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Post by dorsethelen on Aug 18, 2016 17:43:40 GMT
High winds and heavy rain forecast for Lyme Regis this weekend - we've decided to leave our Womad tent behind and take the Coleman 5 season 3 man - cosy!  Just had a practice pitch and waterproof - 3 man my bum! No room for camp beds; thermarests now down from on top of the wardrobe and rolled and packed ready to take instead. It is going to be very, very cosy............and "fun" putting it up in the wind and rain .... Reluctantly leaving my bathroom table, bowl, fluffy towels, drying rack and niceties behind..... eeeeeeeeeek! It's going to be vile here this weekend. We live 5 mins from coast path in Weymouth and 50mph winds forecast for Saturday plus 2 days of torrential showers. Are you sure you want to camp! |
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Post by standing stone on Aug 19, 2016 7:25:14 GMT
Yes; we're going for it - we both prefer camping to B&B and are braced and ready for the rain and winds; we're going tomorrow, so will just have to find a break between the light showers to pitch before the heavy showers start at 2pm. The winds are high, but the tent we are taking is small and low and we can peg it down before the poles go in, so it won't blow away; the site is in a valley, so we're hoping it is more of a shelter than a funnel! All good fun ... and I'm relishing the thought of being by the sea in this weather - I grew up on the coast and really miss the sea; it'll be a treat! Sunday looks good for fossils laid bare by the storm and we'll be at RSPB Arne on our way back Monday. It'll be fine! |
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Post by dorsethelen on Aug 19, 2016 8:03:19 GMT
Yes; we're going for it - we both prefer camping to B&B and are braced and ready for the rain and winds; we're going tomorrow, so will just have to find a break between the light showers to pitch before the heavy showers start at 2pm. The winds are high, but the tent we are taking is small and low and we can peg it down before the poles go in, so it won't blow away; the site is in a valley, so we're hoping it is more of a shelter than a funnel! All good fun ... and I'm relishing the thought of being by the sea in this weather - I grew up on the coast and really miss the sea; it'll be a treat! Sunday looks good for fossils laid bare by the storm and we'll be at RSPB Arne on our way back Monday. It'll be fine! Just watch those cliffs if you are fossil hunting - we have had fall after fall this year, the last just two days ago and everyone is being advised to keep their distance . Arne is always lovely! |
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Post by standing stone on Aug 19, 2016 8:32:03 GMT
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Post by Zenrider on Aug 19, 2016 18:01:14 GMT
Sounds like you are prepared and experienced enough for the weather. Here's hoping for better weather than predicted!  Hope you find some cool fossils. |
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Post by deserttraveller on Aug 20, 2016 13:23:30 GMT
Wweather has been windy but the sky is a mix of blue and fluffy white clouds. Slightly annoying as Id expected worse so decided to go into town to get my boots repaired.
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Post by dorsethelen on Aug 20, 2016 14:49:38 GMT
Wweather has been windy but the sky is a mix of blue and fluffy white clouds. Slightly annoying as Id expected worse so decided to go into town to get my boots repaired. Yes, we were just saying that although it's quite blustery and there have been a couple of heavy showers, it's nothing like as bad as forecast. Several local events were cancelled today due the weather warnings - bet the organisers are furious because they could probably have gone ahead |
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Post by Purpledawn on Aug 21, 2016 21:48:44 GMT
Thinking of friends at festivals this weekend - I have a couple of friends at Beautiful Days near Exeter.  Also hoping that SS is ok. |
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Post by Zenrider on Aug 23, 2016 1:17:30 GMT
Been thinking, for festivals and such maybe not, but for camping at National parks and such, BICYCLES! Definitely, BICYCLES!
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Post by standing stone on Aug 23, 2016 7:57:58 GMT
It was great weather - nice and calm; just a bit drizzly for a brief time on Saturday evening - must have been everyone's good wishes - thanks - they worked a treat! Such a shame so much was cancelled in the way of events which had been planned for the weekend by various fetes, wildlife groups etc - could easily have gone ahead. The 2 Coleman Exponent was pitched in less than 8 minutes - very easy and quick; lovely sewn in groundsheet and lots of ventilation. Just enough room for the thermarests; no extra width, so it was a matter of one person staying put while the other moved around in order to avoid tangles. Warm, cosy and waterproof; lots of pocket for stuff; will be using again when foreasts are less than favourable. BICYCLES - fab! - meals on wheels! Just wish I'd found a comfy one .... gave my bike away; not keen for another, but yes, great idea - there were a few people with them at Womad this year; didn't seemto be aproblem at all |
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Post by beanstew on Aug 23, 2016 16:10:59 GMT
Very happy with my folding camp bed after giving it a field trial at Green Man!
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Post by standing stone on Aug 24, 2016 7:45:43 GMT
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Post by nigenet on Aug 24, 2016 8:29:48 GMT
Very happy with my folding camp bed after giving it a field trial at Green Man! After my self-inflating mattress also became a self-deflating mattress at Womad this year, I could well be tempted to one of these! Especially as it looks like it packs away to a decently compact size |
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Post by beanstew on Aug 24, 2016 9:03:53 GMT
It packs down small enough to easily attach to a rucksack and weighs about 1.5kg. A bit heavier than specified in the description on Amazon but still light enough to not really be a concern.
It is quite close to the ground once the weight of a person is on it but there is a bit of room underneath to store a few bits and pieces. The feet are handy for attaching rucksacks containing the precious things to with carabiners as well.
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Post by dorsethelen on Aug 30, 2016 22:28:48 GMT
Done our first camping trip.
Lesson no.1 learned. Before you camp under a lovely lush green hedge, check what's on the other side of it. If it's the main Wareham to Swanage road on a Bank Holiday weekend, move!
Lesson no.2 learned. Yep, you have checked the ground is level for the living area..,but don't forget to check the last two feet of the sleeping area because if that plunges into a ditch, you and your airbed are going to go with it, Steve was fine; his half of the bed was on the level bit. I spent 3 nights climbing out of the ditch.
Lesson no.3.learned. Read the instructions before you go because it's no fun sweltering in 30c heat trying to remember exactly how the guy ropes work!
Lesson 4 learned. Don't bring boxes of food because by lunchtime of day one you'll have abandonned all good intentions of saving money by cooking all your meals yourself!
Lesson 5 learned. Watch out for frogs if you are near a pond!
Otherwise it was fun and we managed not to tread on any frogs!
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Also hoping that SS is ok. 
