Camping always seems a bit like an adventure of learning. With each camp site slightly different and each break having different weather conditions it means that you are often thinking “I should have, or could have done this or brought that”
Having been on our first camping trip of the season a couple of weeks back there are certain things I learnt while I was there that will effect how we camp next time and what items we are going to take next time.
On the Friday I got the opportunity to drop Jacob with his Grandma and travel to the camp site on my own since it was local. I know we are not going to have that opportunity on every camping trip but having no kids and plenty of time meant that getting the camp set up was far less stressful. With a helping hand from my friends who had brought their caravan for the weekend it made setting up the tent so much easier. Ollie thought it was nice to arrive on site and everything already be done!
On this camping trip the site allowed us to pitch our gazebo which was an absolute godsend with the weather being so hot all weekend. We used it as a communal area for eating and chilling and it was lovely to have somewhere to escape from in the heat. So on our next trips I am thinking the gazebo would be a must have item.
The cold is no joke at night. For some reason on the first night the temperature dropped so cold that at 1am I was shaking so much with cold that I feared I would not see breakfast time. The boys were in their snuggle sacs with the sleeping bags over the top like duvets and they seemed super warm.
We however had a cheap supermarket sleeping bag to share and a blanket. Let me tell you that 27 degrees during the day does not mean nighttimes are warm affairs. I have found a double sleeping bag that we are going to invest in for next time. Although Ollie is not keen on paying for a camping brand sleeping bag I have told him divorce will occur should I ever be that cold again in my life.
The other thing I have learnt on this trip is that I am going to invest in sleeping bag liners for everyone. I normally wash all the sleeping bags and pillows after every trip but it’s becoming rather tedious especially when there is not long between trips so sliding out the liners and washing those each time will be a real time saver.
The final thing I decided while away this time was we need to look for a better cooker or BBQ type thing. Currently we have 2 of the individual gas canister hobs and if I am honest they are pants. Our friends had a gas BBQ thing and its was spectacular, although with a caravan they have space to store it, but for us it would have been too big so we need to do some further research into other options.
Oh and the final things I learnt were that a scuttlebug fold up mini trike is a great bit of kit to have a field for a toddler … along with a small cheap paddling pool!
If you are looking for some extra ideal on how to make camping easier then the lovely Colette from We’re Going On An Adventure has some excellent ideas on her post Lessons Learned On A Late Season Camping Trip. After all camping isa forever learning experience!
Hey, did you ever try the buckingham elite porch with your rydal 600? Did it fit?? I have been told it only fit a the 500 but i want it for my 600. Thanks
Hi Elizabeth, We have the Rydal 600 and we use a side extension if going for longer than a night or two and it makes a great space for the cooking stuff and shoes!
If you search ‘Thorntons Holt’ on my website on the post “OUR FIRST FAMILY CAMPING TRIP – THORNTON’S HOLT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE” has photos of the porch extension fitted on our Rydal 600. (in the bottom few photos) we use it on the side door.
Hope this helps