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Rollcage
Original Poster
9,178 posts
61 months
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Right, off to Fort William with my daughter in a few weeks for a week of father daughter camping bonding! Apart from the obvious essentials like cooking equipment, tent, etc is there anything that a newbie to camping is likely to overlook that will make life easier? Driving up in the Panda overnight (578 miles!), aiming to arrive about midday and get pitched. Site has Wifi and electric hook up, so the mod cons are taken care of. Really looking forward to getting out and about, and getting some photographs of the area. Mustn't forget the walking boots!  Never been proper camping before, so any advice from the PH campers will be appreciated!
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Happy82
5,172 posts
38 months
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You might find some of the silver sided mats are handy for sleeping on as they reduce the cold from the floor of the tent. Perhaps some sleeping eye covers too if your tent lacks blackout material? When camping I usually wake with the sun which can be bloody early!! I would ask my partner to suggest items but you'd end up towing your house
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Rollcage
Original Poster
9,178 posts
61 months
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Great advice, thats exactly the sort of thing I wouldnt have thought of! Cheers
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cheddar
1,967 posts
43 months
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Try not to make it too much like your house, you'll only notice the compromises more and it'll get in the way of immersing yourself in simplicity and nature. Keep warm, climb the mountain. Over and above the norm I would take the following: 1. Whisky Good Luck 
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Rollcage
Original Poster
9,178 posts
61 months
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It's going to such an adventure for both of us - my daughter is even more excited than me! Even the drive up will be an adventure in itself, scything through the night in the mighty Panda.
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marky911
2,357 posts
88 months
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Insect repellent. Monster midgies up there! When I say monster, they're actually just normal.  There's just loads of 'em. Beautiful area up there, have fun!
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Porkbrain
245 posts
106 months
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Dift
1,394 posts
96 months
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marky911 said: Insect repellent. Monster midgies up there! When I say monster, they're actually just normal. There's just loads of 'em. Beautiful area up there, have fun! This!
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y2blade
46,236 posts
84 months
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marky911 said: Insect repellent. Monster midgies up there! When I say monster, they're actually just normal. There's just loads of 'em. Beautiful area up there, have fun! this^^^^ My ex got eaten alive at the Lochy campsite back in the day.
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58warren
424 posts
48 months
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Tent pegs are always useful... Many years ago a mate of mine arrived at a campsite on the west coast of Scotland where we were already staying and discovered that his girlfriend hadn't packed them as she thought he'd done it...
Seriously though, take a torch as you will need it getting to and from the tent at night.
Also been stories of people who've taken their cooling disposable barbecue into the tent for residual warmth at night - DON'T! as it's extremely dangerous and has damaged the health of a number of people and actually killed others as carbon monoxide fumes are released inside a well sealed tent.
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Kudos
2,027 posts
43 months
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58warren said: Seriously though, take a torch as you will need it getting to and from the tent at night.
Are you sure about that? It stays light until late up there
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58warren
424 posts
48 months
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Always be a time when you need the loo etc and it's dark... I know from experience when we moored up near the island of Seil and had to trudge a quarter of a mile over uneven ground to get to the pub. OK going, but coming back using the feeble glow from our mobile phones was err 'interesting'...
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otherman
1,068 posts
34 months
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A water container to carry it from the tap to your camping spot for your kettle etc. Couple of folding chairs, and a picnic table can be handy. Being comfy at night is a winner so I'd take pillows and if your sleeping bags stand any chance of not being cozy enough a couple of blankets, because it can be cold outdoors at night.
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Rollcage
Original Poster
9,178 posts
61 months
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Thanks for all the useful tips folks, it's all good stuff. Sounds like insect repellent might be a good one not too forget
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Gargamel
5,317 posts
130 months
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Nylon cord, small roll of electrical tape, decent knife.
you will need a washing line for wet towel etc, and string is always useful outdoors, tape for any temporary repairs
knife for just about everything,
torch or head torch, gas light or fluorescent tube lights are good, and warm socks, can never have enough warm socks...
baby wipes are usually handy too...
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otherman
1,068 posts
34 months
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Gargamel said: Nylon cord, roll of electrical tape, large polythene sheet, decent knife. Dexter, is that you?
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GordonL
82 posts
70 months
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Avon Skin so Soft and Smidge are about the only things that deter the midges. Don't buy them up here, they're a lot more expensive for obvious reasons!
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welshjohn
699 posts
50 months
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Water proofs are also handy
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Mave
1,024 posts
84 months
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Something for entertainment in case the weather keeps you tent bound
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Rollcage
Original Poster
9,178 posts
61 months
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I've got the Skin So Soft on order, and a fair bit of other stuff as well - tent arrives soon hopefully, and then I'll be really excited!
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