Orpington Astronomical Society

Society => Announcements, Meetings, Events => Topic started by: Ian on Nov 18, 2008, 22:57:45

Title: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Ian on Nov 18, 2008, 22:57:45
I was wondering, as we've not got a tent could we string a tarp between Micks camper and Chris' caravan? I can pop into machine mart and buy a couple if necessary...
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Jim on Nov 19, 2008, 08:55:26
Ian

I've still got the old tent. why don't you use that. We had it up in Sept for the High Elms open day, worked fine.
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mike on Nov 19, 2008, 09:07:22
Cos it rains inside it when it rains outside it. If it is going to be a dry weekend then we can use it but if it rains irt will be useless.

One hot dry day we need to simply paint it with waterproofing material and let it dry, it will then be fine to use from then on. We have had 25 (at a squeeze) people in there before.
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: MarkS on Nov 19, 2008, 09:30:50

Why not tie a tarp (or two) over the top of it?
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Ian on Nov 19, 2008, 14:38:44
I guess if it'll take the weight of the tarp. IIRC the tent you're talking about is the octagonal one?

Anyway Jim, don't you mean "we" or are you planning on wimping out on us again?
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mike on Nov 19, 2008, 15:57:04
That tent is pretty flimsy so it would need to be a lightweight tarp.
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: MarkS on Nov 19, 2008, 20:19:56

Most modern "tarps" nowadays are very lightweight.

Mark
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Carole on Nov 19, 2008, 21:36:41
I have got a Pavilion type tent in my shed (somewhere!!!) (Much like the one that Mike thought would blow away) which belongs to my Opera group (we use it for painting scenery under when it is raining). 

a) If I can find it and all the parts.
B) If I can get permission from the opera group to borrow it.

Would you like to borrow this seeing as you don't yet have an official OAS one. 
I would however prefer it if some-one else brough it down though as I now have a smaller car.

They have in the past made a small charge for borrowing it but if you are interested I could find out.  (Might be something in the region of £15).

Carole
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: mickw on Nov 19, 2008, 21:37:51
I thought the rats ate the tent then crapped on what they didn't like the taste of   :-?

I'm up for the tarp-on-van thing but with no walls it will probably take off like a hang glider and play conkers with the vans  :(


If the weather is showing "potentially dry", could we take the tent to DSC and slap some proofer on it ?
At least it could be ready for spring.
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Nov 20, 2008, 13:54:15
I did see some large tents at canvey island last weekend for £125 each they are 6 birth, but if the dividers were removed you could get probably 12-15 seats in each?

The old tent was pretty bad when it rained, I remember needing my bivi bag when I was sleeping on the inside in summer to keey dry?  The seams leak not just the material.



Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Jim on Nov 21, 2008, 05:45:17
Yes, afraid I am wimping out again. If the forecast is dry then if anyone wants to take it get in touch.
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mac on Nov 21, 2008, 06:14:53
i know this was in a longer thred before, but here's a 12man for less then £200 and its podable.

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/campingequipmentco-uk/items/item.aspx?itemid=94683 (http://stores.channeladvisor.com/campingequipmentco-uk/items/item.aspx?itemid=94683)

might be worth a look.

Mac
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Nov 21, 2008, 18:49:52
nice, i like it, I do think we need one, whats the thoughts
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: MarkS on Nov 21, 2008, 20:37:01

Yep, I like the diagram of 18(!) smiley people in their sleeping bags ...

Mark
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Ian on Nov 25, 2008, 13:05:33
unless anyone knows different, we're not going to be able to source a new tent for DSC. I might have a chance this afternoon to go and pick up some tarps.

Shall I?
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mike on Nov 25, 2008, 13:42:23
I have just had a thought..... 8).....

As long as the mice haven't nibbled it, I still have the outer tent to my old large blue tent. The only reason I bought a new one was because the inner sleeping compartments had been nibbled by mice.

I will see if it is still in the garage and still in one piece. If it is, the society can have it and i will bring it along on Friday. I reckon 30 people could fit in it at a squeeze ( I parked the Citroen C5 inside it once) and it's dead easy to put up.
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: mickw on Nov 25, 2008, 17:15:35
Even a tent with holes is better than no tent  :)
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Ian on Nov 25, 2008, 17:38:01
particularly if we've got a tarp to lob over it...
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mike on Nov 26, 2008, 09:02:14
As long as it hasn't been nibbled it will be watertight, it was a good quality tent.

I will check it and if it is OK I will bring it along on Friday.

Tony - Do we have the ali box to put it in yet? if so, we can leave it there.
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Tony G on Nov 26, 2008, 14:01:29
Mike,

I didn't pursue the box, as we didn't have a tent to put in it. :-?

Tony G
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mike on Nov 26, 2008, 14:09:15
 :surprised:
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mike on Nov 27, 2008, 11:46:56
Are you still able to get one for us?
Title: Re: Lack of Group tent for DSC
Post by: Mike on Nov 28, 2008, 12:38:43
OK it is now 12:38. I am leaving in about 30 mins. See you there :)