Am going to buy my first tent

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megadread M
megadread Jul 8, 2009 20:24:20
Replying to suave harv

suave harv wrote:
I bought one of these today

http://www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/products.asp?partno=536264

I realy liked the one Fourwinds has, but seeing at it's going to be mostly just for me, it seemed a bit big. The one I've got now is supposed to be a four-berth.

I put mine up in my parents backyard and it took me an hour of faffing, but I reckon It'll only take me fifteen minutes now I've found out what I'm doing wrong.

Tomorrow I'm getting a bed, chair and tables etc, then I'll be wanting some recomendations for camping near sites. I love the idea of the Birchover site, is it in walking distance of the Nine Ladies Megadread?

Thanks for all your replies everyone. You lot are ace!

Yes mate, 15 - 20 minutes walk if that up through the woodland.
Rowtor rocks is just 5 minutes walk down the road, the Andle stone and Dol tor can be incorporated into the nine ladies as a round walk of about an hour, though it'll probably be more like 2 or 3 hrs with the time spent at the sites. ;)
nine stones close and robin hoods stride, Cratcliffe rocks, hermits cave etc are an easy walk of about 30 - 40 minutes.
Gizza shout if you want any more info.
Ps, theres a shop just down the road from the campsite and 2 pubs. ; )

C Chris Collyer
Chris Collyer Jul 9, 2009 12:41:51
Replying to megadread

Ok, here’s my tuppence worth-

Airbed - your back will thank you for it and unless you have the lung capacity of an Olympic swimmer then get a pump as well. A mate has a rechargeable battery powered pump that plugs into a car charger, failing that a foot pump will do but if the bed is wider than the entrance to the tent put it inside before you inflate it.

Sleeping bags – either get a roomy one or better still get a pair that can be zipped together. If cold then zip them, if it’s too warm then just use them like a sheet and duvet. It’s often cooler at night and rapidly gets warm when the sun comes up and hits your tent.

Ear plugs and eye mask. It’s amazing how bloody noisy the countryside can be early in the morning if you’re not used to it (I’m not). Every bird, beast and farm animal within a five mile radius will be intent on waking you up as will passing cars and commuter trains if your camp site is anywhere near them. Ear plugs will also help if you’ve got noisy camping neighbours late at night. Sunrise is currently about 5am and can be really bright when you’re in a tent.

Head torch. Useful for keeping you hands free at night and reading in the tent etc. A light that can be hung in the top of the tent would be handy too. Make sure you keep the tent well closed while you’ve got any lights on thought or you’ll attract lots of biting insects. In fact keep in closed as much as possible. Which reminds me – take some insect bite cream.

Gas stove. You can get multi burner stoves, take pots and pans and cook up a three course meal but I reckon a local takeaway or pub is a lot less hassle but take at least a single burner stove and a tin mug just so you can have a nice hot cuppa in the morning.

24 hour supermarkets. What did the world do before them? Check online in advance for the location of local 24 hour stores they can be a lifesaver for sun burn cream, fresh supplies, cheap dry clothes, petrol etc. If you’ve got a Tomtom or similar you can download databases of supermarkets, petrol stations or pizza huts etc (also remember in car chargers if for any electrical stuff if you’ve got them)

... and probably some more stuff that will come to me later. The best advice is probably to think through all the stuff that you would use at home on a day to day basis and work out the esentials that you would need to take with you, what stuff can be sourced locally, and then whatever luxuries you've got room for.

-Chris