Well. as it's Father's day I hope to be forgiven.....for spending lots on my credit card! just gone and bought a 5 metre bell tent....and inner....and canvas tarp/awning/porch. I just couldn't help myself. I've been looking at larger tunnel tents the past few weeks in the hope of finding something I fancy that would be more suitable than my "5 man with no space for a family of 6 North Face Bedrock 55 with two broken and now slightly shortened pole sections".
When we camped last month I had a problem with my North Face erection when a pole snapped and we ended up with me and my young lad in a 2 man tent, my wife and one daughter in the 'bus, and my two other daughters in a friend's tent. And really the north Face tent was never big enough for the six of us. In my search for something else I started reading about other options and got smacked in the face by the canvas bell tents....get it up in 10 minutes with just one rigid pole, compared with faffing around for ages with threading poles through sleeves. A lovely high roof. Facility to fit a flue for a small wood stove. I just couldn't stop myself pressing that button!
But as it's Father's day, I think I may get off lightly
Lucky you...I've just won an old cooking stove for £7.95 on Ebay. If like you, I'd had a rush of blood to the head and clicked the button for close on 600 quid she'd nip off my extremeties. Mind you those bell tents are likely to outlive yourself and become a family heirloom...Excellent buy.
I'm still alive at the moment...but I haven't disclosed the total cost, only that it's a few quid per month on my card that I'll be paying off in full shortly (I hope!). Makes up for not getting a toblerone - but I did get After Eights, and a couple of T-shirts, and a pair of sunnies, and some lovely cards from the kids. And we don't go out boozing and so on...and I have been working REALLY REALLY hard. And my wife and kids love the idea of the bell tent, and it is for the family - not a selfish purchase of sometihng just for me. And as you said, Mr Safeway, it should last well and it'll be used for many years to come.
East36 and Angie, you can find plenty of pics on www.belltent.co.uk - it's the 5 metre deluxe with sewn in groundsheet - I like the idea of loose groundsheet, but with 6 of us sleeping in it I thought the SIG might be better as it makes the living area where me and Mrs M will sleep just a bit cosier. When I've got it then I'll put it up and take some pics with the family - probably take it out for a picnic next weekend if the weather is fair.
I did look at getting the tent from www.canvasandcast.co.uk but I didn't see a 5m one on their web site, and they're all out of stock at the moment. And I also thought about buying from Obelink in Holland, but by the time postage is added on it didn't really work out much cheaper. Also, unless there are huge savings to be made then I prefer to buy from someone here in the UK - I'm the UK supplier of a non-camping related product (Unifilter air filters from Australia) and know what a struggle it is to try and make any profit by the time the government gets their share, so I understand why a small UK firm would charge perhaps £30 more than a massive Dutch firm. However...I'm now thinking £30 will pay for an Indian takeaway tonight!
Riadawes, thanks for the "happy Fathers' day" wishes! I can think of a lot worse things to spend hard earned money on, and I agree - it's money well spent. All the clothes we buy are clothes on sale, we shop as much as poss in Lidl and any extras tend to be offer items from local Coop and farm shop, and with money the way it is and so many kids, it seems camping is going to be a regular activity now, as opposed to holidays in the sun. So we'll make the most of it.
Angie, I will get proper pictures up, I promise. The tent will be up next weekend in a field near me, and I promise that pictures will be taken. Out of interest...have you noticed if Obelink have increased the price of the Sahara 500 tent? It seems to be close to what Belltents.co.uk are charging now, and I read that last year the Obelink ones were much cheaper.
Thanks all for helping me feel less naughty about spending my money!
That is a truly beautiful piece of kit - I would have to have the tealight chandelier though. Am looking forward to seeing your photo's of it in the flesh (so to speak!)
Quote: Originally posted by petemillis on 21/6/2009
Thanks all for helping me feel less naughty about spending my money!
Pete
You are very welcome :)
I adore bell tents. OH seems to think he needs to wear a clowns suit but I am working on him and everytime we are in De Vrijbuiter or Obelink I work a little more.
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: I`ve done it now - but it`s Father`s day!
! I think it looks the bees knees, can't wait to see the pics 
