View Full Version : And yet another tent
thats seven I have now (including the beach shelter and the one to turn into other things.)
But I couldnt resist this one
Its something called a `Good Companions` made by Blacks.
Its a wee canvas job, single poled, shaped bit like a shangri la.
Alas, it has no groundsheet
I have no pics yet, cameras playing up
it cost me £4, but its an interesting bit of kit and worthy of me trying out.
John Fenna
27-05-2008, 08:14
Great kit!
I used these a lot in my youth!
I will see your tent Tengu, and raise you my Carry on Camping tent! I fitted a gas meter yesterday in a rundown house, the story was that the old gent was ex-military and into engineering and his wife had passed away. He moved into a care home and the place had gone to seed. Kids had set fire to the workshop at the top of the garden and it is a right old state.
Then this fellah came along and picked it up cheap and he was clearing it out with his brother ready for renovation. There were hundreds of willow pattern plates and cups stacked up in cupboards, drawers and boxes, and loads of cutlery, the guy was gonna take it along to the car boot along with a large book collection on world war 1, I saw up to Volume VI but there were loads more. He was flumoxed at how he could shift an engine in the old workshop, whereupon I informed him that the scrappy chain with hooks that he was gonna chuck in the skip was a pull lift hoist, worth a few quid and it was in perfect working order. He was so chuffed that he said I could have the tentage if I wanted it as it was destined for the skip and he had seen me eyeing it up!
So into the back of the work van it went, and I got home late last night so was too tired to even look at it. This morning, I gathered the three bags of tentage up and the peg bag, all made in a light, strong canvas apart from the pole bag which is some sort of heavy hemp canvas or other, and emptied them out in the back garden. First impressions were that the poles and canvas were in remarkable condition. This tent was obviously cared for by its' owner. With no instructions and not the first clue as to how it went together, I set to putting this monster tent up. I actually had no idea how big it was gonna end up being!
I found the two apex pieces that had colour coded tape on them. The previous owner was a man with obviously a bit of forethought and had coded the poles so that he could piece this thing together quickly. Once I had the apex together, the code started to make sense, and I soon had the majority of the frame put together. I put the legs in on one side and then threw the canvas on top, knowing I'd never reach the top once it was fully erected. The last legs went in and I set too tyeing the outer fly to the poles. Then, the inner went in. That went in OK, and then I tried figuring out what the rest of the poles were for. After a bit of tinkering, I found that they were spreaders and lifters for the window flaps and the main canopy that sticks out the front. The wife helped me fitting these last pieces, the kids ran through and everybody commented on the smell. The canvas stinks, probably some sort of proofing agent, as there isn't any sign of rot or mildew at all. there is a rip on one side at about knee height that has been repaired with harry black tape and the zip at the rear door has been repaired in the past. there are a few small holes in the top of one wall section, but it is on the other side to the sleeping area so I am not overly concerned.
Funnily enough, it has started to rain, and I can see that the water is beading on top so it looks like the proofing agent is still working. Tonight will be the first night out for my youngest girl as she wants to camp in it. It's only the back yard, but everybody has to start somewhere. So, Old Stinky as the tent is now called, will get its' first outing in many a year, hopefully I can get some pictures up soon to show off my Sid James tent, I hope that a young Babs Windsor turns up in the morning to do her morning exercises!
That was a good find, Spamel, your going to have fun with that.
Your going to post pics, arent you?
I put my tent on Ebay, and its doing quite well.
I found `another` old canvas tent today, £2 no label on the bag but at that price i couldnt say no.
We moved it earlier on to a flatter bit of the garden. The inflatable mattress is in for the kids in the main vestibule, I'm sleeping in the sheltered bit on an american cot. The parrafin lamp is up to try and keep the mozzies out as I'll be leaving the front bit open. I'll go and take a picture and pop it up.
Here you go, Old Stinky for your perusal!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/Spamel/0806140001.jpg
Thats magnificent! Your going to have to find that Sherpa now.
Is that a Blacks label I see? if so, thats one good tent, and even today probably worth a fair bit.
You are lucky..but your in a job where you probably get an opportunity to get all sorts of neat junk.
First bit of junk I've picked up, came up trumps though! The label name is french, Marechal, and it has been very well cared for. No mildew or rot, a few small holes and a tear that has been hastily repaired and a repaired zip. I'm looking forward to tonight!
:D
So, Old Stinky as the tent is now called, will get its' first outing in many a year, hopefully I can get some pictures up soon to show off my Sid James tent, I hope that a young Babs Windsor turns up in the morning to do her morning exercises!
<P-yoing!> Nyah nyah nyah! (Sid James laugh)
Nice one spam, Marechal made some cracking tents, not cheap either
Tengu, the Good Compaion is a super tent, spent many a day up in Snowdonia using one many years ago. You can roll the wall sides up and tie back in warm weather, and a cheap poly tarp will do as a groundsheet :cool: