Another bell tent question (sorry!)

[whatwouldaudreydo]

Have a brand new 5m zig which I adore and can put up completely alone in about 15 mins, however I've just bought the Obelink tarp to go with it (this one: www.obelink.co.uk/tents/tent-canopies-tarps/tarp-beige-tc.html) and it's just gigantic! 3.75m x 3.75m.

I've had a play with it but can't seem to get it into any kind of meaningful structure. I need it for sheltered cooking - with a windbreak - and eating so will need to stand under it - I'm 5'11.
I'll also be putting it up alone with a toddler to keep an eye on which is now feeling very daunting.

Can anyone please give me some advice? How shall I have it? What do I need to guy first to stop the whole thing acting like a giant sail?

I'm quite happy to get a couple of extra adjustable poles - but what do I do with them?

I'd be ridiculously grateful for a step by step guide of some sort......!

Is this one better maybe....?

www.bctshop.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=0,97,104&CAT_ID=146&P_ID=561

Right put a middle hole over the a frame top then take the two side strings back along the side of the bell. Then get two children to hold the poles holding up the two far side front holes and then peg out all the other strings... Here's a pic of mine up...

It is huge but great for cooking a and sitting under.

Oh saw about the toddler... Hmmm. I find you really need someone to hold the poles. Ask the campsite person to hold?

I'm actually going to buy some more poles to use on the middle side holes to make it less slanted upwards and give more head height straight out of the tent although it does make such a pretty shape...

From the front...

Hope this helps in some way. I would def say it is not the best thing to put up by yourself... Mainly because it flaps about like buggery in the slightest hint of wind.

I've done mine like that but also had it away from the tent and pitched like a ridge tent for cooking purposes - this pic isn't great, but it's how we had it in France (you can just about make out the kitchen at the far end - ignore the washing hanging off it!). We'd managed to lose a guy on it too, so this photo does not show it as taut as it should be.

Thank you for the brilliant pics and clear instructions! Think I may have talked myself into the BCT bell tent canopy....it's got the width but not the length (oo-er) so I think it'll be a bit more practical. Plus it hugs the tent more and goes to the ground. Oh and it looks so darn pretty! ??

Will keep the obelink one for France though as love the ridge tent sun shade idea.

Ooh I've done the tarp as a ridge tent thing too... On a beach in Fujairah. It was perfect as it would have been too hot to stay there all day otherwise. Crap picture - taken on a shit crackberry during a rare moment of no sun. You can see the guys being held down by huge stones.