Aug 1, 20184 min read

Happy Campers

My mission in life when it comes to walking is to have as many adventures in as many places as possible. I crave exploration on foot and on occasions, this involves pitching up somewhere for a night or two so I can carry on the following day. I'm able to walk for miles and miles - up a mountain, down a verge, through mud and across cow strewn fields, there’s no stopping me and I'm always up for a challenge. However, nothing is more frustrating than finishing a walk knowing you have to spend a good two hours working out how to pitch your complex tent, usually whilst in the lashing down rain. I love camping, but I like easy camping. Knowing there are only a handful of simple to follow instructions allowing you to pitch up and relax within moments is what I dream of. I love nothing more than setting up camp for a weekend and going off to explore the surrounding area for hours at a time, knowing I have a sturdy tent that has caused no dramas to come back to.

That being said, I also love a warm B&B with a bubble bath!

At the beginning of July (2018) I celebrated another birthday and thought, what better way to turn *clears throat and mutters under breath* 32 than under the stars, in a tent, surrounded by my most nearest and dearest drinking rum and eating chocolate brownies? I decided to book a couple of pitches on a beautiful campsite down in Sennen, Cornwall and began the search for a perfect tent.

Putting up a tent with your significant other is a good test of the relationship. However, thanks to my Easy Camp Spirit 300 three-man tent, when it came to assembling it with the help of my partner it went up effortlessly and without any signs of heated debates through gritted teeth, tent pole javelin or exasperated ‘I give up, we can sleep in the car’ statements.

I chose this tent because I wanted something that took minimal effort. For someone who usually has a lot of patience, erecting a tent can really push my limits; minimal hassle is my main requirement when tent shopping. After that, I look for how much space is available inside, how wind/waterproof it is and finally, the aesthetic.

With just three poles to slide in, the Easy Camp Spirit 300 made for a stress-free, fast pitching, joyful experience; everything you can ask for when it comes to getting your weekend started as soon as possible. Within just 15-minutes of arriving at the campsite I was already sat in the spacious porch, rum in one hand, sun tan lotion in the other and a glorious sea view to breathe in ahead.

This attractive tent is made for three-persons and whilst it could certainly fit three people, I like the fact it gives two a little extra space for rucksacks, walking boots, extra coats, wellies and more importantly, rum. It fitted in my Outwell Flow Double Airbed perfectly and had a handy loop for my Robens Lighthouse Rechargeable Lantern to dangle from.

One side of the porch can be rolled up for extra sunlight, space and socialising with those camping beside you and the two curtained windows were a feature I enjoyed because when windy, you can still see outside, yet have the protection of the porch sides. The final perk would have to be the three much needed vents which were a blessing during this particularly humid Cornish weekend. There is nothing worse than waking up slightly worse for wear, suffocating from the heat and bad breath beneath the lining of a tent. These vents kept the air circulating nicely and made for a pleasant wake up, ready to start the day with a bacon sandwich and a stroll down to the beach.

Anyone looking to use a tent for a walking weekend, I would highly recommend the Easy Camp Spirit range. Although it may not withstand days of hurricanes and torrential rain, it is perfect if you are needing something lightweight, easy to put up and spacious. The price is affordable at just under £100 and there are plenty of matching products to go with it too. I decided upon an Outwell Camper Supreme Sleeping Bag which doubled up as a lovely blanket and duvet when unzipped; perfect for when the temperature drops in the evenings. The funky design added a little flare and was lovely to use as a picnic blanket during the day and for snuggling under around the campfire at night.

After a walk along the coastline, a swim in the sea, sunbathing on the beach and a hike back up to the campsite, getting into my tent was a welcome relief. Having the separate bedroom with a double door, one with mesh and one with polyester, to zip up meant I could keep the porch open and let the sun and breeze drift in and out, all whilst napping without fear of being eaten alive by bugs.

After a weekend of joyous celebrations which included cake eating, sea swimming, coastal walking, rum drinking and campfire singing the time came to pack up. Test number two; taking the tent down and getting it back into the bag, which somehow seems three times too small when it comes to shoving it back in. I followed the instructions at the start of the weekend and made sure to familiarise myself with how I was unpacking the tent, but after a weekend of rum drinking and sun worshipping some of those memories had dissipated along with the sea spray. However, putting this tent away was as easy as putting it up. With there being less pieces it was simple to fold up and squeeze back into the bag and within 15-minutes we were putting everything back into the car and making our way home feeling very sun-kissed, relaxed and ready for our next camping adventure.