So who's going to the caravan and camping show this weekend

[ifeelloved]

It's at excel

That looks fab! Have started drip dripping to dh about how this looks good etc etc!!!! Wish me luck

The girls started screaming with excitement when I told them we'd be going to the show on Sun. They are so keen to get going with camping although older DD is a bit more wary, worried about BUGS.

As some of you have seen from my other thread we are building inventory for camping this spring/summer so am hoping the MN discount comes through.

How do we prove we're MN-ers though? Same DIY hair cut? Saying 'fanjo'???

Hi I've been chasing mnhq about the iceytek as I think quite a few of us would like one...I'll start a thread to add weight to our argument!

Well I'm interested. Come on mnhq!

Have to say, a little disappointed with the show. All well and good if you want a caravan or motorhome, but not great on tents or camping gear all the accessories etc. oh well know next time just go to a camping show!

I think the problem with London this year (and last, for that matter) is that there aren't really any proper camping shows. Even the Outdoors show end of last year wasn't great - it had even less camping related things. Disappointing really - Outdoors show in 2010 was good and had bushcraft type things. I suspect the fact that we all buy mostly online (well, me anyway) means it's not cost effective for smaller companies, so you end up with Vango, Outwell etc, but not small providers.

Have just got back and the show was perfect for us. Lots of trailer tents and folding campers to get the feel of. Some big tents to consider. The space inside is so much bigger than a caravan! Looked at some camper vans and reeled at the prices. In fact ALL the prices for new stuff was outrageous. I feel that the whole concept of camping/vanning is being taken over by the middle classes and those of us who do it because other types of holidays are out of our price range are being side-lined. There were so many people seriously looking at the £65k Airstream and similarly priced motorhomes and I thought HOW can you afford them?? One tent was £999 without carpet, porch etc which added on another couple of hundred. A reclining chair for £115! It's just a bit of metal with a stretchy bit of material on it. Jeez.
We have decided to sell our caravan but won't replace it with anything immediately unless we see a decent used trailer tent with all the trimmings at a reasonable price.

The one thing I noticed was loads of places to stop and sit down to eat a picnic or buy a coffee. Not something you get at lots of shows so well done organisers!

Ooh the airstream was lovely, bit out of our price range though!!

And why are the caravans still stuck in the 70's/80's decor wise?!

We went and it was worth it for us. For seasoned campers who know exactly what they're looking for - I would say it's less worth it. If you want to replace a camper/motorhome it must be the Bees Knees, though. I can't imagine that when it comes to caravans there are many more types that WEREN'T at the show.

I have to say I was VERY taken by the Lodge-let. I can't find it googling, will link later. Also a trailer that had a tent which emerged from it. Honestly - Montgomery could have led the North African campaign from that thing, state of the art. BUT £12.5K.

Many, but not all, of the tents were HUGE and I probably wouldn't buy any that I saw today but it was interesting to see them up and get a feel for what things are like in person, how various layouts feel.

I couldn't work out who Airstream is pitched to either - perhaps a star on a film set??!

Ended up losing a white bag from the show that had my youngest DDs sweater in it. If you found it, please PM me !