Tent trauma

The Tent. So far the tent has been a source not of sanctuary but of torment. Those who follow the Facebook page (and I have no idea why you wouldn’t cos all the brilliant people do) know of my joy at discovering that my expensive Northface Tent is less than water tight.

So I thought  I would do a quick blog on that adventure alone.

the Tent Nappy

As you all know, as soon as we encountered anything heavier than a slight mist the rain began to pour in through the roof and everything that had to stay drive had to be moved back into the car. The first night saw the design and testing of the Tent Nappy.

However, further field test proved that while it was successful in a small area the rain was able to get in around the sides of the Tent Nappy so in a bit of paniced desiging and improvision we have the Tent Toupee, courtesy of the folks at Newquay.

The Tent Toupee

There are design faults, and there are many I’m sure you could point out, but the main one is that while defending from the rain the Tent Toupee is powerless against that partner in crime of thunderstorms-wind. And just like its namesake in a slight breeze it will stand up and then float away.

The Tent-a-grad

Next we have the Tent-a-grad (the Tent Castle) inspired by the castle towering over Lake Bled in Slovenia and supplied up the Dutch. However, it lacks a certain style elelment don’t you think? To be honest it shares more with a drying wood pile than either a castle or a tent.

And that folks is how the situation stands. Northface have not bothered to reply to my email and therefore i have no choice but to never risk buying their stuff again.

Thankfully we've had some blue skies since then, but there's still the journey back....

Don’t forget there are loads of Galleries over at the Facebook page, just click like.
Have a good week folks
Cheers Matt

Waffles from Belgium

The sound of horse hooves bounce about the Market square in the old town of  Bruges. The bitter taste of Belgium’s finest black coffee is about to be washed away by some fine Belgium beer. Both Austin and I both needed a rest and with much guilt I left him at the park and came into Bruges for a day of culture. So as I write this I’m sat in the Market looking up at the belfry of the Hallen and sipping Steen Brugge blonde (that’s a beer to you and me).

The Markt in Bruges

The last few days have taken more out of me than I thought it would. I really hadn’t taken into account the physical challenge of driving Austin for hours on end. He is a heavy beast and every turn is hard, hard work. When mum and dad did it with Jimmy they shared the driving, map reading and sign spotting. I’m finding it really difficult to do all of it on my own. After six hours of driving (excluding extended periods of lost-ness) I'm shattered and its takes all the energy I can muster to put up the tent, cook some food and check Austin. I hadn’t given this a moments’ thought before I left. Not sure if I’ll get fit from it or go bonkers with the fatigue. Hopefully the former.

Yesterday the ferry crossing went well but as I pulled off the boat I turned left instead of right, although I’m still not sure how you turn right. I then proceeded to drive as far north as I needed to be south before finally asking someone. Three hours later and a not-so-quick detour around central Ostend (with an impromptu tour of the waterfront and on-going road works) I finally made it to the campsite.

The owners were nice-ish, but the place was packed with visitors and I was tucked in behind some static caravans and next to the ball park. There can be fewer noisier places in the world, maybe an airport runway or a war zone than a holiday park full of kids let off the leash. I hope for my sake that they knock it on the head before 10:30pm (like last night) because I’m off to Germany tomorrow.

Before I sign off here’s a group of students (Jo, Angie, Keiran and Harry) who pitched up next to me. They have been racing across the continent doing crazy challenges (enacting Shakespeare scenes in Italy or swimming in a Borat man-kini, don’t ask) while trying to reach Bratislava. I enjoyed an evening of the very funny good natured bickering before I said good night and good bye. If anyone would like to know more about their charity, or their trip, have a look at their facebook page.

The Brassic Sparks - Bratislava Or Bust 2011 (Keiran and Angie) or here

The view from the tent. Not vey romantic

1967 The romantic version

On to Germany…..

Don't forget there are loads of photos, old and new at the facebook page The Escape Committee by Matthew Button
Have a good week folks, Cheers Matt