Last weekend we went camping. It is hard to believe that it was only one year ago I accidentally, unintentionally agreed to Hubby buying at tent, and now here I am eagerly looking forward to each trip. And the next.

Originally, we had booked to go camping with friends. Sadly, some major car troubles caused them to pull out at the last moment – to much disappointment all round. Since we had already booked, we decided to go ahead anyway

Friday

With the car already packed and at bursting point, we headed off after Hubby got home from work. I’m definitely an ‘over packer’ – what can I say? I like my creature comforts! And you can never tell with the British weather, so you have to pack for all eventualities. I always pack too much food as well, but that’s not such a bad thing.

We booked to stay at The Shrubbery in Lyme Regis, about a 1.5 hour drive from our home. You’d think leaving at 5pm on a Friday night for a popular touristy location in school holidays would be a traffic nightmare, but we had no issues and drove straight on through. Lyme Regis is very small though, so I can see that congestion could easily become a problem.

Our tent is fairly huge, but between Hubs and I, it only takes around 30 minutes to put up and get everything set up. I enjoy this part, making it all cosy and homely inside.

Saturday

Rarely do we get a lie-in when camping.

If it’s not the dawn chorus from local birds waking you up at silly o’clock it will be the crazy urge to go pee And there’s no ignoring it and pretending you don’t need to, that just makes it worse. And you know the moment you try to quietly get up and sneak out, then you will wake the puppy and the kiddos and then they will all want to go as well. Sure enough, one by one you begin to hear the zippers and footsteps from other campers hurriedly and not-so-quietly all making tracks to the nearest shower blocks.

Morning

Saturday we woke to the most beautiful mist. It was like a dreamy haze across the field. Very peaceful and serene.

One of the things I love most about camping is the outdoor cooking.

There’s nothing like the smell of bacon wafting across the field from other campers to get you leaping out of your sleeping bag and wrestling to light your own gas stove.

The kids prefer to have their cereal, but we have bacon and eggs. It’s like the law of camping. And it’s totally in keeping with my Slimming World plan, too!

Despite the early morning mist, the day turned out gorgeous. The sun burst through and we headed into Lyme Regis for a spot of sight-seeing.

Car parking in Lyme Regis is difficult – it’s such a small town. So after an impatient attempt to find a space, we drove back to a little park-and-ride and hopped on the bus into town. £5 for the 4 of us (plus Chester) all day was great value. I would totally recommend it if you ever visit.

Lyme Regis beach is so pretty. Lined with lovely little cafe’s, shops and this pretty old house. It’s looking a little tired now, but I love the hexagonal cladding, the window shutters and the doorway.

Part of the beach is sand and part shingle and it seems everyone preferred the sand.

Well, you know where to go for a quiet spot…

We discovered a beach vendor selling hair braids and glitter tattoos. Of course, Lauren was eager to jump in the seat!

This may just be the quietest and most still she has ever been.

Back at the camp site it was lovely to sit down and relax together as a family.

Something I’m conscious we do not do enough of.

Unplugged. Undistracted.

Who am I kidding? We don’t stay unplugged for too long. The kiddos each got to pack some toys of their choosing. Thomas brought the iPad and Lauren her stuffed toys. My children couldn’t be more different.

The Shrubbery was brilliant for kids. With a fun crazy golf area and a playground too, there was always something to keep them entertained.

But you know, it wasn’t all noisy. Even with the kids playing and having fun, the park maintained a lovely quiet relaxed atmosphere. It wasnice.

The on-site shop was fabulous, too. Filled with all the camp shop essentials, there was no need to worry if you left anything behind. Plus they had loads of wonderful local produce. Perfect to enjoy or take home as gifts.

The kids caught me checking emails on my phone and threw themselves on top of me insisting on a family-selfie.

I realised that I have hardly any of these.

I’ve always been too self-conscious of my weight, and more recently my braces. So here’s a rare photo of us all. I need to capture more of these.

Sunday

As usual when camping, I checked the weather app when I woke to see what the day had in-store for us.

100% chance of lightning.

Really?

We have to take the tent down and be off-site by 11am. I do not want to be waving metal poles around in a thunder storm.

Note the *100 percent*. Not 90%. Not leaving a little 10% margin of possibility – this is 100%.

So, after the quickest get up / get dressed ever, we set about taking the tent down before the bad weather set in.

It didn’t.

Look at those blue skies. *Sigh*

If you ever go to visit Lyme Regis be sure to explore the sea front. There were lots of wonderful looking cafes and restaurants – many serving lovely fresh local fish on their menus. Further up in the town, there was an incredible looking artisan bakery called The Town Mill Bakery. I was dying to go in and eat, but honestly, I was not at all hungry after breakfast, the kids weren’t that fussed and it probably wasn’t the healthiest choice. I was sad to not visit, but it’s just silly to eat when you’re not even hungry.

We really enjoyed our stay at The Shrubbery and would be happy to go back again. Although, it is always nice to explore new places.

We’ve already booked our next camping trip and it’s not too far from here. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this beautiful part of the Devon / Dorset coast {let’s hope the weather is a little more predictable next time].

xoxo Natalie

The post Gone Camping. appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

Aaaah, May Bank holiday weekends. Don’t you just LOVE them?!

A teasing hint that summer is on its way, a dose of glorious sunshine (if you’re lucky!), a lazy long weekend with family – and for us – our first camping trip of the year!

So when Morrisons invited me to become a #MorrisonsMum last weekend, I knew instantly what was needed for our Bank Holiday shop. All the ingredients for a PERFECT camping weekend away!

With a budget of £80, we got a car boot full of groceries. All the food necessary for our camping trip and plenty enough for meals next week, school lunch box supplies and even washing detergent and fabric softener. Ugh laundry – the downside to a weekend away!

Now it should be said, I’m more ‘glamper’ than ‘camper’ and there’s no rubbing sticks to create a fire here. We went fully prepared with our little gas stove, bbq and electric cool box. Our supplies were plentiful and enough to feed a small army! Lean burgers, Weight Watchers sausages, bread rolls, salad, eggs, bacon, fruit, yoghurts and drinks – and all the ingredients necessary to make some of our favourite camping meals.

Camp Fire Pizza

Ingredients:

• Morrisons tortilla wraps (6 for 69p)
• Morrisons tomato and basil pasta sauce (500g for 75p)
• Pilgrims Choice Lighter Mature Cheddar (350g for £2.24)
• Galbani mozzarella (125g for £1.35)
• Pepperoni (120g for £1.59)

Method:

• Pre-heat your pan on your camping stove to a medium heat and spritz with Fry Light baking spray
• Place one tortilla wrap in the pan and ‘toast’ until one side is lightly golden. Rotate for even colouration
• Flip your tortilla over and spread with a generous covering of pasta sauce. (Pesto works great, too!)
• Sprinkle with grated cheddar and  some bite-sized pieces of mozzarella
• Top with pepperoni (I cut my pieces in half for extra coverage and less fat)
• Cover your pan with a loose sheet of bacofoil to retain the heat and leave until cheese has melted
• Serve quickly

Cost per pizza – £1.18

 BBQ’d Chocolate Bananas

Ingredients:

• Morrisons bananas (5 for £1)
• Cadbury Dairy Milk (200g for £1.99)

Method:

• Slit your banana length-ways to create a ‘pocket’ in which to add your chocolate
• Fill with 3 or 4 squares of Cadbury’s Dairy Millk
• Wrap loosely with a double-sheet of Bacofoil and place on camp barbecue (on low heat / dying ashes)
• Leave for 10-15 minutes or until banana feels soft to squish
• Unwrap and enjoy!

Cost per serving – £0.53 (or £1.06 if you accidentally eat 2 )

Toasted Marshmallows

Camp fire marshmallows need no instructions, but if… if you’ve never tried these little beauties before… just stick some marshmallows on a skewer and gently turn over hot charcoal.

The outside develops a delightful crust, whilst the inside goes all warm and gooey. Be warned, this will drip down your chin. And sweater. And jeans.

But don’t take too long toasting, or they will melt and fall off. And you will be very, very sad

Cost – £1.29 per large bag. 

(I will leave it to your discretion as to whether or not you share!)

Shopping at Morrisons

At Morrisons, it was great to see that nearly all the fresh meat and groceries had a long shelf-life. I am not good at planning my meals ahead and there is nothing more disappointing than opening the fridge to discover something you bought only a day or two earlier has already passed it’s Use By date. Thankfully, we were able to stock up well knowing that when we returned home, we would not need to go shopping once again.

I also told the kiddos they could chose one treat each if they were good. I honestly expected them to run to the sweets aisle, instead, Lauren grabbed a bag of sweet clementines and Thomas some Scooby Doo pasta. I consider that a WIN!

Did you all have a great bank holiday weekend? What did you get up to? Enquiring minds want to know

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary shopping vouchers in order to share my #MorrisonsMum experience. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Many thanks to BritMums and Morrisons for reaching out to me to share with my readers!

~ Natalie

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My entire adult life, I have vowed NEVER to wear a pair of Crocs.

The crayon-box palette of colours and the shapeless ‘design’ of the infamous clog style was enough to put me off. Not even claims of how incredibly comfy they are was enough to convince me.

Until I discovered a love of camping and the Crocs beach line boat shoe! 

As newcomers to the camping scene, I’ve learned there are a few essentials needed when packing. One being good footwear. Whilst I’m all in favour of packing an entire wardrobe with multiple shoe choices, this is not practical – nor is there space in our car for another darn thing!

When it comes to camping footwear, you will need:

• shoes you can slip on and off quickly when going in/out of your tent. You don’t want to be making the inside all wet and dirty.
• shoes that are lightweight and comfy when putting up / taking down the tent, exploring the campsite or making that 2am dash to the bathroom!
• shoes that are waterproof against damp early-morning grass

It’s so much more convenient if you can find one pair that does it all. And look good. Just because I am camping, it doesn’t mean I want to look like I live in a field

I know, they don’t even look like Crocs, right?!

Unlike regular Crocs, these are far more of a fitted style. And yes, they are super-comfy just as everyone always says!

The pair I chose are in the espresso / stucco colourway, but if you truly are a devoted Crocs fan, you’ll be pleased to know that they are also available in a rainbow of other colours.

Whilst I don’t think I will be wearing these outside of my camping trips, I am very pleased with them. And at £39.99, they didn’t break the bank either.

What do you think of them?

~ Natalie

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With a new school term now just days away (how did that happen?!), we were keen to squeeze in as much as possible into these last few precious days of the summer holiday.

Along with 2 other families, we booked a fun weekend away at Norden Farm Campsite in Dorset – just a 45 minute drive from our home – and it was the perfect end to a perfect summer!

On Saturday, we explored the local country footpaths and took a beautiful walk from the campsite right up to Corfe Castle. Or rather, the remains of Corfe Castle!

I’ve driven past this landmark so many times and until now, have never once visited…

Dotted along the pathway walk were are these great signposts which the children loved finding and reading.

I always thought Corfe Castle was just a pile of old ruins, and whilst it pretty much is it was great fun walking all around and exploring.

On entrance, children are offered a free quiz booklet for which the answers can be found on shields hidden all around the castle, along with brass rubbings to complete. Once finished, they are proudly presented with medals for conquering the Corfe Castle quest!

It was a beautiful clear day and from the top you could see for miles!

Thomas especially loved the castle. Last term, his Yr. 1 class studied castles and knights and he was so proud to be able to name all the different castle parts: the turrets, the moat, the battlements, the keep and the portcullis. Yep, this 6 yr old sure put me to shame!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Norden Farm campsite, although sadly, I didn’t get chance to take any photos whilst there. Sorry! So, next time you are looking for a great family get-away, think Dorset! And yes, we will be coming back again next year. Photos to follow! See you then?

~ Natalie

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Last weekend, we took the children on our first family camping trip – that was outside of our own back garden.

We camped at Meadow View Camp Site in Horton, Dorset and as soon as we arrived, we knew we had picked a good location. The staff were friendly and welcoming, the pitches were spacious and the facilities were clean and close by. I tell you, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief!

I was super-impressed with Hubby putting the tent up all by himself…

Of course, the children wanted to go wander and explore, so we took a little walk around the site.

In the adjoining field we discovered these bizarre looking silver caravans. I later learned are called ‘Silver Bullets’.

I think they look more like baked bean tins

Wow, don’t they sparkle in the sunshine!

Meadow View also has a small fishing lake surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. Perfect for a brief afternoon walk…

… and Thomas quickly spotted this tractor belonging to a farmer in a neighbouring field.

I am far more of your ‘glamping’ rather than camping kinda girl, so good facilities were essential. Thankfully, we were not disappointed.

In the ladies, there were 2 generous-sized private shower cubicles, toilets, a hair dryer and of course, wash basins. Round the back of the building were sinks for washing dishes. All very clean and tidy. There were a couple of blocks like this and never any queues whilst we were there.

The kiddos wanted some onesie’s for our camping trip, and I’m glad we got them. They were perfect for keeping them warm and snug at night-time and for the early morning dash to the bathroom!

Thomas chose a camouflage onesie and had so much fun playing hide and seek. Can you spot him?

No camping trip would be complete without s’mores! Delicious toasted marshmallows sandwiched between chocolate crackers. The perfect end to our evenings.

Oh… and we saw our first EVER shooting stars!

3 of them! It was incredible!

So there… we survived our first camping trip. We had such a fantastic time.

And we only forgot our pillows. And matches. And kettle for morning tea.

Do you go camping?

What is on your list of essentials that you must not forget?!

~ Natalie

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