Tent instructions are rubbish. I reckon we've pitched our tent 6 times and it wasn't until the last one that we actually got it right. The straps at the back that connect to the ground sheet had never been pegged out, wasn't until I put it up in the garden to dry that I had a proper look and play with them. It's also really difficult to put our tunnel tent the way the instructions show, much easier to do the centre roof and legs then work out from either side, there's a video on here somewhere and it is incredibly easy to do like that. One thing I've never worked out though, do you peg the rings that connect to the poles?
Rubber mallets are rubbish. Our second trip the ground was like concrete and a rubber mallet was as much use as a chocolate tea pot. Much better off with a small lump hammer.
Children play on guyropes. Why? How many times do they have to be told before they stop?
A decent chair is a must. Our first two trips with cheap folding chairs was very uncomfortable, took along some very old chairs from the 70's on our last trip and it was much better, never buy a chair you haven't tried.
Children sleep better in a tent. This might be just mine but I wonder if I decorate the daughters room in canvas whether she might lie in at home?
There's always more stuff to buy. See above, new chairs are a must.
And, camping is not only more fun than I reckoned but also much more relaxing. There's no getting up and rushing down to breakfast or having to be out before the cleaning lady comes, you can just take your time and relax, even washing up is relaxing. (That really surprised me!)
So, once again, thank you to everyone for the advise you gave me throughout the year, I've enjoyed it much more than I thought. Can't wait for next year.
but 
though i wouldnt say washing up makes me happy 
doesnt matter about instructions,you learn about your tent by pitching it over an over,not by reading a book or by watching vids, and its horses for courses i,ve had a rubber mallet for years an never had a prob.. 
