Well our first trip lasted exactly one night before we came home!! It was a catalogue of disasters starting with my OH losing the keys to the roofbox so we had to do two trips to the site to get everything there. The tent went up fine, we took the Anglesey Excel and I'm glad to say that even buying it blind at the close of last season, we made a great choice as it is a fantastic tent. Bags of room for us all and really well designed. Can't fault it. If they made a 3 bedroom version I think we'd have one forever!!
Campbeds were another matter. We had got some campingaz ones and they wouldn't stay up. The single one did but both doubles just kept deflating. The kids didn't notice as they were sparko but I didn't get a wink of sleep as there was just enough air left in it to ensure that if my OH moved by an infinitesimal amount it would fling me out of bed. I ended up in hysterical giggles at about 2am because the absurdity of lying on an almost completely flat "non-air filled airbed" just got too much.
We couldn't cook as I wasn't happy cooking in the proch with 3 little kids so we need to get a utility tent.
Then it absolutely piddled down with rain from about midnight. Non stop. By 9am it was showing no signs of stopping at all so we have left the tent there in the charge of 3 lads from Southend who were well stocked with beer and going nowhere and we've come home. Will go pick it up tomorrow.
On a bright side everyone was really really friendly and helpful.
So off to the equipment forum now to find out about kip mats!!!
Oh dear, if only you had got the coleman dual chamber airbeds. They are really really good. Still at least you had a good laugh. I sometimes have a good laugh in the middle of the night to, but not for the same reason as you. Better luck next time it can only get better.
Oh dear, if only you had got the coleman dual chamber airbeds. They are really really good. Still at least you had a good laugh. I sometimes have a good laugh in the middle of the night to, but not for the same reason as you. Better luck next time it can only get better.
Yes, I'm looking at those coleman beds, but these campingaz ones have really put me off now as I didn't get a wink of sleep all night!! DH would prefer the aluminium campcots but we've no room for them. How likely are the coleman beds to leak overnight?
if it helps, i did manage to drop (crash) my bike whilst in Scotland ...nothin' serious (still waiting for spares tho'). My Bro nearly dropped his bike trying to get to me - i was pinned down &, much to everyone's suprise, giggling me head off cos i knew i wasn't hurt!!
no tent was injured during the making of this holiday.
------------- old enough to know better...young enough to still do it..
Colemans dual chambers are raved about all the time by anyone that has them. They do not leak and the great advantage is that you can put different air pressures in each chamber to accommodate weight differences of each person. You really will get a good nights sleep on them. I have read people who say they sleep better on the Coleman than they do on their own bed.
Colemans dual chambers are raved about all the time by anyone that has them. They do not leak and the great advantage is that you can put different air pressures in each chamber to accommodate weight differences of each person. You really will get a good nights sleep on them. I have read people who say they sleep better on the Coleman than they do on their own bed.
Thanks Sidick. I'll have a chat with DH and we might get one and try it out at home for a night!!!
We use thermarests. We had Argos airbeds, which I hated. Anyway when they met with a nasty accident we bought the thermarests. Second hand ones for the kids and nice expensive base camps for us. They are very firm to sleep on, but I still find them pretty comfortable and they are SO easy!
I have tried the coleman dual chamber and while nice for an airbed I find the Thermarests much more comfortable and warm and like you said Alison so easy
I like a firm surface to sleep on, OH likes it a bit softer so he simply doesnt add any extra air to his thermarest. MIne takes all of 5 puffs of air to be full.
Oh and the very lovely Tina from Thermarest sent me a couple kit for our mats so now we have a double Thermarest
I can echo the sentiments on the Coleman Dual Chamber Airbeds. We've had the Campingaz ones and the high rise ones but the Coleman's are the most comfortable. My parents slept on one too recently and although they're notorious for not sleeping, they slept like babies on the Coleman, like some say, better night's sleep than at home!!!
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: Disastrous first trip!!!
Better luck next time it can only get better.
...nothin' serious (still waiting for spares tho'). My Bro nearly dropped his bike trying to get to me - i was pinned down &, much to everyone's suprise, giggling me head off cos i knew i wasn't hurt!! 
