Newbie camper, do I have the basics
Discussion
As per title really. 1st time camping, wife and 1 child.
Tent is a hi-gear Zenobia elite 6, 3 chairs, 3 air beds, 3 sleeping bags, Gas stove, cool box, 2 led lanterns, 2 head torches, 2 hand torches, picnic kit, camping pots, electric hookup adapter, heater, kettle, loo bucket.... What I'm I missing. I'll only ever be away 2 days at a time.
Tent is a hi-gear Zenobia elite 6, 3 chairs, 3 air beds, 3 sleeping bags, Gas stove, cool box, 2 led lanterns, 2 head torches, 2 hand torches, picnic kit, camping pots, electric hookup adapter, heater, kettle, loo bucket.... What I'm I missing. I'll only ever be away 2 days at a time.
Loads and loads of kitchen roll - tbe good stuff. If it rains, it will get muddy - then kitchen roll is your freind (also for drying the tent if it's still wet when you need to pack it).
Folding table with height adjustable legs.
Hi-grade gaffer tape for when stuff breaks (lashing broken poles etc back together. Leatherman for same).
Pillows - decent ones, not the blow up ones.
Folding bbq (I have one that doubles as a small firebox).
Flip-flops.
Folding table with height adjustable legs.
Hi-grade gaffer tape for when stuff breaks (lashing broken poles etc back together. Leatherman for same).
Pillows - decent ones, not the blow up ones.
Folding bbq (I have one that doubles as a small firebox).
Flip-flops.
BigsimonY said:
As per title really. 1st time camping, wife and 1 child.
Tent is a hi-gear Zenobia elite 6, 3 chairs, 3 air beds, 3 sleeping bags, Gas stove, cool box, 2 led lanterns, 2 head torches, 2 hand torches, picnic kit, camping pots, electric hookup adapter, heater, kettle, loo bucket.... What I'm I missing. I'll only ever be away 2 days at a time.
Pillows, tea towel, washing up bowl (with handle), sponge, cutlery, plates, water carrier/ bottles, pegs, washing line, tin opener, multi tool, bin liners, insect candles, Anti-bacterial gel/ handwash etc. Food, beer Tent is a hi-gear Zenobia elite 6, 3 chairs, 3 air beds, 3 sleeping bags, Gas stove, cool box, 2 led lanterns, 2 head torches, 2 hand torches, picnic kit, camping pots, electric hookup adapter, heater, kettle, loo bucket.... What I'm I missing. I'll only ever be away 2 days at a time.
Just some of the items we have forgotten whilst being camping.....
I'd recommend some of those roll mats to go under the airbed for more insulation and warmth. They also help protect the bottom of your airbed a bit.
I'd also say have you got spare gas for your stove as running out in the middle of cooking dinner sucks! And on that note have you got matches? Your stove might have one of those fancy piezzo lighter things but if that breaks you'll be stuck. And if you're taking matches put them in a small tupperware box so they don't get wet.
We always take more bedding than we need over and on top of sleeping bags but we don't pack light! Best to be too hot than too cold.
And finally if you're going in this country have you packed waterproofs and wellies?
I'd also say have you got spare gas for your stove as running out in the middle of cooking dinner sucks! And on that note have you got matches? Your stove might have one of those fancy piezzo lighter things but if that breaks you'll be stuck. And if you're taking matches put them in a small tupperware box so they don't get wet.
We always take more bedding than we need over and on top of sleeping bags but we don't pack light! Best to be too hot than too cold.
And finally if you're going in this country have you packed waterproofs and wellies?
4 large ice blocks.
Seperate into two twos and place each in a carrier bag with your name on it. Freeze both before you leave and put in the cool box. As soon as you check in take one set out and put in the comunal freezer that all decent campsites have. You will probably have to pay a donation for this. Then every 12 hours ie when you go to the toilet block to clean your teeth switch the ice packs over so your cool box will stay nice and chilly.
Seperate into two twos and place each in a carrier bag with your name on it. Freeze both before you leave and put in the cool box. As soon as you check in take one set out and put in the comunal freezer that all decent campsites have. You will probably have to pay a donation for this. Then every 12 hours ie when you go to the toilet block to clean your teeth switch the ice packs over so your cool box will stay nice and chilly.
Make yourself a cheap mains light.
The tent you have has a set of Velcro loops from the flap where the electric comes in, to the centre of the ceiling so you can run a flex with a bulb from your extension.
Buy:
1 x mains plug
About 8 foot of mains flex
1 x bayonet bulb holder
Bulb of your choice
A switch (if you're feeling flash)
Wire it up, and you've got a 'big' light in middle of the living area.
Oh, and some packs of wet wipes. You'll always need wet wipes for something.
The tent you have has a set of Velcro loops from the flap where the electric comes in, to the centre of the ceiling so you can run a flex with a bulb from your extension.
Buy:
1 x mains plug
About 8 foot of mains flex
1 x bayonet bulb holder
Bulb of your choice
A switch (if you're feeling flash)
Wire it up, and you've got a 'big' light in middle of the living area.
Oh, and some packs of wet wipes. You'll always need wet wipes for something.
Have you got a footprint to go with the tent? We also have a Go Outdoors tent and have one, the footprint is only a piece of tarpaulin it saves a lot of messing about cleaning the base of the tent if you end up camped on wet muddy ground, it is also useful for planning where to pitch it.
On a similar note the carpets that they sell to go with the range make them a more pleasant place to be.
Cheap fleecy blankets always come in handy if you are somewhere where it may get cold (ie the UK) as they are light, pack up small, but do help keep you warm.
Cheapo solar garden lights are useful to mark where your guide ropes are in the dark when going to and from the loo / coming back from the pub, a windbreak or two are useful to establish a bit of privacy around your 'camp', citronella candles in jam jars to keep midges away.
On a similar note the carpets that they sell to go with the range make them a more pleasant place to be.
Cheap fleecy blankets always come in handy if you are somewhere where it may get cold (ie the UK) as they are light, pack up small, but do help keep you warm.
Cheapo solar garden lights are useful to mark where your guide ropes are in the dark when going to and from the loo / coming back from the pub, a windbreak or two are useful to establish a bit of privacy around your 'camp', citronella candles in jam jars to keep midges away.
My best tip and a constant on our trips over the years is a UCO candle lantern hung inside the tent burning a UCO citronella candle.
Light it an hour before bed to drive out the bugs and leave on all night - to provide enough light to navigate out of the tent for a wee and more importantly the candle helps keep the air in the tent dry and significantly reduces condensation/damp build up when the temp drops outside the tent, making for more comfortable early mornings.
Note - only use a UCO lantern to burn a candle in a tent as they are very safe by design (apart from the hot top obv) Use the hanging chain at its full length and its safe to hang in all tents.
P.s the biggest camping challenge with my Mrs was the sleeping comfort - air beds can be the weak link its worth thinking about a SIM... Much more supportive and warmer.
Light it an hour before bed to drive out the bugs and leave on all night - to provide enough light to navigate out of the tent for a wee and more importantly the candle helps keep the air in the tent dry and significantly reduces condensation/damp build up when the temp drops outside the tent, making for more comfortable early mornings.
Note - only use a UCO lantern to burn a candle in a tent as they are very safe by design (apart from the hot top obv) Use the hanging chain at its full length and its safe to hang in all tents.
P.s the biggest camping challenge with my Mrs was the sleeping comfort - air beds can be the weak link its worth thinking about a SIM... Much more supportive and warmer.
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