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Quote: Originally posted by valbarley on 22/1/2011...

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area - other than the steam railway nothing much around. No beaches, rivers, gorgeous sunsets

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Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 22/1/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by valbarley on 22/1/2011...

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area - other than the steam railway nothing much around. No beaches, rivers, gorgeous sunsets

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No rivers? What about the UK's LONGEST river thoughtfully provided to run alongside the steam railway?

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no river at the campsite though! 

We were lucky enough to camp with our outdoor group in the grounds of Penpont House, South Wales, last May.

Own private 100-foot lawn in front of our Khyam, no other tents in site, stunning grounds, camp fire each night...no kids/chavs/dogs (sorry if that offends)...

It was idyllic!!!

for me it has to be when we went to conniston hall camp site up in the lakes around 9 yr ago, we'd crammed everything into our (then)little fiat sciento and popped the two dogs on the top of it all and sang silly songs all the way up like a pair of giddy kippers, we got there got our fav spot,set up camp and then the heavens opened from then till 4days later when we went home, we didn't have a care in the world haveing imprompto bbq's in the tiny porch of our little tent, keeping things dry by alternateing lifting either side open to let the smoke out and keeping out the blizzard aswell, playing cards and drinking whisky when the rain was heavy, then swimming in the lake or out walking with the dogs when it subsided, over to the village of conniston for supper and a pint by a big,warm open fire when the mood started to dip and haveing a drunken singsong on the walk home to entertain the sheep....ahhh happy days!!!

Now we're to be civilised, sober parents to-be this year and from then on our camps will be so much different.....till the baby goes to sleep

Last year in the New Forest - 2 weeks (ages since we'd managed a full fortnight's camping), huge comfortable Vermont XL tent, lots of lovely new & reorganised old kit (thanks to this site)carried in our new trailer, and great place (needing another holiday as didn't cover it all).

Hoping to top that hol this year but destination undecided as yet....Northumberland, Wales, Peak District????? Quite different options but all have their merits!

Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 24/1/2011

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The pub was rubbish and the was really cold - which could have been bad, but was all made ok because on the second night, we made this

Wow if I sent the postage could I have the pattern?

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Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 22/1/2011

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Our best ever was in the early 70's. On the Quantocks in forestry commission land.
You could have open fires, with the rule that the wood had to be on the ground and not attached to a tree.
In a small valley was our party (2 families) and further down another group of two families.

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You have just reminded me - this sounds like Ramscombe, a truly wonderful back to nature campsite. I also remember many visits in the 70's. there were no showers I'm not even sure there was hot water in the toilets, but it was a magical place.  Such a shame it is no longer available for camping.

Ann

I went camping with a mate from school ,In the Sixties to a basic campsite In Edale Derbyshire . We had an old style white canvas tent .After a good day out hiking up Kinder Scout and visiting the local pub's In the village . We were having a late night cuppa when the gas ran out on our stove . The canister was one of those with a small ball bearing that you pierced when you connected It to the stove . "We did not know that It was slowly leaking ". In those days the back up ,was to always have a candle .Well this mate had already lit the candle and came toward's me Inquiring to see what the problem was. "Well ........ Caramba Mucho Calor " .  Next a WHoooooos,h   like a roman candle . "Flamming eck"  Quick I said get the door open ? This old colonial type tent did not have a zip . But ties all the way from the top to the bottom . And my mate was having a job panicking undoing It .

 Yikes Crikey !!! I did not hesitate any longer . As survival was tantermount . I booted the stove and canister toward's the door and lifted up the tent door and out with the flamming thing . It went down the hill like a Catherine wheel glowing and spinning until . Mercifully the gas gave out . So the tent was saved Hooray . The only thing that got burnt the most was the two of us . Both our eye brow's were gone and eye lash's . And worse the front of our hair was singed . Gone curly and and shrivelled back on the front of our heads . But we were safe . We just went to bed by candle light . Exhausted and glad to be safe. Next morning . We went down to the village to get supplies of food and new stove . Everybody gave us strange looks !! . Then we decided to go Into the Ramble Inn to drown our sorrows . Well It was like been In the wild west .

Everybody moved to the other end of the bar . We looked like 2 Alien creatures that had just landed ........... Everybody asked us how . And what happened . It was So so funny unforgettable .. . This was one of my funniest times camping . "Titter not".

I have more to tell . Watch out TALE's  from a Campsite

Quote: Originally posted by valbarley on 22/1/2011

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... the hopleys weekend in november was one of my best trips!... so many laughs and best comradery ever

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Quote: Originally posted by floggitt on 23/1/2011

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For me it has to also be the Hopleys meet last November

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Quote: Originally posted by snowyowl on 24/1/2011

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I will never forget that first time. The sound of the trees at night... The birds. The 'smell' of earth and grass... truly get away from it all.

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