Campers :o)

We've just come back and the following were things we'd not brought that we needed:

A screwdriver for attaching the campingaz cylinder to the stove

Sellotape and string (for fixing broken things)

A corkscrew

We took but didn't use:

Picnic blanket

Loads of spare batteries (we only needed one replacement set for the torch, I took two spare sets for everything battery operated which weighed loads)

Pans aside from the kettle and frying pan (we ate out mostly, but that's because we're lazy and don't have kids).

We have forgotten can open and bottle openers before!!! Also washing up liquid etc.

We invariably take too many clothes but in England you have to pack for all seasons - that is my excuse anyway!!!?

We also seem to take masses of stuff.

I can post our list if that's any help?

We managed the latest trip without forgetting anything, amazingly enough.

We took too much food and too many books, and our waterproofs didn't get worn at all (in Snowdonia ?) but everything else was used.

Thanks ? Got those on my list already! Just been through my list and I don't think there is anything else I can take off it. Had to remember to add silver blanket/foam mats to go under the matresses though otherwise it gets blimin cold!

I need to keep space in the boot for all my shopping ?

Ah shall put mini screwdriver on my list. This list has done me for 3 years but I still worry I'll forget something ?

Ooo yes please R-A. Always helpful to double check against other lists!

I've decided to try and get everything into one box...this should be interesting!

I'd post mine.... But I doubt it would help. ?

Here's my little list, but only for a 2-3 night stint so might not cover everything.

Tent
Hammer
Airbed
Bedding
Mini/multi tool
String
Safety pins
Mug
Teabags/Coffee
Bin bags
Washing up liquid
Torch
Mini stove thing
Lighter
Gaz
Saucepan
Airbed inflater

Think that is about it!!

Have a great trip

S xx

Ok, sorry for long list! (We don't have any LOs either so probably some stuff missing for them)

Normal 0

Shelter

• Tent
• Camping mats
• Sleeping bags/duvet
• Pillows + cases
• Picnic blanket
• Chairs (optional)
• Windbreak (optional)
• Torch & batteries
• Small table (optional)

Eating

• Water container
• Trangia
• Meths
• Washing up bowl
• Washing up liquid
• Scourer
• Teatowel
• Bowl, plate, cup each
• Cutlery
• Cooking utensils: wooden spoon, fish slice, sharp knife, chopping board, colander, tin opener
• Matches
• Kitchen towel
• Cheesegrater
• Corkscrew
• Wineglasses (?)
• Coolbox
• Icepacks

Food

• Herbs and spices
• Oxo
• Pepper + salt
• Olive oil
• Butter/mayo
• Milk
• Bread
• Tins
• Wiiiine
• Plastic box for food

Clothes

• Sandals
• Trainers
• Trousers
• Shorts
• Underwear
• Long sleeved tops
• Short sleeved tops
• Nightwear
• Fleece
• Hat, scarf, gloves
• Swim stuff

Walking

• Walking boots
• Socks
• Waterproofs
• Water bottles
• Rucsack each
• Maps
• Map case
• Walking books

Washing

• First aid kit: painkillers, antihistamines, ventolin, plasters, compeeds
• Towels x 2 each
• Washing line
• Washing liquid/powder
• Toiletries
• Insect repellent

Entertainment

• Paper and pencil
• Sudoku/kakuro books
• Cards
• Backgammon
• Books!
• Camera and batteries
• Phones and chargers
• Ipods, adapter for journey

Paperwork etc

• Money for campsite
• Passports (if abroad)

ETA Missed off binbags!

Thanks! I have to cover about 6 or 7 nights and 3 children!

If it was just me and Mr G it would be tent, sleeping bags, stove and basics!

Ah a couple of things there not on my list I'd find useful. Great ?

You will never regret taking bin bags and loo roll - bin bags can be used for loads of things - sitting on, covering things if it rains, and of course keeping rubbish in check. Ditto loo roll.

I'd take a large bottle of water as well, not just for drinking but for teeth cleaning/face washing as well in case the facilities are a little way away.

Ah didn't think about water. The place we're going to is sort of basic...well four toilets, 2 showers, water tap and an outside sink with for washing up ?

And it always rains when we go camping! Don't think I've ever been camping when it hasn't rained at least once!

I wouldn't take a cheesegrater, cheat with ready grated cheese.

Find some hand gel for washing hands if you are not close enough to the bathrooms (found that handy when we were out with our friends and doing wet nappy changes).

Can't think of anything else atm but will be making up a list for ourselves shortly as we're off camping in almost 4 weeks time for 10 days.

J

Washing powder and fabric conditioner if your campsite has laundry facilities (so you don't have to take as many clothes)

I take a few pegs for pegging towels to guy ropes to dry.

gah - camping SUCKS!

We always manage to forget washing up liquid and scourers for the pans. Bin bags are a must, as are normal carrier bags which are useful for bags of dirty washing to take home. A bucket is useful to use as a bin. We use a medium sized tupperware box for all the cutlery drawer stuff and cylindrical pots for tea, coffee and sugar. Our cool box doubles up as a coffee table so as not to take an extra one. We have a chemical toilet so always take loo roll, but if you don't have one, I would still recommend taking some as there are never any in the toilets when you need one. A ribena bottle for water is good if you are trying to fill the kettle, getting it in from the large jerry can with no tap is a bit messy. I am definately taking a dustpan and brush next time because it gets so grimy walking in and out with shoes on. I have clothes pegs and some washing line wire if there are trees to tie it on to, if not we use the guy ropes for light stuff. Our picnic blanket is useful for putting right outside the tent to extend the floor space when the door is open, when the tent is closed, we use it as a rug to sit on so the floor isn't so cold. We always take a pack of cards and some travel games and play them during the night with the use of a gas light.

I am going again in about 4 weeks, it takes me over a week to plan everything, but I love camping. It may not replace a foreign holiday but it is so exciting, cosying up inside or sitting outside with a glass of lovely cold vino. Hope you remember everything, we always forget at least one thing and go on about it all weekend and how it would have been so handy ?

Pairs of crocs (or wannabes, we got ours from Matalan at £4 a pair) each. They are great for going in and out of the tent if you are pottering around the tent. Can get them on quicker if you need an emergency trip to the loo and so peeps I know wear them in the shower too if they aren't the best (the showers that is)

Jo

We find babywipes very useful to save having to trek to the toilet block to wash hands if things get muddy. The hand gel stuff is good for germs, but doesn't actually shift dirt! We also have a pair of knee pads which are invaluable for pegging out, in the case of middle aged knees! A head torch has also come in very useful in case pegging has to be done in the dark. A large chopping board gives us extra worktop space as it sits over the sink (ours is a trailer tent, so this may not apply in the case of pure canvas!

I would echo the idea of crocs: I bought a pair of these a few years ago when my calves were too fat to fit in wellies, and I found them so much more convenient than wellies. Somehow when trying to put on wellies I always end up hopping around and losing my balance, and putting a sock down in the mud!

But crocs won't stop your feet getting wet in the morning dew...

I too struggle to fit into wellies, so my tip would be get some cheap ones and cut them down so they are ankle boot size - solves the problem of not fitting into boots, and keeps your feet dry ?

I don't go camping without my tongs (no, not the hair variety ?) - for cooking - brilliant for BBQ or just cooking bacon in the morning

Well we went camping at the weekend and the thing we really need which we didn't take was another tent after our first one was trashed in the gale force winds on the first night ?. A sewing kit is pretty useful for minor tent accidents!

The lists posted look pretty comprehensive to me. Can't remember if dustpan and brush was on there but if not very important!

Ok this is my list so far!

1. Tent and associated stuff

• Tent

• Chairs

• Claw Hammer

• Tent pegs

• Table

• Mat for tent entrance

• Mini screwdriver

• Big water container

1. Cooking stuff

• Ice packs

• Cool bag

• Washing up bowl

1. • Stove x 2

   • Pan/kettle set

   • Wooden spoons x 2

   • Can opener

   • Cutting board

   • Potato peeler

   • Jug for measuring

   • Big bowl

   • Plates x 5

   • Insulated cups x 2

   • Soft drink cups x 5

   • 2 x Sharp knife

   • Cutlery – 4 x knives, 4 x forks, 4 x spoons, 3 x teaspoons - + C's cutlery

   • Scrubbing brush

   • Scouring pads

   • Tupperware boxes x 4

   • Corkscrew

   • Cereal bowls x 5

• Fuel bottles

• Large flask

• Kitchen roll

• Rubbish bags

• Food bags

• Foil/cling film

• 2 x tea towels

• Washing up liquid

• Colander

1. Food

1. Cookbox

• Water bottle

• Cooking oil

• Sugar

• Instant mash

• Spices

• Tea bags

• Coffee

1. Bedding

• Sleeping bags/duvets

• Mattresses

• Pump

• Pillows

• Hot water bottles

• Sheets and pillowcases

• Travel cot

• Blankets/foam mats for bottom of mattresses

1. Lighting

• Torches

• Lantern

• Spare batteries

• Lighter/Matches

1. Medical

• Suncream

• Bug repellent

• First Aid Kit

• Tissues

• Inhalers & other medicines

• Calpol

1. Washing and personal stuff

• Soap

• Hairbands etc

• Flannels

• Shampoo & conditioner

• Toothpaste

• Mirror

• Toothbrushes

• Hairbrush

• Makeup/perfume

• Shaving stuff

• Towels 3 big, 2 medium

• Toilet paper

• Nappies

• Baby wipes

• Deodorant

• Medication
  

1. Clothing

On separate list

1. Miscellaneous

1. • Rucksacks/bags for the daytime

   • Camping knife (with corkscrew?)

   • Scissors

   • String

   • Duct tape

   • Safety pins

   • Sewing kit

   • Clothes line and pegs

• Puncture kit

1. Entertainment

• Radio

• Books

• Games

• Toys

• Pens and paper

I think I have everything covered there! We've just come around to crocs after me saying for ages that they're hideous ? However now we all have a pair for quick trips to the loo in the night.

That list does seem huge though!

Oh and thank you! I'm just glad we now have a car with a huge boot so I don't fill it before I actually hit the shops!