Hi Deborah,
It’s a 4m bell tent from Bell Tent Boutique. We asked about weathering it and they said yes, and we need to practice putting it up anyway as we don’t want to look like plonkers on our first outing. I want to spend a night sleeping in the garden 😂
We went to Decathlon today to look at camping gear. Three things caught my eye - the basic camp bed they do was very comfy - I tried it with one of their comfort sims on top and it was good! Sadly, they don’t do the camp bed in a double but the sim comes in a double which is good. They did have a different double camp bed but it was rather high so I don’t know if it would suit our tent. Also like the lights they do.
I have my SIM directly on the floor, which doesn’t suit everyone.
Or people clip two of the inflatable Decathlon camp bed bases together and put a SIM on top, but that adds a lot to the cost. And you’re right, head space might be an issue.
Quote: Originally posted by DeborahTurner on 31/3/2023
I have my SIM directly on the floor, which doesn’t suit everyone.
Or people clip two of the inflatable Decathlon camp bed bases together and put a SIM on top, but that adds a lot to the cost. And you’re right, head space might be an issue.
Love Decathlon!
BTB tents are great.
We also prefer our SIMs on the ground. If you're determined to use your old airbeds, I'd suggest first spending a night or two on them at home, where you can always retreat to your proper bed if they deflate or aren't comfortable. Remember that airbeds do deflate as temperatures cool and the air molecules contract, and that happens more when they're in contact with the cold ground instead of in a carpeted bedroom or living room.
If you are cold and uncomfortable at night, camping can be miserable. I wouldn't skimp on this, get a couple of good SIMs - we like Exped and Thermarest, they won't let you down and they'll last, and if you find camping is not for you they have a good resale value. Try them on the floor before deciding on a camp bed as you might find you prefer this.
We've found fleece blankets to be invaluable. They're cheap, easy to wash and quick to dry and they pack down small. They're incredibly useful when it gets a bit cool; drape over a chair to make it a bit more luxurious, use as extra layers on the bed if it gets a bit chilly, or just wrap around you when stargazing.
We always go on EHU pitches nowadays as it makes life easy. We like our Tefal portable induction hob, our 1 litre electric kettle and our compressor camping fridge. But, we do still have kit for non-EHU options.
We have an Icey-Tek cooler (there are cheaper options, which we've tried then updated). For cooking, we've had several gas stoves, also a Cobb and various Cadacs over the years, both good but pigs to clean so can manage with a Campingaz Bistro and take pans to suit (a griddle pan is good for stuff you'd barbecue). Just make sure no pan extends over the gas cannister area, for safety reasons.
Comfy chairs are important for us and that's as subjective as beds. Weve finally settled on Crespo with leg rests, and they double up as dining chairs and recliners. Not too bulky either.
We have a Coleman Northstar lantern which provides a lovely ambience when sitting outside the tent. But, it's bulky and can't be used inside the tent. For inside, a couple of battery lanterns such as these work fine.
We have a small plastic chest of drawers which contains cutlery, crockery, pans, teatowels, coffee pot, tea and sugar cannisters etc. We keep it packed and it travels in the back of the car so we can easily access stuff en-route, then just lift it out on arrival. We put a tray on top of it, a collapsible washing up bowl (this Outwell one is great!) and a Vango kettle with folding handle (this).
Once you start buying you'll realise it's important to consider the bulk of camping items, since everything has to be transported, so something to bear in mind. We started with the car, then added a roofbox, then back-up box (sits on towbar), then trailer, then bigger trailer. Then found the packing up of all the stuff became a chore, so we streamlined and now we just take what we know works best for us.
When you do go camping, it's useful to write a list of stuff you take then, on the way home, cross off all the things you didn't use or didn't find useful. And, add on anything you've realised you'd like to have next time out.
The Blacks website has loads of kit, including double camp beds, tarps, seats, you name it. Even a very tempting collapsible kettle. And good reductions on hundreds of items at the moment.
(No, not on commission - I just get the newsletter having bought a pair of approach boots there.)
Thank you - great suggestions and ideas from all of you!
I am very much trying to keep the amount of stuff down as we haven’t tried fitting it all in the car yet. It is all all either under tarps in the garage or packed up in boxes/bags in the spare room ready to put into the boot without too much fuss,
I have bought a few things since I was last here. A lovely second hand wool blanket for bedding - or to go under or over the airbed. A 15m electric hook up cable - couldn’t find a second hand one for anything significantly less than the price new so decided to just buy one as I think we will sometimes be on electric pitches and would like to try out that option. We are interested in going to a site we have been to before which now includes electric in the tariff as standard so can use that and take an electric heater as I think early mornings are still chilly.
I have also bought a SIM which was on offer so relatively cheap. I am not overwhelmed by it at the moment 🤣 but I am going to put it on top of the airbed and use the air bed as a base and see how we get on. The plan is to move over to a camp bed + sim but most of the double camp beds I see are a bit tall and I don’t want a face full of canvas in the night! I am concerned the SIM will be cold, like the airbed, so I am looking for fleece sheets or something to wrap it in to add warmth (everything I buy seems to throw up more necessary purchases 😂). We do have a stove for the tent but won’t be using it just yet as I haven’t got all the gear needed to go with it.
So, getting there. We put the tent up at the weekend and I will have to add a picture somewhere if I can. Hoping for our first trip at the end of next week!!
A good SIM provides excellent insulation from the ground.
Enjoy your first trip out and I hope everything will fit into your car!
DK
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Well, booked our first campsite for later on this week - weather could be a little more promising - 😂 I am quite excited though - just 3 nights but I am going to take everything and see what I need and what I don’t need. We are staying fairly local. Quite a few sites we tried were fully booked which doesn’t bode well for finding places when summer gets underway. We are quite flexible about location/facilities but the price of some sites now for a bit of grass….🤣🤣🤣Might have to look at joining the CCC and using their CS sites in the summer.
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: Recommend me some camping gear please!
via mobile 31/3/2023 at 8:23am
