Camping Travel Store Blog

We have just returned from a very successful weekend at the Great Northern Fishing Show , held annually at Cudmore Fisheries in connection with the Finals of the Fish 'O' Mania Competition. Setting up in the rain, on a boggy slope whilst trying to keep everything clean was a real challenge. Luckily we managed to get some bark.  Gradually the clouds broke and Saturday brought with it intermittent weather but large crowds. Our first sale was completed with an hour of the doors opening. Sun and blue skies were the order for Sunday and it didn't disappoint. Although the crowds were less than Saturday, we had lots of serious interest, especially with the 350 Karsten for general Camping. Cudmore Fisheries is a great fishing location, catering for all anglers on various lakes.  Check out our Video Channel on YouTube

Following the sign from the main street we found this delightful pub, The Masons Arms full of original features dating back to the 16 th Century. The landlady made us very welcome and as they have been awarded the ‘Five Paw’ award, our Yorkshire terrier was also allowed in. The beer tasted great, and the menu was full of good hearty choices. We sat in the smaller bar area but noticed that reservations had been made on several of the tables. A Good Sign! Being Sunday, Roasts were the order of the day for Suzie and the children; Suzie enjoying Pork Hock whilst the children stayed with traditional roast beef. I could not resist the steak and ale pie – a firm favourite. The meals were served in good time, piping hot and were absolutely delicious. Compared with the localised chain restaurants, this pub for the atmosphere, service and quality of food excelled in value. 2 x Adult Meals 2 x Children Meals 2 x Pints and 2 x J2O = £35.00 The Masons Arms is a great ‘lo

If you fancy an 'Room with a View', then check out this rental Karsten Tent. It's a Karsten 350 with a direct to tent rain awning, carpeted with two king size bedrooms. What's more it's situated on a Camping site with stunning views only an hour from London, so great for the Olympic Summer! Our Site Review is HERE

Just to let everyone know that there is an Immaculate Karsten 325 Inflatable Tent for Sale on Ebay Please see Link: KARSTEN TENT If you would like any further details on the Karsten Inflatable Tent, please check out the Camping Travel Store Website. If you would like to see the full range on display, we are showing them this weekend at Town Farm Campsite in Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire. See link below for further details Buckinghamshire Display

One tool to rule them all........ This is a great addition to any camping equipment and even just to have around the house or car. Being a Leatherman it already has pedigree and before committing to this I was also very taken with the Victorinox Lockable Combination Tool . What made my final decisions were purely based on what I require it for and with that in mind, and a young family with bikes, the pliers aspect was essential. The other deciding fact was that with the Leatherman, all the elements are lockable, whereas with the Victorinox only the larger blade was. This tool is mid range, I paid £47.00 from Amazon with free delivery.   It came with a leather belt pouch and has already proved it's worth!

We did a test-run pitching on hard standing last September and it was totally successful.   The week was a scorcher and we could have been on grass but the day we packed up the weather changed.   What a joy not walking round on wet and muddy grass while packing up!   As the Karsten was a big outlay, the last thing we want to happen is it getting covered in mud. We put down two 3.5 mtr square cheap tarps bought on Ebay.  Karsten fitted exact.  Rock pins all round and we were sorted.  We have the inner comfort matting and couldn't feel the ballast underneath.  As the trial worked we will buy a heavier duty tarpaulin to pitch on for the future.  You just need to check for any large or sharp stones before laying the tarpaulin down. Out of interest - the site was The Warren at Folkestone .  It's an excellent site almost on the beach but elevated about 30 about sea level so no worry about getting washed away.  Good sandy beach for the kids, and handy for trips to