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I know this must be frustrating for all you lovely experienced campers, but I am worrying about the rain forecast and my cheap tent which has a hydro thingamybob rating of 1500mm.

I would have bought a proper tent, but the whole thing started off as a bit of a joke - I don't think either of us expected to ever go camping, and then I found this site and before I knew what had come over me I'd booked the site and bought a stove and matresses.  If we like the whole experience we will be purchasing a super-duper ultra waterproof palace, however since we don't have a 'proper' tent is there anything we can do to minimise the liklihood of getting soggy?

There is only 1 layer in the main area, there are 2 layers (so sorry I don't know the terminology) in the 2 bedrooms, I'm not sure if these are waterproof or just to keep bugs out, they are attatched to the groundsheets.  I have purchased a large spraycan of waterproof sealant stuff for tents (worked a treat on my horses rugs, so hoping for the same result!), and wondered if another groundsheet under the tent was a good idea (do we need to peg this down also?) or whether you can get an additional roof effort (fly sheet?!)  or is that just likely to take off in the wind?

Husband keeps telling me I'm worrying unnecessarily, is there a good camping shop in Great Yarmouth if it all goes horribly wrong on Saturday night and we need another for Sunday?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Do all first time campers worry like me?

I wouldn't worry bluebella - the worst weather forecast I can find is for 'Showers' on Sat or Sun.  'Showers' is weatherman speak for 'it might rain a little....or it might not'.

1500mm HH should be fine for a shower.  If it turns out to be heavy thunder storms with gale force winds then that might be a different story.

Enjoy your camping, and don't forget to tell us what a great time you had.

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Brainhertz (clique of 1)

I would imagine the outer layer is waterproof!, its quite normal for the bedrooms to have the 'inner' layer as you say and the living areas just have the 'outer'! The HH rating of 1500mm is what all my tents have had in the past and they manage the weather no worries! You shouldn't need to use the can of waterproof sealent as the tent is new it should be fine.

I'm a bit worried that people are saying its going to be raining, on the BBC it says its going to be lovely weather this weekend! I guess it depends where you are going :-)

Unless you pitch in a natural ditch, where the water will flow to, the tent should keep the rain off you...

If you pitch on a hill on the gradient, if the rain is heavy it will flow under your tent... not good...

That's why it's important not to pitch in natural ditches or on the sides of (steep) hills.

Oh, and don't pitch under a tree either. If it does rain, the water will drip from the branches and the noise on the top of your tent will stop being soothing and become annoying within ten minutes.

So as you can see, having a decent tent is part of it but you can do a lot to help yourself before you even put your tent up by looking carefully for a good pitch.

Oh thankyou SO much!!!!!  And thanks Morag, very sensible advice that I wouldn't have thought of!!! 

OK, we are set then, and we will enjoy it - it's ridiculous, I haven't been this excited about a holiday for years, I feel like a kid before Christmas

Quote: Originally posted by bluebella on 03/5/2007

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OK, we are set then, and we will enjoy it - it's ridiculous, I haven't been this excited about a holiday for years, I feel like a kid before Christmas

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See!  Let us know how you get on.

I confess I'm a Camping newbie been years since i last used a tent

This one area Camping seems to need to improve The night Temp. I carnt recall but i dont think the Tent i used was Polyester, are they worse at being Wind breakers because the are breathable due to the condensation problem?

Is it the cold or wind shear that people are experiencing..

As long as the tent stops the wind stealing your heat you should be comfy as toast..

hi blue bellla

I think putting a tent up correctly is more important than the hydrostasic head

if the material is taut with no bias lines in it or sags the rain will run off like an umberella

Lynne

Quote: Originally posted by Bob™57 on 03/5/2007

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An umbrella keeps the rain off you and I bet that's nowhere near 1500hh

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A very valid point.