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i started caming last year with my hubby and 3 kids aged at the time 2, 4, and , we had  a huge sunncamp 12 berth, we did put it up with the help of a lovley lady, well she took the kids away to the park for us, i knew she was on the site before we went and knew  her from school. WE had a lovely time.

Now this year  i am still camping but hubby now the ex, (long story), i went away to the same campsite  knew the same lady would be on hand to help me out, but was worried about the huge tent, had a few practise runs on my own and i could just about manage but it was hard work, this time  i had loads of guys coming to my aid to help a dimsel in distress, nope i could manage but they wanted to help,again  a great trip but tent to big for all 4 of us, so have bought a vango idaho 600, can get this up in 10mins flat on my own.

Of camping again to the same site in 2 weeks for  week this time and can't wait.      

My face mustn't fit as when me and my 8 year old son went last week no one helped me   and 3 hours later the tent was finally up, at 9.30 at night.  what a nightmare that was.

Had a good week any way!    a few brandies later that night and was chilled out and relaxed 

I've had both, last year, with the then puppy in tow, me and the kids took our buzzard 4 to Yorkshire and as soon as I got the tent bag out of the car I had 4 men come over and put the tent up for us!  Must have looked in need of help!!

Back in 1994 at a lovely camsite next to the caledonian canal me and OH must have spent the best part of an hour trying to work out the instructions for our 2 berth eurohike dome tent!  With lots of other campers staring. 

Looking at it now It was really easy but neither of us had had a dome tent or fibreglass poles before!!  We must have looked like the stupid squad had come to town.  (all it is is 2 long poles, put into sleeves and ring & pinned) we couldn't work it out, eventually a bloke and his teenage son or grandson told us how to get it pitched.

We were camping at Ax-les-Thermes this year when OH came back from doing the dishes (It's not a sexist thing - I do all the cooking) saying that there was a guy who had recently arrived and had a huge tent laid out on the grass.

An hour later she came back from the loo saying that the tent was still laid out on the grass and the guy was reading the instructions and looking somewhat perplexed.

I went over to see if he needed a hand to find I had been beaten to it by an elderly Dutch gent and a Frenchman - the "new" camper turned out to be a Frenchman (who was "not the sharpest tool in the shed") accompanied by his dog.

It turned out he had decided to try this camping mullarkey and nipped down to his local "Carrefour" to purchase the necessary equipment. He then arrived on the site never having checked out the gear nor practiced putting up the tent.

Myself and the other "helpers" proceeded to put up the tent whilst the "new" camper spoke to his dog and smoked endless cigarettes, appearing completely disinterested in how to put up his newly purchased tent.

Once we got the tent up he produced a two ring gas burner - muttered something - and pointed to the EHU unit. We then had to explain that it was not a good idea to attempt to plug it in !

After having a great laugh about the whole escapade the, Dutchman, the Frenchman and myself decided it was an International Effort and christened ourselves "International Rescue" (Thunderbirds are GO.......)

We left the next day....................I often wonder how he managed to get the tent down and packed away again - maybe it's still there !

Rod

I always offer a helping hand but never seem to get help - it aint easy putting up a Montana 6 on your own with 2 kids

I offered help last week to a couple trying to pitch in a windy spot but they declined which never bothers me - my conscience is clear cos I have asked - however they were greatful of the much needed brew that I offered - sometimes its just the small things like the cup of tea that makes all the difference.

Kitten x