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Hi,

Having read the many threads about camping in October half-term, we decided we would go if the weather looked reasonable.

I am now wondering if we are pushing it with two children (3&6) and a dog.

We have our new Coleman Weathermaster XL which is obviously a large tent, but its the only tent we have with SIG.  The other tents we have are a Vango Vista 800 (2004/5 model with flat groundsheet) and a Vango Venture 500. I've also bought a carpet for it and intend to take EHU and a little heater and electric light. 

For sleeping for us, we have a double airbed, i put mats underneath, fleece underblanket on top and a double sleeping bag.  I will probably take the two single bags that we normally zip together too and if necessary put the double inside those lol.  The kids normally sleep in a ready bed inside a 3 season adult bag on top of a picnic mat. 

We are looking at 4 c&cc sites, Chipping Norton, St Neots, Sandringham and Thetford.  I've got enough stamps in my passport to get a free night so thought I'd use that.  I'm looking at the longer range forecasts and at the moment they are all pretty similar, 9-13 c in the day and 4 ish at night.  When we went away to Hayfield for Aug bank holiday week I don't think it was much warmer than that and we coped even with the drafty vista.

Also do any of you put the cobb in the tent for residual heat once you've finished cooking, if I have the all the vents open so there is enough air in the tent?

Are we mad to be still thinking about going. 

Any advice/comments welcome.

Cheers, Diane

Quote: Originally posted by Merry on 13/10/2009

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I'm pretty sure that earlier this year there was a long thread on here started by a chap who'd had a very nasty experience with carbon monoxide poisoning in his tent which had been caused by taking the Cobb inside for extra warmth - can anyone else remember that?

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Yes, I remember reading that - can't recall the name of the poster but sounded very nasty - he and his wife/partner ended up in hospital and had a lucky escape. It certainly stopped me from using the Cobb inside the tent even with lots of air circulating.

I'd go for it as far as October camping is concerned - you sound as if you have enough to keep you warm at nights (don't forget extra layers for the evenings as it will be cold from teatime onwards). Also get a few cheap UFO lights from Poundland or Wilco as you will need plenty of light in the evenings. With the 2 little ones you need to be prepared to spend days out doing things especially if the weather is wet so budget for this too. If you decide on Sandringham I can give you some ideas as to where you can go in the daytime as I live a few miles away.

I'm off to The Orchard in October half term so hoping for some reasonable weather.

Have fun!

We`re going for a weekend at half term, just purchased some fat airics, a heater and a northstar lantern.....

We have a carpet etc and are gong in the Athena

Thanks for all the tips,

I am intending to get an ehu and heater, so will keep the cobb out of the tent.  Carbon monoxide isn't worth messing with.  We've got a blackcat heater but I'm never happy leaving that on for long and really not sure about it in a tent with SIG anyway.

Our dog is an Airedale, she's very thickly coated at the moment so I think she'll be ok in her soft kennel in the tent.  It's got a fleecy pad in the bottom and she'll have her blanket in there too.

As for keeping them amused they are quite happy to sit and colour/draw/read by torchlight, and given past trips will be happy to snuggle down into their beds nice and early.  By the time we've eaten and cleared up etc they'll be ready for bed and the dark will only help.   

I'm still not sure where we'll end up but I think after the comments on here we will end up somewhere.

Thanks again 

We've done October half term twice - once in a tent, and last year in the folding camper,   I can honestly say that even in the tent we were not cold.   OK the rain defeated us the year we were in the tent - woke up to a flooded site.    We were lucky inside of our tent was dry - which is more than I can say about many of the awnings.
OK on both occasions there was on site entertainment - but we tended to stay in, playing cards etc.  
Just make sure you take a variety of games etc to keep the kids amused.

Quote: Originally posted by dianeb on 13/10/2009

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Thanks for all the tips,

I am intending to get an ehu and heater, so will keep the cobb out of the tent.  Carbon monoxide isn't worth messing with.  We've got a blackcat heater but I'm never happy leaving that on for long and really not sure about it in a tent with SIG anyway.

Our dog is an Airedale, she's very thickly coated at the moment so I think she'll be ok in her soft kennel in the tent.  It's got a fleecy pad in the bottom and she'll have her blanket in there too.

As for keeping them amused they are quite happy to sit and colour/draw/read by torchlight, and given past trips will be happy to snuggle down into their beds nice and early.  By the time we've eaten and cleared up etc they'll be ready for bed and the dark will only help.   

I'm still not sure where we'll end up but I think after the comments on here we will end up somewhere.

Thanks again 

 

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That's it booked.

4 nights at the Chipping Norton C&CC site.  Friend is lending me their EHU so i'll get a light and fan heater. 

Can't wait now!

Cheers again.