Quote: Originally posted by seanfdh on 10/6/2018
We've actually given in and bought a couple of the Quechua Air 70s for this summer. There will only be the two of us in the car now and the floor is starting to seem further away than it used to.
Tell me about it. Just had 6 weeks of sciatica and I'm off to France in a fortnight on a trek. Never had it before so will see how it holds up sleeping on a mat and carrying a full rucksack. The air 70 would be heaven.
We already knew we'd be comfy with the SIMs on the floor, as we've done that when travelling through France.
...Muckerette did cock up though, when making a fine adjustment to gently deflate her SIM halfway through the night... as those with a two-valve Exped will know there's a right way and a wrong way! She's done ot (right) before, so she should have known better!
Leaving the main table behind was absolutely no problem. Didn't miss it at all.
The tent as a whole did appear to be a little less tidy than we're used to, as there were no camp beds to hide stuff under, but as we get more chilled, we get less "bovvered"!
Moreover, it seemed a lot more spacious in the car, and I could even see out of the back window. Importantly, everything could be unloaded and loaded in the right order, as and when required... not important when you can plonk stuff down on the grass of course, but will be a Godsend if it's raining!
We do use the odd vacuum bag for softer stuff, but not really suitable for our extra bulky sleeping bags... We have though, decided to leave out the inner fleece lining between now and the end of August... no need for them when the nightly temps are around the 9 deg mark, as they were this weekend! That'll help keep their bulk down for now... but we'll zip them back in well before we return to zero temps!!
In fairness, the majority of stuff we cut back on was the sort of stuff we take "just in case", which of course, we don't need until we need it... which could be anytime between now and never! Fingers crossed we never have any regrets on that score!
In hindsight, we could have even left the big comfy chairs behind on this occasion, as we only sat around doing nothing for an hour or so before bed. The weather wasn't warm enough for sitting out in the evening, and we spent the majority of daylight hours out and about. The chairs never left the car, and the stools sufficed. Sunny evenings would change that though, to be fair.
Small experiment... little changes... but yeah, it worked well for us, and we'll continue in the same vein for upcoming trips. As the advert says... every little helps!
Quote: Originally posted by seanfdh on 10/6/2018
We've actually given in and bought a couple of the Quechua Air 70s for this summer. There will only be the two of us in the car now and the floor is starting to seem further away than it used to.
Tell me about it. Just had 6 weeks of sciatica and I'm off to France in a fortnight on a trek. Never had it before so will see how it holds up sleeping on a mat and carrying a full rucksack. The air 70 would be heaven.
If it's anything like the sciatica I have experienced in the past, you'll be absolutely fine trekking... it's when you stop and (try to) relax when it'll hit you!!
I enjoy reading and sometimes contributing to the posts on this site more than any others I have joined, mainly because i can identify with many of the topics. From 'Arthuritus' to minimal camping,from camping abroad to crappy caravans I suggest a new one 'Tatty Old Tents!' I applaud your efforts Mucker to go minimalist. I like the 30 minutes idea having once taken 6 trips up and down the loft to retrieve all my weekend camping gear!
I am an infrequent lone camper now reaching 70 ! My wife does not 'do' camping any more so while I am scanning the various 'for sale' sites for the perfect tent she is looking in the TUi brochure for the next holiday.
I am a source of amusement for all the family in my quest for the 'perfect' tent for one, easy to put up and full height.I have bought,sold and somteimes used at least 5 caravans,4 trailer tents/folding campers and 15 tents over the years,still looking ! My love of camping started at an early age joining the cubs in Brum (the 28th Foresters,joke no forest in the centre of Brum) i am lucky now that I live and no longer work in Lincolnshire, the forgotten county i am glad say.
I still provide my family with a source of amusement in my efforts to find the perfect camping outfit,Quechua tents have folded me up on several attempts to put them back into the bag.Keep writing everyone and if anyone can recommend the perfect tent (no more caravans or TTs ) or just another one to try out just let me know.
Ps Yes I have wilco boxes and a Triangia and a tarp and just bought a 70's inflatable tent, waiting to try it out at Woodhall Spa.
We also have a Quechua pop up, for occasional visitors ... though you can't stand up in it ... it's a super-fast pitch and easy pack away ...
We also have a basic 2/4 man Quechua ... again, not a stand up model ..
Also have a Litchfield Challenger 5 ... a brilliant tent .. stand up, and did us for several years before the F/C.
And also ... a Marechal Tunnel tent, which is huge ... two bed pods and massive area ... big enough to park your car in! ... not the quickest of pitches if alone, but Ok with a team of 2/3/4.
Get a caravan,easy drive to pitch, water electric on,cuppa made,chairs out,15mins max,relax and watch the tent folk set up.And yes we have been tenters wouldn't go back.
Age kelper we was lucky got present van of friend who was getting divorced few hrand cheaper than gjide price. Was few yrs ago few things going wrong now but hubby joiner made and fitted furniture for ABIand Swift and few others ariund Hul.just replacing the beds.
Quote: Originally posted by bellringer18 on 14/6/2018
Get a caravan,easy drive to pitch, water electric on,cuppa made,chairs out,15mins max,relax and watch the tent folk set up.And yes we have been tenters wouldn't go back.
Quote: Originally posted by bellringer18 on 14/6/2018
Get a caravan,easy drive to pitch, water electric on,cuppa made,chairs out,15mins max,relax and watch the tent folk set up.And yes we have been tenters wouldn't go back.
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: OK... We`re going "minimal"...
That'll help keep their bulk down for now... but we'll zip them back in well before we return to zero temps!! 
