Lighting inside tent.....and SIMs

[purplerain44]

We have a 5m bell tent and taking it away in August for its second year running spending two weeks in France. Last year our lighting in the tent was a bit weedy - I just used battery white fairy lights - so it was a bit "cold". Can anyone recommend something nice and warm and inviting?
Also, on another note, can you tell me what you use to sleep on? Are air beds really super uncomfortable? Last year, we had two SIM singles for our kids and a 10cm double for us (comfy) but it got a puncture, so went back to the shop and the kids kept on rolling off them they were so slim. I'd love some recommendations. We don't have loads of room in the car, so that's another consideration.
Thanks!

I got this light last year in either Robert Dyas or Millets. It was quite cheap. But this uear I haven't bothered with my big lantern as this one is vastly better. I'll find the little lantern-torch in a mo'.

I prefer either an airbed or a thick SIM. With an airbed you need to insulate umder it - a sim or flattened cardboard boxes. Our dc used to sleep on a double SIM that filled their pod, so it didn't matter if they rolled around.

Here's the lantern-torch. The make is Summit. The base flips so that it ishines out as a torch or inwards as a lantern with a flat magnetic base.

I forgot the picture:

great, that's really helpful. thanks.

We use the outwell orion lamp, it's flexible sides mean you can control how you want the light to spread.

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15922288/outwell-orion-remote-15922288

I like bog standard Air beds. Find them more comfy than my own bed as long as they are properly pumped up.
Sims are just like sleeping in a roll mat for me.
Also traditional airbeds take up far less room in transit than Sims.

I heard it suggested that a foil blanket underneath will keep it warm, but I've never had a problem.

We bought 2 of these from Amazon last year. They have a really warm cozy white light and are super convenient for hanging anywhere. We sometimes use them at home to hang in the garden too if we're sitting out at night. They are one of my favourite bits of camping kit!

www.decathlon.co.uk/bl-40-camping-lantern-pink-id_8330594.html

These are brilliant. Cheap as chips, batteries in them last forever, and they take a lot of bashing without even flinching. The give a lovely warm light that is really nice for sitting chatting after dark, pottering around doing stuff... I wouldn't rely on it to read by as the light isn't directional, but other than that and a head torch they're all I need.