I agree with you both and we were saying last night that the heater is not enough for the size of the tent (just our opinion as it didnt seem to be helping at all). we were just thinking of using more heaters but from your advice will now look for better output from one.
DK, I totally understand what you are saying about trial and error but I really do appreciate all the advice from everyone on here and will help us to get to our comfort levels quicker hopefully
Quote: Originally posted by Total Novice on 11/4/2013
......Considering I was dead set against a tent to start off with I think I could enjoy it given the right circumstances/equipment.
I spent the best part of 20 years telling various people to "P*55 off" and leave me to my holiday cottages, apartments, motels etc. "Forget camping... it will never happen!"
I don't even know why, but last June, we went for it. Set ourselves up, and by chance, found this wonderful forum, which has been an absolute God-send. Not only have we "not looked back", but we have also become rather obsessed, if I'm honest.
There is certainly an element of trial and error, at the beginning, but it's so easy to get help and tips from UKCS, it soon becomes an absolute pleasure to class yourself as a camper.
It's weird. We've done our share of concrete tents, ranging from Ibis, Holiday Inn, Marriot, up to a designer gaff on the Champs-Elysees, and the Beverly Hilton, near Rodeo Drive.
But the best still doesn't compare to the feeling we've got at the end of a good day, sitting round the fire, after a good fillet on the barby, finishing off a nice Shiraz, whilst watching the sun go down.
Pembrokeshire coast, 2010, our last camp before my health went sharp left:
It can be crap, absolutely, but when it's good, it's unbeatable. And you have to be comfortable. I'm an old git. Roughing it isn't a option. You build your kit by trial and error, and end up with a little home from home which weirdly provides you with a fabulous holiday, despite having to do everything manually.
It was quite by chance we got started, about 20 years ago. Our friends had just got a Vango vis-a-vis, and were camped at a local country house/golf club/campsite type place. We bought a portable barby, Mrs G marinated some kebabs, and we went over to see them. It was a glorious day. The crack was good, the food and wine good, and we were hooked. We went and bought a canvas frame tent, a Relum or Sunncamp, can't remember now, and we were away.
Had it been raining and cold that day, it might never (no, would definitely never) have happened. As a side story, we were married at that country house 10 years later.
That frame tent became a Pathfinder FC, and as our needs have changed we're back to tenting. I'm back to normal, so up for some heavy lifting this summer which will see our BL up for the first time since we bought it in 2011.
Roll on. Happy camping all
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
I was hooked after my first trip in 2006 at a grand old age of 41, and continued to camp on my own after my late partner's sudden death.
Just hope my body can cope with the strain of putting up a canvas tent for a few more years before I move on to a trailer or even tin tent!
I have been looking at Esvo's Bedouin 280 tent as a replacement for my Escala 4 as it has fewer pegging points that may be kinder to my body.
Happy camping everyone!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Hi
I haven't read all the replies on this thread and I apologise in advance if I am repeating anything that's already been said but......PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE DANGER OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. When we first started camping we were having a bbq and it started raining so we took the bbq inside our tent, luckily we left the door open. We weren't aware of the dangers as it was our first trip but soon after we read about a tragic death in a tent due to CO2 poisoning.
Must be at least 25yrs since our 1st camping trip with our kids as the youngest is 22 this year...
We were fortunate in that most of our main holidays were spent at big country houses/boarding schools way in the middle of some cracking countryside...
The group we belonged to got some good deals for group bookings of these places when the kids/students went home for summmer....And we had the use of all facilities...Gyms/swimming pools/conference halls etc etc etc....We had lots of folk from across the country who gave their time and effort to organize these things and we were always blessed with good company and times at these events...
One year...we couldn't afford the cost of staying at the place...So we found a campsite 4 miles from the event and we went over as day visitors...Just using the tent to sleep in....Did that for 4yrs...and got hooked on camping as a family....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Brilliant. My only regret is not giving it a go when my first two were little ones. The eldest is 42 and in NYC now, and you can't get that time back.
On the plus side, the middle one wants to try it with her husband and their two. We'll do a test camp together. They can have the Orchy and we'll have the BL. If they like it, they can take the Orchy home with them.
Although, based on the noise our 4yr old grandaughter and 2 yr old grandson made from 05:00 in our Center Parcs villa, we might ask them to use the next field along
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
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: Total Novice advice please
