After purchasing the 5m bell I was hooked. The next acquisition was an ebay 'bargain'. Someone 'up north' had bought 40 tents for their daughters wedding - thrown the guests in them overnight, then recouped their costs by selling them on ebay. So for the sum of £170 I purchased the next bell. As it was a moderate price for one, I figured I would get in touch with my picasso roots and splash a bit of paint on this one (actually have no roots with Picasso, so is disclaimer in case his square shaped family want to sue)
The 4m also became the scapegoat when i decided no bell tent would be complete without it's own wood stove (an expensive decision), so the wall was then demolished to take a wood stove. After a great deal of research I finally plumped for a 4kw stove that went through the side wall. I also sourced the paint as I decided I wanted it to be red, rather than the traditional black - the stove supplier very kindly sprayed it red for me then.
My impeccably, well behaved hound, 'Homer' is howling by the side of it in this pic
With most of my tents I have replaced the guy ropes as I'm not too fussed on the ones that are supplied. Usually with 6mm polyhemp and wooden sliders - cost is about £30 but it makes the overall appearance a lot more traditional and they prove to be a lot more efficient (canvas and cast tents tend to come with them already, along with wooden pegs)
Painting the bell
Making a cover for the stove opening, when the stoves not in use
His maiden voyage to orchards at wickham market on Halloween
Got a sleeping bag for the star photo in camping magazine for this pic!
Trip to the beach while at wickham
Wet dogs whatever the time of year
Click here for video of the tent at Orchards, Wickham Market
