Camping

We decided to have a go at a weekend camping so we dutifully booked 2 nights at a nice looking, reasonably local site, packed up the car and went. We purposefully didn't go too far from home just in case and when we arrived we were pleasantly surprised as the site was well kept, quiet and we were shown to a lovely pitch in the middle, close enough to the shower block for comfort and with fencing on 3 sides which was perfect for the children.

The first thing we learnt very quickly was that we need to be able to get pitched and sorted a lot quicker or we need a better way to entertain the smalls whilst we are getting on with it! Our new tent did go up easily and it looked like it was going to be big enough, it always amazes me that tents have a 'suggested occupancy' that is never realistic - this one is a 8 man tent and we were happy and comfortable with 4 of us with a nice area for all our stuff plus playing in case the weather is wet. We also got to have a go with the tiny chairs we were bought for them.

 

We were not lucky in the weather on the first day as it rained and it rained and it rained some more but we were are prepared as we could be. We managed meals outside and in the tent as well as my parents caravan awning. We managed showers in the disabled shower (much more space than the normal ones so I make no apology) and we had 2 lovely days out.

Bedtime was where we came unstuck a little bit (again). The first night we waiting until the children were really tired - over an hour later than normal bed time and put them to bed but the noise was strange to them and it took a while for them to go to sleep but they did lie down quietly in their airbeds and sleeping bags. The night was not as much fun for youngest as she struggled to settled and in the end we brought her into our bed to save us getting up to settle her repeatedly. The second night was much more entertaining as the evening was clear and dry. Once again we waited until they were really tired before we put them to bed but then the excitement started and the next hour was all giggles as they realised they could communicate with each other despite being in separate bedroom bits. Luckily once they settled they slept well and quietly but they were still awake with the dawn which meant tired smalls come Monday!

 

I also learnt that we need to take a lot more toys with us for when we are on site - I forgot that in all the excitment we still need something different every 10 minutes to prevent boredom but I will take more in future.

 

My personal highlight for the weekend was on our first day out. We got to feed the lambs which the smalls did and enjoyed, we played on a huge range of indoor and outdoor toys, we feed the cows, had a tractor ride and then we got to take a goat for a walk. I made friends with Mildred and we had a lovely little walk.