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Just been away with friends this weekend (Two families of four) and during Saturday night and Sunday morning it was pretty wet and windy.  We managed to fashion some sort of shelter between the two tents, which gave us loads of extra space and was very handy when the kids were in bed.   (we could sit between the tents just like normal). 

We used clear plastic sheeting connecting the entrances of our two tunnel tents which were pitched facing one another.  We used extra guy ropes tied taught between the eyelets on each tent, with three of these and two sets of wind breaks, we draped the plastic over the taught guy ropes and used duck tape to connect the sides of the plastic to the top of the windbreak poles.

The sheeting held very well, the men in our lives had great fun putting it all together  (the kids kept referring to their "den building") and it worked like a dream, but...........................

........................it was soooo noisy in the wind - didn't sleep to good, which for me is very unusual.

The plan would be then (for our ten night holiday in 3 weeks) to get some tent fabric.    They could then add eyelets and guy ropes, get some form of clips, to attach the fabric to the front poles of each tent and hey presto, who needs a utility tent.

I have surfed the net for a bit and cannot find anything.  I would be incredibly grateful if anyone knew where I could get this.  Also, if you have ever fashioned a similar shelter and can offer some tips............

decathlon sports do something like that which comes with poles and guylines for about £17.99 if you have one near you.

alternatively, check out the local bootfairs and see if someone has an old tent they no longer want.

Thanks jenhug.  I have just been checking out their website, but they don't seem to have the  camping section up and running. 

I had never heard of them.  But seeing as I used to live ten minutes away from Lakeside I should have done. 

However, I now live in Cheshire and my nearest is Stockport, any idea how big at all this sheet is?  It sounds like it might just be what we are looking for with poles and guy ropes too, but our tents are both big.  Is there a big camping area at your Decathlon sports?   I am just wondering whether it is worth the hours drive to go and have a look.

its a fair size section, but fabric was probably about 3m x 3m?  that would be my guess anyway.

you could always give them a ring and ask them. they were incredibly friendly and helpful when hubby and i were shopping in there a couple of weeks ago.

have you considered getting something like this??

    £20 on e-awnings.  you could probably cobble 2 together, ie tie them together where they dome somehow?

i would also consider a sturdy decent quality "day tent" like this?

ok, this was the thing at decathlon, but not £49 like the outwell one!

Hi

Tent fabric can be bought from www.pointnorth.co.uk they sell canvas or nylon and all the eyelets etc.  Alternatively have you thought of a large tarpaulin from B&Q priced at ........ wait for it .........£4.78 - it comes with eyelets already in it, and it is water proof.

Happy camping

Jackie H

Quote: Originally posted by Lizzz on 10/7/2006

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jenhug, you are a mind of information - thanks for your help.  Not related to this thread, but have you ever heard of boxsided airbeds by Royal?   Apparently they inflate higher on the edges than the middle, and this encourages your child not to fall off!

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sorry, no i havent.

glad to be of help with the tent fabric though.

Thanks for all your help.    There are so many alternatives available to the "den men" that they will have a wonderful time.   

Whatever option they go for, lets hope we don't need it and Anglesey will be pure sun sun sun !!!!!!!