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Original poster

Bell tent - well, I've got one extra from my Holland expedition

88 replies

MisSalLaneous · 04/05/2010 10:54

As some of you might know, we went to Holland last weekend to buy my bell tent (a 4m with the zip-off groundsheet).

I got one extra (the 4m with separate groundsheet) to help share some of the travel costs, so if anyone's interested, just shout.

It's this Obelink one, the same as sold by Belltent UK.

You can have it at cost €195 plus £50 for diesel/tunnel costs, so should save you £70 - £80. (I'm obviously not making a profit, but as we were going there anyway, it would feel wrong to. )

CAT me if you're interested!

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fireandlife · 04/05/2010 21:40

I wonder whether naked flames are better inside a lantern where you can totally enclose the flame.

I am looking forward to using pretty lanterns but I have a healthy respect for naked flames around tents.
I plan to use pretend, battery powered tealights. More expensive but worth it for peace of mind.

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 04/05/2010 21:46

Hmm, yes. I guess if a stove is more acceptable than open tealights - well, to some anyway, perhaps I'm not understanding Soulpad's reasons correctly - then an enclosed lantern must be safer.

I'm not sure where things would go wrong, as a tealight in a glass would just burn out if you forget it, right? I'm still a little concerned, but possibly just because the words flames and tents still scare me after I saw an You-tube video of a nylon tent going up in flames...

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lunavix · 04/05/2010 22:02

I'm just looking now Sal :D I've been working all weekend and feeling slightly frazzled after stressful shifts with poorly children so thinking about breaks should do me some good!

How do you think it will feel if/when you have an addition to your family (ie when you are 2+2)? And how many more little darlings do you think you'd fit in?

fireandlife · 04/05/2010 22:05

Yes, you'd think tea lights would be a safe option if naked flames are considered OK inside a bell tent.

I just have a funny feeling that naked flames in a tent aren't very safe. Maybe someone drilled something into me during my Duke of Edinburgh's Award camping days!

I supose the only thing is to go with what each of us feels most relaxed with. I'm sure the relaxing ambience created by candle light could well outweigh anxiety about fire!

DuelingFanjo · 04/05/2010 22:13

MisSalLaneous where did you get your fairy lights and was it at christmas? I know I can get them on ebay but wanted to see if I can find them locally first.... battery powered ones.

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 04/05/2010 22:21

Hi Lunavix! Hmm, I'm not sure. I definitely won't do more than 2 + 2 children in there on a regular basis, as I think you'd then start losing the feeling of spaciousness. 2 children should be ok, but it would depend how much spare space you'd want.

I'll search for pics to show the comparison.

Anyone around that's actually camped in a 4m one?

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Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 04/05/2010 22:25

Ok Lunavix, still searching, but scroll down here Bottom 2 or so pictures. Queen mattrass comes up to pole, whereas bottom picture shows in 5m one, with plenty of space.

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Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 04/05/2010 22:27

Dueling, I got them from Tesco - think it was in February. They had a half price sale on, so I thought I might as well get them, as I knew I wanted ones when I get a bell tent.

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Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 04/05/2010 22:28

In all honesty though, I've since wondered if battery powered would not work just as well, seeing that the sun doesn't always shine that bright . I haven't tried them out though, so maybe not an issue.

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BettyBlu · 05/05/2010 13:37

Hi Sal - yes, have never had any problems and only time a park warden did roll up it was to admire it! Just take the top bit and then I always roll up the sides too, so it's obviously being used as a shade iyswim?

This thread kicked me over edge last night and I ordered some solar powered fairy lights...

DuelingFanjo · 05/05/2010 13:41

I'm going to take ours to a park too, just to get the hang of it.

Am just wondering if seasoned bell tent owners can tell me a bit about cleaning them? We're taking it to Glastonbury and there's a chance it might get mudy. Is it best to just wait til the mud is dry and then brush it off?

DuelingFanjo · 05/05/2010 13:42

muddy

SamanthaFox · 05/05/2010 13:47

MisSal,

I have skimmed the thread but not sure if the tent has been grasped by someone else's eager hands yet! If not, could I just ask - does it have a zip off groundsheet or just a separate one?
Also I'm not sure how you would plan to transport it to one of us - I am in Kent, are we too far away?

Thankyou! (ps I am regular poster - used to be FA)

Lotkinsgonecurly · 05/05/2010 13:59

MisSalLaneous (sp) Has it already been sold ? I've not got CAT but am interested in it. Where would we need to come and collect from?

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 05/05/2010 17:41

Hi. Ok, if Lunavix doesn't take it (she'll know tonight), it can go to SamanthaFox, or if you decide not to, Lotkins.

it's the one with the completely separate groundsheet (think it's just called the "Sahara 400" on the Belltent website). I struggle with links on my phone, but it's the one on there for £299, if that helps narrow it down at all.

Wrt pickup - well, you can either pick up from ours, or I can arrange courier, but you'll have to pay for that (sorry!). I had a look the other day, and think if you book through the discount DHL one it will be around £15 for 48 hr delivery (insanely expensive for overnight). We're in Greenwich though, so should be easy to pick up from Kent. Once I've heard from Lunav, I'll email you my exact address so you can decide.

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Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 05/05/2010 18:03

Ok, have spoken to Lunavix, and she's going for a 5m one, so this one is still available.

I'll CAT you both as soon as Im home.

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Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 05/05/2010 19:08

SamanthaFox, this is the same tent. Belltent UK is the sole UK distributor, hence the price difference. It's a little unfortunate that they take such a huge markup, as I'd normally prefer to buy locally. Still, the rest of their products seem to be market price, so I'd still buy other stuff from them.

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SamanthaFox · 05/05/2010 19:57

Thankyou, MisSal - it's gorgeous. We used to have the deluxe with the groundsheet attached - it got very hot! That was in the days when they shipped to the UK.
I wonder why they stopped...did anyone ever find out?

I don't think I could collect from London but the courier price isn't a problem.
I will just have to see whether I have enough in the bank, that is the only thing holding me back

I didn't realise the separate groundsheet one had a rubber thing all round to make a waterproof seal, that's a great idea.

I am getting very wistful now. I will check the money situation and get back to you later.

sarah293 · 05/05/2010 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 05/05/2010 20:09

Ok cool SamanthaFox, I'll wait to hear from you. Well, according from what I could figure out from UKCS and SongofPaddle (or something like that!), it's because of a supplier agreement between Belltent UK and Obelink. Part of me understands it - the market for bell tents is only so big, so if Obelink sold directly to customers in the UK (even taking courier costs into account), no-one would buy from the UK Companies. I just think they should charge a little less, or throw in freebies like tarps etc - I'm a sucker for a freeby, so would have been really chuffed, even if I got a £20 thing for free... Hey ho.

Ah, Riven, yes, it's you lot that got all this started - there was a thread ages ago where you talked about your tent and the fairy lights and I got suckered in all excited!

I'm going to copy BettyBlu this weekend and do a half set-up in the park.

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Frizbe · 05/05/2010 20:16

Ikea do battery powered tea lights HTH's

Frizbe · 05/05/2010 20:17

Gah sorry FAIRY lights, doh, brain frazzle!

navyeyelasH · 05/05/2010 21:15

I can't believe I'm asking this as I always thought Bell Tents were naff, but they have grown on me!

Can you get separate sections for sleeping in etc? They look horrible to out up and take down.

MisSalLaneous if you are still looking for a buyer I would love to find out more and maybe buy it if it's not too heavy.

navyeyelasH · 05/05/2010 21:21

sorry I only read the first few posts! Just noticed it loks like SamanthaFox is next in line, then Lotkins. So sorry, only just saw, first come first served and all that.

But if they pass it up let me know - I'm going to try and investigate further. They don't look very waterproof - but they must be?!

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 05/05/2010 21:54

Hey navy! Ah, no worries, I'm just so excited about my new tent I like anyone around to chat to!

Well, not sure whether I can help with tent, but love talking about it, so, here goes:

Yep, you can get separate sections for sleeping in, but I would think you'd need to go for the bigger tent (5m) for that, as you do lose a little bit of space, but more importantly, the whole feeling of space is slightly reduced with an inner.

On the upside, apparently it does make it warmer inside (less space to warm up etc).
Soulpad inner or Belltent inner

Putting up or down - they're (supposedly, I haven't done it myself) easier to put up than most tents. It says you can put one up yourself in 15 minutes. I'll be happy with half an hour.

Slideshow of how to pitch a bell tent.

They are heavy though - the 4m with loose groundsheet weighs 16kg. Ours (zip-off 4m) weighs 22kg, I think.

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