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After being very worried about the weather and how we were going to put the tent up (as never done it before) everything went well.

We arrived late afternoon with very grey skies but managed to put the tent up with no problem and not even a bust up with DH! After the tent was up the heavens opened but by this time I didn't mind.

The 1st night (Thursday) was tough too very excited and over tried children who wouldn't go to sleep, but after picking the car keys up and saying we are going home they both went fast asleep and we never heard from them again until 7.30!

Friday was showers on and off but the children loved playing in the park which was next to the tent and also exploring the site.  We found another park and went swimming.  We hadn't managed to cook anything yet on my new gas stove as DH forgot a screwdriver to connect the gas pipe to the cooker and bottle!  Managed to borrow one from the bike hire shop so we were ready to go!  Tonight the children fell asleep very early and didn't wake until late Saturday morning!

Saturday we woke to the birds singing and the sun shining, DH cooked us a English breakfast outside (this is what I was waiting for eating and cooking outside) it was worth the wait!  after breakfast we were on a bug hunt with my 3 year old wanted to do, it was really good and we all enjoyed it.  Next was biscuit and basket making with my 6yr old chose to do.  Next was back to the tent to cook outside again, this time it was my spag bol I had pre made.  We would of done a BBQ but forgot to pack coals and fire lighters! DOH  Again children feel fast asleep, fresh air is so good for them!

Saturday night the heavens opened and omg did it rain, it sounded terrible and me and DH could not sleep, however the kids did (really not sure how),  In the morning we had a massive puddle of water on top of the tent, but at least we know it doesn't leak.

Sunday was home time, after another cooked breakfast, we packed up and came home. We now have and wet tent which we need to dry.

Overall we had a great time but tiring, Playing outside the tent with bat and balls are great family building things to do now a lot of us live such a busy life's this makes such a big difference and we all loved it. We are very glad we went someone local on our 1st trip as didn't take long to get home.  A few things we have learnt are, buy some microfiber towels, as normal towels took up so much space in the car and are hard to dry!  Buy food when we get there again took up so much room the in car.  We really struggled for space in the car so need to work out how we can reduce what we take!  How people can take full size fridges etc amazed me!  A must is a heater was so cold at night so was nice to warm the tent up a bit before we all got into bed.

How do you all pack and store your clothes.  Do you take washing powered and wash your clothes when on site or take clean clothes for everyday?

We noticed that a few people take two cars, is this what most people do?

If I knew how I would up load some pic's for you all to see. So sorry I have gone on a bit

Sounds like you had an amazing time! So pleased for you.

 We take plastic boxes with clothes in,but then there are only two of us plus dog,who only has a coat. If we go for a long trip we also take/buy washing liquid and do hand washing or use the laundry if its available...last resort though. We only have one car,if it doesn't fit in,it doesn't go.

Years ago I found a set of waterproofs kept the kids slightly cleaner when playing out (obviously in wetter weather) dry weather was shorts and t shirts,they run around so much they never got cold and saved on the amount of clothes they took.

We just pack ours in a normal holdall, but after you have done a few trips you will find you never need as many clothes as you take. in the summer we tend to wear shorts in the sun and rain. our moto is that skin drys quicker than jeans.

As for packing, our tent is big and we can get most things in the car,(vectra estate) we go alot so have a car that can do the job. iv tried other cars and estates but this seems to be the best use of space and one of the biggest. If we go on a longer holiday its a trailer job as we take the fridge and so on. If you pack well you can fit alot in the car. on a weekend we take: large tent and pole bag, toilet, small table, 4 chairs, cooker, 4 airbeds and sleeping bags, clothes, toys, 2 push chairs, carpet, gas and water bottle, 2 kids, blankets, then all the basic little bits. on a long break we add the 3way fridge, big table and a few other luxurys.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. the best way is to just keep going and take a pen and paper, write down the things you havent got and miss and stop taking things that you dont need, eventually you will end up getting the balance right.

Quote: Originally posted by RTS5 on 26/6/2012

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Glad you had a good 1st break, roll on the next one .

Don't forget to do a review of the site you went too

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Please, that would be great and you can submit it from here Campsite listings

Cheers Ratty

Note: Thread closed until review received in correct section

           Glad you enjoyed yourself's, bet you can't wait till your next trip now.

Thanks all, so great hints and tips there.  I will add a review very soon.

Kevin81 iThe tent was so easy, not sure if it was 1st time luck, but if it goes up like that everytime we will be okay and we will never have a bust up over it.  I was told to work from the middle outwards when putting in the poles, so we put the middle one in and the the next two and so on until we got to the end.  However the porch was a little more tricky, not sure if we had it up correct as it wasn't to the floor and also it wasn't up close to the tent so rain was running into it at the sides which are supposed to be against the tent.  We also made sure before we put the poles in we peged the four conors of the tent to the floor just incase it took off like a kite!  Good luck and let me know how you get on, there is so great help on this site.

That was a great post, it's great to hear of a first time out because it brings back so many memories especially of the things we forgot to take but don't worry, that will still happen.lol

I've learnt over the years that the more space you have the more 'stuff' you will take and so it will always be a compromise. (or should that say battle to get it all in the car?)  I've just bought a much bigger car and a top box so for the first time ever I have space and the kids can actually move on the way there instead of being hidden by bedding but already I've been buying more to fill the void.

There's a huge learning curve to camping but you get through most of it over the first few trips, then it becomes a whole lot easier.  Surviving heavy rain is a very good start.