Camping tips for a novice

Author
Discussion

CubanPete

3,630 posts

188 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
Fleece blanket on top of the airbed is a great insulator and adds a lot of comfort.

Decent knife and torches.

If you can pitch your tent so it is in the shade at sunrise, you will have a more comfortable night's sleep.

Earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Two single airbeds can be much more comfortable if there is much of a weight difference between you and the misses...

Insect repellent.

Chrisgr31

13,474 posts

255 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
CubanPete said:
Two single airbeds can be much more comfortable if there is much of a weight difference between you and the misses...
And if one bed springs a leak at least one of you gets a nights sleep!

LordHaveMurci

12,043 posts

169 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Used our new 7.5cm SIM for 2 nights at the weekend, surprised at how much warmer it was, not sure on the comfort though, seems a bit hard & it takes a bit of getting used too being that close to the ground!

Slight faff packing it away but nothing like what I was expecting having read various reviews.

Nobby Diesel

2,054 posts

251 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
OP,

a bit late to the party on this.
I firmly believe that you should spend as much as you can possibly afford on the sleeping.
A good nights sleep, means that everyone is happier the following day.
We use Aerobeds, which are expensive, but effective. Also, use ear plugs and eye shields. Block out the daylight and noise for as long as possible.
If you are only camping in the summer, don't bother with expensive sleeping bags, just take the duvets from home, if space allows. Take your regular pillow too.
In terms of keeping the kids happy, just choose your site wisely. The kids will make friends in an instant.
Get the kids playing the A to Z game. Give them a carrier bag and send them off around the site to find a small item for every letter of the alphabet, that will fit in the bag. Q and Z take a while!!

badgerade

660 posts

198 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
The best solution to a good nights sleep is to make sure at least a bottle of red is consumed before you turn in.

billzeebub

3,864 posts

199 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
badgerade said:
The best solution to a good nights sleep is to make sure at least a bottle of red is consumed before you turn in.
this...also a Pistonheads flag to fly over your little homestead

LordHaveMurci

12,043 posts

169 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Don't try installing the gas canister into your newly purchased cheapo gas stove whilst sitting next to a roaring camp fire (yep, some dozy twonk did just this last weekend not far from our pitch, sadly I didn't see it but my OH said it was quite exciting!).