Camping Novice

[Guest rizla]

as most of you know i am new to hood ownership(should have done it years ago)

i have also never in my life gone camping(age 36)

my question is a serious one what items are reqired and thier rough costs as i intend to go to as many shows as poss and most are a weekend

and does it all fit in the boot (battery in engine bay) sorry couldent resist

[Guest mickmellors]

I'm including the obvious, the not so obvious, and the somewhat tongue in cheek -

 

The essentials are -

Beer - Tent - Bed (air mattress) - sleeping bag (quality) - mallet/hammer to put pegs in - pliers to get 'em out again ! - toilet paper (there never is any in WCs) - carrier bags for rubbish disposal - empty Lucozade bottle (any trucker will explain !) - ear plugs if you find yourself pitched next to Jim or myself (dont even consider pitching between us ! )

 

The nice to haves are -

Light (torch/lantern) - pillow - plastic sheet to put tent on (saves having to clean mud/sheep poo off tents own groundsheet) - water container (2 litre pop bottle) -

mug - folding chair - big thermos flask (hot water at the ready). Bin bag to put clothes in at night to stop them getting damp - they WILL ) - flip-flops if you intend using showers (the floors are not as clean as you might hope)

 

The luxuries are -

Washing/shaving kit - deodorant - plate,bowl,knife,fork,spoon - cooking stove - windshield for cooker - stacking pan set - whisky - comb - change of underwear - towel -

 

P.O.S.H stuff -

Alarm clock - beer glass - wine - wine glass - shoe polish - more than one coat - solar panel - TV - gameboy - laptop - slippers - dressing gown - separate knife for butter - someone to keep your back warm on colder nights - tissues - hot water bottle

 

Simple Foodstuffs -

Cereals (variety packs are gr r r r r eat ! ! !) Long life milk (its not THAT bad !) - teabags coffee sugar - sliced loaf/cobs - butter/margerine in resealable tub -

 

Upmarket foodstuffs - bacon - sausages - beans - tomatoes - eggs

 

P.O.S.H foodstuffs - Marmalade - Jam - Honey - salt and pepper -

 

The Club provides a couple of gas BBQs at shows which members and guests are welcome to use at any time. We hope members will continue to join in the socialising at shows the night before and the night between showdays, we now regularly have up to 50 people staying over and I suspect that will increase in 2004.

 

If you are planning on buying a tent, now is the time to hunt out an out of season bargain. You can often find last years (2003) models for sale for silly money. I paid £29 reduced from £59 for my backpacking 2 man. I made an elementary mistake though in that the side slope is too shallow and space is very restricted inside even for just one person my size. I plan to buy a bigger one this winter with more vertical sides and taller so that I can stand up - it is very difficult when two pepole are in a small space both trying to dress/undress. The tent I hope to buy is normally £99 and has 2 bed areas with a 2m living area between which is 2m high for standing - MUCH better. Hopefully get a few quid off in the sale !!!

 

Dont worry if you forget anything - someone will help out. We only allow you to forget the beer ONCE !!!! The important thing is to join in and enjoy being a part of the Club.

 

Good Luck

[Big Jim]

I now know why Mick hasn't finished his car! You'd never get all that lot in.

 

My list, for a weekend show is:

 

Tent (get one with a 'front canopy area' to put all the beer & stuff in.

Sleeping bag. (I have 2, one for hot weather, one for cold weather)

Air pillow.

Camp bed. (Not a Li-Lo, either a proper air bed, or alternatively a camp bed, about £7 at argos)

Plastic for under the tent.

Folding chair.

Folding table. (Made from same as the chair)

Battery light.

Petrol stove. (Much better than gaz, you never run out of fuel, take it out of the car)

Kettle.

Small plastic bowl.

Last but not least.... Beer.

then I have a plastic storage box that has all the bits & pieces in. Knife, fork, spoon, tin plate, tin dish, tin cup, tin opener, washing up liquid, a couple of tins of beans, soup, salt & pepper,plastic 'tupperware type thing' with cornflakes in, one for sugar, & one for tea bags.

Clothes, towel, teeth stuff etc. in a separate bag.

I don't bother with loads of food, go shopping when you get there, or eat in the pub.

 

Make sure when you pack your car, that you put the stuff that must be kept dry in the driest place, ie, your boot, but then again, if it's full of batteries (like some) you'll not get a lot in there.

[Guest daveg]

Mick

 

I might have my car on the road by the summer (strugling now I have a job ) but I have one question re camping...are there always hotels nearby?

 

Dave

[Big Jim]

If you need a Hotel, you've not had enough Beer!!

Then again, you can always sleep in the car if it's really pissing down, just like Mutley & I had to do in France for one night this year. :angry: :angry:

 

nOT recommended!

[Guest Battery Bill]

Big Jim

Make sure when you pack your car, that you put the stuff that must be kept dry in the driest place, ie, your boot, but then again, if it's full of batteries (like some) you'll not get a lot in there. :lol:

How did I know this was coming

Last but not least.... Beer.

We have never seen any of this!

[Guest brummy-ade]

Argos do a decent tent 2 man with 2 sleeping bags and 2 foam matts for about£50 ill be getting one of them for next season

ade

[Guest Andy Rathbone]

I may have missed it but youve all mentioned beer but no one seems to have metioned a bottle opener not all beer comes in cans!!! i have been caught out before and its very frustrating have loads of beer and struggling to get at it.

my recommendation is a waiters friend from sainsburys they are about £4 and worth every penny

[Guest Andy Rathbone]

Rizla,

just a thought, take the basics

tent,

sleeping bag(good quality, not too hot)

carrymat (cheep, small)/air bed(bulky but sooooo much more comfortable)

a torch(i got a good 2* D cell rubber one for £2 from Pound stretcher)

beer + opener if required

a folding chair(ASDA about £5)

money for camp fees, more beer etc....

plenty of warm clothes(depending on time of year)

an experienced friend who will help you make a list of things you forgot, and not take the p*ss too much.

 

build your kit up gradually go on a few nights away not too far away(so you can pop home and get essentials you forgot)

 

you will need:

somthing to sleep on and in

somthing to wear

somthing to eat, eat with and eat off

somthing to washup with, in

somthing to cook on and in

somthing to carry water

 

and the list goes on, it dont need to be expensive borrow what you can out of your house, dont take your best china!!!! it always gets broken. years of scouting have taught me this.

 

this may sound crazy but what about camping in your back garden!!

trying not to go in the house. you neighbours will think youve go stark raving bonkers, but you will certainly find out what you need.

hope may ramblings have helped

[Big Jim]

Last but not least.... Beer.

 

 

 

We have never seen any of this! 

 

PARDON!

[Guest brummy-ade]

Andy you missed the main thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOUR PRIDE AND JOY

we all might see it next year

[Guest Andy Rathbone]

yes and the kit

[Big Jim]

It depends if he ever gets the wiring done guy's! You've got to remember that he needs to run EXTRA LONG wires now that the battery is in the back!

[Guest rizla]

wow wot alot of replies gives me alot to think about many thanx

[Guest Battery Bill]

OK wise guys,

Hands up who actually built there own car from the bits RH give you and didn't buy a ready made one.......

MMMMMMMMMMM