Favourite Camping Tips

[Silky]

Which camping tips have revolutionised your camping? Or changed it a teensy weensy bit ?

I'm not sure whether mine was cribbed from Skittle or Mand, but we now each have one of these boxes for our clothes - the boxes can then simply be stacked on top of each other to be a little set of drawers, there's no packing of cases or bags needed.

http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-Really-Useful-Box-12-Litre-Box-Clear_297614.htm

Silky x

[Mand]

That was skittles  I think.

Mine is my chest of drawers .... Idea stolen from rundmc

 http://www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/8753397.htm

Keeps all the nicnacs together in  one drawer. dried food tea/coffee etc in  another and plates etc in the 3rd. Wouldn't be without them now.

[Silky]

Another - if it's looking to be a chilly weekend, a fur throw or rug underneath your sleeping bag really does help you feel snuggly.

It might even persuade some of you reluctants to camp in September...

Silky x

[Mand]

Lol is that aimed at any wuss in particular ! 

[Silky]

Not just one. I think there were a few of you

Silky x

[lulubird]

Mine was having a Kampa Khazi toilet (glorified bucket with lid!) in the tent.  It cost under £20, but it saves having to go out in the cold and/or rain and squatting behind the tent!

The only trouble is, my son always manages to do a sneaky poo on it - in the daytime!  Lazy bugger!

[Stuart]

I can't remember who told me but it was a camping toilet, well sort of and had it since my first trip never leave home without it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Mobile-Travel-Urinal-Toilet-Camping-Blue-Loo-/380318123636?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Mobility_Disability_Medical_ET&hash=item588cba0674

Stuart

[Mand]

I love having the portaloo too. Ive got a chemical toilet .... Only needs emptying once when its a  weekend camp .

[lulubird]

I can't remember who told me but it was a camping toilet, well sort of and had it since my first trip never leave home without it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Mobile-Travel-Urinal-Toilet-Camping-Blue-Loo-/380318123636?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Mobility_Disability_Medical_ET&hash=item588cba0674

Stuart

Blimey, that looks rather tricky to use for the girlies, especially after a drinky or two!!

[Mand]

Lol its also known as a she wee 

[Sujo]

I have a she wee and it's dead easy to use. Takes up less room than a toilet too 

[lulubird]

I have a she wee and it's dead easy to use. Takes up less room than a toilet too 

I also have a she wee, but it still involves going out in the cold!!

[Stuart]

I just point to where I want to go, it's far easier

Stuart

[Ms_wormwood]

I just point to where I want to go, it's far easier

Stuart

LOL

[Ellyb]

I have so many, pre-cooking the first nights tea and re-heating when tea time or freezing barbecue meat and leaving in its own cool bag wrapped in a beach towel - stays frozen til 2nd night.

I certainly wouldnt be without my camping toilet either - mine is a bucket with a lid, but does the job fantastically.

For early and late camping take hotwater bottles!

I also take a flask, so when i boiled a kettle full of water what ever i dont use i put in the flask - makes the next kettle boil quicker - so uses less gas.

I use stacking boxes for all my kitchen stuff, as they fit in my car better than draws.

[Ms_wormwood]

Wine makes it easier to sleep.
Make sure you have a tent.

[WT4]

Make sure you have a tent.

ok - thanks for the heads-up.

[lulubird]

Wine makes it easier to sleep.
Make sure you have a tent.

HAHAHA   

[That Brummie]

I use almost all of these (apart from Stuarts!) having systematically stolen everyone's great ideas!

I have a chemical toilet too after getting toilet envy at Mand's tent 
I have drawers for my kitchen stuff after getting drawer envy at Mand's tent
I cook the first nights meal at home and bring to reheat, I bring the BBQ stuff frozen.

Oh, the other one is I get loads of cartons of juice & drinks and freeze them, they then keep all the food chilled for ages and I just take a few out at a time and have ice cold drinks as well.

Another great tip is to have one whole change of clothes and shoes in the front of your car in case you pack away in the rain then you can quickly change into dry stuff for the drive home.

[littlemissfun]

Which camping tips have revolutionised your camping? Or changed it a teensy weensy bit ?

I'm not sure whether mine was cribbed from Skittle or Mand, but we now each have one of these boxes for our clothes - the boxes can then simply be stacked on top of each other to be a little set of drawers, there's no packing of cases or bags needed.

http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-Really-Useful-Box-12-Litre-Box-Clear_297614.htm

Silky x

Ooooh thats a good idea might just try that one!!

[Silky]

A cap is a must - saves worrying about bad hair days, keeps it all under wraps if it's wet and windy. It doesn't stop you looking like a wet dog, just a wet dog with a cap

Talcum powder makes great dry hair shampoo, just make sure you brush it all out afterwards otherwise everyone will think you've turned into Dame Edna overnight.

Silky x

[Ellyb]

If anyone is looking for the storage boxes Poundstretcher have loads in at reduced prices at the mo.

[helleshine]

may invest in storage drawers after seeing mand at wicksead, thanks elleb will check them out i have a store not far from us

[Stuart]

I like the freezing drink cartons idea, sounds good to me. Just one thing do they ever break?

I normally source my meat locally as I like to find a good local butcher if I can, failing that normally a supermaket. I will try freezing more though.

Definately going to grow my own potatoes again and take them camping, nothing like cooking your own produce outside

Stuart

[Mand]

I freeze everything i can. Drinks .... I usually buy those capri suns they freeze well. Also a couple of  bottles of water. Even my milk is frozen.

My meals for day 2 wether itbe chilli or Bbq is also frozen. The Bacon and sausages for brekky too.

I tend to take 2 coolboxes. One has my food in ..... With a few more frozen drinks in. This box is opened less so stays frozen longer and another for drinks.

Dining this I can do a 3 night and not worry  about buying good while I'm there
 
.

[lostandfound]

anyone who has camped with me know loads of and a  wine tent heater are all you really need The rest justs fall into place 

[Dora]

LandF isn't taking David Tennant one of your top tips?

[WT4]

LandF isn't taking David Tennant one of your top tips?

Doesn't do anything for me - perhaps Sarah Jane

[bobbley]

Use picnic rugs (plastic backed ones that is) as carpets under bedding - then if you do happen to have pitched over a dip and it rains - the puddle is less likely to soak up into your camping mat and sleeping bag. Also warmer underfoot on those cooler nights.

Hot water bottles. (takes chill of sleeping bag and for wimps like me its essential)

Empty 2L juice bottle doubles up as water carrier - not too heavy for kids to carry either.

A set of roof bars and roof box definately made second camping trip a lot less cramped in the car.

Mini towels for night/morning use when you don't want a full shower - takes up less room and quick to dry.

A bunch of scouts to help put your tent up ?

[Stuart]

One thing I got last year and forgot to mention was plastic suction hooks as many shower blocks have none or only one, which is fine with just one, but two is great as you can keep all your clothes off the floor. I got mine from eBay I think they are very cheap.

Stuart

[Rockbabe]

One thing I got last year and forgot to mention was plastic suction hooks as many shower blocks have none or only one, which is fine with just one, but two is great as you can keep all your clothes off the floor. I got mine from eBay I think they are very cheap.

Stuart

ooooooh am liking that idea very much !! ta !

[Mand]

Lol id need a job lot ...... Id keep leaving them behind.   

[Silky]

Me too, though I'm sure you can probably buy boxes of 300 at B&Ms for 50p 

Another tip - pimp up your tent with as many twinkly lights as possible so you can find it easily amongst the sea of Vangos 

Silky x

[Mand]

Just make sure u liased with the other vango owners so u have a different colour lol 

[LittleMissNaughty]

We had our first camping trip last year for three nights in the Lakes. We went with friends (thankfully!!!), as I was anxious about going on our own! Really hoping to come on some SWK camping trips this year...

I'm liking the tips that people are posting...keep them coming!!!

[Mand]

Be brave and book peaks .... Not far from you if your in derbyshire. Its a great  swk camp to start with 

[delly]

With wet towels put them in the car during the day, they dry really well!

[Silky]

If it's looking to be a cold weekend, I sometimes take a sheepskin rug to sleep on (on top of my bed). Wool really does retain the heat and it's important to have enough insulation below you as above.

A hot Spaniel is the icing on the cake

Silky x

[Cushion Plumper]

A hot Spaniel is the icing on the cake

Silky x

I'd prefer a hot man! 

Getting very tempted to come along but not sure if I can go without my make up for a few days and this would take up sooooo much room in the car, LOL

[Silky]

Make up? A bit of mud does does the trick just fine 

I live in a cap when I'm camping, no worries about it being a bad hair day. All of the campsites we visit have nice warm bathrooms so if you really had to slap on the makeup, you've at least got a mirror and some hot water.

Next excuse? 

Silky x