Last Easter, ‘we’ planned to go camping. That is, together with my family, two colleagues and their families, we booked two nights camping at Birchwood Tourist Park, in Dorset. The trip served two aims. Scheduling a getaway gave us something to look forward to during the traditionally tough third and fourth terms. Second, it was a commitment to putting our families first. Given we were in the midst of an inexorable / insatiable school improvement journey. “Putting my family first” was not something I had been prone to doing.
Despite our novice camper failings, which I will expand in due course, this short trip and the reflections of my trusted colleagues about “how different” I was away from work,” would go on to have a lasting and significant impact on me personally and professional. With John Tomsett’s poignant words still ringing in my ears heart, I now recognise that this trip and those comments encouraged me to step back, pause, reflect and draw some important conclusions.
After that first trip, we joined the Camping and Caravanning Club. I look forward to monthly magazine and browsing the articles. The website was brimming with useful information, even the editor had time to reply via their @CCAC Twitter account. So here is my thank you. Our first year of camping.
Camping and Caravanning
Early February 2015. Together with two teacher colleagues, we decided to “go camping” the first weekend of the Easter half-term break. Like many a fine trio of men, it was at this point we duly passed on all responsibility for organising the details of our trip over to our wives. Mrs Blake booked two nights camping at Birchwood Tourist Park in Dorset and we loosely agreed a 6pm arrival time.
Experience, they say is a harsh teacher, because experience first gives the test, then experience then gives the lesson. In sum, we gained a lot of experience during our first trip and we had a memorable time. We loved the simplicity, the family time, the children playing and socialising. We had caught the bug. A year on, we have just returned from our annual Easter trip so I thought I would mark that occasion with a blog post for other families thinking of embarking on a similar adventure or joining the club. We would certainly recommend it.
How far to travel?
Make your first few trips a mere hop if you can. Our expected hour and twenty minute drive unfortunately become a three hour drive due to an accident. We arrived in our ladened seven seater, frazzled, hangry (hungry / angry) children clawing at the window to escape confinement. The odds of us successfully putting up our tents (even though we had practiced in our back garden) without a few cross words disappearing as fast as the late evening light.
The Stills and the Bonds tackled our tents, the Blakes popped up their trailer tent, sourced water, connected the electric and put the kettle on. Never had a cup of tea been so welcomed. The Blakes returned after putting up their awning to save us from ourselves. All the while six young children amused themselves running around the open field.
What really is essential? A little food and a warm nights sleep.
We took plenty of food and returned home with nearly as much. You really do on need to take essentials, even though the essentials are available on site. Some sites even offer a food hamper collection service on arrival, Tesco deliver, takeaway services are accustomed to dropping off at the gate. Tomorrow you can always pop to the local.
As you would expect, the temperature drops at night. Only two points here. Layers and thermal pyjamas. If not that attractive, should there be any late night, middle of the night, early morning emergencies to attend to, under a jacket, thermal bottoms can pass for jogging bottoms. Finally, a touch of camping luxury – we purchased an oil-filled radiator and recognise the difference it makes.
Some sites can be loud first thing in the morning, some last thing at night – ear plugs are optional and discrete.
Contrastingly, a portable toilet inside the tent is essential (for families) though far from discrete. A spare seat at a push.
Trailer tents and folding campers
We were so impressed by the Blake’s trailer tent we made our way to the Camping and Caravanning Club website. “New to trailer tents and folding campers” provided almost all we needed to know. We kept an eye on the auction sites and the free ads and after just a few months we collected a well looked after 2006 Conway Cruiser.
Typically, one of the usual benefits of a second-hand purchase is that the trailer comes with many of the camping essentials; an aqua roll, electric water pump, waste water container, step, mallet, hitch lock, awning carpet and so forth.
Extras
There are plenty of camping equipment lists you can ref to. Let me just share with you what we have added or would not be without? Uno. An oiled filled radiator. Suction hooks (rubbish, dirty cloths, coats). A gas lighter. Sturdy hard standing pegs. A peg puller-outer. String. We backed our living space curtains with black-out material – well worth the effort.
Handy tips
An electric air pump for use with the vac bags. Thermos cups. Frylight cooking spray. Crocs or flip flops for the wash rooms. Spare plug for the washing up area. Small medi-kit (bug spray, Paracetamol, plasters, Mr Bump cold press, wipes, sun-screen). Dry shampoo for tired kids.
What we were thankful for
We really have benefitted from the kindness and help of our fellow campers on numerous occasions.
It pains me to admit it, but on our second trip we caved-in and allowed our children bring their tablets. Setting up and taking down our tent was that much more efficient and calmer without the enthusiastic input of the children.