Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping under canvas 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: First Timer Advice Post Reply Post New Topic
Person2littleboys
04/4/2017 at 9:41am
 Location: Ayrshire Scotland
 Outfit: Hi gear Kalahari 8 View 2littleboys's Profile View Profile   Reply to 2littleboys Reply   Quote 2littleboys Quote  
Joined: 28/8/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
My husband has finally beat me down and we purchased our first family tent at the weekend. We purchased a Highgear Kalahari 8 man tent and my husband wants to go away this weekend as we are both on holiday from work.

So I need some reassurance that its not too early in the year for camping and that we will all love it. Our boys are 11 and 6 and are really looking forward to it.

We have checked the weather forecast and have decided to go to Balloch O Dee Campsite in Newton Stewart, it looks fab and seems to be one of the few that we can have campfires on.

So I really would welcome any helpful advice for first timers and some reassurance that there are plenty of campers out there at this time of year.

Thank you in advance.


PersonMischiefsmum
04/4/2017 at 10:10am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Tripstein Super & VW Camper View Mischiefsmum's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mischiefsmum Reply   Quote Mischiefsmum Quote  
Joined: 05/6/2015

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   219
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
The boys will love it and it'll be lots of fun. There are plenty of people camping this time of year (in fact all year). Just make sure you're warm enough.

Are you using ehu? If yes take a fan heater. Are you on air beds or sims? If air beds insulated under them, at least a blanket but better cardboard or foam play tiles. Insulate over as well. Take layers. We use thick feather duvet and blanket. Hot water bottle in boys bed hour before bed then move it into yours. Woolly hats in bed, yes it helps! Pjs on early with jumpers over so u don't get cold getting ready, basically don't get into bed cold.

An adult exhales up to a litre of moisture over night so a thin fleece blanket over is easier to dry next day and stop rest of bedding getting damp.

We had a week end of April in Dartmoor last year. It was a hard frost every night and hail showers. We didn't have ehu and we're toasty in in bed. Worst bit was between daughters bedtime and our bedtime. Hot choc, blanket, jumpers and hat helped. :) was all fun tho.

Hope u have a great time. We love that area so be good to hear how the campsite is.


PersonSGThomas
04/4/2017 at 10:11am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6707
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 15 
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 98
Welcome to the site...you can camp any time of the year, providing you have sensible equipment.

You need to have decent, warm sleeping equipment. After that it is all plain sailing.


PersonTimCESmith
04/4/2017 at 11:19am
 Location: London
 Outfit: Karsten 350 + SE CA EA RA FW & ZIG View TimCESmith's Profile View Profile   Reply to TimCESmith Reply   Quote TimCESmith Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1013
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 77
Site Reviews 2024: 11 
Site Reviews 2023: 9  
Site Reviews 2022: 8  
Site Reviews 2021: 5  
Site Reviews 2020: 5  
Site Reviews 2019: 10 
Site Reviews 2018: 6  
Site Nights 2024: 32
Site Nights 2023: 29
Site Nights 2022: 39
Site Nights 2021: 30
Site Nights 2020: 31
Site Nights 2019: 50
Site Nights 2018: 37
Practise pitching the tent before you go.

Unless you're sure of the weather have a quick look at Sceptical Camper's excellent advice about tenting in high wind here.

Take hot water bottles.

Enjoy! And let us know how you get on.


Person2littleboys
04/4/2017 at 4:09pm
 Location: Ayrshire Scotland
 Outfit: Hi gear Kalahari 8 View 2littleboys's Profile View Profile   Reply to 2littleboys Reply   Quote 2littleboys Quote  
Joined: 28/8/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thank you for all the lovely advice.

I am really looking forward to it now. The site does have EHU, so might purchase a hook up as we already have some portable fan heaters at home.

Will update you all on Monday on how our first trip went!


Advertisement



PersonDeborahTurner
05/4/2017 at 10:55pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Vango Kalu Hypercamp Eldorado View DeborahTurner's Profile View Profile   Reply to DeborahTurner Reply   Quote DeborahTurner Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1309
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 24
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 3  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 3  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 8
Site Nights 2019: 2
Site Nights 2018: 2
Ooh, you lucky things! Wish I was camping this weekend.

It is great you have picked a site that allows fires. Get your fire lit early, so that by nightfall it is a heap of red hot glowing logs. Put your pyjamas on under your clothes early evening, keep warm and stay warm. Sit round your fire until ready for bed. Then top layers off and into your sleeping bags.

Wear woolly hats in bed. And socks.

If you can be bothered make a flask of coffee before bed. Hot drink before you even get out of your sleeping bag in the morning.

Instant breakfast snacks for the kids: fuel. Bags of brioche rolls are good.

I have never had ehu. We just sit by the fire. Just make sure your fire is a long way from your tent and down wind, in case of sparks.

Arrive with loads of daylight to deal with tent and setting up.

Have a great time.


PersonJacquiR
06/4/2017 at 1:25pm
 Location: North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Dandy and Tents View JacquiR's Profile View Profile   Reply to JacquiR Reply   Quote JacquiR Quote  
Joined: 29/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   55
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Keeping warm is key so lots of warm layers to wear (thick jumpers and fleeces and several each). Being cold is miserable but if you're warm everything else is manageable. And being prepared to be flexible when it comes to normal routines for your boys. Hope you all have fun!


Personlazychu
06/4/2017 at 8:33pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Coleman Valdes 6XL View lazychu's Profile View Profile   Reply to lazychu Reply   Quote lazychu Quote  
Joined: 24/3/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   26
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I was a reluctant camper at first too, so know how you feel, I think. We've just got back from 4 days in Wales and it was brilliant. I've been camping for about 15 years now and can honestly say I love it. I do however search the campsite reviews on here. I couldn't cope with poor loos.

Have a look at the thread I started below and make sure you pack a softcricket bat and ball, football and frisbee for the boys. You'll be fine.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=3&TopicID=343085&PagePosition=1


Personkatymg
06/4/2017 at 9:02pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Abbey Expression 500L View katymg's Profile View Profile   Reply to katymg Reply   Quote katymg Quote  
Joined: 29/3/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   96
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0
We just got back from North Berwick on Monday and had a blast but it was Baltic at night! Previously the earliest I'd been camping before was May/June so be prepared for the cold. Nighttime wasn't too bad - warm sleeping bags, tonnes of layers below, above and on you as well as warm socks and hot water bottles. First thing in the morning was harder as there is no heat in the sun for a good few hours - however my daughter just moved into the living area of tent in her sleeping bag and I got cooking on the stove to keep me warm. We had a camping firepit with us from The Range for heat and marshmallow toasting. Enjoy!


Personbobman
06/4/2017 at 9:02pm
 Location: teesside
 Outfit: kalahari 8 gelert lunar 3 View bobman's Profile View Profile   Reply to bobman Reply   Quote bobman Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2005

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   114
Tent Reviews:   5
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 3
Site Nights 2022: 4
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
You have got yourself a great tent. The hardest thing is the ring and pins fittings on the poles- make sure you slacken them off before trying to insert them, tighten them up when they are in and you will be fine. The EHU will be a great ally for you - lights and warmth will make a huge difference. If you stop the kids getting cold and bored everything else will fall into place. Have a great time!


Advertisement



Personmitzionline
12/4/2017 at 8:55pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: Cabanon Barbados & Cabanon Guadeloupe View mitzionline's Profile View Profile   Reply to mitzionline Reply   Quote mitzionline Quote  
Joined: 28/7/2009

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   332
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
If there's time do a test pack before you go to ensure everything fits in the car.   The first time we went camping we did a test pack the day before - confident it would all fit in, but we still ended up having to get a roof box at the last minute when we realised it wouldn't.

At this time of year you should be fine with the temperature, slo long as you insulate the bed from the ground and take plenty of layers of warm bedding as others have advised.



-------------
Aug 2017 St Martins Campsite, Scilly
Jul 2017 Trewan Hall, Cornwall
Jun 2017 Higher Kestle Farm, Cornwall
Mar 2017 Pitch Perfect camping Bath
Aug 2016 Brittany/Normandy:-
La Ferme Croas Men (near Morlaix)
Le Ranolien (Ploumanac'h)
Le Bois Courdrais (Cugen)
Chateau de Montfreville (Montfreville)


Personnafuk
16/4/2017 at 2:24pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View nafuk's Profile View Profile   Reply to nafuk Reply   Quote nafuk Quote  
Joined: 26/6/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   220
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Do not go to bed cold - jumping jacks are good if this does happen.
Wrap up before you start feeling cold.
An electric underblanket is great - leave on/turn on early to pre-warm sleeping bags and pj's.


PersonNickmiow
11/5/2017 at 3:03pm
 Location: Isle of Wight
 Outfit: Karsten 350 & awnings etc. View Nickmiow's Profile View Profile   Reply to Nickmiow Reply   Quote Nickmiow Quote  
Joined: 02/5/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   29
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
If you want comfort, always take your bedroom pillows, But with the inclusion a brushed cotton pillowcases, otherwise turning in your sleep onto a cold pillow will disturb your sleep pattern.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

9572 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder