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Quote: Originally posted by FionaW1971 on 13/2/2009

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I think mostly its down to poor tent not pegged correctly, although very often a poor tent is blamed and its actually the position and pegging of tent. Poor equipment, bad weather, different expectations.  Its not going to be for everyone but I reckon if you do your research on here, and ask plenty of questions before you venture out then you won't go far wrong.

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I know of a family that spent £1500 on tent and equipment. for starters. they never tried pitching it before hand, and they went from Lancashire to Cornwall 1st and only trip booked 2 weeks.

came home after 3 days. said it rained was crowded and the toilets stank.

I asked why they took on the idea of camping? they saw it on the telly and thought it would be fun! but said never again,going back to the canneries next year! what about all your camping gear? oh took it to cash generator got £325 for the lot.

I was gutted

guess some just don't take to it.

Quote: Originally posted by oldham on 13/2/2009

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The caravan section is full of them 

....if you promote camping under canvas as a DIY chalet then you will have problems, if you go camping for camping sake and follow the weather, then your all in for a good time.   Don't try to beat the elements they will always win 

So watch the weather this includes wind speeds and night time temperature,  Be prepared to say not this weekend    

Keep it simple less is better you will note that most of us have 2 or more tents not because we're  addicts but we have found that for a quick weekend you do not want to spend the whole weekend packing and unpacking then packing up again just to unpack when you get home.  So a minimalist set up is required.

Rule of thumb is, the more you take the less likely you will go 

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Quote: Originally posted by Merry on 13/2/2009

Quote: Originally posted by oldham on 13/2/2009

The caravan section is full of them 

....if you promote camping under canvas as a DIY chalet then you will have problems, if you go camping for camping sake and follow the weather, then your all in for a good time.   Don't try to beat the elements they will always win 

So watch the weather this includes wind speeds and night time temperature,  Be prepared to say not this weekend    

Keep it simple less is better you will note that most of us have 2 or more tents not because we're  addicts but we have found that for a quick weekend you do not want to spend the whole weekend packing and unpacking then packing up again just to unpack when you get home.  So a minimalist set up is required.

Rule of thumb is, the more you take the less likely you will go 

Great post

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Quote: Originally posted by soulcamper on 14/2/2009i worked with someone who was given a complete set up went had an awful week weather kids moaning etc came home cut tent up skipped all other kit i think you have to have the mentality that its not two weeks in spain and embrace the joy that sitting outside your tent in the early morning sun eating a bacon sarnie watching a buzzard soaring on thermals only camping can give you this

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Hi...

I think if you get the weather you will love camping, but if its wet you will hate it especially if you have a small tent, Last year we camped for 3 nights at Blair Atholl and it rained most of the time, and we had a tent with 2 rooms and a central area, but we had friends with us camping too and trying to fit 6 or 8 people into thes small areas is hopeless, so we both have bought Vango Diablo 900 XPs , so if it rains we will have loads of space

  We got into camping last year after talking with friends and laughing about the good time we had camping 20 years ago.  It was within days that everyone was looking in Argos and buying 'beginner' tents and basic kit, then not long after we had booked into a local site, half an hour away.

  Unfortuately after that first night one of our friend's complained bitterly that she was so cold she didn't even get undressed, stating that she was soooooooo uncomfortable and hated the whole experience.  Other friend's had come in a caravan, so she spent the following morning sat in there, while her OH packed everything away........... She has managed another couple of nights under duress, but complained so much that whenever we have discussed any of our future trips, she puts her fingers in her ears singing 'la la la la la la' and refuses to talk about it.

  We however, are thankful that we got back into camping and can't wait for the season to start.

  Best wishes Sam

Quote: Originally posted by caster on 13/2/2009

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Pitching your tent and setting up your stall is a knack, you won't get it all right in one trip but if you keep at it one day you will wonder what all the fuss was, having said that, some people do get it right first time and then some of us still bugger something up after years at it, e.g. setting everything up before realising the gas bottle is sat on the drive at home

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I like that Caster, when we had our caravan, we drove 180 miles to our site, pitched the van & started setting the awning up only to find we'd left the awning panels in the attic. I guess these things happen to everyone now & then but I did chuckle when I read your reply & it reminded me of ours.

We've sold the van & decided to try a tent, the kids want to go camping so I thought we'd give it a whirl. I have to admit, I'm scratching myself where I don't itch now wondering if we've done the right thing.

BB