Is it hard to put up a tent? I'm a bit scared now.

[BocoBeak]

Last minute panic about putting up a tent tomorrow. Going without dp who is going to a stag weekend,- 2 small children and my mum who can't use one hand atm, and is saying she can't do it, can't even lift it.

They just bought a new tent today, it's an Aztec Eagle 8, or something like that. Apparently it's huge!

Going to be at a festival.

Have i done something stupid? Will we all be sleeping in the car? How hard is it?

Oh dear.

Nah it'll be fine. They're really easy these days - colour coded shock-corded poles and whatnot.
You may have to fiddle a bit with pegs etc if it looks a bit wonky the first time, but there's no shame in that

colour coded is good, i can do fiddling. I have only just realised that i've never put up a tent before. I'm not very practical, but must think positive!

I knew this thread was going to be you, Boco!

You will be fine, and you have friends there who can help you and if not someone next to you will. I always used to camp with dc's while dh worked away and it's fun. And there will be music, and cider, and loads of weird obscure things and noodles and your dd's will love it.

Reeelaaax

Take an extra crate of beer and shout "free beer to anyone who helps me" and then kick back in the deckchair and watch...!

You're so calming Mrs C. Will you come? Talk me through it? You'd be great.

I've called all friends who are going to be there and told them they must help. They have camper vans and others are staying in a house. Camper van lot aren't arriving til evening as coming far, others working on the fairy trail but kind of said they'd help if they could. I've camped with the camper vanners before, they put up the tent - sort of backwards and a bit inside out, and it leaked, and we ended up having to sleep in their van. Maybe i shouldn't ask them actually.

Yes, it'll be fine. I can do it, of course i can.

Kbear you are a genious!

I knew this would be you, Boco.

Oh dear. I'm predictably crap aren't i.

No, not at all but you seemed to be getting a wee bit anxious about the whole thing. I'm sure it will be fab.

Boco, this one?

It's got colour coded poles. You just lay out the tent, lay out your poles next to it, and guide the relevant pole through the sleeve. Honestly, it's not hard. You must have to pull the tabs at the end of the sleeve to fit the end of the pole in (if it has them - like little tiny pockets to hold the pole ends) because they can be a bit stiff on a new tent.

goodness me that's the same as ours but in blue, or purple, can't remember.

Mind you, DH put it up, I made myself terribly useful by taking dc's to gaze at the marsh.

He seemed to manage it quite well though!

actually we have three pods, not that it makes a difference, just asked DH and he said it was much more managable after I had left the vicinity

Oh yes that must be the one Lapin thanks! Not seen it - they bought it today - £200 off so must've been quite a bargain. It's blue too Mrs C so must be like yours.

Ok feel better now, colour coded poles, feeding rods in - sounds like the dds pop up post office, and i can do that no problem! (maybe i should take that as a back up)

Good luck, we bought a 3 man pop up in 3 seconds, everyone oohed and ahhhd as it went up whilst they struggled for a further 45 mins.

Putting it down was fun, once we got the hang of it it took around 5 mins and a lot of chuckling.

Dh popped it in the bag (large circle) and mounted it on his back like a turtle whilst everyone watched in admiration as we waddled off the campsite.

Yes Tena you're definitely making me think the pop up post office might be a safer bet.

It even has a serving hatch and a clock and a bit to post your letters through.

www.wolfstad.com/2006/07/quechuas-toss-and-go-seconds-tents/ scroll down and play demo

My computer is being too slow, nothings happening - but if it's your tent - it's too late - my mum has bought the aztec one, we have poles to contend with - we're going in the morning.

Awe, never mind, you will have a laugh putting it up.