Quote: Originally posted by FriendOfOwls on 07/8/2011
Before we bought our tent, a very good bit of advice was given to us by the salesperson who guided us through the various tents on offer. Don't be tempted to buy a huge, heavy tent with steel poles just because you like the look of it pitched. You have to transport it, pitch it, take it down in rain and dry it out. Buy the tent that is the right size, weight and ease of pitching for you and your car. Perfick!
FoO
___________________________________________
Oh Dear, I have just bought a huge, heavy tent with steel poles that was love at first sight, she is large, heavy and after practising 3 times still impossible to pitch solo, however, once she is up I absolutely love her beauty and I never want to leave her lovely space, Perfick
Hehe, if she works for you, then definitely perfick, cazz!
I was the same with mine... a little big for our needs, and I don't think I could pitch her by myself, and she fills one side of the back seat of the car but oh what a tent! We forced ourselves to go round and round the showground looking at others, and still came back to our baby!
Love is love, and that's that!
When you want to go solo camping, you can buy another tent! Any excuse is a good one!
I think it's not bad advice for newbies, though. The first tent we bought as a couple was really too heavy. It was like a marquee!
Yes, I had to make an exception for LilacLizzy, FoO, as she was my dream tent but I do have a couple of Vangos I can sling up in the dark, and have just been on a camping trip this weekend to pick up a smaller, more manageable purple canvas for solo camping.
Quote: Originally posted by FriendOfOwls on 07/8/2011
Quote: Originally posted by sallygeewizz on 07/8/2011
At the last camping trip one of the things that were packed last into the car (including the tent) was a small cool bag with a few bottles of frozen beer. By the time we got to the site they were perfect temp, and made the whole striking camp a whole lot enjoyable and tolerable of the the kids wanting to help/hinder the whole process.
Oooh, Sallygeewizz, I LIKE IT!
(Don't the bottles burst as they defrost? I had a lager bottle that did that once. )
FoO
The freezing/boiling point of liquids are altered by the amount of preasure its under. So a bottle of beer may be below freezing point but not frozen untill that is you open said bottle then it ices up because the preasure has been equalised. We put bottles/cans in the freezer for an hour or so, usually the last shopping trip before packing the car, then whack in a cool box with anything else we are planning on taking i.e. milk that would go off before we get back, half packs of bacon or sausages, yoghurts, cheese, philly etc. then put it next to the tent in the back, and off we go. the last time it was a good 3 hour drive to the site so may not do it for our next trip, only half an hour away...
------------- Motherhood - it dont get easier, it just gets different.
I would like to thank all the posters to this thread these little gems will be put into practice this week at bakewell. They have certainly opened my eyes and i hope they prove helpful to other campers. Once again thank you all as this was my first post, your positive and friendly answers will keep me posting!
When we were children, my late father always told us "leave nothing behind but your thanks" and made us walk round our pitch picking up everything from missed tent pegs to other folks litter. Nearly 60 years later, I still do it!
Never, Never, monitor the weather for the week before you depart, it always turns out to be wrong, we never look at it anymore but just pack and go regardless, I can honestly say we have had more good weather than bad, despite all the forecasts, you must remember we are an island, and the weather changes daily, the only extra's you need to pack are boots/wellies + waterproof top, if you have set your date, just go!!!
I have lost count of the top tips and advice gained from this site, it's invaluable & kept me sane, organised and having fun camping.
My tip is to know what you want from a site, then compare it too the reviews and even them a bad review doesn't make for a bad site, and vice versa. Always read between the lines of other peoples opinions, as camping is very much a personal choice.
My tip is the wardens are there to help and advise, so don't be shy ASK.
------------- Smile - There is no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothing.
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: Best camping advice?
)
