Will have a go John at some point. Am still learning how to actually pitch her myself! I have a love/hate relationship with Lilac Lizzy, I stress about pitching her (but some lovely people always come to my rescue) but once I'm in her serene space I never want to go home again.
Quote: Originally posted by 9iron on 02/1/2012
Nice one Smoky. I can't wait to sit under your porch with a glass of something drinkable in one hand and throw sticks for Ella with the other one
Most of my stuff ended up in the 'living room' as it was very windy and a bit rainy in the nights. I appreciate EHU now although it wasn't that cold, we were very lucky, but I now concede even with EHU it's still real camping, still water to fetch in the cold and sitting round campfires till after midnight avoiding the drips off the canopy,having an electric kettle was a novelty.
I still like the freedom of non EHU pitches and don't have a choice in the Lake District campsite anyway but it was very nice for Ella to curl up in front of the heater.
OK, well I did end up camping new years day and monday. Sunday was full of pitching problems, due to only having half the poles AGAIN!!!!! Don't rember spliting them at Major Bridge Park last time out, but I obviously DID. As I was only about five miles from home, It was no problem going back to collect them. The problem was a late start due to working New Years Eve, so once it was all sorted, it was dark and pooring with rain, so I was cold wet and very tired. Sparked up the Frontier stove, and got a brew going. Get it all sorted tomorrow was my motto. Monday arrived a bit windy but bright sun, so re pegged (Delta Pegs) all the guys whilst fitting my new line loks, (thank God I did that). Had a good walk with my springer up to RSPB Bempton and back. Cooked a late lunch, then got settled in for a nice steady late afternoon and evening laze !!!! About this time the wind suddenly picked up to near gale force, and that's the way it continued all night, plus almighty rain. I had checked before going, but saw no mention of this sort of weather. I managed two thirty minute sleeps during the night, plus about an hour between eight and nine this morning when the wind dropped a bit, then it picked up again. When I emerged into the main part of the tent from my sleeping pod, I was met with complete devestation, My pod was the only part not under water. Every thing is wet through, and it even nearly extinguished my wood burner, that was just a soggy mess inside, with just a small glow at the back. I just grabbed everything, and dumped it dripping wet in the car. I made two trips, as there was no way I could fold the tent into its small pack.
So not the best start to my 2012 camping year. The good points are that it did not leak on my sleeping pod, and that I had Delta pegs and line Loks that held really well in the soft muddy conditions. Now just got to sort out all the wet muddy gear with no where to do it.
A recent post asked if they were made to think about New Year camping , well I think I was.
Happy New Year to you all, bob
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Well didn't you have a fun time Bob. Any idea why the main part of your tent was under water. Leaks or just the sheer amount of rain driving in wherever it could? Either way it was a bit of a bummer for you. We had some regular rain Friday afternoon and night but after that it was OK. Well it was for those of us that left on Sunday. I hope the rest of your 2012 camping trips are a little less traumatic
Hi Bill. The entire roof liner was/is wet through, plus the sloping side at one end and the left sleeping pod roof. The carpet weighs about fifty pounds including water. I was stuck out on the cliff top at Flamborough head though. I think under normal conditions it would be ok, just over kill with that amount of rain. I will re proof the whole tent though, as some of my electrical gear is wet through, music/phone etc. can't afford to replace it all again if it leaks. I was a bit lucky though as two of my biggest cooking pots were obviously under two of the drips and were full to the brim, as was my Coleman duel fuel stove.
I don't want to over state how much water was inside, but I did have to wear my rubber boots !!!! Anything that held water was full of water.
Glad you had a good time though. I have just realised that my trip in April was just as wet and windy, but then I did have a proper tent then, it was called an Eldorado
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Just thinking about my options. I do have the Latitude that can't leak, I think I should buy Vals stove with rear exit, and fit that through the back wall, which avoids cutting a hole in the roof, which is why I bought the Ranch in the first place
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
I would like to add, that the bestest bit about this camp, was that my expendature on Enamel tea/coffe pots and kettles etc. was worth it. Coming back from a long walk to find the Red Enamel coffee pot warming away on the wood burning stove, and being able to just poor it into the cup and drink was great. A real life style moment, that actually worked
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
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: Whos Camping New year weekend?
