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

[Anderson19]

The collapsible plastic bottles are going to be more popular then selfie sticks this year!

[wosman]

CPC have some good stuff on http://cpc.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?catalogId=15002&langId=69&storeId=10180&categoryId=700000007461&sort=P_PRICE&pageSize=25&beginIndex=1&showResults=true

Cheap emergency ponchos, tent pegs, water carriers, camping crockery etc

Add 20% on for VAT though but postage is currently free no matter how big your order!

[rubenz]

Tent Sale on the Downs in Bristol this weekend if anyone wants to see a variety of tents in action.

[frostypaw]

Re tent bags, we used an idea bag for our old big tent! It was just the right size and the handles meant me and my sister could carry it between us.

That's a great ikea

[Rumblestripe]

Aldi "Camping Event" announced for Thursday 21st May. Interesting/useful stuff include

One man "Hiking" tent

Dome tent (looks suitable for 2/3 people)

Self inflating mat (I have one that is now six years old surprisingly comfortable and still going strong)

Dry bags, Torch, folding barbie, etc.

Have a look-see

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-21-may/

[cidermonkey]

Amazon have a 50 Litre mountainsmith rucksack reduced from £90 to £35 with free delivery. I bought one about a month ago for £55 and very high quality.

If you do a search on Amazon it is listed twice, one has it at £35 and the other listing has it at £47. The link is below for the one at £35;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountain-Smith-Haze-50-Asphalt/dp/B009408MGG/ref=sr_1_23?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1431859433&sr=1-23&keywords=Mountainsmith

Allan

[carlosj]

Aldi have a camping theme this Thursday, 2 types of tents, self inflating mattresses, lights, chairs, trolley etc.

[milly16]

Millets have a good sale.

[yellowsnow]

2 for £8 on selected sun protection at Asda.

[wetflame]

Hello all, long time lurker, first time poster. Been skimming through the thread for recommendations, wondering which is the better choice of these two 3-man tents:

Eurohike Avon Deluxe (£45)

http://www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping/162607-eh-avon-dlx.html

Quechua 2 Seconds Easy III Pop Up Tent (£55)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/2-seconds-easy-iii-pop-up-tent-3-man-blue-id_8300683.html

Leaning towards the pop up tent for convenience and less weight to carry. Any thoughts? There'll just be me and my girlfriend in there but the extra space would be handy for an airbed/self inflating mattresses.

Edited May 20, 2015 by wetflame

[sheffieldlady]

Hello all, long time lurker, first time poster. Been skimming through the thread for recommendations, wondering which is the better choice of these two 3-man tents:

Eurohike Avon Deluxe (£45)

http://www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping/162607-eh-avon-dlx.html

Quechua 2 Seconds Easy III Pop Up Tent (£55)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/2-seconds-easy-iii-pop-up-tent-3-man-blue-id_8300683.html

Leaning towards the pop up tent for convenience and less weight to carry. Any thoughts? There'll just be me and my girlfriend in there but the extra space would be handy for an airbed/self inflating mattresses.

I'd go with the Eurohike because of the porch space for things like chairs and booze! Depends what you're looking for space wise.

[FrankieX]

Personally I use a Quechua popup tent and love just turning up in a field, opening the bag and being more or less done. It's not just easier to put up, but also to take down (assuming you watch the video before you go, and maybe try it in the garden a few times) which is a good thing if it's raining.

But there are downsides. Although the Quechua tent is technically lighter, it's also in the awkward form of an 80cm diameter disc. You can't really attach this to a rucksack like you can a regular tent, it doesn't fit in most train luggage areas and if you carry it by the handles there's a good chance you'll be dragging it along the ground. I've put a holdall shoulder strap on mine which does the job, but still awkward. Also, in the regular (non-XL) models there is no porch which can be useful to have. You can just about fit a pair of boots (sideways) in the gap between the inner and outer tents but otherwise everything has to be in the tent's bedroom with you.

All that said, if I was buying a new tent I'd still go for the Quechua tent because I'd rather spend my time at Glastonbury doing cool stuff than spending half an hour or so putting up and taking down my tent.

[wetflame]

I'd go with the Eurohike because of the porch space for things like chairs and booze! Depends what you're looking for space wise.

Good point. Last year we'd borrowed a huge tent which had space to stand up inside and everything (which came in handy when the downpour happened) but it was heavy as hell. It didn't matter so much then as we had friends travelling in a van who took it to the festival for us, but this year I was looking to find something relatively cheap that'd do us the job without me tiring myself out lugging it around. Thinking about the two I'd probably prefer the porch space and unless I spend another £40 or so on the XL Quechua I wouldn't be getting that. We're travelling by coach too so the Eurohike would probably fare better on the journey. Will be weighing them up but appreciate the comments!

To contribute to the thread, last year we got a couple of these vodka pouches from Asda, which worked a treat (they also did rum at the time but don't seem to anymore). Really easy to carry around and top up drinks with. Gave me the idea of ordering a few flexible water bottles (think capri-sun pouches) to fill with spirits and take with me. No heavy glass bottles. Got mine from Ali Express for pretty cheap, will give them a test run before the festival and see how they fare, but they seem pretty decent. Will be checking out Poundland to see what their collapsible water bottles are like, and maybe Aldi/Lidl for a self-inflating mat (although I've heard mixed things about those).

Edited May 20, 2015 by wetflame

[math125]

Mountain Warehouse 20% off everything bank holiday weekend. Starts today online with code MAY20 instore tomorrow

[Padgey]

Tesco are doubling up Clubcard vouchers on camping gear

[FrankieX]

Another reminder, Aldi's Camping Event and Lidl's Festival Season Event both started today.

[T.j35]

Just getting the last few bits together in preparation for my first time at Glastonbury

Would you recommend getting something like this-https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-21-may/product-detail/ps/p/folding-carry-truck/

[incident]

Just getting the last few bits together in preparation for my first time at Glastonbury

Would you recommend getting something like this-https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-21-may/product-detail/ps/p/folding-carry-truck/

No. Odds are it'll be broken and abandoned before you even reach the gate.

You're going over very bumpy ground and presumably loading it up with heavy stuff, if you need to get some wheels make sure they're as heavy duty as possible, that looks like it'll collapse if you look at it wrong.

[Padgey]

Just getting the last few bits together in preparation for my first time at Glastonbury

Would you recommend getting something like this-https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-21-may/product-detail/ps/p/folding-carry-truck/

I'll agree with Incident here, that truck would be no good if there was rain and subsequently mud on the paths, you'll just end up dragging the damn thing and making your journey to camp worse.

Edited May 21, 2015 by Padgey

[mjsell]

but it has rubber wheels for a smooth run on mud or grass...

I love little quotes like these

[kellly]

2 for £8 on selected sun protection at Asda.

Getting on this asap. Considering its an essential for health reasons, sun protection is extortionate!

[ads1980]

I'll agree with Incident here, that truck would be no good if there was rain and subsequently mud on the paths, you'll just end up dragging the damn thing and making your journey to camp worse.

I also agree. The number of these things you see that have wheels snapped off is unbelievable. I've said it quite a few times on here but I bought one of these exact ones 7 years ago now. At the time it was £90 and we have done 5 glastonburys with it and it's coming again this year http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-CST806-Platform-Truck-Pneumatic/dp/B007H6XWPU the only time it has ever had a problem is in the really sticky mud as it clogs up the wheels. But it's a proper trooper and still going strong! (Touching wood quickly!)

[wetflame]

The amount of trollies I saw last year scattered across the pathways after the rain and mud started up, like fallen soldiers on the battlefield, was immense. If you're lugging heavy stuff around, don't skimp on the trolley.

[adequate8]

The amount of trollies I saw last year scattered across the pathways after the rain and mud started up, like fallen soldiers on the battlefield, was immense. If you're lugging heavy stuff around, don't skimp on the trolley.

haha agreed! B&Q one is tried and tested for me over past 3 years of Glastonburys, Latitudes and Leeds festivals.

More of an essential for trolleys is pallet wrap people! Dont use ropes or anything like that. Pallet wrap sticks like s*it to a blanket and makes it well more easier to push.

I tried my best to save people on the trolley graveyard with pallet wrap last year, the relief on peoples faces was pricesless!

[donthaveacoolname]

haha agreed! B&Q one is tried and tested for me over past 3 years of Glastonburys, Latitudes and Leeds festivals.

More of an essential for trolleys is pallet wrap people! Dont use ropes or anything like that. Pallet wrap sticks like s*it to a blanket and makes it well more easier to push.

I tried my best to save people on the trolley graveyard with pallet wrap last year, the relief on peoples faces was pricesless!

Agree with this and if you can't get your hands on pallet wrap ordinary cling film works great. Holds everything solid great stuff.