This year we've invested in two new things to make life easier...
New awning
After our old awning absolutely stacked it in gale force winds and awful rain, we decided to move to a "proper" family tent. After much research we opted for an Olpro blow up jobby with a two berth insert.
On the first weekend of use our friend put it up single handedly so we took it to be a simple job! It's got ample space and a handy porch which is good to keep out the rain if you have the side vents open.
We also took it on our recent trip to Dorset. The week started with huge winds and torrential rain, a long time coming in the current heatwave. Unfortunately our tent didn't fare brilliantly, one of the lateral poles for inside had malfunctioned with the one way valve breaking, so it was weaker than it should be anyway. The back pole over the bedroom collapsed from time to time but whereas a traditional pole tent would have broken, this simple popped back up. The next day when we came back from a day out it was looking a bit sad, but we had managed to get the pole fixed so once we got this in and reinflated the other poles with a few puffs we were back on and the tent was looking grand again.
We've been sleeping in the tent this time too as baby is now three and a half and too big for the baby bunk, so a parent and child has been in there this week most nights. There's been ample space for two campbeds plus the required amount of rubbish you take with kids; Lego, books, colouring, bike hats, towels, cars, Etc. There's a handy storage section between the bedrooms too which is great for goggles, kitchen roll and some books.
Overall this is a great tent, perfect for is and up in a jiffy which is always a bonus.
Less interesting stuff
On the domestic front I've invested in a portable rotary dryer! I know, living the dream!
It's proving useful already with all the towels from swimming and the inevitable washing that comes from a family holiday.
