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Topic: Tents as social spaces.

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AndyR1969

22/6/2015 at 10:34pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Kampa Filey 6 Classic VangoOmega 350

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Our scout group has a couple of event shelters that we use as communal areas when camping with cubs/scouts. Add a couple of windbreaks and they also make great kitchen/dining areas. The only down side to them is that they do not like wind, and if aren't properly guyed down thet will act like giant kites. Even if they are properly guyed down they will suffer really badly in strong winds - if you're going off site, take them down or lose them!

jelboy53

23/6/2015 at 9:55am
Location: Cumbernauld Scotland
Outfit: Monty 6Icarus 500 Halo 300

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When I started attending organized meet ups years ago here in Scotland we would just gather round a BBQ on a fine night or head for our individual tents or someone with a caravans awning....

Eager to socialize and not wanting to invade folks private space this soon developed into a concoction of various arrangements of Gazeebo's/umbrellas/Wind breaks etc etc...Culmintating in the purchase of a full blown party tent in which lights...A sound system chairs and tables etc could be put and was ideal for everyone to meet up in and socialize of an evening...

We would have prize giving ceremonies for the kids sports days...and even an area set up with colouring books/games etc for them to play with....

I have on occasion used the living area of my tent to entertain others on site but really do prefer friends or people I know and trust when I do that as I have fallen foul of a few strange/weird people by being too unselective with choice of guests (If you know what I mean)

Have found also on meet ups...Or when off alone...That camping folk have an inherent interest in others tents and set ups and have no problems showing them both if they show an interest in my mishmash set up...Or indeed having a nosy at theirs if invited to do so....Even then I confine myself to a quick peek from the doorway...As it somehow feels invasive to do otherwise....

Jelboy

PS: Interesting topic by the way...

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Some days are Diamonds...Some days are stone...

Mucker1884

23/6/2015 at 10:04am
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings

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Quote: Originally posted by jelboy53 on 23/6/2015

... as I have fallen foul of a few strange/weird people by being too unselective with choice of guests (If you know what I mean)

I must say, Jeller's, I did think that, on more than one occasion, when looking at the red squirrel pics, but didn't like to mention it.
I'd steer clear in future, if I were you!

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Campernic

23/6/2015 at 8:44pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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I once went to a meet early in the season where the site owners thoughtfully provided us with a Yurt that, later in the season, would have been rented out as accommodation. They left it pretty much empty, we took up residence with our campchairs, lit the fire and enjoyed a bit of craic.

For my upcoming holiday I've decided against the table and parasol option as the onshore winds would only knock the whole thing over. I think I'll go down the well secured tarp route, I have two...a little one and a big one. I have a kitchen space to sort out as well so two birds with one stone.

So, in summary(and a bit tongue in cheek). Big open extensions practically have welcome signs over the door and Karstens and Bell Tents have a small sign saying 'Go Away'.

CamperStoke

23/6/2015 at 8:54pm
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
Outfit: Vango Asante 500 & Coleman Instant 4

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Quote: Originally posted by Campernic on 23/6/2015
we took up residence with our campchairs, lit the fire and enjoyed a bit of craic.

http://www.talktofrank.com/

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April 2015 - Castle Camping, Staffordshire
June 2015 - Castle Camping, Staffordshire
July 2015 - Pillars of Hercules, Fife
August 2015 - Fforest Fields, Powys

jelboy53

23/6/2015 at 11:01pm
Location: Cumbernauld Scotland
Outfit: Monty 6Icarus 500 Halo 300

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Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 23/6/2015

Quote: Originally posted by jelboy53 on 23/6/2015
... as I have fallen foul of a few strange/weird people by being too unselective with choice of guests (If you know what I mean)

I must say, Jeller's, I did think that, on more than one occasion, when looking at the red squirrel pics, but didn't like to mention it.
I'd steer clear in future, if I were you!

You are nearer the truth than you will ever know with your comments Mucker's.....Heaven forfend I should comment further on the subject...I will leave that to members of the DSG when they read this....

I would get behind the couch now.....If I were you....

Jelboy

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Campers of the storm,Into this world are born

Some days are Diamonds...Some days are stone...

Campernic

03/7/2015 at 11:20pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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Tomorrow I start my experiment with my fortnights annual holiday. I have bought a cheap Ikea garden table (£15) and butchered a hole in the middle for a parasol. Butchered is right because I didn't have the right tools. This necessitated a trip to the shop to get a parasol tea light holder to hide the bodge job.

My son who is an electrician did a better job than I would at reducing the height of it so it is better for camp chairs.

I have a lovely big sunny yellow beach parasol, and all in all I hope to have a set up that mentally announces 'welcome' to all my new camping friends as a focal point.

I'll post photos when I get the chance (wifi etc) and let you all know if I managed to create a nice social space as I admit my Bell Tent is a bit introverted.

Bernie47

03/7/2015 at 11:45pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Campernic on 03/7/2015

I have a lovely big sunny yellow beach parasol

So that's where you hide the TV aerial.

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Bernie

thebiz

04/7/2015 at 9:55am
Location: anywhere but here
Outfit: oops bought another one !

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Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 03/7/2015

Quote: Originally posted by Campernic on 03/7/2015
I have a lovely big sunny yellow beach parasol

So that's where you hide the TV aerial.

Hahahaha

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Hedgehugger

04/7/2015 at 10:09am
Location: Wirral
Outfit: Aztec Mardi Gras 3

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I love the idea of a bell tent being introverted. Could tents be said to have personalities, I wonder?

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Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!

Campernic

19/7/2015 at 11:50am
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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The experiment was a bit of a fail because there was rain and strong winds for 12 out of our 14 days holiday and also we were put in a corner pitch with no 'passing' traffic. So my Bell is still a friend free zone but that was ok because the facilities in the campsite included a cottage with sitting room and spaces for socializing where people brought instruments in and we enjoyed some songs.

The table and beach parasol looked quite good and we had bunting on the Bell Tent and one occasion we had people at the next table in a restaurant about 8 miles away from the campsite, discussing our tent amongst themselves!

That was a strange moment. They were american (and not quiet) and after a moment I looked at my son and said, that's our tent that they are talking about! They was all 'OH MY GAWD, did you see that cute little tent with the little circus flags...etc etc.. quite funny really.

ANGEDAWS

19/7/2015 at 11:02pm
Location: Northern England
Outfit: Coleman Mosedale 5

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Strange isn't it. We have just been away with non camping family. The idea was that we would lend them a tent and they would share our cooking facilities but they kept apologising all the time when they needed to come into our awning or borrow something. I have never really thought about it before but your tent is a very personal space.

Oh and I love the story about the talked about tent! I would feel quite proud.

Campernic

20/7/2015 at 11:52am
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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I went away last Sept with a non camping family and to make it a bit easier for them I brought a utility tent with a fully kitted out kitchen area which was for their use as well as mine and they would not use it! I placed it away from my tent (no marked out pitches, asked campsite owners permission) so they could feel they could use it, but they still didn't. In their eyes it was still 'my' kitchen.

I just think tents are personal spaces unless the campsite itself provides a communal facility.

Campernic

20/7/2015 at 1:54pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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My tent in Mannix Point, Co Kerry, Ireland last week on our one good day. The tarp had been rigged as a shed to keep my chairs dry and the beach brolly was in there too.

view from the campsite

The yellow tape was a newly sewn with grass area and the campsite just wanted to keep kids, bikes and tents off it until next year.

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