Bell tent barminess

[Orangesarenottheonlyfruit]

Hi,

After much lurking on these threads I have finally bitten the bullet and bought a 5 metre bell tent from soul pad. I was going to buy a normal vango type thing but was seduced by their prettiness!

Anyway, as a bit of a camping novice (not been since I had DD 18 months ago and pre that only been a couple of times), what have I let myself in for?

Is there anything I should do or know before I drag the fmaily off to cornwall for their camping initiation???

Advice gratefully received!!!

[Miyazaki]

We have a 4m one, it is fabulous. Tuck the storm flaps underneath the ground sheet to keep the rain out. Make sure it is zipped up before you peg it out. That's about it really.

Where are you going?

[Devendra]

Yay for bell tents.. We have a 5m one and LOVE it.. so much room and they look so lovely. We have the inner sleep bit which makes it a bit warmer at night... Its very very heavy though.

[Orangesarenottheonlyfruit]

Thank you! We are going to Cornwall on the 12th June for 3 nights. I couldn't resist buying a couple of small rugs and cushions to decorate.

Devendra - is it much colder at night than a nylon tent? I am unsure what to put my DD in. She will be in her travel cot and a grobag wiht lots of blankets and sleeping on a sheepskin. will that be enough? Too much?

[YouLukaAmazing]

Message withdrawn

[unclefluffy]

Oooh! We just got our 5m from belltent.co.uk Putting up in mum's garden next weekend, so I'll report back on how difficult easy it is to do. From previous canvas experience, my only real advice is to make sure the tent is truly dry before you put it away.

Incidentally, I don't think canvas is colder than nylon - but 5m is a big tent, which might make it colder, I suppose. I haven't tested mine out yet so I don't know!

[Orangesarenottheonlyfruit]

Great uncle - keep us posted.