advice from seasoned campers/tent experts required

[motherpeculiar]

ok, think I have persuaded DH to give camping a go this summer (although this current weather is almost making me think again)- have looked at a number of threads on here and at some of the online site mentioned and wondered whether anyone could help - we want something suitable for 4 (us and two kids) with two sleeping compartments, I think I like the ones that are opposite each other but I guess I won't know until we try it - we absolutely need a sewn in groundsheet as DH has a vermin phobia - two I've seen and thought I liked the look (and price ) of are the \link{http://www.outdoorgarage.com/acatalog/copy_of_Aztec_Cantera_4_Tent.html\Aztec Cantara 4} and the \link{http://www.outdoorgarage.com/acatalog/copy_of_Wynnster_Hawk_4_Tent.html\wynnster Hawk 4}

anyone know these? pros/cons? are they easy to put up? are they bright inside?

any other ideas to suit us - can't be too expensive as god knows whether we'll do it more than once if we hate it (we are fairly seasoned tiny-caravanners so do know some of what to expect) - definitely needs to be the right side of 200 quid. we want to be able to stand up, at least in the living bit and want a decent sized living area for the inevitable days when it is chucking it down. Porch for storing wet odds and sods (the kids, mainly) would be great too

[motherpeculiar]

helpful camping anoraks are perfect SS (in fact I was going to jokily write "tent nerds" instead of "tent experts" but thought I might p*ss someone off, "anorak" was much more the word I was searching for )

ok, so the challenge now is to find a three bed tent for under 200 quid with SIG and easy to put up....anyone?

(ps are you the same SS that once posted a gazillion things to do with a ziploc bag? DH and I still laugh over that one, although we are not yet sure about making ziploc eggs )

[motherpeculiar]

oh, I think I am well on my way to nerd status - you wouldn't believe how many hours (that could well have been devoted to more constructive things about the house) I have now spent surfing tent sites...

DH is getting worried

[hovely]

there is definitely something about the whole kit thing
I once contemplated starting up a fetish club specialising in velcro, Gore-tex, carabiners, elastic cord, and the like.
might still do it...

[hovely]

would get in by showing the doorman how waterproof YET breathable your clothes were
you would gain VIP entry if you could secrete some folding shelves in your outfit

[hovely]

undoubtedly

[motherpeculiar]

ooooh, what's an EHU?

[jessicaandrebeccasmummy]

lol

[motherpeculiar]

as DD1 would say "you need to do your PC Plums mummy"

[jessicaandrebeccasmummy]

(E- H- U-)

[motherpeculiar]

didn't take so long in the end and I am now armed with the knowledge wrt EHUs() - so now how do I decide on a tent? the sig is non-negotiable I think

most recently looking at KYham Yale Family Tunnel Tent for 149 on outdoormegastore

or coleman columbus 6 at 219 (over budget though)

any other contenders?

JARM - what did you go for in the end?

( Electric Hook Up, in case you don't believe I could be that quick )

[hovely]

elephant hang up
(not)

[jessicaandrebeccasmummy]

\link{http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8819819091&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&rd=1\not usre about this- im in dying secondS!}

[motherpeculiar]

thanks for the clue JARM, which I missed until after my triumphant posting!

[hovely]

I don't usually take my elephant, but if I do at least I have somewhere to hang her

[motherpeculiar]

wow - looks good. are you winning?

[jessicaandrebeccasmummy]

no not yet........... not sure whether to do a last minute bid - i was winning until it got to 75.01