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Finding Your Perfect Family Tent

Julius — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:50:01 +0000

During the summer holidays planning the perfect getaway with the children can be a struggle, whether you choose to go abroad or stay here in the UK, there’s so much to plan and think about it means that staying at home is just as complicated.

Photo by Henry Burrows

So, you’ve finally decided and opted for a camping holiday in the UK. The next problem, the perfect tent; where is everyone going to sleep? With so many tents on the market it’s hard to know who to trust when they say that their tent is the best. One thing that you don’t want is to buy a tent and then find out that it’s not as waterproof as it was said to be. Here are the top dogs when it comes to family tents for more than 6.

1. The Outwell Montana 6

A superb family tent that sleeps at least six. The tent is a great design with three separate spacious rooms and a tunnel entrance. This means less clutter and more space for the family. One of the big bonus features of the tent is the three entrances; this is a benefit as it means that you can get great ventilation coming through and you can also keep the kids muddy trainers at one entrance so that they don’t have to walk them through the tent. The tent has two linings and is made from a strong material meaning that it keeps out any rainfall, so it is 100% waterproof – a great advantage considering you can’t rely on British weather that often. The tent also comes with an add on porch should you need it; this space could be used as extra sleeping room for visitors or cooking etc. This tent is priced between £200- £300 but worth every penny.

2. Vango Tigris 800

The Vango Tigris 800 is the newest model in the Vango range and is a must have for any family. It can sleep up to 8 people and has been voted a favourite by families. The Vango Tigris has been voted so highly due to its four individual rooms and spacious walk ways reaching a height of 2 meters, making for a comfortable stay with a well-ventilated tent. The tent weighs 25 kg and can be assembled in around 15 minutes by two adults.

3. Soul Pad 500

Soul pad have been providing camping tents in the UK since 1990. Since then the company has grown to be one of the market leaders of family tents in the UK and across Europe. The tent has a luxurious waterproof ground sheet sewn inside. The Soul Pad 500 comes in a bath tub style meaning regardless of how wet or muddy it is around you nothing will leak in, so it’s ideal to keep all the little ones warm and dry. There are four zipped windows on the tent and three vents at the top. All of these have a mosquito mesh fitted so that nothing can disturb your peaceful night sleep.

This guest post has been written by Arthur Jonas, a leading outdoor specialist. He recommends the general public to use Camping Tents from www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk when planning their summer trip away.

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Surfing Holidays for Beginners in Lanzarote | Spain

Julius — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:45:40 +0000

Has the idea of riding the waves and learning to surf always appealed, but the cold British weather has put you off? Lanzarote is known as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ for many reasons, including the weather, the people and of course, the amazing waves. The winds from the Atlantic Ocean buffet the coast, providing excellent waves, whilst the sheltered bays create the perfect environment for a beginner.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Phil Jenkins

Surf Schools

There are a number of surf schools in the north of Lanzarote, where the best surfing conditions are found. The livelier resorts are in the south of the island and because of this, many of the surf schools offer shuttles and transfers. We recommend you to stay in Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen, for the best combination of surfing and other holiday activities. Below are some of the best schools:

Before you go

Before you go, there are a number of practice exercises you can do so that you don’t waste time when you are on holiday in Lanzarote. You should start off by lying on the floor on your front as if you were lying on a surf board and practice jumping up to standing using your hands to balance, in one smooth movement. A good level of fitness is also always useful when learning to surf!

The best thing to do is to hire equipment for the first few times, before making the large financial commitment of buying your own board and wetsuit. There are surf shops and schools where you can hire equipment and the instructors will be more than happy to help you choose which is best for you.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Thierry Gregorius

Here are some top tips for beginners, including where to stay and what to wear.

Always buddy-up. Never surf alone, just in case you get into any kind of difficulty
Don’t be a hero. If you’re tired or feeling unwell, don’t risk it, no matter how good the waves seem!
Look out for the flag system and any warning signs. beaches change every day, so don’t assume that just because it was OK one day, it will be the next
Cover-up. the warm waters in Lanzarote may mean that you don’t want to wear a full wetsuit, but a long sleeved rash-vest will protect you from the sun
Go long. when you first start surfing, you will need a bigger board so that you have more balance
Most importantly. DON’T GIVE UP! Everyone falls off at first and it will take some people longer than others to stand-up.

Top hotel: The Aparthotel Blue Sea Costa Teguise Gardens is just 800m from the beach and is within the pick-up zones of the surf schools in the north. There are also shops, restaurants and water parks within easy reach.

View Surfing in Lanzarote, Canary Islands Spain in a larger map

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