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I am going to be brave in the next week or two and take my daughters away, by myself in my Royal La Rochelle !!! Normally I have done it with the back up of my parents in their caravan (for all those added luxuries!) but dad died last year so I am 'going it alone' Thinking of a site with loos and showers, only for 2/3 nights. All i have is chairs, one of those canister table top single ring cooker things, water carrier and cups and plates - oh and two really uncomfortable airbeds. What else do I need? can you get storage things to hand on tent poles inside and is that advisable? Windbreak for privacy and shelter ?? Have an estate car but no trailer so no huge expensive items. Is a heater a good idea and if so what 'wiring' (sorry!!) wld I need? I have camped all my childhood but honestly never paid much attention to what was needed and it was 20 odd years ago !!

Hi Louise & welcome to the forum

Click here for a checklist of equipment. You don't have to buy sleeping bags for your first trip, just take your duvets from home. You can also take saucepans & cutlery from home. Don't forget your pillows. You really do need comfortable airbeds though - one which most people on here recommend is the Coleman Comfort. You will also need a table to stand the cooker on & to prepare meals.

As for hanging storage pockets from the tent poles - it depends on what type of tent you've got. You can hang things from the poles in a frame tent, but most of the synthetic tents have the poles on the outside of the flysheet, so no chance. You could buy some of the plastic storage boxes.

I never go camping without a tub of baby wipes!!! My daughter is eight now but if she eats an ice lolly/gets a bit mucky/I find i need to freshen my hands or face; I just use the baby wipes rather than run to the loos!!

Also...remember to take something to do if it is raining such as playing cards, colouring books etc...nothing worse than bored children!

Netto have windbreaks which fold really small for £3.99 each - well worth the money..

Enjoy your trip and you are braver than me!! Have never had the guts to drive abroad!!

We are just south of Stratford upon avon in Midlands so any where around 2 hrs drive is fine. I am limited with when we can go - either 12-14 or 28 - 31 Aug, Admittedly a bit a forward planning earlier in the summer wld have been a good idea !!

We have a Robert Dyas and Millets in Stratford so will toddle off down there Monday morning!!

We're about to do our first camping trip too! Bought a folding table in Woolworths last week for £9.99 and it seems sturdy enough.

Catherine