Bear Lake 6 - extension?

[DreadfulSpiller]

Hi, we've got a Bear Lake 6 on order, but we've delayed ordering the extension as not sure it's needed?
A couple of UK wkend camps in the SE and then 2 weeks in France in August in the Dordogne (les valades) and vendee (la garangeoire).
Nervous about shade/rain/cooking, do we need the extension?
Me and DH and Dd7 and DD2.

I'd say get the canopy.
We did a few years in France (same sort of areas) with Outwell Maryland so large tent interior but no canopy. Got a DeWaard Albatross with variolfuil (canopy) for French camping on the back of those summers.
The difference really was the shade both from the rain and the sun but still being undercover but outside. Were used to 'cold' rain in this country but over there you still want to sit out and eat if it's raining.
Enjoy!

Thanks Claire, that makes sense, were thinking the existing canopy and a decent wind break might suffice, but will think again. Any other BL owners or similar out there? Was Lao worried about the tent being absolutely massive with extension ... But from looking around it seems that mahoosive tents are
More of a norm these days? We're returning to camping, me and DH were a bit more minimal in our younger, Pre DC days!

We have a BL6 - the 2012 model though, so as it has a flat front, the space under the 'porch' is good to sit under, even without an extension. However, we camp with friends and have a separate Coleman's event shelter, so that's probably why we haven't bothered. Plus we've only camped in the UK so far so shade hasn't been too much of an issue!!

Thanks - seems the flat front is quite a useful feature. I think we'll try it out for a wkend in the UK without and see how we get on.
Are you generally pleased with the tent though?

Personally I would get one if possible as then you have the choice to use it or not depending on each individual trip.

They're useful for cooking, storing wellies and toys etc, sitting out under, and depending on the entrance to your tent can save a lot of water getting in if you open the door when it's raining.