Bell tent advice and general thigh rubbing please :)

[TheFantasticMrsFox]

As I posted before, DH has agreed that we can camp again, and buy a new tent :)
Having been seduced by pictures of glamping style bell tents this is what he's aiming for now and quite frankly DS and I are happy to go along with it.
Is a 4m realistically big enough for two adults, a dog cage and associated camping gubbins? DS is 10 now and happier to sleep away from his embarrassing parents in his little two man tent so it seems crazy to go too big just for the sake of it. Considering what a lot of money it is though I would prefer to get it right first time IYKWIM? (DH actually mused that he has bought cheaper cars on occasions :o)

Also, are Soul Pad the best or am I simply paying for a name? I have seen other bell tents online for less but as this one is meant to last a lifetime I (again) want to get it right. Any other recommendations to look at would be great.

Currently I am eyeing a Soul Pad 4000 hybrid as we would prefer a ZiG :)

My DS likes his own tent, too.

My question about Bell tents is does it work having only one main space? Your DS would presumably sit in the tent with you when it was wet, so you would need space for him then. We don't spend very much time actually in the tent at all, but when we do I like to keep the bedroom zipped up to keep out mossies and damp evening air, and mud and sand and grass away from the pillows and sleeping bag as as much as possible. but in a bell tent, you're either in or out. No porch.

You could get a tarp, we got one from Obelink. Although, haven't used it in the UK, it was great in France to shelter from the sun.

I too was worried about having 'areas' in the tent, but in our Bell, we seem to each have a zone that we keep to. Eldest DD (7) sits on her sim playing with her polly pockets and leaving them everywhere for you to stand on with bare feet we seem to keep to our bed area (double height air bed) to read books drink wine smallest DD (2) runs around terrorising eldest DD.

To keep mud at bay, we have a trug by the door and NO SHOES INSIDE

TBH we are sold on the Soulpad (anything to ensure DH comes along with a cheerful spring in his step) and I think the 4000 will fit the bill and the camping crap

charm there will categorically be no rain on my lovely new tent Actually we are going to Southern France in an effort to see some sun as DH has refused to camp in the UK again after the trench foot we endured last time we went He has recently agreed that a weekend would be ok but we will wait for the forecast before going so hopefully will have nothing more than a heavy dew to deal with :o

That's the spirit

We have just bought a 5m ZIG (from belltent, soulpad had no stock) and it is big, but not as big as I had imagined (2 adults/3DCs). Heavy duty zip, so I presume it will be fine in heavy rain.

Had it up the other day and it looks fab - going camping on Monday and it is pouring. Will report back on whether we get soaked....