Copied and pasted from last year,as I'm too lazy to type it all out again.
As the date of the now legen-wait-for-it-dary Megameet is fast approaching,I've put together a list of things that are essential for something like this as it won't be long before someone asks.
1.TENT.We do have 8 electric hookups available,but we would prefer it people don't bring their caravans if they have one as they take up more room than we'll have available to us.Any sort of tent is fine,but if you're using an old one etc make sure you have the whole kit,i.e. tent pegs (steel is better as the ground is quite hard there),guy ropes and a hammer/mallet.
There's always those who choose not to buy a tent,and I've even had a couple of PMs from first timers asking if I know of anyone who can lend them a tent for the weekend.Just buy one for god's sake!!!!!!
http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/camping-caravanning/all-tents/aventura-2-man-dome-tent-with-porch
Is £15 for a two man tent that's always going to be yours and there when you need it really too much money to spend :angry: ? I've seen that tent in Halfords and I think it's brilliant value for money,even better value is if you get one of their packages including sleeping bag etc.
A quick explanation about the 'Man' rating of tents for those who haven't been camping before.
A 2 man tent is very intimate and will only accommodate 2 men if you're both VERY good friends.There will be very little to no room to spread yourself out and find somewhere to look for clothes etc.A 1 man tent is even worse as most are just about big enough for a sleeping bag and very little else.For solo camping either get at least a 2 man tent,or even better is one of any man rating with a porch that you can use for clothes,shoes etc.A porch is also good if it's raining to leave wet stuff under and keep it dry right inside the cozy part of the tent.
2.SLEEPING BAG.If you're buying one for the first time then at this time of year a two seasons bag is good enough,price about £30/£40.In fact it's been hot enough at night the last couple of years that you'll probably end up sleeping on top of it and not inside it.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-spirit-300-sleeping-bag-p321189
3.PILLOWS.Of course if you don't want to be using a rolled up coat instead.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-luxury-pillow-p360865
4.AIRBED.Or whatever you like to put your sleeping bag on,such as those roll up foam mats or even a posh folding camp bed.Oh and of course a pump if you've got any inflatables.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-flock-single-sized-sleeping-airbed-p142437
http://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/103112-multi-mat-comfort-xl-sleeping-mat-red.html
5.CHAIR.Very important to bring your own as we never seem to have enough.Make sure you mark it as yours though otherwise you could be going home without it.Maybe a folding table as well if you've got room for one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outdoor-Folding-Chair-Seat-Camping-Garden-Patio-Fishing-Picnic-Beach-Carry-Bag/152167028341?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35377%26meid%3D036c691675b64939b0e2946f3f38a3d0%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26
6.FOOD.Although we will be doing food later in the day,there is a clubhouse by the watersports lake that does nice and well priced meals starting with breakfast.There is also a takeaway delivery service in the evening courtesy of a local place that does pizzas,curries,kebabs etc etc who deliver to the campsite.
But...... we're a long way out from the nearest village and supermarket (5 miles or so from memory),so it'd be a good idea to stock up with as much food as you think you'll need before you get there.Bottled water is also a good idea as I'm not too sure about the quality of the tap water at the campsite.
7.COOKING UTENSILS.If you're cooking your own food then plastic knives and forks are essential,and washing up liquid and a sponge if they're not disposable.A gas stove of some description and gas canisters for it,or disposable barbeques as I don't think we're allowed open barbies directly on the ground.A cool box of course if you're going to be keeping food their for a couple of days,mains powered is ok as we have hookup.
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-portable-cooker-787428?colcode=78742803
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-5pc-cookset-63-787434?colcode=78743490
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-kfs-clip-set-787235?colcode=78723590
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-26-piece-dining-set-787426?colcode=78742690
8.TOILETRIES.There are on site toilets and showers available for all to use,and are normally nice and hot if you're early enough.Towels,shower gel/shampoo,toothbrush etc as required.Suncream as well because the sun ALWAYS shines on the Megameet.Insects are not normally a problem here,but some sort of repellent if you are bothered by them.
9.RUGS.Or camping mats,spare groundsheets or travel rugs to chill out on.
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-picnic-rug-787120?colcode=78712070
10.TORCH.Or some other sort of night or camping light.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3309849.htm
11.BIN BAGS.Useful as it's considered good manners to clean up your own mess and not leave it those who have to stay behind when everyone else has left.
12.If you want to use the electric hookup,you'll need something like this......http://www.electricaleurope.com/en/gb/Zexum-16A-230V-Blue-Male-to-4-Gang-Hook-Up-Extension-Cable-Lead/m-2778.aspx?PartnerID=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom
A few suggestions from Adrian last year.........
As the date of the now legen-wait-for-it-dary Megameet is fast approaching,I've put together a list of things that are essential for something like this as it won't be long before someone asks.
1.TENT.We do have 8 electric hookups available,but we would prefer it people don't bring their caravans if they have one as they take up more room than we'll have available to us.Any sort of tent is fine,but if you're using an old one etc make sure you have the whole kit,i.e. tent pegs (steel is better as the ground is quite hard there),guy ropes and a hammer/mallet.
There's always those who choose not to buy a tent,and I've even had a couple of PMs from first timers asking if I know of anyone who can lend them a tent for the weekend.Just buy one for god's sake!!!!!!
http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/camping-caravanning/all-tents/aventura-2-man-dome-tent-with-porch
Is £15 for a two man tent that's always going to be yours and there when you need it really too much money to spend :angry: ? I've seen that tent in Halfords and I think it's brilliant value for money,even better value is if you get one of their packages including sleeping bag etc.
A quick explanation about the 'Man' rating of tents for those who haven't been camping before.
A 2 man tent is very intimate and will only accommodate 2 men if you're both VERY good friends.There will be very little to no room to spread yourself out and find somewhere to look for clothes etc.A 1 man tent is even worse as most are just about big enough for a sleeping bag and very little else.For solo camping either get at least a 2 man tent,or even better is one of any man rating with a porch that you can use for clothes,shoes etc.A porch is also good if it's raining to leave wet stuff under and keep it dry right inside the cozy part of the tent.
2.SLEEPING BAG.If you're buying one for the first time then at this time of year a two seasons bag is good enough,price about £30/£40.In fact it's been hot enough at night the last couple of years that you'll probably end up sleeping on top of it and not inside it.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-spirit-300-sleeping-bag-p321189
3.PILLOWS.Of course if you don't want to be using a rolled up coat instead.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-luxury-pillow-p360865
4.AIRBED.Or whatever you like to put your sleeping bag on,such as those roll up foam mats or even a posh folding camp bed.Oh and of course a pump if you've got any inflatables.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-flock-single-sized-sleeping-airbed-p142437
http://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/103112-multi-mat-comfort-xl-sleeping-mat-red.html
5.CHAIR.Very important to bring your own as we never seem to have enough.Make sure you mark it as yours though otherwise you could be going home without it.Maybe a folding table as well if you've got room for one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outdoor-Folding-Chair-Seat-Camping-Garden-Patio-Fishing-Picnic-Beach-Carry-Bag/152167028341?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35377%26meid%3D036c691675b64939b0e2946f3f38a3d0%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26
6.FOOD.Although we will be doing food later in the day,there is a clubhouse by the watersports lake that does nice and well priced meals starting with breakfast.There is also a takeaway delivery service in the evening courtesy of a local place that does pizzas,curries,kebabs etc etc who deliver to the campsite.
But...... we're a long way out from the nearest village and supermarket (5 miles or so from memory),so it'd be a good idea to stock up with as much food as you think you'll need before you get there.Bottled water is also a good idea as I'm not too sure about the quality of the tap water at the campsite.
7.COOKING UTENSILS.If you're cooking your own food then plastic knives and forks are essential,and washing up liquid and a sponge if they're not disposable.A gas stove of some description and gas canisters for it,or disposable barbeques as I don't think we're allowed open barbies directly on the ground.A cool box of course if you're going to be keeping food their for a couple of days,mains powered is ok as we have hookup.
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-portable-cooker-787428?colcode=78742803
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-5pc-cookset-63-787434?colcode=78743490
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-kfs-clip-set-787235?colcode=78723590
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-26-piece-dining-set-787426?colcode=78742690
8.TOILETRIES.There are on site toilets and showers available for all to use,and are normally nice and hot if you're early enough.Towels,shower gel/shampoo,toothbrush etc as required.Suncream as well because the sun ALWAYS shines on the Megameet.Insects are not normally a problem here,but some sort of repellent if you are bothered by them.
9.RUGS.Or camping mats,spare groundsheets or travel rugs to chill out on.
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-picnic-rug-787120?colcode=78712070
10.TORCH.Or some other sort of night or camping light.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3309849.htm
11.BIN BAGS.Useful as it's considered good manners to clean up your own mess and not leave it those who have to stay behind when everyone else has left.
12.If you want to use the electric hookup,you'll need something like this......http://www.electricaleurope.com/en/gb/Zexum-16A-230V-Blue-Male-to-4-Gang-Hook-Up-Extension-Cable-Lead/m-2778.aspx?PartnerID=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom
A few suggestions from Adrian last year.........
- Provisions for charging your phone - most smart phones only go a day or 2 if you're lucky without charging. An in car charger works, I have a 12Ah USB battery pack which does me and my mrs for a whole weekend's camping.
- Detailing supplies, if you plan on entering the show and shine, a bucket, towels, wax, or whatever you like to rub your car with. Not mandatory, obviously.
- Vaseline. You know why.
- spare drive shafts.
- A note pad, so you can steal Royce's "ideas" and go on dragons den the week after.