Is it just me who doesn't 'get' bell tents?

[millimat]

I just can't see the appeal? Why go for just one open room?

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

It's funny really. We go camping with friends with modern family tents and they admire our bell tent (but don't want one themselves) and we admire their tents (with all the lovely rooms and storage pockets) but don't want one of theirs either. It is definitely a case of horses for courses.

We do all seem to share a taste for Quechua tarps and Coleman event shelters though...

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

Pictish - I missed your post about chandeliers upthread. Sorry to hear of its accident. I have always fancied one but not yet splashed out. Can I ask where you got yours?

[pictish]

Pocture on profile of dh and ds1 sitting in the tent, and another one further down of the outside of the tent.

The old chandelier (in the picture) was from a place in Edinburgh that sold Moroccan style stuff, and it was lovely.

this is the new one due today.

[pictish]

I am a real tentophile btw and always admire other people's tents. The design, the functionality...the space. I LOVE tents!

But mine is better.

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

That chandelier is seriously lovely, pictish. Might have to ask for one for my birthday in September (might even get a camp in with it this year if I do). I really can't justify any more camping spend this season.

Since March, we have acquired a Coleman Xtreme coolbox (fab), a 5m flagpole (great fun) and an Obelink kitchen www.obelink.co.uk/camping-accessories/camping-furniture/hypercamp-ambassador.html?category_params=s_company%3D4%26category_id%3D4252 (really crossing the divide with caravanning now, but I love it).

No wonder we need a trailer...

[pictish]

ooo swish!

We have something a bit similar but not as posh. It houses the stove and the lamp and doubles up as a worktop as well.

[blueshoes]

Why do people need rooms in their tents? Do people actually have sex in a family tent?

[PiHigh]

pictish Your tent is gorgeous.

I would love a bell tent but realistically there's no way we'd manage without having to fork out for a trailer or really huge lorry something. We only just manage to take essentials atm. Dh knows far too well how much stuff I'd want to take if I had a bell tent and how much fabric I'd buy to make blankets/bunting/cushions. The kids loved one at a campsite last year because it had bunting

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

Yes, it is great. It was DH's Father's Day present (luckily he loves camping and is really into cooking too). But I must admit, this weekend, it was me who was finding places for the utensils and enjoying hanging things from hooks (slightly sad I know). I don't get any such kick out of arranging the kitchen at home - weird.

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

PiHigh - don't miss out on the bunting and fairy lights because you don't have a bell tent. All tents look great with plenty of decoration and you can always fiond a space for it somewhere (even if you wind it round yourself/DCs under your clothes .

[pictish]

I think having seperate rooms contains the mess a bit, rather than just having a rabble everywhere. You can dump anything you're not using in a room and zip it up.
I don't know about privacy as such.

I didn't want rooms in ours, as I felt it would detract from the feeling of air and space inside, so I have camping storage furniture instead, in which I tuck everything away.

[pictish]

mummy I totally relate - I take great pleasure in organising the tent, and much less so in our actual kitchen.

[pictish]

Thanks pi x

[millimat]

For me, the idea of rooms are not for sex - heaven forbid (its banned when camping did you know?)- but the idea of tidiness. Also, when dcs go to be we don't have to sit in the pitch black.

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

I get the tidiness thing, but you don't have to sit in the pitch black in a bell either. Once DD is alseep we can turn lights on in the tent without her waking, or you could get an inner for DCs to sleep in if that is a problem. But it is far nicer to sit outside the tent round a fire anyway or under a tarp if it is raining.

[pictish]

Once our three are asleep, they stay asleep. We can sit chatting, with the lanterns and candles burning away, and there's no a murmer from any o them.
Sitting in the pitch dark? No need!

[blueshoes]

I did not know sex, even whilst in tent, is banned when camping, not that I have tried as I have a bell tent and young children.

Will that be in the camp site rules?

[shirazplease]

I too am bell tent convert after having earned my 'roughing it' stripes. I reckon it's the difference between a Travelodge and the Ritz....admittedly, car trips are rather uncomfortable, but completely worth it.

Whilst we were away at half term there was an awful rainy day and the kids were all in our tent (maybe that isn't such a good thing!) playing twister and in the warmth (fan heater ) the cream canvas just makes it such a lovely bright environment even in horrid weather

re chandeliers, I have this one which I now see is in the sale

chandelier

and before the fire safety brigade jump all over me, I have some lovely flickery battery tea lights off Amazon.

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

Oh shiraz, having said I would have to wait for my birthday to get a chandelier, your link made me cave . A White Company chandelier is winging its way to me now. Now to source VERY cheap battery tea lights....

[shirazplease]

Oopsy! Sorry MP! PS don't skimp too much on the tea lights, I did my research and the cheapie ones produce v little light. Settled on these

tealights in the end, as well as a spare set of batteries for when they (inevitably) burn out.

Although, admittedly I've been a little disappointed as I've not used them that much as the sun is up so late, I've not really needed to light the chandelier. Boo.

[hazeyjane]

Pictish what sort of camping furniture do you have?

We have a bell tent, but haven't furnished it yet.....ogling tea light chandelier!

[pictish]

The main thing we have is this.
I see it's on spesh atm, so a good time to buy!

It folds up, and can be at coffee table height (perfect for the bell) or dining table height. It has two very large storage compartments and pockets on the end for utensils.
I am tempted to buy another for the other side of the bell, for all the clothes. It really is excellent.

We also take some garden tidies like this which squash down flat for transport, and are great for popping wet wellies, or dirty laundry and so on into.

[shirazplease]

Oooh I like that garden tidy Pictish. We've used a pop up laundry hamper, but that's a bit more substantial.

add to basket

[hazeyjane]

Ooh, I am excited now - birthday at the weekend, and my list now contains

1 x chandelier
1 x table with storage
2 x pop up garden tidies

I can't wait to go camping!