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Reading the thread about camping exhibitions in Cheshire whetted my appetite and drove me along to the nearest tent display this morning, at Burton Nurseries on the Chester High Road. Had a browse but didn't see anything that grabbed me, so went into the shop to buy a little folding table (as you do...). Chatted to the woman on the till about my need tor a tent I could pitch myself and be able to stand up in, and she recommended the Vango Tigris 400, which she used herself. I hadn't seen it in the outdoor display because it was tucked away into a corner, so I went back, had a good look, went home, dithered - and went back after lunch to buy it. Paid £159.99 which seemed like good value, after fishing around a bit online for options and reading the UKCS reviews - wonderfully useful facility, that!

Am going to have a practice pitch in the next day or two - hoping the breeze settles a bit for my first attempt! - but she assured me it was straightforward. It'll be a very tight squeeze putting it up in my garden; much better in my daughter's. She and family will no doubt get as much use out of it as me, in due course. It'll seem like an absolute palace after my trusty old Peakland Monsall - but oh, the bliss of being able to stand and stretch and have somewhere comfortable to sit when the weather's iffy, and in the evenings! Going to Rynys for a few days soon hope to give it its first outing then.

Been thinking of getting a new tent also.  Let me know how you get on.  I'd like to have a tent that I can put up on my own and give me and the dog somewhere to chill.  I'm on a budget, had been looking at a Gelert Atlantis 4 but not sure if I will be able to do the poles etc. on my own.  Well, enjoy your tent x..

I know how you feel - it's very exciting.

Hope you have lots of happy camping trips away in your new tent.

Hey! Congrats!! Great feeling.......so excited for you!

We went with our friends to the Yeomanns exhibition at Blakemere today and they ended up getting the Outwell Vermont XL, footprint and carpet. And as my mate has an iphone she was able to get match prices on it all! £699 for the tent and £120 for footprint and carpet! Even though it wasn't my money (or my tent sadly!) it was still very exciting and am so very jealous. But we have 2 Outwells and they blamed us for them 'having' to buy an Outwell as they like ours.

Enjoy many camping sessions in your  new tent...

Thanks for your good wishes, folks! Outwell prices are way out of my reach, and I fancy pitching one alone would be beyond me, even if I could afford it.

I'm 5' 2" so am reassured, mantrachant! Lovely little tent? It's massive compared with what I've been using, I will feel very spoilt in it.

Bonnie, I've been putting up a dome on my own for ages, which involves a lot of runnng around when the pins keep popping out. The woman in the shop explained that if I pinned the back end of the Tigris down, then inserted the three poles while it was laid flat and then grabbed the guys at the front (ouch, that sounds well dodgy!) and pulled the lot upright, it would work. Presumably once you've done that you have to whizz round hammering in pegs sharpish. Practice makes perfect I guess. There would be room for a Great Dane or two to relax in this living area, which is light. The Tigris has an 'eyebrow' porch over the side door, to help keep rain out. I notice the Atlantis doesn't have that - worth bearing in mind, if weather is iffy.

Should buy a footprint asap - need to treat this tent right, as it will be shared with daughter and family, and I want it to last a long time!