|
 Topic: Help a newbie :-)
|
Page: 1 2
  |
22/3/2014 at 9:38am
Location: Rugby
Outfit: Vango Maritsa 700 & Vango Albany 600
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 31/1/2009 Silver Member 
Forum Posts: 157
| Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Personally I wouldn't pitch for one overnight when doing that distance, it's not just the actual time to pitch but if space is tight in the car it's the whole issue of finding what you need and repacking everything in the next day. We did the first time, but it wasn't enjoyable. Now we book into a cheap hotel and pack an overnight bag for the bits we need. It's even easier with kids your age as the choice of places where you can all fit in one room is greater. Ours will be 14 & 11 this year which reduces the choice a lot. Staying in a hotel means you can check in and then head out for a bit of an explore of the local area within fifteen minutes if you like. Also means you can leave in just the time it takes to get dressed and pack a few bits & pieces.
|
22/3/2014 at 9:52am
Location: Cumbernauld Scotland
Outfit: Monty 6Icarus 500 Halo 300
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 04/5/2003 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 8617
Tent Reviews: 3
| Site Reviews Total: | 6 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I wont confuse you further by recommending yet another tent or bits of equipment..You will have a fair idea of what you need in those departments...All I will advise is take a measuring tape when you go to view some display tents....And in among all the excitement of viewing try and measure(as near as possible) the sleeping pods..The living area etc to make sure things like beds/chairs/tables that you choose will fit...Its so easy to get caught up in the actual viewing and forget to take into account things like sloping walls/roofs on the sleeping pods/living area buy the tent and find nothing fits...
That's my mantra for any newbies thinking of buying a tent....Take your time...And measure....measure...measure...Remember...All tents look bigger inside when your viewing them with no equipment inside...Seen far too many folk getting caught up in the colour scheme of tents..The hanging pockets etc...Without giving consideration as to weather the kids will actually fit in the bedrooms with their beds and "stuff"....
Recommend test pitching whatever tent you buy ASAP too for all the reasons already stated...
Jelboy.
-------------
Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Some days are Diamonds...Some days are stone...
|
24/3/2014 at 7:56pm
Location: Dartford Kent
Outfit: VW+T6+conversion
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/5/2008 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 991
| Site Reviews Total: | 48 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 7 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 21 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 2 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 12 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 14 |
|
Quote: Originally posted by Menalitus on 24/3/2014Thanks for all your comments guys, I will definately try and get over to Crowland as that is nearest I think. Also the suggestion of using a Hotel on the way down and back is a good one, my only thought is what about the car full of kit when we are in the Hotel? Are we likely to find a hotel with secure parking that is reasonably priced?
Cheers
Mike
From memory, the B&B chain have keycode gates link; other motel-type chains (such as Kyriad Campanile etc) in practice, tend to be on trading estates away from humanity, and seem fairly safe to me, though I do understand your worry. I do try to park where I can see from the room window. More variable is the Logis group, a chain of independants; worth checking out.
You'll have a great time - always an adventure.
|
|
