So Im going camping for the first time......
Discussion
So I will be getting away with the OH half for 4 days in the next couple of weeks.
So from the wealth of experience on here what are the essentials? I'm looking at a few tents on ebay and have been watching a few 4-6 men tents. This is because they have a separate sleeping area from the tent, this im assuming will be easier for cooking an storing things should the weather turn bad.
So what do I need and what can I do without and simply buy as a disposable?
Also I'm only planing on going to Cornwall .
So from the wealth of experience on here what are the essentials? I'm looking at a few tents on ebay and have been watching a few 4-6 men tents. This is because they have a separate sleeping area from the tent, this im assuming will be easier for cooking an storing things should the weather turn bad.
So what do I need and what can I do without and simply buy as a disposable?
Also I'm only planing on going to Cornwall .
I just did my first (proper) camping trip. I did it as part of a group of friends and went slightly overboard - our small saloon was crammed to the rafters, but a few things that I'll be sticking with when my OH and I go away by ourselves:
Two hob camping stove. This one was great, cooked stuff nicely and balanced well on bumpy ground - as well as being light:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Campingaz-Camping-Duo-Plus...
An afterburner style lighter to go with helped a lot too.
Work out early if you want a camping mat, inflatable bed or camp beds - I went with camp beds which did the job nicely (I can't stand inflatable beds.) Argos were doing Regatta ones reasonably cheaply and I got on pretty well with them.
Sleeping bags...I went reasonably cheap, and added a fleece liner in case it got cold - I figured it was better to layer. Never needed the fleece liner in the end.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001NPD0NK/ref=...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002YUWI72/ref=...
Tent wise, that's down to what you want and what you want to spend. I went for a 6 man Gelert Horizon 6 (for the two of us) as it was easy for us to put up, very well designed and even with one of the sleeping areas set aside for sleeping had enough room to cook/eat/get drunk in (for 5 of us.) Lazy/glamping I know, but I love the tent and will be using it again.
I found that I didn't get on with most camp chairs, I tried about 5 before hand - worth checking what you find comfortable.
A few extra's that are worth taking are a good few yards of paracord, carabiners, a reasonable tent mallet and a tent peg remover. Oh, and stuff sacks help keep everything organised.
Two hob camping stove. This one was great, cooked stuff nicely and balanced well on bumpy ground - as well as being light:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Campingaz-Camping-Duo-Plus...
An afterburner style lighter to go with helped a lot too.
Work out early if you want a camping mat, inflatable bed or camp beds - I went with camp beds which did the job nicely (I can't stand inflatable beds.) Argos were doing Regatta ones reasonably cheaply and I got on pretty well with them.
Sleeping bags...I went reasonably cheap, and added a fleece liner in case it got cold - I figured it was better to layer. Never needed the fleece liner in the end.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001NPD0NK/ref=...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002YUWI72/ref=...
Tent wise, that's down to what you want and what you want to spend. I went for a 6 man Gelert Horizon 6 (for the two of us) as it was easy for us to put up, very well designed and even with one of the sleeping areas set aside for sleeping had enough room to cook/eat/get drunk in (for 5 of us.) Lazy/glamping I know, but I love the tent and will be using it again.
I found that I didn't get on with most camp chairs, I tried about 5 before hand - worth checking what you find comfortable.
A few extra's that are worth taking are a good few yards of paracord, carabiners, a reasonable tent mallet and a tent peg remover. Oh, and stuff sacks help keep everything organised.
I hate those air mattresses, we sleep on a pair of thermarests and a duvet with another duvet on top, and take pillows. Thermarests are pricey but my lightweight one is 20+ years old and still going strong, albeit with a few repairs.
I find a portable BBQ and camp bistro single cooker is the best combo, as we rarely use more than one burner at a time.
We bought some camping chairs with a curve for lumbar support and they're brilliant. A friend has even slept in one (needless to say he was very, very drunk
) I'll post up the manufacturer later.
I find a portable BBQ and camp bistro single cooker is the best combo, as we rarely use more than one burner at a time.
We bought some camping chairs with a curve for lumbar support and they're brilliant. A friend has even slept in one (needless to say he was very, very drunk
) I'll post up the manufacturer later.badgerade said:
Agree on the air beds - they look comfy but are no where near as good as the inch thick inflatable camping mats.
Also worth getting a couple of those plastic flexi trug things to fill with water to keep the beer cool(ish).
We are off for 2 weeks road tripping/camping in Europe later in July, and I just bought a memory foam mattress topper for £25 off eBay (6ft x 4ft x 3inches thick.) Its very comfy. Also worth getting a couple of those plastic flexi trug things to fill with water to keep the beer cool(ish).
shakotan said:
TopCAD said:
We are off for 2 weeks road tripping/camping in Europe later in July, and I just bought a memory foam mattress topper for £25 off eBay (6ft x 4ft x 3inches thick.) Its very comfy.
Got a link for the seller, please?http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
It was actually £27
Thats the exact item I bought. It is a 'seconds' item as its got a few bubble on the back but to be honest for the price I can't complain.
He's a very helpful seller, I emailed a few times as he didn't have the size I wanted listed and he said one was going on the next day, then emailed me when it was listed. Very fast postage too. And it was 7cm thick when it arrived (advertised as 6)
I made a giant pillow case like cover for it last night from two bed sheets so now its going to double up as a cover for all the gear in the back of the car.
Edited by TopCAD on Thursday 30th June 11:37
bmw535i said:
Rouleur said:
Ear plugs and a blindfold. I'm not a very experienced camper but I've done enough to know that those two (three?) things are essential if you want a good night's sleep.
A case of wine is far more conducive to a good nights sleep 
Trust me on this one, but the most important thing is a good bed. People give up on camping all the time because of a bad night's sleep. We have a very good quality airbed that retains a high preasure for days on end, also a fitted sheet and quilt, oh and some feather pillow's. That sorted and you are on the right foot. Next a good quality tent, guess what? if you get a bargain £50 tent reduced from £150 then you have a £50 tent. Spend a little more and it will also last for years.
If you've got a Decathlon near you, they're great for tents and other related stuff.
We find a quechua pop-up (an XL 3-man one) fine for us, quick and easy to pitch and put away, bit of storage space in the front but not that roomy if you're stuck in the rain. The bigger family tents are OK if you're staying put, they do take a bit of faffing about to pitch.
Something like this would be good for a couple with enough space to change standing up and have a table to sit at in bad weather.
As said, Thermarest-type mats are comfiest and warmest - air matresses just circulate air round and get cold. For car-camping, the 1"+ thick ones are great. Alpkit and Kathmandu do good ones at cheaper prices than Thermarest. Put together a couple of loops of elastic in a figure-8, so you can keep the mats together.
Decathlon sleeping bags are fine too, most of theirs zip together, just make sure you get one left, one right. Don't go too light, even for summer - nights can still get down into single figures.
For cooking, stoves like this are fine, we've always got by with one and there are plenty of decent one-pot recipes. Grab a small stovetop kettle if you don't have one.
Small table and a couple of camp chairs are worth having. Some kind of tarp / waterproof picnic blanket is good too if you want to sit on the ground instead.
We find a quechua pop-up (an XL 3-man one) fine for us, quick and easy to pitch and put away, bit of storage space in the front but not that roomy if you're stuck in the rain. The bigger family tents are OK if you're staying put, they do take a bit of faffing about to pitch.
Something like this would be good for a couple with enough space to change standing up and have a table to sit at in bad weather.
As said, Thermarest-type mats are comfiest and warmest - air matresses just circulate air round and get cold. For car-camping, the 1"+ thick ones are great. Alpkit and Kathmandu do good ones at cheaper prices than Thermarest. Put together a couple of loops of elastic in a figure-8, so you can keep the mats together.
Decathlon sleeping bags are fine too, most of theirs zip together, just make sure you get one left, one right. Don't go too light, even for summer - nights can still get down into single figures.
For cooking, stoves like this are fine, we've always got by with one and there are plenty of decent one-pot recipes. Grab a small stovetop kettle if you don't have one.
Small table and a couple of camp chairs are worth having. Some kind of tarp / waterproof picnic blanket is good too if you want to sit on the ground instead.
For 2 of you I consider a 3 man tent with a good sized porch to be the minimum unless you're hiking. I like my Khyam biker as it's quick to put up with plenty of space inside without being too bulky, though it doesn't pack down as small as more conventionaly erected tents.
2 stoves or a twin burner is a good idea, I usually camp with mates rather than the OH so if we each carry single burners we've got plenty. I use a petrol powered one (MSR Whisperlite) as I'm usually going camping on the bike so I've always got a supply of petrol, a length of windscreen washer hose is perfect for siphoning some to refill the fuel bottle.
Self inflating matresses are great, big airbeds may make more sense for a couple but I find them quite cold in comparison. If you go for a big airbed then get a 12v pump to inflate it.
Head torches are fantastic.
Stove top espresso machine is essential, 2 weeks of instant coffee isn't my idea of a holiday.
We tend to carry a couple of sachets of rice or couscous and some chorizo, they pack small, last for ages and are good backup in case you don't make it to a shop.
One of those big folding water carriers stops you having to go back to the tap every 5 minutes.
2 stoves or a twin burner is a good idea, I usually camp with mates rather than the OH so if we each carry single burners we've got plenty. I use a petrol powered one (MSR Whisperlite) as I'm usually going camping on the bike so I've always got a supply of petrol, a length of windscreen washer hose is perfect for siphoning some to refill the fuel bottle.
Self inflating matresses are great, big airbeds may make more sense for a couple but I find them quite cold in comparison. If you go for a big airbed then get a 12v pump to inflate it.
Head torches are fantastic.
Stove top espresso machine is essential, 2 weeks of instant coffee isn't my idea of a holiday.
We tend to carry a couple of sachets of rice or couscous and some chorizo, they pack small, last for ages and are good backup in case you don't make it to a shop.
One of those big folding water carriers stops you having to go back to the tap every 5 minutes.
Thanks everyone for the advice, I have emailed the guy from ebay about a mattress. Next on the list will be sorting the tent out but that will have to wait until next week.
As far as bedding I was just going to take some normal pillows and bed linen, do you think this will be enough or will it be to cold?
As far as bedding I was just going to take some normal pillows and bed linen, do you think this will be enough or will it be to cold?
dave0010 said:
Thanks everyone for the advice, I have emailed the guy from ebay about a mattress. Next on the list will be sorting the tent out but that will have to wait until next week.
As far as bedding I was just going to take some normal pillows and bed linen, do you think this will be enough or will it be to cold?
Should be fine, though if you've got a spare/old duvet it can't hurt to take it along in case the temperature dips. It can always form an extra bottom layer for cushioning if not required.As far as bedding I was just going to take some normal pillows and bed linen, do you think this will be enough or will it be to cold?
Oh, and alcohol hand wash is pretty much an essential. And depending on how far you are from the amenities block, a decent sized water container (preferably one with a tap built in) and a washing up bowl/scourer can save a long walk.
tenohfive said:
Should be fine, though if you've got a spare/old duvet it can't hurt to take it along in case the temperature dips. It can always form an extra bottom layer for cushioning if not required.
Oh, and alcohol hand wash is pretty much an essential. And depending on how far you are from the amenities block, a decent sized water container (preferably one with a tap built in) and a washing up bowl/scourer can save a long walk.
This is the campsite that we are planning on staying inOh, and alcohol hand wash is pretty much an essential. And depending on how far you are from the amenities block, a decent sized water container (preferably one with a tap built in) and a washing up bowl/scourer can save a long walk.
http://www.whitsandbayholidays.co.uk/camping-in-co...
See its the simple things like a water container that I had't thought off. Has anyone used the single use cooking flames like these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001U4ZZY6/ref=...
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff