The camping essentials - I've found a bargain which you all need to know about thread...

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Got one of these last year, fantastic just to give a fresh feeling, hair wash, shave. Many envious looks.

I stew in my own juices for several days. Many withering looks.

[Brave Sir Robin]

Thinking about one of these little folding chairs to chuck in the bag with the beers, only £4.85 delivered:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOLDING-POCKET-CHAIR-SEAT-STRONG-PORTABLE-OUTDOOR-FISHING-CAMPING-GARDEN-/271134570400?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Anyone got any experience of these?

[nat_appleshaker]

Thinking about one of these little folding chairs to chuck in the bag with the beers, only £4.85 delivered:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOLDING-POCKET-CHAIR-SEAT-STRONG-PORTABLE-OUTDOOR-FISHING-CAMPING-GARDEN-/271134570400?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Anyone got any experience of these?

These were in B&M last year for £3, we got a couple. They're ok, maybe a bit unsteady for those with a larger derrière! Wouldn't want to sit on them for any length of time, but ok for resting legs for a short while. Found them as heavy to carry as a normal camping chair too, though obviously more compact.

[Cornish Spur]

Anyone got,or used one of these solar powered/ wind up radios? Are they any good? Was thinking it would be a great device, especially for charging mobile phones etc? http:///1dM9iXM

[carlosj]

I stew in my own juices for several days. Many withering looks.

At Glastonbury, or just on a weekly basis????

[tommyds]

Anyone got,or used one of these solar powered/ wind up radios? Are they any good? Was thinking it would be a great device, especially for charging mobile phones etc? http:///1dM9iXM

Pretty much all solar/crank phone chargers are absolute bobbins, even when they do work they take far too long.

You're better off with a portable battery pack like one of these

I got one last year and got about 4 full iPhone charges off it, and it charges almost as fast as a real power outlet (and faster than the chill & charge tent)

[jeffie]

I stew in my own juices for several days. Many withering looks.

You can borrow it if you care to pop over.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Yeah, but what about when you're at Glastonbury.

I guess I asked for that.

At Glastonbury, or just on a weekly basis????

I think I asked for that too.

You can borrow it if you care to pop over.

That's very kind of you to offer. I would do but I know that I suffer total inertia in the cleansing oneself department when at Glastonbury.

[carlosj]

That's very kind of you to offer. I would do but I know that I suffer total inertia in the cleansing oneself department when at Glastonbury.

If last year is anything to go by, I could probably offer a laundry service. I was, er, tired and emotional when I tried to walk over the railway line up to the Park on the Thursday night when it was muddy underfoot on the slope. Idiot that I was, I had a new pale sweatshirt on. I can verify that Glastonbury mud washes out. My OCD wouldn't let me leave it till I got back home.

[jeffie]

If last year is anything to go by, I could probably offer a laundry service. I was, er, tired and emotional when I tried to walk over the railway line up to the Park on the Thursday night when it was muddy underfoot on the slope. Idiot that I was, I had a new pale sweatshirt on. I can verify that Glastonbury mud washes out. My OCD wouldn't let me leave it till I got back home.

It's true, washing lines, tumbler, twin tub.....

Most overequipped camper van you've ever seen!

[carlosj]

It's true, washing lines, tumbler, twin tub.....

Most overequipped camper van you've ever seen!

Not forgetting the cocktail cabinet.

Aldi are selling upright trolleys again this Thursday, although I still don't think it folds up.

[UEF]

I felt like a million dollars after washing my head under a collapsable water bottle every morning last year.

If it makes you feel better and lets you get on with your day, do it.

[Krazypinkminx]

Perspirex is half price in sainsburys. Might be store specific. £3 now.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I felt like a million dollars after washing my head under a collapsable water bottle every morning last year.

If it makes you feel better and lets you get on with your day, do it.

I might try washing this year. I can see the benefits alright. I'll not have to go around with a bell shouting ' unclean, unclean' for a starter.

[Spindles]

I still say that changing your socks is as good as a shower.

[guypjfreak]

i always use water proof socks and for xmas .........i hate xmas .......my daughter got me some seal skin ones top of the range old sons

[Northernsoul45]

i always use water proof socks and for xmas .........i hate xmas .......my daughter got me some seal skin ones top of the range old sons

I bought (much to my friends hilarity) seal skin socks for taking to the festival last eyar, yeah they were expensive, and yes, i didnt need to use them in the end up, but i was still glad i had them just in case:-)

[coma girl]

i always use water proof socks and for xmas .........i hate xmas .......my daughter got me some seal skin ones top of the range old sons

Are they worth the money?

[lexlogic]

Anyone fancy a tent for £11?

The reviews aren't too shabby either!

http://www.tesco.com/betadirect/gelert-lunar-2-man-dome-tent/215-4968.prd?sc_cmp=aff_1536756

Ps. Sorry I haven't embedded the links, the option seems to be missing!

[mikeb]

Funny you should mention that I'm quite possibly going to need an additional small light-duty tent this year so had been watching this one slowly drop in £5 increments from the original £30. Was tempted several times at £15 when I happened to be buying something else but decided I could wait until it was under a tenner seeing as I didn't definitely need one ! However, when it got to £11 delivered to within a few 100m of my front door the other night it would have been bl**dy rude not to have provided one with a new home and I've just got around to picking it up

Listed @ £40 by Gelert in 2012/13 and to all intents and purposes identical to the current Rocky 2 listed @ £65. Not exactly the best of specs needless to say, esp as it's only 1500 HH, but it's a double skin jobbie with taped seams and very easily reproofed if needs be. At a quicky looky see it appears to be remarkably well made given the silly price. There's yet another monsoon apparently coming up real soon so I might just have to find somewhere to give it an unaccompanied test drive to establish whether I now have a shiny new li'l tent just in case I do need one ... or a not quite so useful covered paddling pool instead ! Watch this space and all that ...

Edited January 25, 2014 by mikeb

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Funny you should mention that I'm quite possibly going to need an additional small light-duty tent this year so had been watching this one slowly drop in £5 increments from the original £30. Was tempted several times at £15 when I happened to be buying something else but decided I could wait until it was under a tenner seeing as I didn't definitely need one ! However, when it got to £11 delivered to within a few 100m of my front door the other night it would have been bl**dy rude not to have provided one with a new home and I've just got around to picking it up

Listed @ £40 by Gelert in 2012/13 and to all intents and purposes identical to the current Rocky 2 listed @ £65. Not exactly the best of specs needless to say, esp as it's only 1500 HH, but it's a double skin jobbie with taped seams and very easily reproofed if needs be. At a quicky looky see it appears to be remarkably well made given the silly price. There's yet another monsoon apparently coming up real soon so I might just have to find somewhere to give it an unaccompanied test drive to establish whether I now have a shiny new li'l tent just in case I do need one ... or a not quite so useful covered paddling pool instead ! Watch this space and all that ...

I'm not sure I'd like to play poker with you. You took that purchase right to the edge. Nice one.

[zico martin]

Still haven't bought us a tent yet which is guess is pretty important, I think I'm using this one as a marker, one to beat sort of thing. Does anyone have any comments on whether this is a good buy or should I keep looking?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelert-Lunar-4-Man-Family-Tent-NEW-FAST-DISPATCH-/370994809532?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item5661038abc

[coma girl]

Still haven't bought us a tent yet which is guess is pretty important, I think I'm using this one as a marker, one to beat sort of thing. Does anyone have any comments on whether this is a good buy or should I keep looking?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelert-Lunar-4-Man-Family-Tent-NEW-FAST-DISPATCH-/370994809532?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item5661038abc

We got a three man Gelert quite similar to that from ebay and it was pretty good. Easy to pitch and was more compact and lighter than my old 2 man eurohike.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Still haven't bought us a tent yet which is guess is pretty important, I think I'm using this one as a marker, one to beat sort of thing. Does anyone have any comments on whether this is a good buy or should I keep looking?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelert-Lunar-4-Man-Family-Tent-NEW-FAST-DISPATCH-/370994809532?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item5661038abc

It doesn't mention being double skinned in the specification. I've noticed a few people on here say that this is important. Personally I'd say it is because of condensation issues. Hydrostatic head maybe an issue or may not - other people could chip in on this one.

Anyway, if you are going for it, here it is much cheaper again;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelert-Lunar-4-Man-Tent-BRAND-NEW-EX-DISPLAY-MODEL-/400650668551

[zico martin]

Thanks mate, I'm starting to go against this now anyway though as there is little 'porch' room to keep all our non bedroom stuff. The search goes on ...