Three months ago if you had asked me if I wanted to go camping, my answer would have been a big fat NO! I honestly couldn’t have thought of anything worse. I mean, there were so many questions I had about it: what do you do if you need a wee in the middle of the night, how do you straighten your hair, and more importantly, what should you wear? Then we were invited to go camping with Graham’s sister, Kelly and her wife Shenade. The kids begged us, and so we booked up to go for two nights.
With both of us being complete camping virgins, we had absolutely nothing. My dad’s friend was giving his spare tent to my parents, so we could borrow that, and my brothers lent us sleeping bags and camping chairs. Then we had a stroke of luck – my friend offered to give us a tent (to keep!) and some blow up beds! We were also sent a sleeping bag from Vango to review, which you can read about here. Kelly and Shenade are experienced campers so had all the cooking equipment and other bits and pieces.
We loaded the car up and set off to Lower Lacon Caravan Park in Shropshire. It was only about an hour or so away from us, so not too far if we absolutely hated it and wanted to come home the next day.
Turns out we didn’t need to worry – we LOVED it! We had a few teething problems attempting to get the tent up, but with the help of Kelly, we did it.
We thankfully had absolutely beautiful weather. We knew there was an outdoor swimming pool on site so packed the kids swim stuff. I didn’t think for one minute it would be warm enough to use it so didn’t bother with mine – BIG mistake! It was gorgeous! We couldn’t take photos at the pool for obvious reasons but it was small enough that the kids could go in and splash about whilst we watched from the edge. By the end of the first day, Harrison was confidently jumping in the ‘deep end’ (5ft) to his aunties, and swimming the entire length of the pool with just armbands – he was so proud of himself!
On the evening we just chilled by our tents. Kelly and Shenade cooked a fantastic BBQ, and we had a few drinks whilst the kids played. We then headed for the on site club, where there was supposed to be a disco. We were a little bit disappointed because it was empty and the disco was just some music playing quietly in the background, but we all had a drink and the kids loved having a run about.
Because it had been such a hot day, we thought the night would be warm. The kids had thick onesies on so they were fine, and Benjamin was lovely and toasty in his baby sleeping bag. Graham and me on the other hand were absolutely freezing. I thought I had put all the PJs in one bag, so when I couldn’t find mine I assumed I had forgotten to pack them. I ended up sleeping in just the tshirt I was wearing and knickers. We also made the mistake of not getting into the sleeping bags, just opening them up and putting them over us like a quilt. Several times during the night I woke up dithering, and when I needed to pop out for a wee, I was FROZEN! The stars were pretty though. At ten to six, we gave attempting to sleep, and sat chatting instead. The sunrise over the campsite was beautiful!
Kelly cooked us a lovely breakfast, and once we were all washed and dressed, we went for a wander whilst we waited for the pool to open. The park has plenty of animals to go and have a look at – chipmunks, alpacas and two gorgeous hairy pigs! We found another play area at the other end of the site, which the kids spent a happy few minutes on, before we headed back to get changed to go to the pool.
The kids all had another fantastic day in the pool. Harrison spent the day jumping in the pool and Alex discovered some toy cars in the little shaded quiet area – he was in his element.
That evening, after another wonderful BBQ we had a few drinks, and Shenade and Graham attempted a game of cricket with the boys (lasted about ten minutes!) and Ben had a crawl around. Kelly and Shenade’s nieces, who were a bit older than Harrison loved Benjamin and were pushing him around and entertaining him.
The sun (and the beer and the wine!) got to me, and so I headed off to bed fairly early, and managed to find my PJ’s in another bag! I wasn’t making the same mistake as the previous night, and got inside my Vango sleeping bag. I was lovely and warm all night, and managed to sleep until almost 7 (with the exception of getting up for a wee!).
It was a little damp and misty when we first woke up, which was ok as we were going to pack up after breakfast and go straight home. As we were eating breakfast, the sun came out and it was gorgeous! We packed up and then decided to head to the swimming pool for a few hours – we didn’t need to leave the campsite until 5pm.
We left feeling tired, hot and wanting a shower (there were showers on site, and as far as I could see they were lovely and clean, but as were were only there two nights I didn’t bother!) but full of love and excitement for camping. We have already looking at places to go and started thinking about buying all the other bits and pieces we need.
What are your experiences of camping? Do you love or loathe it?
Poor you freezing in your tent on the first night! I love camping, but have never been with my girly as I’m scared of the unearthly hour she will wake up (like this morning!) It’s so nice to hear that you loved it, the weather really does make it all that much better doesn’t it? x
Glad you loved it in the end! Do you know, if i could drive i would go camping most weekends. It’s just such a shame that i don’t drive 🙁 can’t really jump on a train with everything can you?! X
We took our daughter camping for the first time last month and we loved it! We definitely want to do it again next year! xxx
You’re brave taking all the kids camping haha! I wouldn’t dream of taking Amelia just yet as I think she’d try and escape in the night. Will definitely take her when shes older though, I used to go camping all the time as a kid and loved it!xx
This looks like so much fun, I have been camping a couple of times and I always have so much fun. Not been since I had Boo (the last time I went camping was about 19 weeks pregnant). I am looking forward to seeing what Boo makes of it, but I fear it will take a lot more planning than it used too!!
I’ve never been camping before but I am contemplating it. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it in the end. Love all of your photos. x
Looks like you all had a lovely time, even nicer when you have the fine weather! Like you I’ve never been camping and I don’t think I’d like it, although you never know til you try – as you found out! 🙂
Glad you managed to find your pjs. Nothing worse than being cold at night is there?
Oh i just love camping, (i’m a member of the girl guides so it comes with it, lol). I had girl guide camp this year and it was my kids first experience of it they loved it. Since then we bought our own tent and I had all the other bits for camping already, but due to this totally crap summer we’ve had in ireland the tent remains in the box 🙁 I hope ye have many more camping outings ahead I look forward to reading about them x
Sounds like it was a great success! We went for our first camping tripe recently (in my uncles backyard) but it rained out of the heavens all night so myself and the 15 month bailed around midnight as the two girls werent getting any sleep and therefore neither were we!
I used to love camping when I was a kid. I absolutely hate it now though. I definitely prefer to stay in a caravan, chalet or hotel! It sounds like you had a wonderful time though and I love your pics 😀
Louise x
I haven’t taken Erin yet but plan to next year, but only if I get good weather!
I was just chatting about camping with husband this evening as our friends have suggested a camping trip. Our friends have splashed out on a tent you can walk around in and said we could chill in there and bring a smaller tent for ourselves. Will certainly give it a go as it sounds fun. I really love caravaning so this will be going back to basics. I think next year I will look into it.
Awww, I’m glad you had a nice time in the end! Looks and sounds like a lot of fun. My children would LOVE camping. Also, beautiful photos and great post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
We haven’t been camping since my youngest, now 7 was 14 months old.I don’t drive so we’re stuck to camping in the back garden.The one thing I learnt from camping was how cold it was, later learnt that everyone who we were camping with had brought quilts to put on top of their sleeping bags.
I would really love to try camping. I just get really scared the weather will be crap. You know what its like here in the UK just can’t rely on it being nice weather. If it rains I would just hate it so Ive always put off trying camping.
I love this post, it brings back so many childhood memories of mine, playing cricket on a campsite, having breakfast on portable camping gear, having BBQ’s in the evening, water contest in the summer! Like you though, I never forgot the coldness of the camping experience! We camped every year until I was 14 years old, now as an adult the thought terrifies me because of creepy crawlies, mainly spiders! I’ve always been scared but since becoming an adult it’s become a really bad fear! xx
I’m so glad it went well for you. I think camping is great for kids, and we hope to do a lot of it as the kids get bigger
Oh I am so glad your camping debut was better than ours a few weeks ago! We had awful weather, were freezing and our high-tech inflatable tent collapsed! Enough said! Lovely photos. Kaz x
You were so brave to go camping with the kids – and it looks great!! I have too many bad memories of camping trips in the freezing cold and rain during Irish summers…always chicken out and go for four walls now 🙂
It looks like you really enjoyed your camping weekend, it’s great you all had such fun together. Camping isn’t a favourite of mine, I’d much prefer a real bed, but it sounds like you took all the little issues in your stride. The kids really do look like they’re in their element running around having a great time as siblings, it’s memories they’ll remember for a while. Thanks for linking up with me on Country Kids.