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I'm with you on this as I am new to camping and don't want to be put off by bad weather or wet ground.  But I think ... if you like it when it is wet and cold (ish) then you are going to love it when its sunny.  So unless you have any reason not to, then I'd go for it.

We were going to go this weekend, come rain or shine, but oh has just told me he is working on Sunday.

So last night I planned the weekends when his shift falls so that he is either off on a Mon or a Fri and we are going to be going come rain or shine... HONEST !!

I would say - check the weather forecast and personally I would not go if it is going to be cold or wet

The fact that you are writing this tells me that you should go on the first sunny/ dry weekend

I am a fair weather camper personally mainly because I have nowhere to dry a big wet tent

Personally, i would just go for it.

It was our first time earlier this year, with two children (10 & 6 )

We set up in the sun, had a varied few days (Wind (high), sun, showers) and packed away in torrential rain :)

If you've got the right gear it shouldnt be a problem, we loved it. (so did the kids)

We hung the tent in the garage when we got home, and it dried fully in five days.

Booked three more trips for this year.

Mike.

Hi all go for it, some campers do not mind rain n wind. I personally dont like  windy conditions..... But you gotta grab the chance to camp when ya can!!!

I would go for it unless metcheck predicts severe winds

If we all waited for good weather then the campsites would be empty for most of the year and overcrowded when the weather was good

Besides, the weather predictions are rarely accurate

I would suggest going not too far from home for your first trip in case you forget something or are worried, Being close to home will give you some peace of mind.

As for pitching for the first time... dont panic and take your time. It is not a race and never be afraid to ask other campers for help if you need it. Alot of campers will offer to help and if rewarded with a nice cuppa then you have made a new friend.

The first time is always a bit worrying but dont worry about things going wrong as they probably wont.

The first time I persuded OH to try camping, we had a cheap tent, it poured with rain, we woke up with wet feet in the morning and there was not enough height in the tent to stand up. I thought he would never try it again. How wrong was I. We got home, he started looking for a decent tent and we have never looked back.

Take a good book, pack of cards, travel games, puzzle books etc so if you are stuck in the tent for a while at least you will have something to occupy yourselves.

It wont rain constantly and believe me the sound of rain on a tent is absolutely gorgeous :)

Happy camping

Angie