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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

Anyone out there have an Outwell Norfolk Lake?

19 replies

maviscrewit · 22/09/2008 13:02

We have just got back from our second ever camping trip and last of the season, which I feel really sad about . We've been bitten by the camping bug big style and feel we need a bigger tent for next year.

We have an Outwell Kansas 5 which we got as a bargain and are impressed with the quality but the sleeping compartments are a bit small and i feel claustrophobic (we top and tail so we fit which means I am in my DH's fart slipstream as he has his feet out the end of the sleeping bag! Yes romance is dead!) More living space would be good too. There is DH and me and two lo's aged 3.5 and 2 and a dog so it is a bit of a squish. We would like to go for longer than a couple of nights next year.

A quick search of the internet makes me think the norfolk lake would be ideal. DH likes the look of a Coleman sector x7. Anyone out there with either of these? Also when is the best time to buy to pick up a bargain?

OP posts:

Original poster

maviscrewit · 22/09/2008 19:35

Oh actually have just searched and see that a couple of you have one of these and are pleased with it (understatement Lucycat!)

Anyone any experience of the Coleman sector x7?

Would it be best to buy something now or wait until next year as new season models might be out? Most websites seem to say sold out on a lot of tents.

Many thanks

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dustystar · 22/09/2008 19:41

If you are not planning on going away this year then I'd wait as you can pick up a good deal early next year. The Norfolk Lake is completely FAB

Original poster

maviscrewit · 22/09/2008 19:54

Thanks dusty. I was just thinking about waiting, besides if we got one now I couldn't wait until next year to use it!!

I take it you have a NL - is it quite straightforward to put up? Also what do you sleep on, I'm thinking I am going to have to invest in something more comfy than my cheap Aldi mat!

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mumshadenough · 23/09/2008 23:14

I would buy now if you can, PJ Camping has the NL the cheapest I've seen.

Trouble is, prices are predicted to rise by approx 30% next year (got this from a camping equipment store owner) so if you can afford it...go for it.

Dont worry about wanting to use it now, its so cosy you wont realise it's autumn/winter!!
Emma

dustystar · 24/09/2008 19:26

We do have one and its great So far we have used airbeds but I've had enough of dealing with them going down so we're going to get thermarests for next year. The tent is straightforward but very heavy so you need to put in the ZIG and bedrooms seperately which takes a bit longer but its worth it

I hadn't heard about the price hike but its quite possible. You should go onto ukcampsites and ask there as they have quite a few dealers that post on the forums. Usually I find the they hike the prices of the new season stock but that there are bargins to be had for last season stock at the beginning of the year. It may all be different this year though what with the credit crunch.

Original poster

maviscrewit · 25/09/2008 13:49

Thanks Emma and Dusty. Having trawled loads of websites it seems most are sold out at the cheapers prices at the moment. We are going to try and get one now and if we can't we'll see what happens in the spring. I think more people will start camping so the prices could well go up next season.

Thanks for the advice I think I will ask for a Fat Airic for Christmas they look fab!

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zaksmummy · 25/09/2008 14:52

Hi we just bought our norfolk (last week)and couldn't wait to use so two days later went to christchurch with OH and DS-2.5yrs, and it was lovely and warm and its huge got a king size blow up in one pod with a bit of room to spare, best buy ever. My OH really put it up on his own just a very small bit of holding up from me and it was even quicker to put down and into the bag. Agree with dustystar very heavy tent but does come in two bags.High bridge have them for sale at the mo with no del charge.Good luck

Original poster

maviscrewit · 29/09/2008 14:27

That sounds great ZM am v . DH is holding out for a cheaper price so I can't see us getting one in time for a late trip this year! I am so pleased that you love yours, I hope I can get my hands on one soon!

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zaksmummy · 01/10/2008 09:06

We where going to wait and hope the prices would drop too(dithered so much we missed out on the ones going for £499) but too many people(forums and retail) told us that the prices are going to go sky high next year so thought we'd better get one now.
Good luck and i hope you get one for a good price.

Original poster

maviscrewit · 01/10/2008 13:59

Me too. I think £599 seems OK but DH saw £559 on one website which had sold out - surprise surprise. Basically its only a bit more than we pay for staying in a cottage for a week and I know we'll use it more often. We'll see .... (ps I won't mention they were going for £499 or I'll never get one!!)

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Original poster

maviscrewit · 02/10/2008 22:54

Have had a chat with DH and actually we think the NL will be too much. I now have my eye on an Outwell Idaho XL which is half the price, still pretty big and we will be able to get the carpet and extension to go with it. I know its not polycotton but hey ho, I had considered polycotton until I was seduced by the NL. We just can't stretch ourselves at the moment - I'm sure it will be lovely and I CANNOT wait until camping season again, god I feel bereft already .

OP posts:

Original poster

maviscrewit · 03/10/2008 13:54

Ooooh have just bought the Idaho XL from Yeomans, just under £300 which was by far the cheapest I could find. At half the price of the NL it does seem more sensible for us new campers. If it comes soon we might be brave enough for a test run (we won't be able to fit it in the garden!!). Thanks for all the advice and am still of you lakers!!

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zaksmummy · 07/10/2008 21:55

ohh we looked at one of them i liked them they had a wardrobey hanging thing and a screen for getting dressed behind very nice.Good choice
are they not a bit big for some pitches not sure as being a newbee.
hope you have lots and lots of fun in it.

Original poster

maviscrewit · 08/10/2008 13:43

Hmmm I was just thinking the same ZM about the size of it. It arrived yesterday and the bag is huge! I am wondering if I thought this through properly or have I been seduced by the size of it without thinking about the practicalities . I am sure there was a thread on here about tent and pitch sizes. Can't wait to put it up but it won't fit in the garden and it seems too cold at night to think of camping now (dd's are 3.5 and 2). I might have to take it to cricket pitch in the village - might get funny looks though! sure we'll have lots of fun in it next year !!

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zaksmummy · 08/10/2008 22:03

Hi Maviscrewit we went to the forest of dean 3weeks ago and it was very cold at night but went on a ehu pitch and had a cheap heater with us to keep me,dh and ds 3 warm.
Think the pitch was 4 by 8 mtrs but that was ehu but the normal tent pitches where pitch where ever just to leave a big gap(can't remember how big)between you and the next tent.
Size does matter though.
Can't wait till april to try it again.

Original poster

maviscrewit · 13/10/2008 20:21

Hi there ZM - well we did it this wkend. The weather was so nice we decided to try out the new tent. It was just one night, but we are so pleased with it. Loads of room and it was quite easy to put up, not so easy to get back in the bag though . The first site we tried though did turn us away as their pitches weren't big enough, but we found a very friendly site just down the road who didn't mind about the size at all. It was a great first outing and the girls loved it, can't wait for the spring now. Have started planning a summer of outings already as I am unfeasibly excited!! I can't believe the bug has got me like this, I always thought I liked my home comforts too much , we did get the carpet though so that helps !!

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zaksmummy · 13/10/2008 21:12

Hi Maviscrewit, I'm glad you and the family had a great time too. Yeah a few very quite choice words where said between me and my OH when we tried and eventually succeeded in taking down and folding the tent away
It's addictive isn't it, i spend my time flitting between this sight and ukcs to see where the best place to go next year and any thing else that i need to buy for my new hobby.Yeah i had to have the carpet
Just need next year to be warm and dry now

Original poster

maviscrewit · 14/10/2008 13:18

LOL at trying to get back in the bag - DH is still sulking because after four attempts at folding he went with my idea of rolling it up which worked a treat. I'm so glad the site was nearly empty as we would have provided great entertainment for everyone! I too flit with ukcs for my fix of camping stuff. Now we have a big tent I feel the need to fill it with stuff. My christmas list includes a fat airic and a kitchen storage thingy. Fingers crossed for next year being warm and sunny .

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zaksmummy · 14/10/2008 14:36

LOL at DH sulking women are just so much better at somethings than men.
There's just so much stuff that i feel the need for too, may-be the 5 in 1 sofa that woofers has just posted pic's of,oh yes some kitchen storage thingy's and a new bbq and a new heater oh and a nice new electric light just in case we go in autumn again and go with ehu, oh the list is endless

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