Holiday Memories 2015 - Packing and Getting There

One of the most stressful activities prior to going on holiday for me is the preparation. It doesn't

matter whether it’s three weeks or three days, I always wind myself up about what to take with me. And it’s even worse when you go camping, because space is so limited. Apparently, the tent, sleeping bag, cooking materials, gas tank and associated gear are more important than my clothes!

Will it be cold? Will it rain? If we’re going away for three weeks, should I take twenty one changes of knickers with me? Or will we be going anywhere where I can wash things? Or will the weather be hot with no need for jumpers and fleeces? So should I pack sun-dresses, shorts and T shirts? I never know what to pack and it can takes ages just to decide what to take, with clothes being laid on the bed for consideration. Goodness knows what I would be like going on a cruise!

I like to think I'm fair low maintenance when it come to cosmetics and washing gear, but I then have to consider what reading material to take with me, together with the all important notebook to jot down things that occur to me; my Kindle and my MP3 as well as my mobile and the relevant chargers, the sad truth emerges that I'm very high maintenance in other areas.

It’s not just the packing; it’s the thoughts that occur in the days before we go. Will the tent go up alright? Will there be any unexpected holes or other damage to make us vulnerable to wet weather? Will the sites that we've planned to go to be fine? Will the log cabin be as we remembered? I do acknowledge that I am a grade A worry guts. It wouldn't quite so bad, but it is Alan that does most of the work. So why do I worry?

It’s not until everything is crammed into the car and we set off, that I start to relax. What’s not packed will have to stay at home. And it is only when we are all sorted at the first site, based near Chichester that I really start to enjoy our break. With the tent erected, air bed and sleeping bags sorted and Alan cooking our meal – traditionally the first night we always have a curry; all I really need to do is enjoy myself and look forward to the rest of our time away.

Our First Site in 2015 - The Osiers, near Chichester

Five Things to Remember When Going Camping

Camping at a small site near Burwash

Having taken up camping again after in the past year, after a decades long break, I thought I would share five main things to consider that may improve the experience. It did for us anyway.

1.  Planning
This aspect is so important, especially if you've never camped before, or do it very rarely.
Camping has changed over the years. Materials for tents have changed, as have designs. The amount that needs to be taken (if you want to enjoy the experience) is mind-boggling. Discussions on equipment ranged from the type of sleeping bag wanted as well as the size, to the type of camping stove, to the lamps that we preferred and which would do the job.
When we actually went camping, my husband started to pack five days before we were due to go, which  I thought was overkill, that we could get everything together the night before. When I saw all the different bits of kit that went into the car, I changed my mind. It would be a slog to do that. Taking your time and making lists of what you intend to take definitely improves the experience.

Another important planning issue was to know that we had a space to go to. I know that some campers we talked to reveled in the hit and miss of finding a pitch. Me, I'm a worrier. I like to know where I'm going to be. But finding the right location, that had the facilities we wanted (we're just talking loos and showers here - nothing fancy) and was dog friendly took time. It was worth it though. We have been on some lovely sites this year, which has made me keen to explore more next year.

2.  Have a Dry Run
If possible, go camping for a couple of nights close to home, just to experiment with your new gear and get used to the whole adventure. I believe this is important if, like us, you haven't camped in a while. It does mean that pitching the tent and trying out the stove can be experienced, without shouting matches developing and it all turning into a nightmare. We were fortunate. We did have a dry run and sorted out most of the problems before going further afield. I think the only major problem we came across, which it wasn't possible to solve was that of screaming children, which reinforced our plans to go off during term times.

3.  Don't Over Pack
It is so easy when you're getting things together, to pack for every eventuality. It might rain a lot; it might be cold; Alan might cut himself; or I might get soaking wet. As with any kind of holiday, a lot of what you think you need you won't use. When you have only a limited space to put everything in, it becomes very important that you only pack what you know you will actually use. Don't, for instance, pack four jumpers for a two or three day break. Are you really going to read all those books you're packing? Aim for the minimalist approach. I speak as one who isn't and finds that type of approach difficult in the extreme and learnt the hard way.

4. Keep Your Sense of Humour
You get to the site and get caught up in the moment. All of a sudden you want to help and your husband decides he wants to deal with this on his own and tells you to go away for an hour (or two). Or it pours down with rain and you're sat in the tent hoping that it will stop some time soon. Or you need to use the loo in the middle of the night and you discover that your trainers aren't waterproof as you walk through grass with a heavy dew. Or you get back and sit on the airbed, misjudge the position and bounce straight off, bruising your shoulder. Or, you spend the first night listening to all the unfamiliar noises, hoping against hope that the snuffling noise that you can hear is not a crazy axeman. Or you get to the site to find there is no shower and it isn't repaired until ten minutes before you leave.
Any one of these things can make a time away camping not enjoyable. For me, they have just been funny experiences and ones from which you learn. I have found that my husband likes to sort things out for himself, talking to the tent as he does so. When he has got the tent up, then I can help.
Camping has also made me very aware of the rain. But, we live in England and it does rain. The other matters I also learned from. But most importantly, I found I couldn't take them seriously. I have laughed more when camping than at any other time recently. Maybe it is the novelty of the experience. Or the fact that I haven't been on holiday for years. But I have found that the light touch emotionally is definitely the best.

5.  It's An Adventure!!
Most important - relax and enjoy yourself. Dig up your wonder at the world around you. Enjoy the different people that you meet and chat to. Camping, I have found is a very enriching experience and a very different way of life.

Sunrise near Burwash