Kids first night in hammocks :D

[Roadkillphil]

As the title suggests I took the kids out for a spin in the hammocks. I was indecisive on where to go and what to take, but minimal kit was obviously the priority, seeing as I'd be carrying most of it :D


Here's the gear...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7188342930_7f45a6c380.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188342930/)
Overnight kit, 1 adult, 2kids (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188342930/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

I decided on my MSR Dragonfly for cooking on and just one of the pans from the exped cookset. Two tarps, dossbags, mats and spare clothes for they and I'd be in my bivi bag on a thermarest on the floor.

Here's how we split the kit....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7188342956_374d4cebe7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188342956/)
Even load distribution? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188342956/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

Sooo, this is where we went

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7188343054_9a55c03541.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343054/)
Be ansum here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343054/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

We followed the Devonport Leat and went exploring. We heard a cuckoo and green woodpeckers, seen a couple of deer and loads more wildlife, but no other people :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7188343064_09a981ce47.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343064/)
Devonport Leat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343064/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7188343090_e2ed9ff8eb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343090/)
Walkin the Leat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343090/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7188343102_0e357c8703.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343102/)
Stump (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188343102/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5034/7188405224_8e1650dafa.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405224/)
Pony n foal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405224/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/7188405234_11b3b0d875.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405234/)
Queen of the castle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405234/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7188405246_6cf4372412.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405246/)
Deer prints (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405246/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

We found a nice quiet spot tucked out of the way and set up camp

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7188405396_81c9cf1fe2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405396/)
Kids n woods (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405396/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7188405382_59228406f4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405382/)
Testing the hammuks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405382/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7188405738_0a52938511.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405738/)
Camp (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188405738/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

Then got on with makin tea as they pair were starving

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7188450618_bda35edfdd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188450618/)
yummedy yummedy yum (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188450618/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7188451058_dfa3a470d5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451058/)
ansum tea (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451058/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

Then had some hot choc and got the marshmallows roastin!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7188451080_7ffbeac2a6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451080/)
Yummy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451080/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/7188451174_80c6e452ff.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451174/)
Hot Cho n mallows (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451174/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

As the sun went down and after much fidgeting and messin about they got comfy and settled down for the night.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7188451564_48803a5a7f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451564/)
Jawa Kid (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451564/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/7188451572_742da66ba5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451572/)
Kipping (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188451572/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

And I slept here, by the fire on the floor :)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7188530464_3a9ae55fd2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530464/)
bedside view (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530464/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

Had a couple of panic pee wake up calls in the middle of the night bless them! :D got those sorted and they slept like babies else.
I got up after a nice lie in watching and listening as dawn broke. Then went down to the river to collect some water while they still slept. I got greeted by this ansum sight :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7188530470_463b7d8c32.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530470/)
morrrrnin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530470/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

So I got everything packed away apart from their hammocks and they were still kipping bless them!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7188530750_79fe2ed35e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530750/)
Still sleeping (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530750/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7188530766_181c16e598.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530766/)
Glade (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530766/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/7188530782_eaea4e6b1d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530782/)
ahhhh so cute (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188530782/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

At about 08;30 I woke them up and got some beans on the go. Packed up proper while they ate and then took a nice easy stroll back to the van.
They had a wonderful time and were totally stoked about seeing the deer and finding tracks n hair.

I am over the moon myself and reckon I can downsize the kit for future trips, of which I'm really looking forward to.

Thanks for looking

Phil

[AL...]

Have ye ever seen happier lookin little uns?
That was some adventure for them and something they are gonna be tellin all there mates all about .
Thanks for sharing Phil
Cheers
AL

[Ben Casey]

Thats really cool Phil T^

[Fletching]

Will you take me next time? Please! I like choc 'n' mallows too!

:)

[Silverback]

T^

if only my lads first night had gone so well...to be fair he was spooked by a random woman that emerged out of the twilight gloom stood watching us for 5 mins then waved and disappeared, oh and it rained, hailed, sleeted and was cold

[Terry]

I did almost the same thing with two of my grandchildren last weekend, i took them out for the day under my tarp with biscuits and hot choc for drinks, and a lesson with penknife and feather sticks. great fun. and keep it going.

[Tony1948]

Good to see the little uns enjoying the trip out with Dad:camping:

[GwersyllaCnau]

They look like they had a great time and you were lucky with the weather. Great pics, looks a wonderful location.

[Roadkillphil]

Thanks for the comments guys :D


Will you take me next time? Please! I like choc 'n' mallows too!

:)

Mebbe.... but only if you can do Jawa eyes like Erin in the night time hammock pic ;) Utaydiiii!!!!!! :p

[Kernowek Scouser]

Looks like you all had a grand little adventure, ansum :D

[Roadkillphil]

I thought I'd break down the kit for anyone interested too... so here goes... :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7188342930_7f45a6c380.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188342930/)
Overnight kit, 1 adult, 2kids (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/7188342930/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

Resting against the chair on the left is a North Face Badlands 85+15 rucsac. This badboy has been all over the world with me, Nepal, Kenya, the Balkans and all over Europe. It's heavy duty, but it's taken a lot of flak and not one single part of it has failed yet. I've had it since 1998.

On the chair, back row is our 3 sleeping bags.
Next row, 2 x 3/4 length thermarests for the kids (even deflated, great insulation in the hammock), My Bivi bag, A DD scout hammock and a DD travel hammock.
Front row DD Tarp, DD tarp MC and my Thermarest Prolite Plus (first use this trip... Bleddy ansum bit o kit!)

On the floor then, back row. The kids Gelert Koala 10L backpacks (Lightweight, great fit, cheap as chips). Each containing a poundshop sit mat, a headtorch, water bottle, gloves, hat, shemagh (half of one each), packaway poncho, whistle, lip balm and a pack lunch. Next, in the red drybag, My DPM fleece, my fleece gillet and spare clothes for the kids. Orange drybag, my shemagh, barbour wool fingerless gloves and a verrrrry nice hat :) . Yellow drybag, a jumper for each of us. Next, two slim 600ml waterbottles, Millbankbag and 2L Source collapsable bottle for pre boiled water collection. My sitmat, headtorch and washkit.

Front row. fooood, comprising of a pack lunch each, 2 tins of beans, 3 in 1 coffee sachets, hotchocolate sachets, tub of raisins, 2 packs of mini cookies, tub of marshmallows (don't wanna crushem!), granola bars, Pasta (kids), Spicy Lentil Dahl (me) and some hot crossed buns.
Cook kit, comprising of MSR Dragonfly multifuel stove (as per the rucsac...been everywhere since 1998, can't kill it), 1 pan from the MSR Exped cookset, panhandle and scourer. Krab mugs, spoons.
Then my folding saw, Svord peasant knife, fire steel, maya stick, blueflame lighter, Petzel e-lite and a cheapass emergency poncho.

I accidentally left my Peasant knife, firesteel, E-Lite and blueflame in the van and also totally forgot my issue tin opener. However.... I Always carry a Taylors Eyewitness folding pruning knife in my pocket and this is perfect for opening tins and doing all other camp tasks. For fire, I used the cheapo lighter that resides in my MSR Dragonfly kit. A good lesson in that minimal and cheap also work.

Cheers

Phil

[GwersyllaCnau]

Thanks for the comments guys :D



Mebbe.... but only if you can do Jawa eyes like Erin in the night time hammock pic ;) Utaydiiii!!!!!! :p


Have Jawa eyes.... can I come too now PLLLEEEASSSSEE???

[RobbC]

Looks like you had a fantastic time! Im glad their first night went that well :)

Some ansum pics you got too :D

[Hushwing]

Totally sound.
Building up to a camping trip with the wee man but our first pitching of the tent this year (in the wildlands of the back garden!) has been slightly stymied by the fact it blew a hoolly all day here and the tent was blown over and inside out(-ish) so soaking wet. That'll teach him to have a better, tighter hold on the tent next time he has to hold it all day (only joking on this last bit)!

[El]

Great pics.you guys look like you had a wonderful time !T^

[Thumbcrusher]

Looks like good fun had by all! Thanks for sharingT^

[Richie]

Nice one Phil. At the start of the thread I thought you may have taken 6 kids at least!

Can't wait to get my 2 rugrats out again soon (they have a much bigger pack, perhaps that's why they're not as keen for another trip?).

[Basha72]

It's a great thing taking the kids camping, I took mine to the 2nd RV, both of them were ground dwellers, the lad now likes to hang while my daughter likes the refinements of her tent ! Looking forward to taking them out again soon, I always end up taking way too much kit when I have the kids for the just in case factor

Glad your kids enjoyed the joys of the great outdoors

Dave

[Roadkillphil]

Just looked back on this thread, thanks guys for your comments :)