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HI all

last August we took the in-laws camping. Mother-in-law (70) convinced herself she would hate the experience, and sat in the car while we put up the florida 6 in the rain. She refused to come out of the car until the tent was fully up, electric hooked up and heating on, and then informed us she wanted to go home! Father-in-law set the sat nav to home and gave her the car keys. She stayed however. 

Needless to say, the rain didn't let up for the best part of 5 days, the local weather was the worst for years apparently. Half the campsite upped and left during the week but we stayed put! To our surprise she actually began to enjoy the experience out in the fresh air, and was very impressed when she got talking to a barrister camping in the next field!

Last night she informed us that they had bought a trailer tent, and intended to use it extensively next season, giving us details of campsites she wanted to visit.

Have any of you good people out there had such a success in converting a complete camping sceptic to this degree? We feel very proud to have brought another camper into the fold!

I got my sister converted and she's the type who likes a luxury hotel complete with it's own spa. However I've only half converted her as she only camps because budget dictates - she'd be back in that hotel spa in a flash if she won the lottery, whereas I would be in Holland buying De Waard.....

My mum is desperate to start camping next year after hearing all about our wonderful camping trips!

I've bought her a suitcase stove for Christmas and I'm contemplating giving her my Licata 400 if I can buy the Icarus 600 as a replacement for me without hubby finding out!!

Quote: Originally posted by HEJC72 on 10/11/2010

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My mum is desperate to start camping next year after hearing all about our wonderful camping trips!

I've bought her a suitcase stove for Christmas and I'm contemplating giving her my Licata 400 if I can buy the Icarus 600 as a replacement for me without hubby finding out!!

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Are you going for the new 2011 Icarus? Looks a significant upgrade - mesh on all doors, velcro at base of doors, extra guy rope at top and darkened inner tents and higher HH (see Norwich Camping's website...).

I'd be tempted if we hadn't got our Kampa Bude and I had any chance of sneeking another tent into the house (no chance with my OH!)

Helen

 

We converted ourselves :)

The idea of sleeping on the cold ground with no heat or lights in the pouring pain had always put me off even considering camping.

But then dh got a car with a tow bar already on it and we got a trailer tent.  We had no idea how to put it up and each time we did we added new rips to it, it was pouring down with rain on our 1st trip and the bedding and mattresses got soaked, we pitched over a hole that quickly became a puddle and our groundsheet was so old that the water came straight through it, we hooked up the brand new ehu cable which promptly blew when we plugged the heater into it, dh had to make a new one which took a few hours then to top it all we hadn't pulled the canvas away from the beds so the bed just got wetter overnight.

I just kept asking why anyone would ever consider doing this again but over that week we quickly realised that yes this was fun and that with practice it would be perfect :)

Quote: Originally posted by Speedcamp on 10/11/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by HEJC72 on 10/11/2010

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My mum is desperate to start camping next year after hearing all about our wonderful camping trips!

I've bought her a suitcase stove for Christmas and I'm contemplating giving her my Licata 400 if I can buy the Icarus 600 as a replacement for me without hubby finding out!!

---

Are you going for the new 2011 Icarus? Looks a significant upgrade - mesh on all doors, velcro at base of doors, extra guy rope at top and darkened inner tents and higher HH (see Norwich Camping's website...).

I'd be tempted if we hadn't got our Kampa Bude and I had any chance of sneeking another tent into the house (no chance with my OH!)

Helen

 

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