Tents for all seasons

Well so much for our New Year's resolution. Both the hubby and myself have been laid up with one injury or another through January and February.

So we decided to put the time and camping pennies to good use and bought some more tents along with other camping goodies.

Sunncamp Gite 5

Our first purchase is a Sunncamp Gite 5 frame tent, for quick weekends through the summer,loving the attached canopy. Again it's canvas and very bright.The kitchen area is just adequate enough though  the two bed pods are small (five people never, with just the two of us it was tight). Removing the smaller bed pod gave us a bit more room, but It's not doing it for me......maybe it will grow on me.

Our next purchase is from the great makers Cabanon.The Cabanon vis-a-vis an older version of the much loved bora-bora . Again a fantastic piece of canvas with removable sun canopy,two separate good sized sleeping pods.A good sized living area makes me think this tent will get lots of use.On the plus side it is a lovely shade of green.

Cabanon Vis-a-Vis

Our third purchase is a bit of a hasty bargain buy.An Outwell Cleveland 5 now this tent has space it's well thought out,goes up quickly.But it wasn't Polly-cotton as I was led to believe.We did however use it just the once though before we sold it on.Had it been Polly-cotton it would of been a keeper for those weeks away maybe even stretching it to weekends.I do like Outwell, so we kept searching for our perfect week away tent.

Outwell Cleveland 5

We have found it, though it is an older model again. Boy it ticks all the boxes for us.Purchased from a young couple who had just invested in a caravan,there was the usual marks from a second hand tent.These were soon rectified and all but one have gone.This mark was pointed out to us "the wife went mad with fly spray". Well we have tried most safe methods of removing it to no avail,so we now live with it.After all it's not the end of the world,or maybe it is for me.It can't be seen from outside but on stepping inside I'm drawn to it.One day it will be gone!

Kampa Holkham 6

After trialing all our new tents we have decided that the Kampa is for weeks away,the Cabanon is for summer weekends and Bella is for winter camping.          

Scotland

  Our main holiday is now upon us a week booked in here  http://www.glen-nevis.co.uk/?id=13 with the TT.On arrival at the site you can't help but take in the freshness and beauty that surrounds you.Not least the striking closeness to Ben-Nevis or the fact that we have a bird's eye view from our pitch.

Our Pitch

  Setting up today takes longer as we are just so in awe of our surroundings.The site is very peaceful though far from empty.Back home in England it's the bank holiday and we relish the fact that we are out of it.

After setting up we wander around the site and are impressed with the facilities on offer.Gardeners are busy trimming and sweeping.Yet still more noticeable is the peace and quite, yet there are children and adults alike enjoying the on-site park.

As night falls all we can see of the groups of walkers coming down from Ben Nevis are the torches.It's quite a scene.

We have no set itinerary though we do have a few places we'd like to visit.So after a leisurely breakfast we head out on foot to explore the surrounding area.Camera's clicking constantly at the scenes before us.We call in at the Ben Nevis visitor center to learn more about our neighbour.

Day 3   We head off to John O'Groats.On arrival the weather has turned and it's blowing a gale with torrential rain.The trip over to the Orkney's was out of the question as the ferries were all cancelled.We took refuge in the cafe until the rain stopped.Building work was well underway on the all new modern looking hotel.We had the obligatory photograph taken,wandered around the few shops that were open,and headed back.

Day 4   We stay local again and complete the Ben Nevis walk which was very pleasant.After tea we head off through the site to the pub, it's a balmy evening here so we choose to sit outdoors.

Day 5   After trawling through the brochures at reception we decide to visit steallfalls.The walk is fairly easy but very picturesque.As we reached the meadow we were dumbstruck it's just so well erm there!! We did the rope crossing and wandered around for some time just taking it all in and capturing the moment on camera's.

Steady

 Stopping on the way back at lower falls.
After a pleasant day we settled down to watch the walkers descend Ben Nevis.What we didn't expect was the gut wrenching sound of search and rescue.I instantly felt shivery and thought I was about to lose my tea.It is the most horrible feeling knowing someone is in distress but not being able to do anything about it.Sleep didn't come easily to me on this night.

Day 6   Just what the doctor ordered a visit to Ben Nevis Distillery. This was a first for us having never done any of the brewery tours before.What an eyeopener,a good couple of hours and a lesson learnt,not to mention the extra bottles now sat in the drinks cabinet.We followed this with some good ole retail therapy,constantly being reminded by hubby of the space required to take these new items home.With lots of daylight left we head off to Aonach Mor .Taking the cable car to the top,we once again have some great views.After a walk over the mountain we head back down and watch the bikers come down,before we head back for a hearty tea.

Day 7  Today is the day we are going to climb Ben,we've sat and admired him all week now it's time to test our nerve.After a good breakfast we pack the rucksack with all the must haves and set off through the site heading to the youth hostel.This is the quickest starting point from where we are pitched.The weather is slightly overcast with a glimmer of sunshine sporadically.
Today there are plenty of other walkers on the path too,we are in no rush and let them by.
Surprising how many were on there way down as it was only just 9am.We were also disturbed by how many were just in regular footwear and no bag in sight.
We took our time and found it easy going,the weather was brightening and we had some great views of the Glen and our TT.What the hubby didn't like was the small bridges,preferring solid rock under his feet.As we approached the summit the weather turned and we were now climbing in a downpour.We didn't hang around at the summit, a quick picture or two a sandwich and a chocolate bar and back down.

Descending Ben Nevis

 If the weather was going to get wild we didn't wish to stay out in it.Halfway down it became slippery underfoot and more care was needed.The weather had began to pick up again so we sat for a while taking in the magnificent views.Still plenty of walkers passing us going up and down.On reaching the bottom we headed for the visitor center and took a steady stroll back to the site.
Noticing the tuck van that operates onsite, was now open we quickly showered and treated ourselves to Haggis and chips.It wasn't long before we were ready to turn in for the night.

yes unfortunately it's time to go home to dreary old England and work.







  

Goodbye Lincoln,Hello TT

 With only a few weeks to go to our week away in Scotland to our horror we discover Lincoln is unwell.The dreaded damp has appeared.The hubby says it would be an easy fix but we are short of time.Our holiday fund would be compromised and with the rising cost of fuel ,the decision is made to say goodbye to Lincoln and look for an alternative.Lincoln is sold onto a lovely couple who are aware of his problem,they have dealt with damp before and promise to look after him.

After searching for alternatives we decide on a trailer tent,we loved the canvas awning and knew the benefits of canvas.We would still be sleeping off the ground and have space not only to move around in but to keep it at home.

We found one for sale locally had a viewing and brought it home.

Now after selling off our caravan gear that was no longer required we had surplus pennies to purchase the side bars for storage enabling us to manouvre the TT into our back garden.

Boy is it big,when fully opened we could of had a party inside.However there was work to be done to make it ours and enjoy the space.Firstly the hubby fitted an EHU followed by a water tap.Carpets and sofa were snapped up in local camping shops.Extra pegs and Delta's were purchased this is a lot of canvas to protect.

Finally we were ready,just one thing remained a quick trial away locally to check  if it's fully waterproof.

Conway Mirage TT