We have had the best news ever this week! News so exciting, L cried tears of happiness and has talked of nothing else since I told him! We are going on holiday!! This is the first holiday we've had in quite a while, so it's a fairly major event and we are really looking forward to it. L is growing up so fast and he has been mentioning for some time now that he would love to go 'proper' camping. For the uninitiated in the language of small boys, 'proper' camping must take place a significant distance from the place where you live, ie; not in the garden or under the dining table. it must involve an atual tent and there will be no corner-cutting when it comes to cooking and eating al fresco.
Not gonna cut it this time! |
Nearly, but not quite there... |
So, you can imagine my joy when the lovely people at Roebeck Country Park offered us a free stay to try out their recently refurbished, luxury camping and touring park, near Ryde on the Isle of Wight! After a gnat's breath of hesitation, we hastily agreed and have been busy putting plans in place to sail over during half term. The site looks amazing, I have to say. With 14 acres of managed parkland, there is masses of space for even the most elaborate of tents and they accept all sizes of tourer too! However, I can be a tiny bit of a diva and I would like to hang on to a few home comforts, so we will be staying here...
An 18' traditional style tipi, with basic furnishings, including foam mattresses and LED lighting. That's more like it! What I am most looking forward to, though, are the fabulous surroundings. With views over the Ashley Valley and the Isle of Wight coastline, this park is going to be the perfect destination for some relaxing family time away from the usual distractions of modern living. That's my plan, but, with the park being so close to Ryde, we have found so many different activities to do and places to visit, we may have to stay a bit longer to fit everything in!
Have you ever been camping? I have not, and there is an element of trepidation that I am going to forget something vital or commit a hideous camping faux pa and disgrace us all! If you have any top tips or suggestions, I would be very grateful to hear them. I would be so pleased if you could comment below. Thank you!
Hi Lucy. Well how posh! I am sure you will love glamping.I used to go camping every year with my parents to Tenby when I was little and although I am a little too old for that now glamping is a totally different kettle of fish. Have a fabulous stay, I will be following your trip in excitement.
ReplyDeleteHey Mels! I can't believe I've never been, will be nice to say I've actually camped, lol, even if Glamping is cheating a little bit!
DeleteI have never been camping myself but my husband and son are trying to convince me lol x
ReplyDeleteSame here, I thought I would ease myself in gently with glamping first though!
DeleteIt does look fantastic - I have a small boy who is also keen to try 'proper camping'.
ReplyDeleteWill let you know how this small boy gets on!
Deleteoh i do love camping and wish i could go this year but my husband believes i wil be too pregnant this year to go , boo hoo
ReplyDeleteIs he worried you won't fit in the tent, lol?! ;-) All the best for the arrival of your new little one, I'm sure it will be worth missing out this once!
DeleteI have been camping and with the children too - they LOVED it as I am sure you will too. there is something adventurous and challenging to sleeping under the stars, everyone should have a go at least once.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
I can't believe I've put it off this long, I agree everyone should be able to say they tried it!
DeleteI have never been camping before, maybe now is the time to try, this place looks great.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think it's the way to go for a newbie, because it doesn't seem quite as, erm, basic as 'normal' camping!
DeleteWe used to go camping all the time when I was younger, things were a lot different then but I loved it, yes even the trek in the dark to find the toilet block! I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time, the tipi's look amazing and I love the Isle of Wight...don't suppose I could come with you?
ReplyDeleteIf you heard my husband snore, you might not be so keen! ;-)
Deleteit sounds absolutely amazing - im a bit jealous! i have never been on holiday with chris - before or after kids! have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteThis is only the second holiday we've had as a family in ten years! Where does the time go? I can't believe it's been that long!
DeleteLooks really good and super location. Hope you have a great time and look forward to hearing about it. That will be so interesting to stay in a tipi.
ReplyDeleteThank you, there will be ridiculous amounts of photos!
DeleteWe went camping with the kids for the first time last year and had a blast - my tip is to not camp on a hill.........it made sleeping tricky lol
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I bet it's not nearly as funny as it sounds! ;-)
DeleteWow, that is so AWESOME! I would be very excited too! I'm thinking about staying in a yurt or similar over the summer hols. Can't wait to read about your adventures! x
ReplyDeleteWe are soooo excited, in fact you could say the excitement is... intents! Intense, geddit?! *silence* Sorry, I'll get my coat! :-)
DeleteI love those teepee style tents - my two are desperate to go camping again but I'm really not a fan myself ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit nervous, I have to say, but I'm hoping the tipi will make it a bit more comfortable, lol!
DeleteNow glamping I could to ~ I couldn't do hardcore camping
ReplyDeleteThat was exactly what I thought! It's a compromise as the boys have been campaigning for a while now!
DeleteThe tipis look like great fun. I don't really enjoy camping, but glamping is so much more fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just?! Even the name makes it seem a bit more special!
DeleteI am so so excited for you - have the most amazing time! x
ReplyDeleteCamping tips. Socks! Even if you normally don't wear them take extra. Your feet freeze at night.
ReplyDeleteWow that looks like an amazing place to go camping! I hope you have a great time! xx
ReplyDeleteoh wow what amazing news! it looks like an utterly stunning venue to spend some quality time together!
ReplyDeleteI used to camp as a child, but not for years. We're waiting on the kids to get a little older and have our eyes set on galloping frequently. I think I may have outgrown roughing it in true camping style though. lol
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing - staying in a tipi is definitely on my wish list. Have a brilliant time, can't wait to read all about it!
ReplyDeleteI actually would really like to go camping. As long as it's a proper park with toilets. I don't think I could do a bear grills in the woods. Take lots of baby wipes and anti-bad gel.
ReplyDeleteMy family isn't a camping family because we like our home comforts, but I'm being tempted by the idea of galloping. Staying in a tipi sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! Glamping is right up my street, we stayed in a yurt over Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI have been camping twice, once with the school when I was 12, to france for the week and the 2nd time was few years back for one night near Bakewell. the campsite was next to the pub, glad as we had a couple of pints while putting the tent up. it ended up an expensive camping trip as never used the tent I brought nor all the other stuff. we even brought a trailer tent to try, but it sits in our garage and has done for over 4 years.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fab time and look forward to seeing your post about it all.
This looks so great! Well done :) We hope to go camping in the summer too. Kaz x
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