Just had our first adventure in the tent and loved it! However, the evenings were soooo cold. As we glanced around the field we could see many people around what looked like glorified BBQ's, yet they were obviously still hot whilst our little disposable paltry affairs were long gone.
What are they? We have not got that much spare room in the back of our car. (It is a Renault Espace, but I do tend to take the kitchen sink with me. Have yet to work out how to pack economically!!!!) Need something small yet perfectly formed.
Campfires are nice, but they arn't the way to stay warm in the evening.
I know this may sound obvious, an I am probably preaching to the converted but: Clothes are. What I wear in the day when I am out an about an up to mischeif is very different to what I wear at night hanging around camp watching the bats an setting the world to rights over a few beers.
Get yourself into some thermals and you will be amazed at the difference. Don't just add layers to your torso, add layers to your legs an put on a thin pair of gloves an a hat.
Don't forget to make sure you have a seperate dry set of kit to sleep in too!
------------- My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.
Hmm, thanks for that lostdreamer. I do need to reconsider the clothes side of things.Thought we were going to have a scorching weekend. As newbies completely failed to consider the cooler evenings. Def learnt from my mistake there.
Still fancy a campfire thingy though. Not only do they add warmth but light. Looked so cosy - never thought I'd have campfire envy!
Hmm, thanks for that lostdreamer. I do need to reconsider the clothes side of things.Thought we were going to have a scorching weekend. As newbies completely failed to consider the cooler evenings. Def learnt from my mistake there.
Still fancy a campfire thingy though. Not only do they add warmth but light. Looked so cosy - never thought I'd have campfire envy!
BTW - - I echo the layers advice, if my feet are warm i have a good start on keeping warm during the night. Thick socks and I mean thick fleece lined jobs inside my Karrimoor boots until time for bed then hot water bottle. I Put that in about 10 minutes or so before I go to bed.
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
I got a small barbecue from Asda so that after the sausages got cooked I could keep the fire going, only problem is the handles sort of disintegrated after two evenings of using firelogs. Admittedly, the second evening we kept it going for about four or five hours.
So check, if you're going for the small barbecue, that it doesn't have plastic/hard melamine handles too close to the barbecue itself.
The firepits are designed to use as such but they're often unwieldy to pack, and dirty to bring home.
So now that I'm barbecueless, I'm going to get to my destination first, go to the local supermarket and buy a simple cheap barbecue, and when I'm leaving camp I'll donate it to whatever new neighbours arrive.
Some great ideas folks. Will def give them a go. OH is now sweating at the possiblity of having to fit more stuff into the back of the car. I feel a trailer coming on .....
Time to fish out those thermals I think. Wasn't there a thread on here last week about how to look alluring in a tent? Hmmmmmmm, not a chance!
I got a small barbecue from Asda so that after the sausages got cooked I could keep the fire going, only problem is the handles sort of disintegrated after two evenings of using firelogs. Admittedly, the second evening we kept it going for about four or five hours.
So check, if you're going for the small barbecue, that it doesn't have plastic/hard melamine handles too close to the barbecue itself.
The firepits are designed to use as such but they're often unwieldy to pack, and dirty to bring home.
So now that I'm barbecueless, I'm going to get to my destination first, go to the local supermarket and buy a simple cheap barbecue, and when I'm leaving camp I'll donate it to whatever new neighbours arrive.
Actually when you look at the cost of disposable's that's not a bad idea at all, plus you'll make someone very happy.
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
i do not feel the cold like most people so by the time it does get cold i am tuned in with a few drinks down my neck and warming up from the inside out, once we close our door we have a little blow heater which gets to a tempature and switches off and keeps us warm until we decide to go to bed, our sleeping bag as always been warm for us and never let us down yet.
Can I just make the point that a BBQ should never be used inside a tent, use one to keep warm outside if you want (but as said, good clothes and some snuggly blankets are better) but NEVER take a lit BBQ into your tent.
Unless you're in the South of France, sandles, shorts and a cheap supermarket hoodie just don't cut it at 10pm on campsite! Newbies always underestimate how cold you can get sitting around on site at night, even in July and August. Think layers..thermals are great, tracksuit bottoms, long sleeved t-shirts, double layer of fleecy tops and something windproof if sitting outside. Don't forget hats, socks and fingerless mitts in really cold weather. TBH though proper wool or wool mix jerseys and socks will beat all but the most expensive synthetics hands down. I have an old thin cashmere sweater that used to belong to my late FIL...it's going into holes under the arms but it's the warmest of base layers, belive me. And I knit for a hobby so we all have woo socks.
The other thing to remember is that cold strikes up from the ground, so don't wear thin soled shoes or sandles. Wool socks and Crocs may look naffer than naff but they really do the job of keeping your feet warm!
Oh, I find that my back gets cold sitting in a camp chair so I double up a fleece blanket and use that as insulation. I don't tend to sit snuggled up in a blanket though as the tendency there is to sit immobile...it's worth getting up now and again for a brisk move around, otherwise you can practically set from the cold. Oh, and though alcohol can make you feel warm, it doesn't actually warm you up. It drops your core temperature. You're better off with a hot drink last thing at night.
I agree with Val, warm clothes are the way to go. Layers that can be added or taken way as necessary rahter than piling everything on at once. I also find that a fleecy blanket wrapped around 'grandad' style is good.
Fleecy blankets are also good on beds for extra warmth.
BBQs are a subtly different bit of kit to a brazier.
BBQs are designed to contain the fire to keep the charcoal nice an hot. Maybe let a bit of heat out of the top to cook with.
If you are using your campfire for heat&/light, you don't actually want the fire going up. You want it going out sideways. If the fire is below the waistline of it's container, the container is reflecting it's light an heat back into the fire rather than at you.
Which won't set your knees on fire when you are cooking burgers.
The other thing to remember about campfires is how good they are at setting stuff on fire! If your tent is downwind of the campfire, expect the embers to melt little holes in it. If you are wearing something fancy, modern, lightweight an plastic (ie a goretex jacket) - expect the embers to make holes in it. If something is near the fire, expect it to be HOT. I pack a pair of welding gauntlets for fire handling duties.
ETA: With a couple of kilt pins, any only blanket can be turned into a handy and fashionable cloak/coat.
Post last edited on 07/06/2010 10:11:00
------------- My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.
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: Keeping Warm!
