Camping - FAQ

I know from conversations that I sometimes have that there are people who think we are totally mad to contemplate living in a tent for two weeks - and who see no way that this could be remotely enjoyable and certainly not constitute a holiday. But as the conversation and the questions develop it becomes clear that these same people actually have no idea what camping is really like - in fact they picture the five of us, squashed into a one man tent, out on the moors with no facilities within 10 miles. But having just got back from a brilliant two weeks in Shropshire let me try to whet your appetite...

If you're going to spend two weeks camping you need a big enough tent. We have a Vango Monte Verde 700, which can sleep 7, but we have it set up for 5 (with sleeping compartments at the rear 1/4, living space in the middle 1/2, and kitchen at the front). If you're looking for a recommendation - we think it's great. It takes about 45 mins to a hour to put up with two people, and won't fit into your rucksac!

With three children it is good to be able to keep the kitchen area zipped up, so even if they get up in the night they can't get out of the tent or start fiddling with the cooker.

Talking of kitchens - some of you wonder what we eat for two weeks whilst camping - do you picture us on dried rations or something? We have a two ring gas cooker, and so eat the same sorts of things that we might at home - tuna pasta bake, vegetarian pilau rice, spaghetti bolognese etc - as well as the occasional BBQ or Fish and Chips.

The weather this year was great, but you have to be prepared for bad weather if camping in the UK. The middle section of our tent gives the girls plenty of space to amuse themselves if they can't get outside, and what with the two sleeping compartments it means that they can all be put in separate rooms if necessary! The girls quickly made friends with some of the other children on the site and so it is good that there is also space for them to invite their friends round. And yes - that is a carpet on the floor.

Another great concern is the question of showers and toilets etc. We stayed at a great little campsite called Sythche Caravan and Camping on the edge of Much Wenlock. There were showers and toilets, plus washing up facilities and a small freezer for ice blocks. The staff were friendly and helpful. Would we go back again? Certainly - although we'd probably avoid busy/noisy bank holiday weekends.

So what is there to do in and around Much Wenlock? Loads. I'll write some more on what we did later, but here are a couple more pictures - as you can see dressing up as a Victorian was a recurring theme.