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After much deliberation and changing of minds we are back to our original desire in terms of buying a new tent.

Originally we were going to wait until Christmas and buy a newer, bigger tent for 2010, planning on taking advantage of close-season sales etc. Started looking at different tents back in July following a trip to Kingsdown. Wasn't because of anything wrong with our current tent, just a desire to have something bigger and better!! Tent envy I think it is, finding ourselves looking wistfully at the other huge tents around the various campsites we have stayed at this year!

Anyway, originally I'd seen the Outwell Arkansas 5 and thought it was fab, wanted one there and then but considering our Khyam Freelander DLX was a real pocket emptier last year at £220 seeing the pricetag of nearly £500 was a bit shocking! Did the whole shopping around thing, started contemplating other brands that were as big or bigger but cheaper, then got to wondering about the quality. After one visit to our local camping shop the whole idea of polycotton tents almost became a reality (until I saw the price of the Bear Lake! Would sell the house and live in it for that price ;-)  )

Anyway, with our annual trip to Cornwall fast approaching we were thinking about the Outwell Idaho - similar size but different config. Had a lengthy debate the other night about merits of the Arkansas vs Idaho and suddenly the decision was made! For the sake of a few quid we've taken the plunge and ordered the Arkansas. Hoping now it gets delivered by Wednesday otherwise out trip West will have to be put on hold!

Flying in the face of conventional wisdom the tent's 1st pitch will be at the campsite! I've heard people remark on how big and heavy the large Outwell tents are, coming with a separate pole bag so a bit wary of how much space it will take up in the car! The trusty 2-man tent will be coming with us just in case, though doubt we will need it!!!

Haven't been this excited since we got our last tent!!!

Anyway, enough rambling...
Chris

Thanks Sunvalleysue! It is the headroom that made us go for this type of tent. Getting too old to be bent double for days on end!!!

Adrian - thankfully we don't have a dog, however our garden won't even fit our Freelander DLX, let alone this new behemoth!!!

Crossing everything that it turns up tomorrow so we can leave before first light on Thu!! Temptation is to leave as soon as finish work on Wed, but can I really be pitching a new tent in the dark?!

Ah well, knew it would  be too good to be true. Poles turned up yesterday (yay!) but 2nd box was a Nevada (from same shop) meant for some other person (boo!). Fedex guy said oops, will deliver your one tomorrow at same time... ho hum!

Wait in until 10am (he turned up on Tues at 8.45!) and after several calls to both Fedex (cust svce & local depots) and shop no nearer to finding out where box 1 of 2 has gone. Fedex seem to be denying all knowledge of there ever being 2 boxes, even though their tracking website says 1 of 2 shortage (part of con missing!)

Now I am v v v  p*ssed off. Will not let it break my spirit though! Whichever tent we are in it will be great!!! (I know it doesn't sound convincing even when written down).

Plagued by incompetence at every turn...