Well I reckon that this merits a light ripple of polite applause from the camping fraternity.

[Slubberdegullion]

This morning I erected my new Outdoor Revolution utility tent (polycotton + steel poles)

On my own

No instructions

and

With a slightly dicky shoulder.

OMDB, thank you for commenting on my masterful plan. I did think of that, and I was worried about startling airline pilots too. I think that I could get around the 'they are weirdies' problem buy saying loudly and clearly at regular (but widely spaced) intervals

"my what a cool tent we have, the reversed rugs are working a treat darling"

That could work, non?

Slubber, I am still at the I neeeeed a roof box stage. Himself has bypassed that to the I need a trailer stage.

However, where we live we will probably need planning permission in quadruplicate and a certificate from the vicar in order to park it.

... actually slubber, it could have the effect of giving you lots of space around your tent as people might be giving you strange looks and waiting for you to start painting yourself white to deflect the blast.

As long as you don't start wearing tinfoil hats you'll be alright.

tell him it's either a trailer or a Volvo estate (exclusively for camping).

at hiding a new car. The car we have is quite big already .

I blame all of you too for all this stuff. even you OMDB who was my stalwart and eyeroller of all things unecessary until the Recent Revelations.

The forge steel was most exclellent Wildy. Lovely heft.

bramble, oh yes a trailer would Lower The Tone. You would have to hide it under the chickens.

dusty we have an estate, not a volvo mind.

What?

Oh no, don't try blaming me lady, all my excessive camping items are small dinky tihngs like mascara and lip gloss, and essentials like tent carpet picnic rugs.

May I remind you that I still don't have roll-mats

Actually bramble, I think that is a superb idea. What slubber et. al. should do is wear tin foil hats as well as covering their tent in reverse picnic rugs, then they will robably end up with the whole campsite to themselves

yes yes you are still the mn minimalist camper, but with the pritty eyes now

lol

I like other campers. I like looking at their kit. I will make a spare tin helmet and pack it incase we have horrid noisy neighbours.

pmsl...@ 'recent revelations'

ooh slubber...you have your pretty windbreak now too...the other campers will have windbreak envy. I heard 2 people commenting on my lovely windbreak at the weekend

Troutpout I'm trying it out this weekend. I'm having a go at pitching the tent and setting up the tarp & windbreak combo by myself to see if I can do it. DH will be sat in a chair giving helpful directions .

Sadly the only onlookers of the blue diamond will be the sheep living in PIL's field. I'm looking foreward to seeing it in action though.