THE first camping trip of the year to the Forest of Dean with three other families had its highs and lows.

A three-hour canoe trip in glorious sunshine down the river Wye was a definite high, although it didn't take long for the men and boys in the party to try to re-enact a scene from Ben Hur. "Ramming speed," they shouted as we chased after our friends in another canoe.

A welcome stop at a conveniently positioned pub on route gave my oar arm a rest and then it was on to face the "rapids". Okay, we're not talking The River Wild here, but they were bumpy enough to get us all soaked and shouting for more.

For some reason my daughter felt that it would enhance her enjoyment if she fell in and regularly shouted: "Let's capsize the boat". We didn't, but a few people felt like pushing her in just to keep her quiet.

Now getting wet in a boat is one thing but getting wet on a campsite is something completely different.

The rain started at about 4am on Sunday and didn't stop. Luckily our tent held up well but one of our friend's already had a failing groundsheet and they woke up to find the beginnings of a stream flowing through their bedroom.

This was only the second time that these seasoned campers had been forced to abandon camp and emotions were running high. They are now in the market for a new tent and their old ground sheet is going to be put to good use as a weed suppresser on their allotment.

Breaking camp in the pouring rain does not make for a happy camper and the only thing that kept me going was the thought of a hot bath on my return home.

Would I do it again? Like a shot. The children are already planning the next trip.