Mum’s the word: Camping capers

I am trapped in a tent surrounded by eight Barbies and enough Sylvanian bunnies to give Watership Down a run for its money.

Miss Six loves to camp and I agreed to take her for one night; I just hadn’t anticipated so many guests.

We are all packed and ready to go when she materialises with two bags. I spy Ken in his evening suit on top a pile of dolls in one. The toy bunnies and what looks like all their worldly possessions have been squished into another. The tent sleeps six. I’m not ashamed to say I’m quite scared.

‘‘They’re so excited to be going on holiday,’’ Miss Six tells me with a smile.

I feel like the von Trapp family on vacation as we drive to the beach, with one of the Barbies hanging her head out of the car window as Miss Six treats passers by to a rendition of a song she’s made up herself.

We arrive and Miss Six immediately assembles her plastic entourage and checks they are okay after the trip. The tent is barely in place before she hustles them all in and sits them down on an air bed.

‘‘Yes,’’ she tells me, they’ll be comfy here.’’

I break it to Miss Six that there’s no way the Barbies will be sharing the bed with us and she hustles them away for a confab in the corner. There are a few dirty looks cast my way before she lays them all down in a row ‘‘for a rest.’’ Phew.

I look at Ken in his tuxedo and feel he is somewhat over dressed for the occasion. Miss Six makes him sleep on his own as ‘‘he snores.’’ Poor Ken.

Revitalised after their snooze, the bunnies, Barbies and Ken all come down to the beach and spend a couple of hours with Miss Six playing in the sand and paddling. The sea breeze has done nothing for their hairdos and she starts to cluck.

Back in the tent the doll brush is given a good work out as Miss Six tends to their tresses with a vim and vigour that has me wincing. Ken escapes as his hair is plastic and he gets a spruce up with a tea towel instead.

Finally satisfied with her work all the dolls are tucked in for the night.

‘‘Night, night Barbies. Sleep tight.’’

Taking Miss Six camping saw several uninvited guests tag along.