First Steam Rally....
 

I will be attending my first steam rally where we're camping soon. Not only first for camping, but also the first time we're camping with a very young steam apprentice in tow (she'll be 5 months old). I know there are some of you who have been camping with kids at steam rallies for years, so what advice can you give to a newbie for their first rally? Is there that one item that I'll forget to bring?

Looking forward to reading your replies!

Lisa

Baby wipes and loo roll.

(That's what Vicky packs for me).

Great question! My son will be 9 months at Dorset this year so it'll be a first for us as he hasn't been to any others yet!

If this year so far is anything to go by, a decent coat, umberella and wellington boots....

Ear plugs

and supersize Terry nappies ( from what I have heard ;))

Don't worry what ever you need Seddon and Black will be stocking by then !

I guess remembering to: 1, bring the baby, 2, bring the tent, must be right up there with things to remember ! LOL

A bottle of "Southern Comfort" to help your baby to sleep. I used that on my Granddaughter when she was a baby, it worked evry time. I use to put my finger in a glass of SC and give it to her to suck. She used to drop off quickly and then I could drink the remaining SC before I too dropped off! Granddaughter is now 13, lives with myself and my wife and is a Steam Apprentice at the Robey Trust in Tavistock! Incidentally, she now hates alchohol!

We're taking our 3 month old to Cerney, so Granddad's been kicked out of his Caravan and relegated to the living van. I think he'll have more fun there anyway.

I think we'll be running a creche tent at Cerney then by the sounds of it!

thats probably not a bad idea... i know of several engine families that have expanded this year and rallying takes on another angle with very young children, this will be our 2nd with edward but i think mum and edd will only stay during the day, i'm on my own at night!

We will be camping at Cerney and also possibly Dorset. Maybe "Lisa's Travelling Creche" may need to open. Even if its just for those with engines.

Any other first timers going to Cerney?

Have a look at this thread on another message board - exactly the the same question - but at a music festival.

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/i...?topic=39268.0

So that's what happens when the weathers bad u all have babies ! well that's the next generation of engine men and woman sorted well done , but I think I'll bring my ear plugs just in case lol

Thanks for all the hints and tips! We survived South Cerney!! Emily didn't seemed phased at all and the only "casualty" of the event was that our nice red pushchair now seems to have little black dots all over it (can't imagine what they are :-)).
We even managed to get some babysitters so that I could have a little go on a couple of engines.
Looking forward to going to Dorset, but just as "punters".

Recently took my 14-month old for his first "steam experience" at the big show at Rushville, Indiana. He's quite a bit more laid-back than his older brother (6 yrs old) was/is....at a younger age, steam whistles used to scare him absolutely to death...still do! The little-bitty fellow wasn't a bit phased by them, even during the afternoon parade ("you got a whistle?" was the question everyone going thru was asked:( )....but the 6 yr old is STILL frightened, and I had to take him out to the flea market to look at stuff until the parade was over...