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Hi I'm pam and just posting message as i am in need of advice. i have booked with my partner to go to france in june for a week.  we will be going to the vendee, driving from home to dover, then catching the ferry to calais then driving to our destination. we have hired a tent on a campsite which will be fab, but just one problem...our 2 boys.  we have twin boys ewan and finn who will be around 5 months at the time and i was wondering, can any parents give me any advice about what equipment to take.  our car will be big enough to hold most stuff the boys will/may need (hopefully!)

will i get away with one travel cot putting them both into sleep as i have done now (but they are still only small)? will i have to use two?

what about sterilising bottles? will i have to use cold water or are throw away bottles best?

what about buggy? two singles or our double stroller? 

better to take supplies of milk and nappies or can they be bought over there?

what about bathing? should i take inflatable baby bath?

Its just an area i am new to, i cant wait for our trip and im sure the boys will love it and theyll be fine i just dont want to get there and not have what they need. 

any advice gratefully received xxxx

 hi pammyanne

 welcome to ukcs

 ive never camped with babies, but loads do, they`ll be along later with tons of advice

 your trip sounds like fun, have a great time

have never camped with babies...... but for whats its worth... I'd use a your washing up bowl for bathing the boys. If they can fit into one travel cot then use just one. The buggies depend on yourself.....I'd personally take the double, then if one of you wants to go out with them while the other has a break ( i have twins so understand theneed for a break.) with one pushchair then this can be achieved.

No idea about the milk or bottles.. i didn't take my twins away until they was almost a yr!!!!!!!!!

We've used Eurocamp in the past and let them supply the cot etc....The other companies at the sites (Selectcamp etc..) did exactly the same...They also provided a high chair, etc....

Shops are generally stocked well, but if you are used to a partical kind of nappie you can should take them with you....Likewise I think it is best to keep them on the same brand of powder milk, although that might be less of a problem at 5 months old. You can readily get it, but you might as well just take a couple of tins with you as that saves having to go out for it...

Sterilising bottles, we did bring our steriliser with us....But once we also just used boiling water to sterilise them....I'm guessing the ready made tent has got an electrical hook up...So I would bring the steriliser, makes it easier especially with twins!

You know your boys best, but especially if the weather is hot I would not put them together, get cots supplied by the staff...Buy a few summerweight (1-Tog) grobags and they should be happy at night.....

Bathing, if you have one I would take it...If you don't I wouldn't bother! Might be a nice new introduction to shower together! Though the washing up bowl is something we have used before as well :)

One thing I would take with you is some nice pleads that they can safely lay/sit by themselves without you having to hold them....

I've not got experience with twins, so double or single buggy I wouldn't know....Double length is cool, though I can imagine that some paths are to narrow for double widths ones....

Bon Voyage,

Jean-Paul

For bathing, you can get tiny paddling pools.  Just enough for sitting in and having a splash.  not only would that be handy when you want to cool them down or let them have a bit of fun but it could be used for your bath as well.  & perhaps an ice bucket for your wine........

thanks guys.... thats really great... cant believe i got so many replies!!!!

I havent got a blow up bath just saw one in mothercare but a paddling pool is great and cheaper, and i will try the shower thing too!!

regarding the cot, i might take our travel cot anyway as i can use it as playpen or when im on my own, and then ill ask camping life our company if i can have a second cot.

I will probably take the double buggy as it would be easier if i or paul was on our own...i never thought of that lol and the steriliser we have is microwave but will have to see if i can borrow an electric one or just use a cold water one.  will get some throw aways too...boiling water would be ok too.

theres so much to think about with 2 babies... but feel more confident it will be easy really...and great fun

Something else that maybe useful as well is a UV Shelter/Beach/Day tent, saves having to cream them up all the time....Something like this http://www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=130

And our little ones love their UV swimsuits and hats as well....Like these for example http://www.sun-togs.co.uk/products/280

Personal choice of-course, but it could be the difference of having a good night sleep or not

Oh and as you are travelling by car, which we've done many a time to both Spain and Italy (through France)....An electric fridge that car run on the car, and later perhaps on the campground as well, prooved great! Good for keeping those bananas, milk, fromage frais and your water cold on the long journey!

And even when you have a large 4x4 or estate, still get a roof box so everything can go in there on the way back and you can fill up the boot with nice locally produced wine