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Having recently purchased our "new" 2000 mirage trailer tent from a private buyer with all accessories in it ready to go. We did just that and went. We joined Camping and caravaning club and booked a site at windermere. We got to our pitch which was all hard standing and thought "what the hell are we supposed to do here?" site chap came round and advised "rock pegs". didn't know where there were any pegs at all in the unit so off to the shop for some rock pegs. Main Trailer up in about half an hour but previous keeper had removed all inner tents, sheets, covers an basically everything that could detach was removed and stored in the trailer somewhere after she had washed them all thoroughly so couldn't complain. then came the awning along with the rain. After about another 40 mins and some serious puffing, panting,  serious head scratching and about half a gallon or fainwater in my shoes the awning was up. kitchen in and ready for a brew and realised no water container. trip to the water tap and kettle on. Off to the shop to buy a water container. We then found the erecting instructions in the bottom drawer of the trailer unit together with some rock pegs. After a quick brew it was off to the showers to freshen up and get ready for tea at the convenient cafe on site. Return from the showers and crisis no 3. 12 yrs old daughter with ceramic hair straighteners and no electric hook up which was advertised with the unit and was definately there when we looked at it. Off to the shop... no cable so trip will have to wait till morning and daughter will have to stress for one night. Day two, cable bought, crisis over and father daughter relationship salvaged. played with cooking...ok . wife rearranged awning for third time sop few more beers at night to calm the shattered nerves. Day three, after a glorious weekend of sunshine as soon as we started to drop the tent it rained, shoes filled with rainwater again but tent went down easy enough although had to return home and re erect it to dry it.

Problem?     never........................ what a fantastic weekend. we had so much fun that you could never recreate with a static or a hotel or a chalet. We all sat round and played games and cards and actually talked and thoroughly enjoyed it. .............   can't wait for the next weekend...   just wondering where to go which is part of the fun

Come to a meet, quite a few on, have a look at the Events/Meets button. Then you can watch others struggling to do the same thing!

Glad you enjoyed your first trip out, had a good giggle at your post, so like me in my first trip out with my "Bambi"!

Debbym

Hi

I think you did great to get the awning up in 40 min took us about an hour and a half at easter, for the first time on our trigano chantilly but were determined to get better and carn't wait till half term when were going to Keswick.

Hope you have lots of happy camping trips.

fiona

Hi there, and welcome to the madhouse!!

Laughed at your post as it brought back a few memories! We bought our first tent (a frame tent) 2nd hand and it had nothing with it so we had to buy the lot. Hubby and I practised like mad in the garden figuring out best way to put it up, arrange poles, get groundsheet down etc and when we left we thought ..right..ready for anything!!  Yeah we were, had the works, hook-up, kettle, gas, cuddly toy...everything in fact ......apart from a tent that was waterproof!!!!!!!!  Yes, proofed last year ..said the seller..MY Arse!! said me as on the third day in Sunny (!) Wrexham the heavens opened..OMG..it was like sitting in a huge fridge!! The canvas was sodden, we were freezing, drips from everywhere...but I had a corkscrew for the wine, hubby had his beers and kids wore lots of clothes inside the sleeping bag.Cooker was used as heater and we all fought to try and get near it! Now I wonder why my teenager point blank refuses to go camping in a tent again???? Like yourself we had such a laugh (well afterwards anyway) and didnt have the tv or anything, played and cheated at cards, dominos, name that tune.LOL Ah memories, you cant buy them like that!

Loopieloo

we're still having "events" like that now!!

and its true you do look back at those times and smile!!

 hi everyone  isnt this site great,yesterday i went and bought a 5 birth tent,it wasnt expensive- cheap in fact,so cheap it hasnt got a name (i dont think) as im planning to take my daughters camping for the very first time in the half term. the plan is that if they like camping,we can go bigger & better. im having a job convincing my kids that mum has not "lost the plot" and there is more to life than pc's,tv's and x-box's. Has any one else had this problem,any tips would be gratefully acted upon!

p.s my husband was easy to convince as ive talked him into a weekend of fishing and drinking at brandy warf!