we were by the entrance to the top field we spent an hour watching cars trying to get back up to the tents, many really struggled up the slope which was swimming with mud. 4x4's made it okay - but we don't have one. We decided to pack up and go home a day early as if we went out , we were doubtful that we would make it back up to pack up again tomorrow, after it had been further churned up by everyones coming and goings all day.
We packed up, spent a day at Corfe Castle and drove home instead.
Camping for us: Brilliant. The kids have enjoyed so much the freedom and socialabilty that the site gave. My son made many friends playing cricket and football in the goal posts provided. My daughter made hers comparing soft toys playing on the tyre swings. The food tasted better than cooked at home, they helped with the cooking and washing up . We did everything as a really close family, they didn't argue which is amazing. Me and dh loved it.
We both saw a few tents on site  we would like and can't wait to go back. I see a buying tent addiction starting. Some of those with the matching awning and windbreaks are tasty.
He has been on the phone to his mum tonight and we have found out , that two campsites in Bude are his family owned - so maybe next time.
If you have got to end of this well done and if your tips and experiences were some that I read and took note of - thank you. They all made our introduction to camping so enjoyable.
Another convert.
Dozy.
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Topic: Back from our trip (first)
let me guess!---with a Monty6-- dual cool box--and any other bits of good advice put well into practice. 
Thanks for your reply.
