Thank you Slubber

[notwavingjustironing]

For your good vibes this weekend. Despite the weather forecasting man's best efforts, my first camping experience in 30 years went brilliantly!

The weather was bright and blustery, we put the tent up easily, the kids had a fantastic time and I didn't forget anything.

More importantly, a fellow camper came up to me yesterday and said how impressed he was with the efficient way we had packed and taken down the tent "you are obviously seasoned professionals". He didn't believe me when I said it was my first time.

I was ridiculously pleased with myself and slightly emotional.

I am hooked!!!

Oh I am pleased you had a good time.
We have been looking at tents this weekend, I think DH may have talked me into camping. We are doing a Eurocamp next week in France and if all goes well will get a tent when we get back for weekends etc.

Can I ask what tent you have and for any tips???

WELL DONE!

I have a Vango Icarus 500. It's 5 berth, but I bought the awning which extends it into quite a large tent (well worth the extra £40 or so). Me and my friend put it up quite easily, considering we had only had it up once in the garden previously!

To be honest, all the best tips I learned I shamelessly robbed off the camping threads on here which I have been reading avidly for the last two months.

I particularly liked "bring lots of plastic bags" it's amazing what you end up using them for!

Ooo we got one of those last year and love it - have been thinking about the extra awning thing - does it have a door or more like a shelter iyswim?

woooh hoo!

I'm like that freaky octopus with my weather vibes [proud]

No seriously, this is great to hear notwaving. I had NO IDEA you were a camping virgin. You've been chipping in on the camping threads like a veteran too .

I know exactly what you mean about feeling pleased with yourself. It is an achievment setting up camp and I bet your dc really do think you are Wonder Woman now. So glad you had a great time.

No, its open at one end. But it's perfect for sitting in if the weather is a bit meh -you could cook in it by the open end, no problem.

It's genuinely well worth the money. I stood the kitchen stand and the coolbox in that part, so there was plenty of room in the actual tent.

I got a bit carried away trying to match everything I possessed with the colour of the tent (blue, for those who are interested) - you can't imagine my devastation when I opened the box with the kettle in and it was red instead of blue.

At that point I had a word with myself.

ooh and Lizzy - probably the best tip is "lists". I love a list, and with camping you can make it pleasurably long.

I know Slubber - I think I busked it quite well, considering - I had all the passion but none of the experience if you know what I mean

LOL @ red kettle disappointment.

I love a list too. For camping it needs to be in a plastic folder hoojimmywotsit so it doesn't get wet.

oh i am as i wanted theblue one but ended up with the laurel and am now hunting out a big matching windbreak - where did you get your awning thingy from?

heh heh

well now you have bluster AND experience. A formidable combination indeed.

Camperlands - but I think Go Outdoors do them as well - although it looked like a plague of locusts had invaded when I called last Thursday - their fab sale had worked rather too well!!

Nappyzone - I have the matching windbreak too!

Oh yes, my lists were in a plastic folder all right. If I'd had access to a laminator who knows what I might have done!

OOh, we looked at that tent yesterday, we went to a local place that has them all pitched so you can get a feel for the space etc. Is it easy to pitch/take down?
I think I will be similar re: matching items, which is bonkers as we are camping to get a more "Swallows and Amazons" childhood for our DS's

I like lists and we always have carrier bags saved for any eventuality, so that's good.

I even dreamt about tents last night.

Bonkers as this time last year I proclaimed I would rather die than camp in this country.

ooo actually i see they now have them at go outdoors but £58 - am a bit tight me

Lizzy - very easy to pitch it's a tunnel tent with three poles across the middle, peg the back, pull it forward, peg the middle, pull it forward, peg the front.

Sit down, drink wine.

I dreamt about camping rather a lot - and my motivation was very much to do with giving the kids a more basic holiday with dirt and sticks and freedom (with matching accessories, natch)

Now, I like wine.
Lists, matching accessories and wine.

Camping is looking good thus far

its great alsobecause the inside tent is already fixed inso it up in one go. Fab tent.

I'm still grateful to slubber for her support re the trauma of not being able to get a pop-up tent to pop-down again -- one of my first requests for assistance on MN way back in 2007.

OOh well done Notwaving. we bought Vango Icaryus 600 DLX yesterday. We've been camping before but only for weekends in the inlaws tent which isn't very durable. Weare taking this for a week in Abersoch in August.

*icarus I mean, rogue 'y'.

looking at the canopys i see 2 different types on ebay - one sort of goes up to it and one looks like its more fixed bizarre

lolol @ 'dirt and sticks and freedom (with matching accessories, natch)'. If ever there was a moto for the Outwell family camping type this is it (despite you having a Vango not waving)

Eleison, really? Did I advise you to swear at it?

Nappyzone - the picture's a bit rubbish, but the back bit attaches to the middle pole so the very end overlaps the front section of the tent. Hope this link works:-

this is what you want

Yup just bought one on ebay 39.99 and £5 p and p so i did it and now im manufacturing some huge fib to dh about how i bought it off a mumsnetter for £25 instead of £60 as she bought as part of a set - he doesnt need to know - now i do have his permission to search for a suitable matching windbreak that will go a good way round to afford us some privacy.... Cant wait till it arrives so i can practise.

Right well vango do a "matching" windbreak but it's not the same colour, I went for a Hi-gear one which was a better match (seriously I need to get a grip) will post a link for you tomorrow when I am not posting on my phone !

Glad you got fixed up, honestly you won't regret it -when are you going next ?