First camp of the year was 3/4th January at the Red Squirrel in Glencoe.
-10 and a heavy frost overnight, almost had to crack the tent to take it down in the morning. Only a campfire and hot water bottle to keep warm.......oh, and a visit to the Clachaig
------------- Zymocenosilicaphobia-excessive fear of an empty beer glass
' When I die, I will return to seek the moments I did not live by the sea'
Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 30/4/2018
How I miss my Saunders Fellpine.
Why did manufacturers drift away from the sloping ridge? The jetpacker and fellpine were lighter and more wind shedding than many of today's ultralight tents.
Anyway, I have been away in the F10 for one night on a wild camp and a one night sleeping bag test in the cobra so far this year. House hunting this BH so won't be out on a campsite until June. Then at the end of June we will be trying out at least 8 French sites.....can't wait
Good question, Ewen; it seems logical to lower the headroom and reduce the width at the 'foot end' of a tent (some backpacking tunnel tents do this, of course). The downside to the Jetpacker is that the front pole further constricts the already small entrance; offsetting it slightly helps somewhat. No such problems on my MK2 Force Ten, of course; another fine example of a sloping ridge.
Enjoy France - too far for me to contemplate driving with the family from where I live, but the Scottish Highlands and smaller Orkney islands beckon....
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 30/4/2018
Now I won't try and kid myself that looks idyllic, as a tent of that ilk just isn't for me! I like a bit of space and a few home comforts.
...But the setting, I could get used to! Bloody lovely that!
I did have to perform some horizontal gymnastics to take my fleece off!
I like my creature comforts too, but I do like to get back to basics from time to time.
Quote: Originally posted by richardh1905 on 01/5/2018
Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 30/4/2018
How I miss my Saunders Fellpine.
Why did manufacturers drift away from the sloping ridge? The jetpacker and fellpine were lighter and more wind shedding than many of today's ultralight tents.
Anyway, I have been away in the F10 for one night on a wild camp and a one night sleeping bag test in the cobra so far this year. House hunting this BH so won't be out on a campsite until June. Then at the end of June we will be trying out at least 8 French sites.....can't wait
Good question, Ewen; it seems logical to lower the headroom and reduce the width at the 'foot end' of a tent (some backpacking tunnel tents do this, of course). The downside to the Jetpacker is that the front pole further constricts the already small entrance; offsetting it slightly helps somewhat. No such problems on my MK2 Force Ten, of course; another fine example of a sloping ridge.
Enjoy France - too far for me to contemplate driving with the family from where I live, but the Scottish Highlands and smaller Orkney islands beckon....
Saunders did a front A pole. I had one for the Fellpine which was the budget version of the Jetpacker.
Several weeks ago I popped to Hull to pick up a tent I'd won on eBay - an Outwell Birdland 5 plus front extension I wanted for quick getaway/solo/weekend camping.
I'd planned to stop over at Hull in a nearby campsite as the weather forecast was good despite heavy rain all that week. Weather forecast was of course wrong and Hull was miserable, cold, foggy and wet so I set off back home.
Got as far as Ferrybridge and it brightened up and as I came up the A1 it got even better so I pulled in at Wetherby services, got on the phone and booked myself in at a newish site in Bedale. Had a great evening though it was quite muddy. Lovely little campsite. Of course it hammered with rain overnight! Quite a few issues with the tent including a broken pole and a missing roof pole! I hadnt bothered with the extension.
Got home, dried it out, replaced the broken section in the pole, made up a roof pole, shampooed the smelly carpet, washed the filthy bedroom pod.
So 2 weekends ago it was forecast nice and I was fed up. Decided to go to a very local (also new) campsite and check out the tent, mop the inside etc. Got to campsite, didnt fancy it at all so drove straight back out. Quick phone call and managed to get a very lucky last minute pitch at my fave campsite (Craken House Farm at Leyburn)
2 of us this time, sorted the tent, put the extension up etc. Glorious day on the Saturday, rained heavily but briefly on the night. Wet and extremely windy on the Sunday but cleared up in the late afternoon and it was nice on the Monday morning for packing up - dry for a change!
Just come home from my first tenting trip of the year, and what a scorcher it was! Cold at night, around 5C, but gorgeous days at Rynys in North Wales. Went with daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons, who made friends with two other little boys nearby; it was lovely to see them playing happily around the site, up and down the rocks, dabbling in the brook etc. The family dog got a bit twitchy when part of his pack disappeared, but he behaved very well in general. I'll be glad to be in my own bed again though - we'll all sleep well tonight! Plenty more trips to come I hope, but that weather will take a bit of beating.
First trip out over the BH weekend. What a glorious weekend. Spent it in the new forest at Roundhill camping, Slight issue with lack of water for showers and toilets on the sat night but sorted Sunday. Took our Keswick 600 which stood pretty much empty as it was nice so everything was left outside. Consequently came home and bought a Vango Talos 400 for short 1/2 night trips.
Been camping four times this year:
-Easter weekend, 3 nights, with hubby/kids and 3 friends (and their kids). Really rainy and cold, but we had a great time (our other friends were first time campers, so I was a bit worried they'd not enjoy it!). Still, baptism of fire (for them!): our booked campsite was flooded by the time we arrived, so they found us another one; lots of cold weather and rain....and they all enjoyed themselves :D
As kids are at school, we tend to bundle them into car and whizz straight off to campsite for weekends away. Next trip will be half term (end of month), and I can't wait (I'm a big kid myself!)..
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Who has already been this year...
