Cutting a big fat hole in my bell tent

[MisSalLaneous]

Talk me through it. Not the technical bits, Google is my friend and all that, but I need emotional support! D-day is tomorrow. Have scissors to hand, glaring at me... How did you do it? Done the deed, then hoped and prayed it would be fine when you camp, or did you do a little test before? I'm so nervous, but as this is my Big Brilliant Idea, I cannot admit my sheer terror to dh.

This stove better be worth it! My (non existing) manicurist will be heartbroken to see me now.

:) It is bliss, isn't it?

I think you need to YouTube yourself packing your car so the rest of us can learn and marvel.

See on paper I probably have roughly the same amount of stuff as you seen too (no hammock mind!), and yet after this trip we are STILL having to cull more stuff before the big trip in the summer.

Camping chairs are out. Camping gaz stove and gas bottle are out, plastic utility is out, camp kitchen table is out, pants for 5 days only, not seven. The thought of fitting a stove in and a big chimney give me a boggle.

Ah yes, but remember, you now have the most wonderful cool box, so that trumps tables etc. Mind you, sounds big enough, so you could possibly use it instead of table! Am very jealous, especially when I saw you saying it could actually freeze things!

Stove small really - box is 49 x 27.5 x 29cm (bigger than stove, but not much, and will be good for dirty stove in car). The chimney brilliant design space wise - it takes apart, so all fitting inside the stove itself when transporting. Legs fold out (secured with pin thingies when in use), so compact. Also easy to carry when out of box - can use legs to carry. And "only" weighs 10kg. So not featherweight, but doable. Good compromise, so lasting but not cast iron type of weight.

Oh, and you NEED a hammock. Seriously. Well, if trees where you're camping, obviously, otherwise a rather overpriced towel... Small, about half sleeping bag size.

Hahaha aha that I need a hammock.

No No this is EXACTLY the problem. I do not need a hammock. Want a hammock yes, but need no. My entire camping stuff issues are a direct result of need vs want purchasing failures.

Stove does sound good though.

Stove under tarp away from tent sounds lovely

What you need.

NO WAY!

Holy cow.

Have been following this thread today whilst out buying a roof box and a cupboard (don't ask). So Sal have you been distracting Slubber with talk of Bongos whilst quietly snipping away with the pinking shears ?

Nonono, Bongo is that PrinceHumperdink, I'm innocent in that!

Have so far refrained from the actual cutting... First camp of the year in 3 weeks at Blackberry Wood, so have decided that we'll take stove with, set up all the mattresses etc as we would normally, and then decide where exactly we'll want the stove. Will mark where to cut, and when back home with then do the whole scissor thing.

Roof box brilliant. List of additional things you now need can be provided on request.

LOL

Yeah so easily distracted by bongo/hammock talk.

So Sal have you made the cut yet?

God I don't need encouraging with a list! I swore blind to myself that I was buying NOTHING else, then saw an ace cupboard with worktop at v reasonable price so I accidentally bought it. Do I need some of those floor tiles advertised on the Aldi thread?

I know. I'm terrified of the actual cutting - us burning to death less of a concern. (Joking joking joking, I need to work on my sense of humour, I know)

I think I'll help in deciding where, etc etc, and then get dh to do the deed when I'm out one day. I feel as a good husband that's the least he could do. Also gives me someone else to blame should this turn out to be a horrible idea. Win win. For me, that is.

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You know Sal, the fire under the tarp thing really works. We all sat round the cobb with some charcoal burning. Tarp up in ridge formation, windbreak up on windy side. Was lovely and warm with a hint of Ray Mears.

Oh really Prince? Hmm, not sure my heart (or our marriage) would take that. Hmm.

notwaving, I saw someone elsewhere saying they were horrible in putting back together / taking apart / something, and that they threw it away, so not sure.

Joking aside, that does sound good, Slubber. Will try that set-up before cutting.

Ha at getting dh to do the deed. Like handing over an injured rabbit to despatch. you big wuss

Does dh want the stove eh? The person who wants the stove should be the one to cut the tent.

Oh yes, he's really for it. No, really.

Have been eyeing wood burners forever, but never really got to the whole buying stage as thought the size / weight thing would make it semi-permanent. Also refusing to get a trailer, so there was the practical issue of it fitting in.

So when I showed him this one and the reviews, he was really impressed and now almost more keen than I am to start using. Could also be that he fears that I will go back to wanting an Aga in a tent, not sure...

Anyway, when we married, he promised for better and for worse. Since I'm obviously so fabulous the rest of the time, this'll be a once-off worse.

I am so c&p that 'for better, for worse' quote and using it next time I do something slightly less than fabulous.

Haha.

So have you cut it yet?

Hey. No, have decided to leave it until first camp, and then decide / do the deed. We're off to BB Wood weekend after next, taking stove and equipment with. A little nervous about cutting, I have to admit, but soooo looking forward to using stove.

I was saying to dh this afternoon that it would be so lovely being able to sit inside a warm tent if it rained as much as it did today, but he informed me it would be much warmer in the b&b he'll be in...