Novice "camper". What on earth to take?

Ah, we're going next week so this in on my mind. My list is at home but it goes something like this:

tent, mallet, pegs, ground sheet (if not included in the tent)

air bed, pump, sleeping bags, blanket, sheet and throw (blanket on top of airbed, then sheet and throw for when its cold at 3am!)

table, chairs, maybe a windbreak,

We don't do any cooking while away but still take picnic stuff, sharp knives, corkscrew, bottle opener, coolbag, icepacks (frozen and labelled)

black bags, rubbish bags, tea towels, washing up liquid, washing up bowl, pegs, washing line, kitchen roll

usual weekend washbag plus toilet roll, towels, suncream, aftersun

Don't forget camera!

We are taking red wine as white is difficult to keep cool (and we're taking a box so its easier to transport and keep if we don't want to drink a whole bottle). We'll also take spirits that we can add lemonade/other mixer to.

Not sure about child-friendly games but we're taking a set of boules with us.

Wine, fags, vodka, pillow, wine, fags, vodka, earplugs, wine, fags, vodka, eyemask, vodka, 100 blankets, vodka, duvet, wooly hat, vodka, sleeping bag, wine, hygene wipes, fags.

It's the only way I can do it!!

Just a wild stab in the dark here, but I'm guessing you're not much of a camper? ?

tesco have loads of garden type games that could be used for camping - soft baseballs/baseball bats etc. depending on where you're camping you may need midge nets and insect repellant. erm.... mind gone blank! Will let you know if I think of anything else not on your list!!

Only been twice, but I was at a music festival both times, so was really good fun. Although I am crap at putting up a tent. All my friends called me Barbara Cartland ?

Depends where you're camping. If it's anywhere in the UK a pair of wellies is often esential! Corkscrew and cool box / ice packs are the other things I've found people forget.

As for picnic stuff, do you want to prepare stuff and lug it all the way there, will there not be a supermaket close by for a help yourself style meal?

We're planning on going to Holmsely capming site in Christchurch. So it's only about an hour away from where we live. We did look at going to Sandy Balls but unfortunately it was fully booked when we tried to book up a few months back.

Good point about waiting to buy the grub until we get there, hadn't thought of that.

Wellies... superb idea. One flaw... I have REALLY chubby legs and can't find a pair that's big enough around the calves. The pair I have now rub like nothing on this earth ?. Any ideas?

You need welly socks!!!!

torch and/or electric lantern, toilet roll!, bottle of hand cleaner (gel stuff where you don't need a sink/towel), umbrella!

have fun

Sparkley, I've tried chunky socks before... and I was still left with deep scabs on one side of each leg.

Wasn't exactly the "glam bohemium / festival" look I was going for when I put my shorts on ?

Torch! I knew there was something I missed off my list!

You can get welly shoes that are ankle height - I'm thinking of getting some for gardening in.

I refuse to wear Crocs, if that's what you mean ?

Minx Sauce - Holmsley is not like Sandy Balls. They do have a very basic shop on site and if you are stuck they have do have a take out for bacon sarnies etc, but not much else. Been loads of times to both and had fab times. Can be very noisy at Holmsley until the very early hours of the morning, so take plenty of booze and don't forget the earplugs to ensure a good nights sleep, and take a torch for the trip to loos in the middle of the night . Another tip, make sure you get there early when you arrive to ensure you get good spots as it is a bit of a free for all and can get very busy at weekends.

Have a fab time.

Bugger that, a couple of bottles of wine, you need loads of wine and also don't forget a bucket for when the "kids" need to get up for a wee in the middle of the night.

we are going for a week in August and this will be the longest time we've spent in a tent.

No, not crocs. They look like normal wellies but with the leg cut off. You can also get clogs. Like this:

https://www.moleonline.com/pl3_CLOTH%5Ba%5DFOOT_FOOTWEAR_GARD-SHOE.htm