All you canvas addicts....

[DLeeds]

I can't get one as no-where to dry, but I do regularly drool over various soul pads and bell tents.

Just seen this on cyber checkout (nothing to do with me - just spotted it from their sale emailO

Thought it might be of use to some-one!

www.cybercheckout.co.uk/p-570-bell-tent-4-6-person-summer-sale-free-pp-.aspx

am sorely tempted!

Tent arrived today! Very excited but unfortunately the packaging was so badly damaged in transit (came covered in courier co tape) that I had to reject it. Very sad that I won't have it to put up in the garden this weekend but hopefully will get a replacement early next week.

Ended up getting these 5m fairy lights.

MollieO

I blame you, I have had to sit on my hands all day. I am so tempted. Despite having NO WHERE to dry it.

I should have been writing a report today. Instead I read Happy Camping tent porn. I got nothing done.

Instead have bought cgi.ebay.co.uk/16m-string-solar-fairy-white-lights-garden-xmas-100-led_W0QQitemZ360110388158QQcmdZVi ewItemQQptZUKHomeGardenLightingLampsLightingSM?hash=item53d84073be&trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I blame you,

do not post pics or I will be in trouble.

16m? Wow. Do you have a hugenormous tent or do you just like lots of light?!

I make no apology as you started it so there . If you hadn't posted this thread I wouldn't be in the position I am now. I'm verging on becoming a Grauniad reader.

No piccys until replacement tent arrives. Felt very mean getting an email from the courier company listing status as 'rejected'. I didn't even see it as my mum was house sitting and it arrived (and left) before I got home. She said that the fabric looked lovely but didn't want to accept delivery because the packaging was so badly damaged . The email I got from Cyber checkout following despatch said to reject the package if it was badly damaged. Hopefully I can speak to them in the morning and sort out a replacement.

I am currently debating whether I should knit bunting as a) a bell tent is fashionable and must have bunting and b) knitting is very fashionable and I seem to have lots of wool but not fabric so it would be an economical thing to do. [lost the plot emoticon].

My bell tent arrived today after a bit of a saga. Cyber Checkout were excellent although I do think their packaging could be improved. First tent got sent back as packaging was completely destroyed. Second tent's packaging was completely replaced by DHL but seems to be okay - only a small hole in the peg bag.

Tent looks fab, complete with wooden guy thingys and a decent quality groundsheet.

Excellent - have been lurking till your tent arrived

So - does the groundsheet zip onto the body? Or does it sit up to stop rain coming into the tent? And what's the pole like?

Am - I really, really want one - but DH says I must get more information first

Pole is metal, sturdy but I've seen a place on line where you can buy a wooden pole. No zip on groundsheet afaik. I've taken the pole and peg bags out of the main tent bag, had a look at the groundsheet and tent but not taken them out and unwrapped them completely. Mesh over the windows looks good and the guys are a decent thickness.

The biggest surprise is the tent pegs that came with it. They are 26cm long and 2cm in diameter. I have never seen pegs so big and they weigh an absolute ton. Can't understand why they are so big.

Hopefully I will find the time and the weather to practice putting it up in the garden this weekend and be able to report back with more detail .

Yes please! Any photos of detail gratefully received

Pitched tent today and took photos. Will upload them hopefully tonight or tomorrow. We are camping in it tonight in the garden!

It is lovely. The only problem I've discovered is a missing guy rope which I've emailed to get a replacement. Wasn't too bad to put up although I think there is a knack in getting the tent centred on the groundsheet. I thought I had but having put up the tent I realised that it is slightly off. I will measure and mark the centre for next time.

It seems huge after my little Millets tent .

Photos now on my profile .