Sorry it took me a while to reply, I had to find all the camping stuff words in English. [img]smile.gif[/img] Forgive me if I don't have the proper word sometimes ...
I guess your camping won't be the same as mine altogether - here in Europe, it's becoming almost impossible to camp outside of a regular camping place - every piece of land is owned by someone, so wild camping near a water place is near impossible anymore ...
Whatever you do, camp near water.
If it's comfy camping you do, here's what I recommend for sleeping stuff :
A tent, one place bigger than the number of people who sleep in, if you don't want to feel like sardines in there. Make sure it opens on BOTH sides for aeration (most tents open only on one side, you'll have to hunt a bit), and that the inside part is NOT in a fabric that doesn't breathe (treated cotton is good). This is important if you don't want to wake up in the morning feeling all stuffy. Make sure it has a large awning, so you can huddle under it when it rains.
For sleeping stuff, I have made a number of tries, and this is what I do (although the camping purists will yell at me, saying that I've lost the spirit of camping
) :
First you put what my dictionary says is a "rest easy pad" on the floor, this is essential to keep away the wetness coming up from the earth. They are not very expensive, get good ones, they really make a difference.
Then put on top of that a cushion thing intended for garden furniture (
This is what I mean), it makes a fine mattress.
I prefer sleeping with a standard under-sheet, a regular quilt and regular pillows than in sleeping bags - they are much comfier, if you have enough room in your car. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Then, you'll need a big container for water. Avoid plastic - it gives a bad taste to water. [img]smile.gif[/img]
You'll need cooking implements - and a gas stove (is it the right word ?) (I recommend you buy a camping gas stove with 2 fires - like
this one.
You'll possibly need a table and 3 chairs. I like
this kind of table because it stays as flat as possible on uneven ground, and it takes very few room when folded. [img]smile.gif[/img] You'll need a big cooler too, to put fragile food in it (fruits, drinks, butter, ...).
You'll need lamps - a big one for your camp (gas or oil) and at least a small electric one to move around at night and possibly to read in the tent.
Don't forget small but useful stuff - like a knife, scissors, matches, rope (lots of [img]smile.gif[/img] ), and clothes pegs (lots of too [img]smile.gif[/img] ). And safety pins. Bring plastic boxes too.
Bring basic foodstuff like sugar, salt, pepper, tea/coffee/chocolate/cereals for breakfast.
Bring a small pharmacy box - don't forget to put cream for bug bites in it. [img]smile.gif[/img] Take also at least pills against headaches, pills against stomachaches, a cream for sprains and bandages, ... Bring insect repellents too - both to runb on your ankles at sunset, and a spray to get the bugs out of your tent at night (spray inside the tent, then close the mosquito net while leaving the tent door open, a while before going to sleep. [img]smile.gif[/img] ).
That's for camping in tame lands, as we have in Europe anyway - I don't know a thing about what to bring to keep away dangerous beasts ! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Well, that's all I have in mind for now - if I think of other stuff, I'll post it later. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Oh, and bring books !
[ 05-31-2002, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: Moiraine ]