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Topic: Survived our First Tent Experience!

Alohalove

31/7/2010 at 10:13pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

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Just thought I'd give you an update. Thanks to all those that offered advice.

My 3yr Daughter and I went to Kelvedon Hatch C&CC on Sunday. Orginally for 2 nights but had such a delightful time we stayed an extra night.

With a car fit to burst we were greeted by the very helpful John, who escorted us to our pitch, smack bang in the middle of a circle of very experienced looking caravaners.

I misunderstood him and started to set up elsewhere and after a discussion we found me a new pitch on the edge of the field where I felt less conspicuous. After 5 mins he came back to check on me.... I'd had a rethink and he took me back to my first pitch - bless him. Where I had chosen to set up was under trees and I had learned from this forum to stay away from trees.

Luckily my daughter was asleep while I set up. I managed the ground sheet fine, I then attempted Moonmummy's suggestion to insert the poles in to my Icarus 500 before pulling it upright. Great idea and I think it saved time but I still needed to ask a nearby camper to help me haul it up and out like a concertina.

My first fears were over. I had arrived and had a tent to shelter in.

Over the course of the 4 days I chatted to various caravaners - all lived locally. Which made me feel much less silly for not travelling further.

I was perfectly kitted out, we were warm and cosy at night in under duvets (on a duvet, a fleece, an airbed, another fleece and a plastic backed-picnic blanket).

The weather was pretty poor and it rained frequently however we weren't fazed.

Infact, we had such fun that we have rebooked the same site next week with two more first time campers and their children.

Thanks to all of you on the forum here, I couldn't have done it with out you! When I started out considering camping a couple of weeks ago I borrowed a small dome tent from a friend and knew nothing. He popped by to retrieve the unused tent yesterday and was amazed to see how much I have learned. He was in awe of my kit and even wanted to borrow some for his next trip.

madmum2000

31/7/2010 at 10:16pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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Sounds like a lovely first trip, just hope ours goes the same way. Have fun next week too.

Tidburyboy

31/7/2010 at 10:16pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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Great! Glad you enjoyed yourselves, told you people would be happy to help

So, where next?

Alohalove

31/7/2010 at 10:24pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

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Hi Tidburyboy
Well, we are going back to the same place with the friends. I'm then thinking of Gulliver's in Milton Keynes or Kessingland C&CC as a friend has a caravan there.

I want to get as much use as I can before I go back to Uni and the weather turns. (LOL, I say turns, its changeable daily at the mo, I guess I mean before the frost?)

I know all the staff in GO by name now, and manage to go in there and come out having only purchased one childs chair in addition to the king poles I went in for... Thats an achievement. The man tried his hardest to sell me a canopy but I remained firm - NOT yet...

Tidburyboy

31/7/2010 at 10:28pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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Good for you, it will get easier and you might find with a little practice you may be able to get the Icarus up on your own (depends on how tall you are and which way the wind is blowing

)

Glad you are planning to get plenty of use out of it.

Alohalove

31/7/2010 at 10:31pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

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I will keep practicing. I'm 5'1 and kinda petite so I'm doubtful. Eventually my daughter will be big enough to help.

Tidburyboy

31/7/2010 at 10:41pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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ahhh! Well as they say "all the best things come in small packages"

Step ladders anyone?

Alohalove

31/7/2010 at 10:45pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

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LOL I couldnt fit them in my car!
I think I'd stick to asking friendly looking neighbours.

Tidburyboy

31/7/2010 at 10:49pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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Sounds like a better plan to me

Or there's always platform soles on your Crocs?

Alohalove

31/7/2010 at 10:56pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

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Now theres an attractive look. Actually I havent succumbed to the crocs yet. I guess I'm not a proper camper...

Tidburyboy

31/7/2010 at 11:07pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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You'll get some, or something like them. Like most people on here I have a pretty bad case of CPS. (Campingshop procurement syndrome) Although, I am pleased to say that my CPS is nowhere near as bad as some of the others on here.

Magicman2

01/8/2010 at 4:14am
Location: King's Lynn
Outfit: Karrimor Ultralite Icarus 600

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Glad you enjoyed your maiden voyage, nows the time to book your second outing!

-------------
Steve

Look into my eyes, not around my eyes but into my eyes

jelboy53

01/8/2010 at 9:01am
Location: Cumbernauld Scotland
Outfit: Monty 6Icarus 500 Halo 300

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I love these reports of 1st time camping...Its very rare to see a negative one,,,Glad you enjoyed it Aloha despite some minor set backs...and are set to go again...Enjoy!!

Theres been a wee rash of tent buying etc in our neighbourhood...3 of my close neighbours have all gone for the 1st or 2nd time these past two weeks and theres been tents pitched out on the large grassed area at the back of our houses all the way up the street at various times for weeks now!!

Went down to my car last weekend to find my neighbour packing his car...With a rather dodgy looking pile of stuff on top of his...we spent an hour or so rearranging the big pile and the boot of his car and he went off quite happy with a selection of my bungee cords holding it a bit more secure than the yards of plasic rope he was using...Aint been back with them yet...and hes been home a week!!!

Jelboy.

-------------
Campers of the storm,Into this world are born

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

ANNIE1971

03/8/2010 at 3:45pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Sprite lite

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Hi Alohalove were going to Kelveden Hatch next May for a week is it nice.We thought it was in a good location,not far from London and near the coast too.

-------------
Annie

Alohalove

03/8/2010 at 4:19pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500

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Hi Annie
It's lovely. We are going back next week. Very relaxing.

Two fields, the smaller one is where they tend to put families.

It is a tree lined area with a big open space in the middle. At the bottom of the field is a little gate which leads to the play area. Just a slide and a couple of swings and space to play ball.

There is cold water and the bins in the middle. Which is kept clean and tidy.

At the top linking the two fields are the washing up area, toilets and showers. All immaculate. There is constant steamy hot water and good showers.

There is a little woodland walk for dogs and plenty of squirrels to chase (which my dd did).
You can get Chinese and fish n chips delivered too.

The reception has the basics, milk, chocolate etc... And the staff are very helpful and friendly. As are the regulars. The site owner asked one of the regulars to come and introduce himself and offer me a hand if I needed it.

By way of sights, there is the 'secret' nuclear bunker just up the road, but for anything else you need to drive. It's probably half an hour from London or the coast.

I only live 20mins away so if you would like any tips on the area please just ask.

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