As a virgin camping family we have just returned from our vacation,we had 3 days at Hoddom Castle in Dumfries from 7-10 July which went well imo!!.
However last week in the Lake District at Parkfoot we got a complete deluge of rain every night except the Wednesday woke up each morning to a clean up operation,certainly learned a few things from the two trips and even with the rain I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Probably the biggest thing I have taken from the experience is the need for a good tent,my ebay £73 job was just about £73 worth(just about mind you)no more than I really expected having read some reviews on it,fine when dry but in rain absolutely no use whatsoever,so before I embark on any more trips it will defo be a new tent probably a Outwell or such like with a sewn in groundsheet and skirts all around a major priority.
2 excellent campsites for our 1st experience and an all round good time.
Lol been there and bought the tshirt.First time we went camping bout 10 years ago we'd bought a cheaper tent and went up to fort william and after 2 nights of rain, really fed up and cramped in a tiny tent we gave up went to inverness and bought a much better one and lol would you believe the weather turned and we had a glorious fortnight of sun!!!
But anyway now we have two fab big tents and wouldn't dream of having a tent without a sewn in groundsheet specially camping in scotland!!!!!
We're off to the lake district again this year, we were at parkfoot last year and it wasn't for us, this year its grizedale near windermere we're trying for a week then glen nevis for a week. Am sooooo praying for it to be dry this year.
Quote: Originally posted by TartanMel on 18/7/2009
Lol been there and bought the tshirt.First time we went camping bout 10 years ago we'd bought a cheaper tent and went up to fort william and after 2 nights of rain, really fed up and cramped in a tiny tent we gave up went to inverness and bought a much better one and lol would you believe the weather turned and we had a glorious fortnight of sun!!!
But anyway now we have two fab big tents and wouldn't dream of having a tent without a sewn in groundsheet specially camping in scotland!!!!!
We're off to the lake district again this year, we were at parkfoot last year and it wasn't for us, this year its grizedale near windermere we're trying for a week then glen nevis for a week. Am sooooo praying for it to be dry this year.
Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 18/7/2009
I love Hoddom It's a lovely site (and area)
As for the tent - glad it has made you even more determined to carry on camping and buy a good tent. plenty of advice and suggestions on here
Yes I agree Hoddom was lovely,there certainly is mountains of advice and for that I'm very grateful.The Leben tent was much what I expected but did not want to go berserk on buying an expensive tent incase the family didnt take to camping,fortunately they did even with the cheap tent so the experience will get better with a better living area.
Went to the Lake's myself last week, travelled up to castlerigg campsite in keswick, after 3 hours of driving in dry weather, the moment my tent touched the field the heavens opened up! marvelous. Chucked it down mostly at night and very early in the morning, but tuesday & wednesday daytime where glorious. Would have stayed longer had the monsoon not arrived later that week!!
Quote: Originally posted by mitch b on 18/7/2009
Went to the Lake's myself last week, travelled up to castlerigg campsite in keswick, after 3 hours of driving in dry weather, the moment my tent touched the field the heavens opened up! marvelous. Chucked it down mostly at night and very early in the morning, but tuesday & wednesday daytime where glorious. Would have stayed longer had the monsoon not arrived later that week!!
Yup Mitch it certainly rained on the Monday Tuesday and Thursday nights,like you say during the day it was lovely,was in Keswick on the Wednesday and it was glorious,Friday morning packing up was an experience for a novice like me thats for sure.
Yeah, listening to the local radio thursday morning and hearing the weather report quickly made my mind up to get out while the going was good, Shame really, would have like to have stayed a while longer.