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So as fist time campers we have finally booked into Westermill farm in Somerset (reviews looked good and when I asked in another section of forum had no replies....so thinking thats good??!) Have also read tips section which has been really helpful but still have some questions so here we go:

• is a two ring stove enough?not worried about the grill and we've already got my hubby's fishing one that he uses 4 kettle on fishing trips,so do we need a double? or just an extra single?
• How much is a good price to pay for a stove?
• We are taking double airbed, duvet, blankets etc (going in July),do we need sleeping bags?
• what can we put under airbed to insulate it (have read on here its a good thing to do!)
• We are only taking a freezer bag and ice blocks (I think they have a freezer to re-do them in)will this keep food/milk cold and how long is it safe to?
• Can stoves be put straight on the floor or do they need to go on a stand/bricks?

Please give me tips/info as I'm driving my husband mad!

I can only go by what happened to us the other week when it was REALLY warm.

My cool box didn't surfice to keep my milk fresh at all   But the local shop opened at 8am so we waited to get fresh then.

Hi Tent Two

• is a two ring stove enough?not worried about the grill and we've already got my hubby's fishing one that he uses 4 kettle on fishing trips,so do we need a double? or just an extra single?
• How much is a good price to pay for a stove?

Those little single stoves can work out quite expensive on gas cannisters.  On our very first camping trip we took one and on the second day were in a camping shop buying a two ring stove.  You could probably pick up a decent one for about £40.

• We are taking double airbed, duvet, blankets etc (going in July),do we need sleeping bags?

Hard to answer this one as it could depend on the weather.  We have always used sleeping bags but it's also down to personal preference.

• what can we put under airbed to insulate it (have read on here its a good thing to do!)

Try putting one of those foil backed blankets under the airbed to insulate it from the ground.  Also put something, a throw or old duvet for instance, between the airbed and your bedding.

• We are only taking a freezer bag and ice blocks (I think they have a freezer to re-do them in)will this keep food/milk cold and how long is it safe to?

I would definitely invest in a cool box.  Freezer bags don't keep things that cool.  If you are considering EHU you can get electric ones that keep things lovely and cool and milk, etc, will keep for  few days.

• Can stoves be put straight on the floor or do they need to go on a stand/bricks

I think you can put them directly on the floor but it's definitely easier if you have it at a good height to cook on.  Try looking at the Aldi website this week.  They've got stoves, stands, etc on offer.

Quote: Originally posted by tent two on 12/6/2009

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Can stoves be put straight on the floor or do they need to go on a stand/bricks?

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Just don't put it on your groundsheet! Or dry grass (will set fire to it) and it will damage fresh grass. Best to either get one with short legs or use some sort of stand. Bricks would suffice, yup. Make sure it's level and stable. And if it doesn't have an integral windshield try to get one. It saves on gas.

  Or keeping it cheap and lightweight, buy yourself a foldable table from Aldi to put the cooker on, dual purpose item

  Best wishes Sam

Hi Tent two & welcome to the forum

You should be perfectly okay with a duvet (don't forget your pillows). We used to use sleeping bags, but when I got too hot (that time of life), it was a pain trying to undo the zip quietly, so we now take a 13.5 tog duvet & it suits us both. I always pack a fleece blanket as well, just in case, but we haven't needed it yet.

Quote: Originally posted by fran1000 on 12/6/2009

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Newspaper under the airbed is very good insulation.

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I was going to say the same - or old cardboard.     Just dump at the end of each trip.

Quote: Originally posted by fran1000 on 12/6/2009

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Newspaper under the airbed is very good insulation.

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Thank you everyone ever so much for your advice.

panic is over about stove:my mother in law has given us her coleman double stove that has been in the shed for 8yrs. Still works fine and we've just had to buy the pump for it and I've just brought that for £6.65 including postage.

Love the idea of newspaper underneath airbed as it will be very simple to do and will be taking an extra blanket to put under bedsheets for a bit more insulation.

Also have decided to take quilt for first time rather than buying sleeping bags and see how we go.

We wont have an ehu hookup but I'm buying a none electric cool box rather than bag thanks to your advice and will also get a metal table to put our stove on.

Am very excited and thank you again for all your help and advice.