Well, seeing as I pass the gates of the garden centre en route home from work, it would have been rude not to drop in wouldn't it?
Lots of event shelter this year, curiously (is this a mini trend?) and a mix of air tents, FG and steel poled, plus a few caravans and trailer tents (not as many as sometimes but show's only just begun).
There were three tents that caught my attention - despite not being in the market for one but I could be swayed by these: Outwell Flagstaff 4 (and 6), air tents in polycotton which looked very smart inside and out but, also feel roomy and cosy at the same time, and have built-on porches (a particular foible). I'd love the Flagstaff 4, almost enough to trade in my collection...
Then there's the Outwell Alamosa 6 - a striking looking tent with an wide arched angled pole porch, owing a little to Cabanon Biscaya or Laguna perhaps. You'd certainly notice it on a campsite.
Kampa also looked good with my eye on the Classic Brean 4 in polycotton, and the Hayling 4 with its built on front porch for shelter or sunshade.
Inside, there's the normal collection of equipment to try and buy; it's good to be able to feel and see merchandise and check out chairs and even a hammock for snoozability.
I came home with a Kampa griddle, some silicone trivets and a hanger that turns carrier bags into a useful rubbish bin (or for holding food up off the ground).
But I do wish I could have bought one of those tents.
The show is set in the lovely grounds of Vanstone Park Garden Centre - complete with ducks and geese.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
I visited as well as I live close by. I was slightly disappointed as most of the tents were inflatables (my distrust of the technology was supported by 2 of the tents there having soggy beams). First year I have left without buying anything!
There was also a good selection of Raclet TTs.
Yes, lots of inflatables but they are the flavour of the moment but I can see their attraction, although having seen Karstens , the more mass market versions don't seem quite as stable (due to lower psi). I did wonder about the wide straps provided to peg out rather than the usual guy lines. Are these needed to tether air tents - more so than with metal poled or fibreglass poled tents?
No Outwell Jaffa Cake orange and brown polycotton tents this year.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
i thought there was quite a lot of poled tents this year?. Every poled (and Air) model was there from Outwell, Vango and Kampa. There were definitely more tents in total than last year. I went again today for the second time all on my own without any distractions of my son, bliss!!
Some good prices!, £706 for a Kampa Croyde 6 Air. Bargain tent for somebody.
Yes, bargains to be had on tents but not so much on the equipment - but it is lovely to see and try and buy, rather than having to guess on the net and paying p&p.
I think I might venture again as I've spotted a chair he might prefer to his current one (does that mean I need one too....).
There were more poled tents than perhaps I'd thought, given the inflated market but, they are less expensive so providing options for different budgets is the way to go. It's not a specialist/elite camping show so there's almost something for everyone, including decent full height 3-man tents for £199, ideal for weekenders for a couple, e.g.Kampa.
I might see you there - lone woman lurking in the shadows and talking to herself....
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Well I was that lone woman yesterday . I was all for sitting in the Concorde pretending I was on site somewhere. And I sneakily (haven't told the OH yet) bought a Dreamboat SIM. Still trying to figure out how not to tell him .
I agree, lots of different tents for varying budgets and no favouriting of any brand in my opinion. Enjoy your next visit, I'm sure we'll go once more before it ends, I need to change my gas bottle if nothing else!.
I'm going back to check out the Outwell Herber chair - for my OH who wants a back rest and I don't want a huge padded thing taking up space. I might sneak one for me too...
I love the idea of you pretending to be on site... OH and I one year reckoned we should be an 'installation', brewing tea outside a tent and frying bacon for authenticity
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
I still haven't told him , it's still in my car boot!.
The Herber chairs looked lovely, you need two to match
That would be a great idea, set up a tent with all the gear plus somebody cooking bacon sarnies or sausages on a BBQ, that would sell so many tents, they could picture the dream
...Bought not one but two Harber Hills chairs in smart gery/black so they co-ordinate with both tent colour-schemes. Arm rests are a bit narrow but, the the reclinable option and head rests are great, and they don't take up much more space than our old ones. OH made good use of his last evening together with a footstool. All set for the next camping trip
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Hi we got a flagstaff 6a and all I can say is go for it you won't look back very easy to put up took me 4min with the outwell typhoon pump while the wife and my daughter was out see what they could find to eat! The living room is huge and the sleeping but is huge to we took x2 double air beds ( the raised type) and we still had room in there.
My advise would be go for the 6a don't look at the price tag just go for it.... Also don't forget your footprint and carpet.
Oh before I forget we had a week worth of rain and heavy winds and still stood strong didn't move abit!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Camping show at Codicote 2016
. I was all for sitting in the Concorde pretending I was on site somewhere. And I sneakily (haven't told the OH yet) bought a Dreamboat SIM. Still trying to figure out how not to tell him 
.
