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Just thought I'd say a quick hello.  New to camping, just bought an Outwell Idaho XL.  Havent been camping in over 25 years when last in my teens, so this is going to be a real experience.  Done caravanning before many times, but now going 'back to basics' - well almost!

Hoping to go in the tent this weekend for a few days just locally here in Suffolk to try the tent out.  Need to get loads of equipment, I found the thread about RCD hook ups really useful, I have to go buy one of these before the weekend.

Any advice on anything camping under canvas greatly appreciated.  Ive purchased a Bullfinch 4 burner hob, just in case there's a chef on camp who'd like to cook for us!  Or does it not work like that?

Ooppppssss wrong forum, sorry

typical newbie

Quote: Originally posted by Mehimus on 03/9/2008

Just thought I'd say a quick hello.  New to camping, just bought an Outwell Idaho XL.  Havent been camping in over 25 years when last in my teens, so this is going to be a real experience.  Done caravanning before many times, but now going 'back to basics' - well almost!

Hoping to go in the tent this weekend for a few days just locally here in Suffolk to try the tent out.  Need to get loads of equipment, I found the thread about RCD hook ups really useful, I have to go buy one of these before the weekend.

Any advice on anything camping under canvas greatly appreciated.  Ive purchased a Bullfinch 4 burner hob, just in case there's a chef on camp who'd like to cook for us!  Or does it not work like that?

 

Just purchased the RCD hook up - jesus they're expensive.  Ended up getting a 20mtr x 3 socket for 49.00 from PJ Camping (same place where I bought tent & burner)  They've been excellent with delivgery/service so far.

Already got the sleeping bags and airbeds, although we will invest in one of the king size 50-60cm high airbeds in due course.

Before next season will need to get an Aqua roll, and maybe porta loo, plus a kitchen workstation & whistle kettle.  Will also purchase the Outwell carpet too, nothing like nice cozy toes!

Next spring will also look for a small 2nd hand trailer to take camping gear rather than using the car as the two dogs will want to come camping, not enough room in the car for dogs, camping equipment and the vino!

Have got aqua rolls for the caravan but just buy bottled water when going with the tent - don't take it with us just buy it when we get there - and give it away when we leave, if there's any left.

We use picnic blankets for the carpet - easier to wash and keep clean and cheaper to buy 4 rugs (got them for £3 each) than buying a carpet. Also for the bedroom pods, under the air beds (got the Aero active one for us, singles for the girls)

Must admit to the whistling kettle and have the kitchen stand with gas rings but don't take it as don't have the room for the gas bottle.

Don't have the port-a-loo partly because of space and the fact that it's just as easy to walk to the toilets.

Determined not to have to get a trailer (yet)

The must have for us is the footprint/groundsheet.  Saves on a lot of cleaning when decamping (or on getting home and cleaning up)

Hi Mehimus

I'm also new to camping, well as a mum of two anyway, I used to camp as a kid and then my parents bought a caravan and it just wasn't the same.

When the kids and my husband persuaded my to camp in the New Forest back in August I was dreading it. But I shouldn't have worried, I loved every minute, and the weather was not even that good.

Hope you enjoy every minute too!

Hi, welcome to the UKCS. Just a note re the aqua roll and the tent. IMHO the aqua roll is not necessary in the tent. Firstly they are huge to transport. The only ones I have seen really need a electric pump and tap to extract the water unless you have the strength to keep lifting and tipping it. If you do have an electric pump and tap then you will also need waste water container and possibly a sink or at least a bucket as you will be able to use more water so you most likely will. If you only intend to use an aqua roll for drinking and a quick wash then the water will last to long and i find I prefere fresh water daily. We always managed in the tent with a small hard plastic container with a tap. Pop it on the table or a step and hey presto. Even now we have changed to a camper and have the sink and tap I stil manage quite well without an aqua roll. If you are to camp in the chillier weather then I would highly recommend a cheapie fan heater as the evenings reading books and playing cards can be a tad chilly and it is amazinh how a little heater really warms you up before turning in. Have you considered a elec cool box or will you use an onsite freezer block exchange. I could not manage without my camp kitchen least of all the RCD clips on the leg of ours. Your RCD is a worthy investment and will serve you well and the trailer plan is a good one. We got to the stage where the car was bulging. A trailer is easier to pack too as you can leave stuff in it in sealed boxes all year and just add clothes and food.

Good luck and enjoy I am sure you will not regret your decision.

Hi Mehimus & welcome to the forum

If space is an issue then forget the Aquaroll - if you really want to take a water carrier, then a small square rigid one with tap will suffice.

We used to take a Portaloo, but have now gone back to using our bucket toilet - it's a plain & simple bucket with a toilet seat & lid. The space that the Portaloo took up was just dead space, whereas we can carry the gas bottle, loo roll, spare pegs, solar lights, and other bits'n'bobs in the bucket loo, so it saves on space. We just put a drop of Zoflora & water in the bottom of the loo & it never smells yukki  

Thanks for all your replies.

Just got a portaloo, my dad decided he no longer wanted his anymore, so didn't cost us anything.  Wont be doing the aquaroll thing, as most have said, too big and we wouldnt use that much water anyway.

2 days to go before the tent gets its first outing