Our camping trip. Or proof that lists are a force for good

We're back from our latest trip to Wales which was both exhausting and relaxing in equal measure. Choosing the busiest weekend of the summer holidays was probably our first mistake. Camping always catches me out in that it seems like such a laid back and easy way to holiday. In reality, it takes a fair amount of organising to do it well and forgetting this was definitely our second mistake.

We left everything to the last minute. The morning before we left, Dan dropped Alessi off at nursery before heading off to work, leaving me at home to get everything together. If we had put together a list first, this point of the process would have been very straight forward. Instead it was basically me running around the house, remembering things as I went along and hoping I didn't forget anything. Which of course I did.

I have no idea why we were so rubbish this time around. I can only think it's because we've been juggling other things at home too. DIY and an attic clear out have left the house (and our thoughts) in a bit of a muddle. I guess trying to organise anything when our minds were so jumbled was always going to be a struggle.

All that said, we were back home surrounded by trees, hills and sea so in between the odd pocket of stress, we both had moments where we were able to breathe it all in.

And looking on the bright side, as I said to Dan, each time you go camping, you learn something new which will make future trips easier. This time our lesson has been to plan well in advance! Actually, you can add avoiding bank holidays, meal planning and if you value your sanity at all, remembering to bring along toys to keep kids entertained, to the list of things we learnt from this trip.

But oh, Wales. 

I wouldn't have thought it possible to feel so connected to a place if I didn't feel it myself. It’s home and I miss it. Unfortunately though I can't see us moving back any time soon.  Dan and I are very different people in terms of what we need. I like the quiet life and countryside. He likes people, stuff to do and reliable internet access. To be fair, I'm with him on that last one. And of course there's Alessi and what is ultimately best for her. 

Who knows, maybe one day we'll return to the motherland, but for now at least there will be more trips like this one (well, not too much like this one I hope), and more posts with pictures like these..

The tent is now lying in the garden drying. And so endeth the camping spam. 

Camping Wishlist

It's that time of year again and that means lugging the camping gear down from the attic, dusting it off and wondering for the millionth time where the bloody poles/tent pegs/sleeping bags are.

In a week's time we'll be taking Alessi to her first festival and I cannot flipping wait! We have decided though that our current tent is on the small side for the three of us so have decided to upgrade. WOO!

We had a look over the weekend and decided that we wanted one that a) had a separate area for Alessi to sleep in, b) had a living area large enough to hang out in comfortably when the weather turns sour and c) something big enough for Dan to stand up in without hitting his head. We've found one that fits the bill perfectly. Now if Millets can just pull their fingers out and send it out that would be bloody awesome.

As my visual wish list at the top of this post shows, some of the other things I'm convinced we need* are:

1. Camping table
2. Head torch
3. Gardening trolley - yes we're becoming those campers that pull their kid around a festival site in a trolley. Not even remotely sorry.
4. Tent - Millets, I'm looking at you guys here. Fingers. Pull them out.
5. Glow sticks - FANTASTIC means of distraction and amusement for children after dark
6. Flexi bucket because they are so useful to lug stuff about it. 
7. Kettle - my last one broke and I get ragey without coffee. Even at a festival.
8. Cupboard unit - Ok so you may have noticed that not all of these things are essential for camping at a festival. I still want one of these things though for general camping. I am beyond sick of having bags, plates, food etc littering the living area. Not to mention tripping over the lot of it during night time loo trips. I need one of these cupboard things.
9. Portable phone charger. Because duh.

I have to admit. As well as being super excited to take Alessi, I'm also a little anxious. Not that it will be stressful, but that she won't enjoy herself. I remember the last time I felt like this was when I first went camping with Dan. I was convinced he'd hate it and I'll never forget how happy it made me when he said he genuinely enjoyed it. And baring in mind his first camping experience was a Glastonbury festival which was a complete wash out, that was really something!

I really hope Alessi loves this as much as I do because it would be something great to share together in years to come. She loves camping in general though so hopefully she'll love this experience too. 

Fingers crossed!

*The husband questions my use of the word "need" here.

An Impromptu Holiday

Last Tuesday night, I was sat on the sofa eating ice cream and watching Mad Men when Dan got home. Only it wasn't Dan who walked in through the door. It was my dear friend Lona! She stood there with a giant grin on her face and said "I brought pizza!"

Cue lots of tears and swearing.

Lona lives in Amsterdam so we don't get to see each other very often. She and Dan have been planning this surprise trip for the past two months. The wonderful scheming bastards.

The first day Dan was working so Lona and I mooched around Bath. There was shopping, dancing next to the Abbey, pigeon chasing and just generally arsing about. Alessi fell in love with her Aunty Loops all over again. Which is easily done.

Then as if having this special lady visiting wasn't surprise enough, we all went camping!

And to my favourite camping spot too no less. This was our pitch which was all ours for the duration of our stay. It was so peaceful (except for the resident owl) and the weather was perfect. 

This was the view from our pitch. Not too shabby. There were leaves falling almost constantly from the trees we camped under, like autumnal confetti and in the evenings the sun turned everything golden. For two days, I stopped caring about all those little nags and worries that I usually carry around with me.

My clothes still smell like camp fire smoke. I don't want to wash them.

We went exploring in the woods, played hide and seek and collected pine cones.

We visited the sea, ate chips, bought rock, collected shells and eyed up the lifeguards. Well Lona did you understand. I was too busy eyeing up their quad bike (want one).

Look at that face. This woman is one of the funniest, smartest, strongest and most talented people I've ever met. I want to be her when I grow up.

Here's to you ho bag. Thank you for coming to play!

XOXOXOX

Camping 2012!

Earlier this week, me Dan and the Pip-face jumped into an overly packed car and headed down to Dorset for a couple of nights of sleeping under the stars.

It was sunny. It was wet. We didn't always see the stars, but it was bloody awesome nonetheless.

I was worried that Pip wouldn't sleep well. Ha! She slept insanely well. We on the other hand, did not. Apart from worrying that she was too hot/too cold/not breathing, we also had some terrible weather during the nights we were there. Heavy rain and strong winds woke us time and time again, but not Pip. So of course we thought the worst and would check on her again, only to find that she was still sound asleep. I actually had visions of her screaming the place down and having to drive home at three in the morning so I can't tell you what a relief this was.

The trip itself was a blink-and-you'll-miss-us deal. We only had one full day there and it rained for most of that, but I genuinely didn't care as I was having more fun that I'd anticipated and was relieved that Pip wasn't at all phased by the whole thing. We spent our time castle viewing (from afar - we didn't want to spend £18!), eating fish and chips by the sea and playing in the tent.

The camping site including photo of the eco-loo which I actually loved!

And then all too soon it was time to pack up the car and come home again. And just when the weather had sorted itself out too!

The place we went to was called Riverside Lakes in Dorset and if anyone is looking for a family friendly camping site for next year's trip, I couldn't recommend them enough. They have a shower and toilet block (as well as the eco-loo!)and a kitchen area so even if you're more of a 'glamping' than camping type, you'll still love it here. The owners are beyond friendly and helpful, they go around at night to each pitch making sure that everyone is ok and to check if they need anything. Other than that they leave you to it although they are always there if you need anything. All they ask in return is that you are respectful to other campers and the site's neighbours which should be a given anyway. You can find out more on their website, http://www.riverside-lakes.co.uk. 

We've been three times now and I know we'll go again in the future. Who knows, maybe next time it'll be with the friends who first introduced us to this fantastic place. It was weird to be there without them!

Oh and just to quickly point out that I'm not getting anything in return for pimping out this camping site. I just like it lots and wanted to share. :)