Fairly new member, recently widowed and some 60+ I bought my tent in February and at last got away last week to try it all out.
With all the help and advice from this site I was delighted that it all worked so well, and that everything I had bought was right. (Except perhaps my folding chair which did prove to be a bit uncomfortable.
Being on my own (plus dog) I was worried as to how I would cope but fortunately I grabbed those marvellous few days of sunshine last week and headed for Acorn site in Llantwit Major and couldn't have asked for a better site. My only problem was realising that physically it aggravated all my aches and pains in just putting the tent up and crawling around pegging down!
I must say I am full of admiration for anyone who has more than one person in the car! I don't think there was a corner to spare once everything was packed in.
All the gear stowed away now and roll on next season.
Thanks again to you all out there for all the help and advise.
Glad you enjoyed the experience Di, i to am new to camping and have also found this site a massive help when i was looking for equipment and suitable campsites.
Maybe the site warden would help you pitch next time (worth asking)
If all else fails you could train your dog to peg your tent down - just a thought!!!
Would one of those little fold up stools help with pitching. You'd have to move it around, but it's easy enough, and you wouldn't be squatting or trying to hold a bending position. I use one for painting skirtings etc. much easier.
------------- What light? I'm still looking for the tunnel.
Lovely thought about the dog Reemo! This was his first time camping too and I was really pleased with him. Took his crate for travelling and his floppy bed for sleeping and he was really good. Grumbled a bit when he heard a noise but nothing serious.
Lots of thoughts on bedding arrangements in various threads but not many on chairs. Have osteoporos so need to be comfortable in sitting. Can anyone recommend a comfortable chair?
Good idea on the folding stool for pegging down - I'll try that next, thanks Bushey5
Di it might be worth looking in the better quality fishing equipment stores for a suitable chair. My son swears by his, and it folds down to a bed thats comfortable to sleep on, not like the usual camp beds. It's strong and supportive, with an adjustable back. I can't remember the make, but it was an expensive one and he uses it for camping too. He doesn't have any physical needs though.
Have a look here www.bosfish.co.uk Daiwa chair. Also on www.Amazon.co.uk where there's a range if you look for 'fishing chair' in sports and leisure. Check they convert to a bed if that appeals to you.
------------- What light? I'm still looking for the tunnel.
I take it Scruff is your name, so what is the dog called?
I too am 60+ but with a few bits of metalwork around the knees and heart so there are some aspects of the outdoor life that is a little more difficult than it was in me teens!!!!
If the O/H is away on holiday or busy elsewhere and there is a UKCS Meet on in the area, me and the dog head for that.
Always good company and good crack. So get yourself along to one and put some faces to the names you read here.
If you are feeling a bit adventurous next year and head north, when you get to Loch Lomond, turn left and we are 15 miles away. There are no campsites in our area but there are plenty of them around the Loch and there are plenty of UKCS Members who will meet up with you.
Would like to think I could be that adventurous to head that far north next year, LobeyDosser!
Probably would try it if I had your outfit. Have still got an ancient caravan but not the confidence to tow it any more (Especially that distance). Still you never know!
Bushey 5 Do you think these are the same as in the Argos catalogue? I wondered about the weight - pretty hefty?
Hi scruffandco. Yes as we reach the mature time of life these things are sent to us to remind us to get on with life.Sorry for your loss. But now you have started the quicker you will get Val and I can now set up our full camp in 6.5 hours and we are still trying to improve on that by having less rests,we have cut the rest periods down to about 20 now, next pitch we shall try for 19 and a whisky .
Glad you had a good first camp and I hope you enjoy many more.
All the best
Rex.
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
I have a bad back and various joint problems and found the chairs we first got uncomfortable after a while so this year I tried every chair I could when we went round camping shops and the best fold up one I found was the Outwell Armchair Deluxe from Go Outdoors. It gives really great lumbar support and for the money is loads better than many of the more expensive ones.
Di, not sure re Argos, all you can do is compare weights and spec of each chair till something seems right for you. Just thought that type might be what you're looking for. Some were aluminium, so should be light, and more adjustable than usual camping chairs. Advantage re Argos is that you can take it home and try it out, if it doesn't suit return it and get your money back easily. Hope you find the right one.
------------- What light? I'm still looking for the tunnel.
Thanks for all your advice. I must say I'm feeling quite chuffed Rex as I managed to set up camp in two hours. Practised in the garden so I'm sure that helped.
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Topic: Made it at last
