Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: Hendy on July 18, 2011
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Well... i had really been wanted my gf to experience a little taster of the camping that I very much enjoy so she could understand why I love it so much. Her mum bought us a night in the Slieve Dondard Hotel so the opportunity had presented itself, the car was packed with a ludicrous amount of stuff, she brought a box of clothes not a small box either. My clothes were contained in my 30l daysack. a mallet, my stove gas and spare gas, and an air bed (one of her conditions for going) and the fantastic lidl £10 masterpiece.
So after we had left the hotel we did the short drive up to tollymore. It took us no time to set up the tent unload some of the gear, then we put the boots on and went for a walk. The weather at this point is lovely I was wearing shorts and a tshirt. So after we had walked we popped into newcastle and had a chippy for dinner, John Macs in Newcastle very nice.
While in newcastle the weather had taken a distinct and measurable turn for the worse gale force winds and driving rain. as we drove towards the tent I noticed that one of the poles looked as if it was broken, on closer inspection it was just being fulorced into a highly unnatural angle by the wind so I sent Claire into the tent and set to with the string and spare pegs. By the time I had finished the tent had an extra 10 guy lines, I was soaking wet and the tent was still completely out of shape but, from the inside of the tent there was a lot less movement and it was somehow still bone dry.
The night passed with very little sleep but we remained dry and I was happy. Claire was not. But the little lidl tent had survived and had beaten the elements. But I dont think Claire will be camping again anytime soon.
The second night was completely uneventful no wind at all just lots of rain and of course we slept a lot better. But, when we awoke the inside of the tent was lets say... a little damp. So I've decided if we've ever go camping again it'll have to be in a new tent. Well I enjoyed myself.
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Great story, as long as you enjoyed it sure thats the main thing (you may need to invest in a big tent next time to get her to go camping again) :)
Air beds are not the most comfortable they sweat and have no back support at all I much perfer sleeping on a foam mat and my sleeping bag far better for keeping the heat in too.
Enjoy your next big adventure!!
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oh i totally agree but trying to get that across was not going to happen. I think the next time a 4 man tent with a living room and a generator for the straighteners and hair dryer may be required.
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oh i totally agree but trying to get that across was not going to happen. I think the next time a 4 man tent with a living room and a generator for the straighteners and hair dryer may be required.
I use a 4 man tent for myself (there is no way you could squeeze 4 folk into one unless you want to be like sardines or maybe im just greedy for the space lol), a tin of dry shampoo is a good stop gap when out camping....it might be a good alternative to the generator ;)
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Good story mate. Its hard sometimes to get the lady folk interested in the great outdoors.
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This is a familiar story. My wife's more than happy to come camping as long as the tent's pitched in the bedroom of a decent hotel :D Other than that it's a definite no.....
Hopefully this wont put you off camping!
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im lucky enough to have a wife who loves the outdoors and camping so all good! :)
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I think you planned it all to go like that to put her off so you can go camping without her ;) my wife hates camping, suits me fine ;D
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I would have more luck getting my wife to buy me a new tent rather than get her in one.
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Ahh the girlfriend camping struggle, after a few incidents it's fair to say mine will never be in a tent again.
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I see a familiar pattern emerging..
Ahh the girlfriend camping struggle, after a few incidents it's fair to say mine will never be in a tent again.
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Hilarious... My Ex was more than happy letting me camp. When I suggested that he go with me, I recall B&B being mentioned followed by 'I'll meet you after I have my fry'.
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My Mrs really enjoys camping. So long as ythe tent has two wheels, toilet,shower,cooker,fridge,tele,fixed bed and nearly forgot blown heating. Some people would say that's not a tent that's a caravan. To my wife that's her tent. I have my Vango Spectre so win win. ;D
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Just about to start work for the night 11pm-7am and the joy from these posts will certainly be getting me through the night!
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That sucks. I'm about to climb into my scratcher.
Just about to start work for the night 11pm-7am and the joy from these posts will certainly be getting me through the night!
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Ha Ha, had a giggle reading this. I'm on holidays at the moment, staying with family, but I have a boot full of camping gear. If time allows I'll try to get the whole family camping in the back garden for a night. Not quite as self sufficient as you were. If the tent busts, I'll just jump back into my bed!