Going back to Basics

[VIP2006]

Being now 75 yrs young, and a new member and having loved the outdoor life with my "accomodation" going from a Vango 2 person tent to Family Tent then to a Cosalt Piper van, to a Elldis Mistral then a Ace Award Transtar and a Combi Camp trailer tent to a Vanroyce 4 berth van. went static for 10 years then back to a Compass to now a Coachman VIP2006 hence my name. I have now decided to go back to basics by buying a Vango Apollo 500 and going (weather permitting ) for a few weeks arouind the UK. If we like it I may buy a Camp-Let Trailer Tent!!! Any advices from members. Now there is a reason for my return to basics.

1- Fuel consumption and cost.

2 - I have always got better sleeps on a "air" bed.

3 - That invariably we could travel further in a givin amount of time etc.,

 

Has any member done this sort of thing.

 

Regards - Fred. :$

[Mel B]

Hi Fred - welcome to the mad house.

 

Having some relations who started going tenting at the tender age of 65, having nothing previously, it can be done, however, it does have its problems. You may have 'forgotten' some of the 'fun' which you had with tents previously, such as very hot in summer, cold in autumn and spring, everything feeling 'damp' if it's been raining, drying stuff out, putting away wet tents and having to dry them out.

 

I'm not saying don't do it, but be very, very realistic about what it will be like - being in a nice snug and draught free caravan is completely different to being in a tent. Even in summer it can be quite cool on an evening and sitting in a cold tent, rather than in a nice caravan, ain't fun. If you are really serious about doing this, why not try to borrow a tent etc from someone first and see how you get on as tents and all the kit doesn't necessarily mean cheap, then if you like it you can splash out.

 

I take it that you have a partner/wife and she may not be quite as 'happy' as you to take to this again - if she's the one that does the cooking etc, it isn't going to be as easy as in a caravan.

 

To answer you questions:

 

1) You wills save fuel as you're not lugging a great big 'shed' around with you.

2) You can still use an airbed in a caravan on top of your normal bed, remember than an air bed on the cold ground can be horrible!

3) Probably, but then you'd have to allow for the extra time to put up the tent and kit it out, and take it all down again when you're at the end of your stay. I know you have to set up a caravan but it can be done quickly and is much easier than having to put up or take down a tent in the rain/wind etc.