Otherwise known as...the things that I've learnt on my second-ever camping expedition!
1) When you book your spot, ask to be located as close to the amenities as possible! This saves lots of midnight walking to the toilet in the rain!
2) Invest in some essential camping equipment. After the tent and sleeping gear, we found that the camp cupboard and the fold-up table and chairs were excellent. Personally, I would have liked a camp kitchen to sit the washing-up container and the kettle and toaster on. I guess that if you like rough and tumble camping, then you are probably saying right now that they are luxuries, but hey....that is how I camp! Lol!
3) Camp kitchens need to be the correct height. Now this is a tip from the people in the tent next to us who hated theirs cause it was bad for bending on the back!
4) Don't buy an air mattress with built-in pillows. This is another tip from our camping neighbours, cause apparently that lumpy in-built pillow drove them nuts all night and they ended up buying a new one!
5) Invest in a good quality tarp with reinforced eyelets! And yup, that's from personal experience.
6) Make sure that you pack waterproof shoes. Rubber thongs or crocs would be perfect. Not only are they great for wearing around, but are also essential for showering in. Don't want any nasty plantar warts from public bathing, now do we!
7) Green grocery bags and plastic grocery bags are essential. Great for putting stuff in and make an excellent carry bag for clean and dirty clothes.
8) Torches are a must and don't forget to pack replacement batteries. Even if you have a powered site and electric portable lights, the torches are great for midnight flits to the loo and not stumbling inside the tent when you can't find the light to turn on in the dark anyway!
9) Make a list of all the things to pack and keep it safe for next time. If you get to your destination and realise that you need something (plastic bowls and salad bowls were ours) then add to it when you get home.
10) Lock up your valuables. The people near us had a kids' scooter stolen. It is so easy for people to just up and take your stuff. So all valuables should be locked in the car.
11) Take an umbrella cause you never know when it's going to rain! ;)
