Vixter Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 I feel a bit culinarily (?!) challenged by cooking indoors when bad weather prevents us winding out the awning, or when it is just too cold, as it is now. We were very pleased to dispose of the awning along with our caravan several years ago, but I have to admit I rather miss it in a perverse sort of way. There was always somewhere to sit on the occasional sunny afternoon, and cooking our Sunday eggs and bacon/kippers/curry, etc. was never a problem. We don't want a safari room, but a kitchen tent would be brilliant! Does anyone else (apart from Phil, in an old thread) use one? Do UK campsites (particularly Caravan Club) permit them to be used? And campsites in France & Spain? What is the difference between a kitchen tent and an ordinary tent? Can they only be bought abroad? How secure are they in bad weather? Vixter
Brian Kirby Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 You might like to look at the Khyam (?) gazebos. Despite the name, they aren't really gazebos at all but are Khyam quick erect framed tents minus the extensions/inners. They have/can have 4 zip in/out walls; transparent, mesh, or opaque canvas; so can be fully enclosed, part enclosed or fully opened quite quickly as you desire/weather permits. They erect in minutes. They can be fully guyed down if necessary. They are made of proper "tent stuff" so are durable. They fold down to a reasonably compact bundle for transport. You'd need to transport your camp kitchen in addition, of course but, once erected, you can leave other gear (chairs, table, etc.) in them when you leave your pitch. Drawback, possibly price and weight. See what you think.
Roy Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 We have a small tent which we use when rallying. It is similar to a toilet tent x 4, with a flap front. I can't remember the make. Cost about £80 - usually at the shows. It is very handy for chairs, bikes and so on. Roy.
chas Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 Hi Vixter- If you want a real kitchen tent, with all the mesh windows for ventilation, in bright continental colours I think you need to purchase abroad. I have seen a few on Frence sites, but Spanish pitches nearly always have them on, complete with electric inside for lighting and to power the electric cooking hobs, they are the ideal thing when very hot, but of course it is something else to find space for in the van. chas
barrie w Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 we have one. have used it for a few years now,very useful. bought at newbury show from camping international under the name of sunnicamp.well worth the £70. we set it up close to the van & when the awnings rolled out it comes at more or less the same height giving an extra windbreak & privacy. never any problems on sites in uk,france or spain. barrie
colin Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 I built my camper with a swing out cooker, this was inspired but a similair system we had in camper hired in oz. Didn't get to read full article about Barry Simpson designed camper, but what I saw seemed to praise the genius of designing a swing out cooker, or have I got that wrong
RonB Posted December 8, 2006 Posted December 8, 2006 Vixter We have a Kayam Screenhouse (Gazebo/Tent), similar to what Brian described, and find it ideal. The great thing about it is it's versatility, especially on sunny but windy days, when you can follow the sun around whilst staying out of the wind by zipping up any combination of its four sides to give you shelter. They are 10' square, around 12lb in weight and fold into their carry bag to approx 3' x 1' and cost around £200. There is a cheaper material version (called a Greenhouse I believe) to be avoided. Last year they were in very short supply but should you consider one, or any other tent come to that, and could get one, now is the time of year to buy. Have fun Ron
donna and daz Posted December 8, 2006 Posted December 8, 2006 We have both a Kitchen tent purchased from Jeff Bowen and a stand alon awning never had any problems private sites we have to pay CC site included in an awning pitch price. Donna
Vixter Posted January 7, 2007 Author Posted January 7, 2007 Thanks to everyone for their advice. I have checked a few out on the 'net as advised, but they seem to be rather heavy - quoted around 12 kg. We may continue as we are for the time being (just open the door...) & check out a few in France/Spain later on, also hoping that they will be less expensive abroad. Vixter
michele Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 Vixter, Excuse my ignorance what's the difference between the safari room to a kitchen tent ? . Is it made with special retardent or something? I have looked on the site suggested but I cannot see a kitchen one. I like you would like more room for cooking and i would not consider it in our safari ...Might get blown away
Vixter Posted January 7, 2007 Author Posted January 7, 2007 Michelle What I am looking for is a freestanding tent, preferably fire retardent & with plenty of natural light & ventilation. The Khyam gazebo looks fab & is SO easy to set up, but its a bit heavy & rather expensive. Seeing as many Spanish families seem to erect Tent City when they set up their caravan for the summer (to accommodate domestic cookers, 10 seater dining tables, washing machines, full-sized fridges, birdcages, grannies in rocking chairs, motorbikes, playpens, gigantic TV's, etc.), maybe Spain is the place to go, but I doubt that anything is in the slightest bit fire retardent. How on earth do they run this stuff without overloading the power supply or shorting out through the inevitable rain puddle that the miles of extension cables seem to inevitably end up in? But anyway, we may find something that LOOKS a but funky, rather than the rather restrained beige/mud-green/Airforce blue offerings we seem to have here. Vixter
Guest Frank Wilkinson Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 Vixter - 2006-12-07 11:10 AM I feel a bit culinarily (?!) challenged by cooking indoors when bad weather prevents us winding out the awning, or when it is just too cold, as it is now. We were very pleased to dispose of the awning along with our caravan several years ago, but I have to admit I rather miss it in a perverse sort of way. There was always somewhere to sit on the occasional sunny afternoon, and cooking our Sunday eggs and bacon/kippers/curry, etc. was never a problem. We don't want a safari room, but a kitchen tent would be brilliant! Does anyone else (apart from Phil, in an old thread) use one? Do UK campsites (particularly Caravan Club) permit them to be used? And campsites in France & Spain? What is the difference between a kitchen tent and an ordinary tent? Can they only be bought abroad? How secure are they in bad weather? Vixter I'm not the slightest bit interested in kitchen tents but I'd like to know a few things:Vixter, is that you in the picture?Are you married?Are you doing anything next weekend?Ps Not a word to my wife please!
michele Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 Of course we won't tell VOH either ...............Te He ;-)
Vixter Posted January 7, 2007 Author Posted January 7, 2007 Bless you Frank - yes, it's me. You will notice however, that the picture's a bit blurred - something to do with pixels I believe - and it works to my advantage! A bit like the slightly out-of-focus Doris Day photos... However, how about a few more pics of contributors? I showed you mine, now - you show me yours!! Vixter
Guest Frank Wilkinson Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 Vixter - 2007-01-07 9:58 PM Bless you Frank - yes, it's me. You will notice however, that the picture's a bit blurred - something to do with pixels I believe - and it works to my advantage! A bit like the slightly out-of-focus Doris Day photos... However, how about a few more pics of contributors? I showed you mine, now - you show me yours!! Vixter OK, I've emailed it to you. You did ask! I forgot to reduce the size so I hope that it's not too long a download. I've only just noticed that you're full-timing and may not have broadband - but then again you probably have a satellite download or something.Do you really live in your motorhome all year and where are you now (approximately, I promise I won't be stalking you, glamorous as you are!).
Guest Frank Wilkinson Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 michele - 2007-01-07 11:19 PM Not Brilliant .It's an old one my best attempt Is that you Michele? This site is full of gorgeous women!
michele Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 Years ago when I had long hair will find an update one ? Son gone to bed I don't know how to work this thing ? Sorry Vixter taken over perhaps we start a new trend of piccys ;-)
Vixter Posted January 7, 2007 Author Posted January 7, 2007 Frank Wilkinson - 2007-01-07 10:29 PMDo you really live in your motorhome all year and where are you now (approximately, I promise I won't be stalking you, glamorous as you are!).Frank. Well, we didn't start until the end of June, but we're still doing it, so I guess we are fulltiming!We have wandered around quite a bit in that time (Germany, France etc) but are currently in Bedfordshire. Vixter
Vixter Posted January 7, 2007 Author Posted January 7, 2007 Michele. How gorgeous!! You have set the standard now! Vixter
michele Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 No dear You have, I look nothing like that now . That was a competition that I was entered into as a youngster for looking the most like Hayley Mills . Also a mixture of Olivia Newton John . I won two competitions and everywhere I went I was called Hayley or pollyanna . I had to go and have my photo taken in a field put on the same clothes I must admit it used to give me the creeps especially when I was really little . I used to see hayley on Tv and ask my mum what I was doing on there ? ...Will dig out a more recent one but I am affraid I am not that clever . So will get son to take piccy tomorrow and hopefully put on again . Wait till you see the difference ... You look very young & pretty . You get a shock when you see me now will do my best to get the size right ? not good at all this....
flicka Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 Whow, You Two I daren't post my photo now, I'd frighten all you ladies away and then have Frank, Howard & Forrester after me, Flicka
Tony Jones Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 Reading all the stuff about pics on this thread has inspired me - I've finally figured out how to put mine up, for what it's worth. Tried to find one that made me look as dashing and handsome as I feel, but they all turned out to be of other people, or 20 yrs ago. This was taken last year by the head of our local primary school, as she was assembling a "rogues' gallery" of regular visitors. Tony
Vixter Posted January 9, 2007 Author Posted January 9, 2007 Well done Tony. Wow - what a smooth, sophisticated fellow. Come on chaps - more please! Vixter
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