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Subject Topic: Newbie First Trip Report (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonIamRhino
12/8/2012 at 12:27pm
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Further to my Newbie Advice post Here I would like to thank all those who posted very helpful comments ...........

I took my 2 daughters to Christchurch in Forest of Dean Approx 45 mins away from home last Monday (My wife followed next day due to work commitments) & fully erected our new tent c/w all beds stoves,tables & chairs in a little under 2 hours.,I chose a pitch adjacent to the children's park & in direct line of sight for the Toilets/showers & reception/shop.
By the time I had finished my 2 daughters had gone practically feral only appearing for drinks & crisps & with various 'new friends' in tow (perhaps a little further from the park next time)

My wife arrived on the Tuesday, the extra car meant we could bring the children's bikes & a few other bits just as torrential rain set in from approx 5pm (My biggest fear in persuading my Wife to try out camping for a holiday however from Weds morning we had sunshine & eventually extended our stay by 2 more days .......

My girls loved every minute of the trip with the youngest sleeping till 9AM most days We are lucky to get 7AM at home ........

lessons learnt

The oddly positioned hole in the groundsheet is for fixing the bedroom pods providing the groundsheet is fitted the right way (no mention in the instructions)

Moderate beer intake during evening as toilet trips at night are a pain

position tent to maximise sun benefits.



Stuff I forgot

Pillows

Stuff for next trip

Pillows

Larger first aid kit (ran out after 2nd day)

Daily Dinner menu decided in advance (we do this at home & it saves waste & moans from kids about 'not wanting that'

An extra table

Better Lighting for tent - Gas/rechargeable/battery which is best ?

More 'outdoor' activities/toys for the kids

More Mats (I used mats from a carpet samples book to protect groundsheet from table/chair legs) Free from local outlet



A couple of questions

We did not require electricity during our stay but my rechargeable ipod speakers only lasted 2 evenings & I could not recharge it ........ rather than paying extra for the elec hookup for occasional need, i am considering an inverter for my car what are peoples experience with this .........

Whilst I can sleep anywhere & on anything my wife is a little harder to please having tried a campbed & airbeds (single * double) to no avail I am looking for alternatives ....... any suggestions pls

Despite having a large estate car (A6 Avant) I did struggle with space in the car in fact if my wife hadn't been following with her car it would have been impossible I am therefore considering a roofbox or trailer for longer breaks. again what are peoples experience with this

Post last edited on 12/08/2012 12:39:44


TheFishesThree
12/8/2012 at 12:58pm
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Great to hear you had a successful first trip, may it be the first of many!

iPod speakers recharging: have you considered a solar charger?

We have an A4 Avant so we envy your extra load space! We use either a roof box or trailer, dependent on trip requirements. The trailer has a metal lockable lid fabricated by an air conditioning engineer that makes a great storage facility for bags, boxes, belly boards and things not needed when on site. We had a detachable towbar fitted at GT Towing near Hatfield. When not in use it can be removed in seconds and the electrickery socket folds away so you'd never know it was there. Well worth the extra cost over and above a regular fixed towbar.


PersonRatty
12/8/2012 at 12:59pm
 Location: Hertfordshire
 Outfit: Lots of tents and a 72 VW Camper View Ratty's Profile View Profile  
Joined: 16/4/2002

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Great stuff, looking forward to your submitted site review in the correct section for all to find and read.

Cheers Ratty

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Edit: Thread locked until review received

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Carbon Monoxide Staying Safe Advice



Personcarasash
12/8/2012 at 1:38pm
 Location: Fife
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Well done you, all seems to have gone really well. Im just back from Scone and guess what, I forgot pillows too and it was about my 30th trip . Comfortable sleeping is soooo important for camping to work for everyone. Maybe a proper campbed with legs or a high blow up bed might make your OH feel better.

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PersonSA2009
12/8/2012 at 1:53pm
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Sounds like you had a lovely time! We have got a Avant A6 and find even with the boot and the little bit extra we've got under the boot 'floor' we have to use a roof box, we've got the Mont Blanc 450 roof box if that's any help!


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PersonSpuddy237
12/8/2012 at 2:40pm
 Location: Hampshire
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Well done on your first trip :)

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No longer a camping virgin!
July 2012 - Newquay, Cornwall
Aug 2012 - Dawlish, Devon
July 2013 - North Devon
Aug 2014 - Sanford park
Aug 2016 - Hendra


canvascomfort
12/8/2012 at 2:50pm
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Roofboxes are a great solution and there's less chance of it getting stolen or you getting charged extra for it on campsites. We have an estate car and use a big roofbox.

One very important thing to consider is weight though. We only keep lightweight and bulky items in ours like sleeping bags, chairs, pillows etc. The heavy stuff like the tent are kept in the boot.   

As for a voltage inverter.   We've a 400watt one and its pretty good for plugging things into that wont run on 12v but to charge something on it would probably flatten your battery unless you are doing a lot of driving around.

Have you considered one of those "power stations" things. here.

Oh and we took our pillows for the first time ever last week - not bad in 20 odd years of camping.

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FyneFest -1st June - Fantastic!
Pillaton Hall Farm - 5th July
Woolacombe Bay 7th July


Then where-ever the mood takes us


Personhappycampers98
12/8/2012 at 3:12pm
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Get a toilet for the tent, that way you dont have to limit your fluid intake at night


Personvickyk75
12/8/2012 at 5:16pm
 Location: eastbourne
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Well done on your first trip. Re your wife's sleeping......I have the same issue with not sleeping well when away from my bed and withbsome naughty discs in my back i can suffer with the wring support. I found a camp bed with a self inflating mat perfect on my last trip....slept like a baby all week!!

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Sea View International, St Austell. Jul 2012
Home Farm, Radnage. Aug 2012

Marlie Farm, Kent. Aug 2011
Roundhill New Forest. Aug 2011


PersonRTS5
12/8/2012 at 5:21pm
 Location: North Wiltshire
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Glad you had a good time. Those 1st few trips are great for ironing out the technicalities.


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Personemmatobin
12/8/2012 at 6:39pm
 Location: Blackpool
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May I suggest a portable loo? That way beer intake does not have to be so 'modest' lol
we have a kampa khazi and I wouldnt be without it now



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