Message Forums

Whoaaaa calm down lol

Stuff will fit in the car. If it doesnt, leave something not important behind. A practice car loading session might be a good idea?

If it is raining, dont worry. It is only water and wont hurt lol. If we had a euro for everytime we pitched in the rain we would be darn rich  :)

Can you pitch the tent... have you had a practice pitch? If so then yes you can. If not then why not give it a go. And if you need help on site there are always people happy to help. They help, you make them a cuppa or give them a beer and voila, a new friend :)

Do you have too much stuff? Probably. We all do lol. Take a notepad and pen and write down everything you dont use then dont take it next time :)

Keeping teenagers happy is simple. Let them go explore and they will have new friends in a heartbeat. Before you know it your tent will be a youth hang out place lol

Are you having a mini breakdown? Hell no. I assume it is your first time so being worried is natural but dont panic, everything will be ok... honest

Have a great time and tell us all about it when you get back yes? And dont forget the pics

Angie

Well, my teenagers love Bude. The boys go body boarding, the girls go bodyboarding. The girls watch the boys.The boys like the girls watching - they are happy, adults are happy. Bliss

We all stress, we all manage to fit it all in,  the tent goes up,it sometimes rains. You will have  great time. We are not going to Cornwall this year so I am very jealous.We will be at Widemouth Bay next year !!

Sarah

Hi mizzkittykat.

                      Just imagine your worst nightmare and then times it by 10, everything that can go wrong will, and if it dosn't you have always got the two teenagers to make sure it does, welcome to the world of camping, and despite what I have said, you and your family will be better for the experience, anyone can go on a package holiday, all you need is a credit card number, most folk shudder at the thought of camping, but I know who has the best holidays, and soon you will to!.

Andy. 

You sound like me a few weeks ago.  Here is how it went

The stuff did fit in the car - just.

We got to the campsite late, but we got there and pitched before dark

The children were off enjoying themselves almost before the tent was up

It rained (alot)

The bottle came out and everything was fine lol

Your worries are completely normal but once you are there you will feel like you have been doing this for years and will be planning your next trip.

Just enjoy it

Sassy

Dont worry im just the same!!!. We are off tomorrow for a week and im sitting here berfore aeveryone else gets up !!! looking at the huge pile of stuff to fit in the car wondering the same thing.

But it does all go in and the more times you go the better you will get at pitching the tent. we took 1hr and a half first time but can now do in 20mins(without guide ropes) .

Just remember to put your favourite wine or beer in fridge at home before you go and then remember to take out of fridge and put in car if it will fit!( Under the seat is good, thats where mine goes when we are crammed in like sardines!!!!) then you will have a lovely cold glass to to enjoy once tent up!!!!!.

Have a great trip

There have beeen several times when I have felt really stressed and wondered if I should call it off.

Worst was a couple of years ago, when I had decided to take the kids away for a couple of days solo.   Now I done this before so it wasn't new.  But even driving down, I was worried about pitching the tent, keeping the kids happy etc etc etc.

Got down there, pitched the tent without a problem.  Got the sleeping pods sorted - had a cuppa, went for a walk around site with the kids, and started to relax.   Had a great time as always.

I think that pre holiday nerves are common,  more so for the women who tend to be the ones organising things like the clothes & the food.

Lists are great -  just tick the stuff off as you pack.

Take stuff to do in the rain -  we play games as a family, or Pip & Alice will one things while Richard and I play cards or read.

Last year it rained more that it was dry - we went out as much as we could afford,  and played in the camper the rest of the time.