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Original poster

OH SH*****T! May lose tent in the wind!

59 replies

TiggyD · 01/06/2015 17:16

The title says it all. Really windy. Wind blasting up the loch but I had to go for the good view this morning when I pitched. Too windy to move it now. Won't be able to hold on to the canvas if I take it down. Have parked in front of the tent, and rigged up a tarp to give a partial low level windbreak. I do have a proper windbreak but it would never hold. Tent beside me flat.

Any tips?

OP posts:
Blistory · 01/06/2015 20:03

If you want to sleep tonight, the car's the best place for you.

If you want to lie awake all night, the tent's the best place for you.

You'll probably survive either way but I tend to find that terror is overrated as a camping experience.

Elizabeth267 · 01/06/2015 20:28

Stay safe, i survived the 87 hurricane in a caravan and awning - I remember hanging onto the poles monkey style in the blasts, I was 10! so it can be done. Fill your jerrycans with water and they can act as extra ballast.

headlesslambrini · 01/06/2015 20:39

good luck

Original poster
TiggyD · 01/06/2015 20:42

Good weather lasted long enough to make a cup of tea. Then hail.

Think I'll just stick it out in the car. Got 4 of those hand warmer things to use tonight. I'll stay warm.

OP posts:
Womaninsack · 01/06/2015 21:21

Here's a tip:

Use a hotel next time Wink

Original poster
TiggyD · 01/06/2015 21:23

Moved car round for new wind direction.

My neighbours, who I helped get their tent up again when it was really pissing down, bought me over a bottle of wine as a thank you. Smile A Yellow Tail Shiraz whatever that is. I might not drink it being a tee total type person, but it's given me a warm feeling inside anyway.

OP posts:
Blu · 01/06/2015 21:24

Bloody hell Tiggy - sounds rough.

My sister's Thermarest blew away in a tent-V-gale disaster in the Lakes.

Can you get the tent down in a lull and sleep in the car? Or stuff everything in the car and head for the nearest Travelodge?

Bad luck - camping on a loch sounds bliss.....usually.

It's even blowing a gale down here in suburban S London.

pictish · 01/06/2015 21:34

Oh bless you.

expatinscotland · 01/06/2015 22:02

Stay warm, Tiggy. It is coming back through from the West here.

Tapasfairy · 01/06/2015 22:04

It's bloody awful where I am. Hoping your ok, I'd drop the tent park on it and sleep in the car.

Stay safe.

lavendersun · 01/06/2015 22:05

Best wishes brave Tiggy!

We survived a 50-60 mph storm intact last year. I thought it was v scary, DH was as cool as a cucumber and DD thought it was fab. I felt very alone!

V impressed that you have an internet connection to keep us all updated.

QuiteLikely5 · 01/06/2015 22:06

Are you Onyour own tiggy?

TheSkiingGardener · 01/06/2015 22:48

Hope all is well and you are safe and warm. Some nights are not for camping!

namechange0dq8 · 01/06/2015 23:10

As soon as the children were old enough to be in their own tent we switched back to always camping in mountain tents. We take a cheap big tent and use it as a mess tent, but sleep in the tents that we know will be completely secure whatever the weather does. Unfortunately, that's not a cheap solution: our pair of two-man tents would each cost about six hundred quid to replace. Snug in a storm, though.

usualsuspect333 · 01/06/2015 23:13

I hope Tiggy has drank the wine and is oblivious to the flapping tent.

winewolfhowls · 01/06/2015 23:21

There is a great thread about camping in wind on UK campsite website if anyone is interested

madamginger · 01/06/2015 23:35

God I remember packing up in a thunderstorm last year in Ireland, it was very scary, after the 4th day of torrential rain I'd had enough and decided to head to family.
Woke up to the most horrible weather and just chucking stuff in the car not even bothering to pack thinking fuck it I'm off!
Took me a week to get dry!

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 02/06/2015 00:30

Yikey fucking yikes Shock

And you do this for fun?

When you have a house that you could be in?

Mucho respect and Flowers

But, ffs, why?

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 02/06/2015 00:31

And he won't have drunk the wine usual he's tee totes!

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 02/06/2015 00:34

B. O. llocks, no landscape is that pretty.

Hope you're OK.

mugglingalong · 02/06/2015 00:42

Last year we camped in Sweden. One night it was so windy that our little dome tent practically inverted. Didn't get much sleep that night. We've just got back from Scotland, thank goodness our half term was last week! Hope you get some sleep.

OrangesLemons · 02/06/2015 04:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Elizabeth267 · 02/06/2015 06:19

Hope you have lasted the night ok?

Original poster
TiggyD · 02/06/2015 07:10

Hello!

The wind picked up from the other direction at 2. I was ready for it and had moved windbreak and car. Very bad until 5 or 6. Calm now and sun peeking through. I "slept" in the car and was warm and toasty.

Everything is fine. I've got a lot of stuff to dry out though.

Out of the 4 tents here, my 3 person tunnel is fine, as is the large(6-8 person?) 3 pronged tunnel tent. Another small tunnel tent is half squished, and the wine giving couple had a high flat sided frame tent are as flat as a pancake. Sad Not a surprise though.

Today I will be sleeping.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 02/06/2015 07:15

Glad you're ok Tiggy. Your post has brought back memories of chasing my sleeping bag across Tge Lake District in my knickers.