The Camping Forum

[affaiec]

For me, my kind of camping is one of pure simplicity. Nothing but the very basics that I need to live. I have 2 tents both Gelert quick pitch, one a 4 man for long stays and a 3 man for, that site looks nice ill stay the night. The 3 man is very fast to pitch and very useful for my purpose. mind you so is the 4 man but i like a change. I have a 15 month old lab who's with me all the time who looks at me with great inpatients to go a walk so speed and simplicity is the essence. A kettle that hooks into the cigarette lighter, eating utensils dog bowls and clothes etc. My idea is to get away from the house and live as basic as I can. This is not for everyone but I like it.

whoops, this was supposed to be in your perfect camping setup. Sorry.

[Gillsy]

Sounds like you've got it about right to me !

[Wayne]

Sounds good to me

[jubbababy]

I think that if it wasn't for having the kids and needing some 'luxuries', I would be more tempted to 'rough it'. Trouble is with having a 7 month old, he still needs his bottles sterilising, etc, so we still need to take extra equipment and the microwave, etc.

[janeypoos]

We go completely back-to-basics, never pitch with electric, all torches radios and lights are either wind-up or solar charged. We don't take anything that needs charging from the car....that's right, the mobile phone only gets charged if we use the car for a trip out!
When we camped last time the family next to us were forever starting their car up (right next to our bedroom) every 10 minutes, day and night, to charge their bloody phones, radio, kettle, microwave etc....drove me round the bend! The guy couldn't believe that we didn't have anything electric with us but it's camping!! If I wanted electricity and 'mod-cons' I'd stay at home.

[Wayne]

We go completely back-to-basics, never pitch with electric, all torches radios and lights are either wind-up or solar charged. We don't take anything that needs charging from the car....that's right, the mobile phone only gets charged if we use the car for a trip out!
When we camped last time the family next to us were forever starting their car up (right next to our bedroom) every 10 minutes, day and night, to charge their bloody phones, radio, kettle, microwave etc....drove me round the bend! The guy couldn't believe that we didn't have anything electric with us but it's camping!! If I wanted electricity and 'mod-cons' I'd stay at home.

I agree, its nice to be basic. But at the same time, if you have three young children, you have to meet there needs half way and that means leccy hook up for us. Not always though, one of out short weekends was without a hook-up this year. I imagine as the children get older and its just me and the OH going (Jubbababy) then we will happily go back to basics (well a basic winniebago model , no maybe not). We both fancy a bit of wild camping and like to keep life simple as far as possible.

You would never catch me starting the car every ten mins though, be assured

[livsnana]

I like my luxuries. I am not sure I could be persuaded to go without hook up. I would never take a TV but I do want electric light, the electric pump for beds, to be able to charge my phone and laptop and to be able to chill my food. Also to be able to plug in a heater when needed.

What I didn't take when we went camping was my hairdryer, straightners, make up etc.....that's basic enough for me

[in-a-tent]

We've just got a hook up and we can live without, we use it really for the coolbox (we're rubbish at swapping the freezer packs over) I guess we might get some lights at some point too but not much more.

[MrsPitStop]

We go completely back-to-basics, never pitch with electric, all torches radios and lights are either wind-up or solar charged. We don't take anything that needs charging from the car....that's right, the mobile phone only gets charged if we use the car for a trip out!
When we camped last time the family next to us were forever starting their car up (right next to our bedroom) every 10 minutes, day and night, to charge their bloody phones, radio, kettle, microwave etc....drove me round the bend! The guy couldn't believe that we didn't have anything electric with us but it's camping!! If I wanted electricity and 'mod-cons' I'd stay at home.

the only time our car was started when not used this weekend was to blow the air beds up, the phones got turned off (although for some reason hubbys kept turning its self back on every time he stood up)

My friend has EHU every time she camps as even in Aug she cant do without a heater. they went for one weekend in July and came home moaning she was cold and couldn't use her cool box, Until I explained to her that just because she has an electric coolbox doesn't mean she cant use it the old fashioned way I was surprised her hubby who is very outdoorsy hadn't realised this either

to be honest we dont have much that would need plugging in so its just as easy for us to do without until we start buying electric coolboxes, lights and heaters etc I have my list

[janeypoos]

LOL!! To be fair with young children I do understand that some things are easier with a bit of leccie but I was brought up camping from 7 years old without any electric so it's not something I've ever had so I can't miss it.
Plus now I've got the bigger tent, footprint, carpet and probably the extension I haven't got a clue how I'll fit that lot into the car let alone trying to squeeze a load of appliances in too, lol!

[Rob-merlin1973]

I have to admit we love our EHU and always have a hookup ..... exept for when we go to "the place that can not be named" and we do not miss it at all

[TerryV]

I've camped very basic when on my own, but my wife did it once and said never again! With the kids we probably have more gadgets and gizmos than I would have on my own, but we have never gone down the road of EHU. Just don't feel its needed for us.

Would have been lost without car chargers for phones though, especially as I had a few work calls and emails last week that I really had to deal with even though on holiday. Sadly the nature of the job.

[lordyosch]

With the family its gotta be a big tent with table and chairs. Not bothered about no electric though, I like leaving the TV at home!

On my own, i love to pack it all away in my rucksack and carry it way into the wilderness.


Jay

[Campasawindow]

I can't imagine taking a TV camping, although it's always on at home. I love the excuse to read my book in the evening (and it makes it easier to ignore my husband )

Reading this has made me feel very refreshed though - my husband thinks I go luxery because I like to have a table and inflatable bed, but we don't have EHU or anything that charges by car other otherwise! Even our lamp is a Gaz thing (which, by the way, is infinitely better than LED). On the otherhand we don't have kids yet...

[Rob-merlin1973]

On the otherhand we don't have kids yet...

Dont worry you dont HAVE to plug the kids in ............