Your Camping Trips
- Thread starter fossyant
- Start date
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Jameshow
Guru
Wrong thread should be on the classic car thread🤣🤣🤣.
Jameshow
Guru
Have some fridge feedback
I bought this one: Hi Gear 28 Litre 12V 240V Cooler
I ran it over the weekend at various power levels. At full whack it will go down to about 2.5c with an ambient temperature of 21-23c. That would be no good for sleeping though as its noisy. Reducing the power to minimum it went to around 4.5c, about 50% power was 3.5c.
Campsite Recomendation: Philpin Farm Campsite, Ingleton Not tried yet but its a tent only none EHU site, £10pppn. Just close to the Ribblehead Viaduct. WIll try to get a couple nights in there in Sept.
If going for a weekend freeze 4 pints of milk and it will keep the cool box cool for the weekend saving loads of power. Don't open it unless you need esp during middle of the day
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
We run our leccy cool box off an Anker battery pack (big one) - it draws about 60w when the sun will pull in 85 w from the solar panel, so does us 3 days usually (turning off at night).
"Van Diesel" is now packed for our trip (min 11 nights, possible 16). All the seats are out, and the bed system is folded out and set up, so we can pack tent, paddle board and all sorts of crap under it. Means we can still sleep (without a major shift about) on the one nights in the van between the longer stays in the tent.
I took out the two single middle seats, and one of the single rears. I could see we needed more space for the bulky tent, so got MrsF to help lift the rear double out - my word it's heavy. But that's the advantage of a van/car - it all comes out. MrsF was insistent the van is set up to sleep in, even if we are using the tent for the longer stays (i.e. no setup for the short stays).
"Van Diesel" is now packed for our trip (min 11 nights, possible 16). All the seats are out, and the bed system is folded out and set up, so we can pack tent, paddle board and all sorts of crap under it. Means we can still sleep (without a major shift about) on the one nights in the van between the longer stays in the tent.
I took out the two single middle seats, and one of the single rears. I could see we needed more space for the bulky tent, so got MrsF to help lift the rear double out - my word it's heavy. But that's the advantage of a van/car - it all comes out. MrsF was insistent the van is set up to sleep in, even if we are using the tent for the longer stays (i.e. no setup for the short stays).
Is that a Gilbern over to the right at the back?
On the subject of camping, I'm not a huge fan, mostly as my back isn't all that, and I'm not designed to handle the cold.
My best camping experience was a campsite in France my partner booked for two years ago.
It was a fairly big site, and had some 'evening entertainment' if you were so inclined, which we were generally not, however our pitch was fairly out of the way, also had electric, but by far the biggest boon was that each pair of pitches, shared a small building - this building had two sides, one for each pitch, and within it you had:
- Washbasin & shower - both with hot and cold water
- Radiator that heated up
- Toilet
- Kitchen sink and draining board
- Fridge!
This was superb for a huge number of reasons.
Firstly, a hot shower was available whenever you wanted it, right there on the pitch
Washing up was just a few steps ago, plus you had somewhere to let stuff dry
The fridge meant we could by food that needed to be kept cold, and be able to buy a few days worth
And having the toilet right there meant needing a visit in the middle of the night wasn't such a major undertaking, plus no risk it would be occupied OR disgusting!
There were keys for all of the areas, but we never bothered locking anything.
The other lucky bonus for us, was that the weather was hot, but the tent was also under shade, so the tent generally kept a fairly even temperature. It's the first time I have been camping and actually slept with the sleeping bag open, and just normal sleepwear on, as opposed to this country when I have to get into 17 layers of clothing, including thermal layers, thick socks, fleece tops, hats, liner sleeping bag inside of another monster thick one.
dicko
Guru
- Location
- Derbyshire
I think it’s a Peugeot 504 pick up belonging to the site owner. Yes, camp sites in France are great but you ain’t seen nothing until you camp in New Zealand. They have everything plus what France has and they have complete kitchens with all the cookers, microwaves, fridges and freezers you could wish for. The washing of dishes place is where you meet and make lifetime friends.
We stayed at https://caedufarmholidays.co.uk/ back in May, basic, but with amazing views and they sell top jolly lamb burgers, will be back.
Also https://www.exmoorcoastholidays.co.uk/ which has excellent homemade cider and an on site restaurant, definitely going there.
Also https://www.exmoorcoastholidays.co.uk/ which has excellent homemade cider and an on site restaurant, definitely going there.
dicko
Guru
- Location
- Derbyshire
We were camping (in a motor home) on the beach on the Coromandel peninsula north island of New Zealand November 14 th 2016. We had dinner on the beach BBQ then turned in. At 2 am we were awakened by the NZ police and told to move to high ground straight away as there had been an earthquake on the South Island and there was a Tsunami on its way (but there wasn’t, we didn’t know).
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dicko
Guru
- Location
- Derbyshire
Camped for a few days on the South Island, different sites. Worst thing we had to deal with was sand flies and a massive tourist group that took over half the communal kitchen
Rest of it was lovely, fire on the beach at one site, 5 mins walk from town (but otherwise silent) on another. One site we ended up not camping and were given the caretakers hut (had water but no toilet) for the night for the same price.
I'd go again but flight prices are too high now, and I don't know if I could stand 24hrs travelling again.
We’re off to Australia early next year not so far and this time premium economy Dubai to Perth so not quite so bad.
Always a good idea to freeze what ever you can before it all helps. You can't beat having a good quality cool box when off grid. They are not cheep but well worth it. We have a Yeti and can go a good 5-6 days before having to worry about cooling it down again.
OP
OP
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Freezing meals is always a great way to go when camping. We tend to do a mix of hookup or not - hookup if staying for 3-5 days. A good airbed is a must if doing it often - we have Thermarest Mondo Kings - expensive but good thermal insulation and comfy for a side sleeper like me.
Facilities very. From really posh showers and loos (Portmeirion) to basically a tin hut with a shower and tiny gas boiler.
When bike packing we stayed at a farm with only a few pitches, but the shower/loo block had a 'room' for each plot, so you never shared a loo with those not in your party. Another site, the loo/showers were basically a shed. So long as they are clean, it's OK.
Facilities very. From really posh showers and loos (Portmeirion) to basically a tin hut with a shower and tiny gas boiler.
When bike packing we stayed at a farm with only a few pitches, but the shower/loo block had a 'room' for each plot, so you never shared a loo with those not in your party. Another site, the loo/showers were basically a shed. So long as they are clean, it's OK.
Hicky
Guru
Just back from an Aug bank hol annual trip with friends which is now in its seventh year.
We finally used the tarp(hi gear now on offer in go outdoors for £45!) for a communal area.
Teifi meadows was the site in Lampeter, the ablutions were basic and not very clean so a thumbs down but the night sky and campfire slightly made up for it.
We finally used the tarp(hi gear now on offer in go outdoors for £45!) for a communal area.
Teifi meadows was the site in Lampeter, the ablutions were basic and not very clean so a thumbs down but the night sky and campfire slightly made up for it.
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Third night in Benllech. Off to Portmeirion campervan site tomorrow.
OP
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Next pitch. Same on other side. Problem is our tent is wide not deep but we had two huge tents either side. Lovely site, nice facilities but too crazy on a bank holiday. Was nice during mornings but come 7pm to 11pm, very noisy and kids tearing round on legal ebikes. Pitches round edge of field so loads of room in front, but quite close side to side. Main reason for this site is it's 20 min walk to Bennlech village, and my sister was staying locally. Much quieter sites this week though and we'll be pretty much alone from next week as schools back in Wales.
We don't normally camp on bank holidays but it's the start of two weeks around Wales.
Chucked it down last night so hoping the tent can dry off before it's packed. We're in the van tonight, then tent again from Wednesday.
wakemalcolm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Ratho
Guess it saves on packing, and you won't have any washing to do when you get back. Enjoy!
