Trying Out The Southern Cross 2

The weather forecasts have been rather windy of late, and even though last night’s was not in the same category as Storm Doris, it seemed prudent to keep right off the tops. I settled for half way up Kinder instead.

I was expecting to be putting the tent up in windy, heavy rain, but then taking it down the next morning in windy dry. And this is, in fact, exactly what happened.

As I journeyed upwards, Kinder Downfall could clearly be seen blowing upwards in all its magnificent glory.

Pebbles was left at home for a change. She’s not totally recuperated from her spaying operation about ten days ago, but is nevertheless well on the way. Maybe next trip.

The spot I was aiming for was not too far away. I’d not been there before, but Geoff had spent a night there with Islay, last year. I’ve been trying to Google some information about it, but haven’t come up with much. There’s obviously a ruined farmhouse, with the obligatory small group of sheltering trees around it, and its own, personal stream complete with mini waterfall, for water. The only bit of social history I have discovered, is that the farmhouse was definitely in existence and lived in, in the 1200s.

Very pleasant, it offered a reasonable amount of shelter from the worst of the gusts and rain overnight, although did have a somewhat spooky air in the fog when venturing outside in the dark, for toileting purposes.

Considering that this was the first time I’d erected the tent on my own, and despite the rain and wind, it was pretty quick and easy. I’d split it to make it easier to pack, so the outer went up first, keeping the inner nice and dry.

It’s specced for two, so there’s oodles of space inside, plus two large porches. One either side. I only used the one though, most of my gear going straight into the inner. It also has a really nifty way of clipping open the outer door, to the external poles.

What impressed me even more about this system, is that this clipping and unclipping can be done really easily without exiting the tent. Perfect for inclement weather.

The headroom is absolutely brilliant and the only thing I regretted, was not taking my Thermarest Chair Kit with me. There’d be ample space for using that inside and thereby watching I-Player in total decadence.

The wind and rain continued for most of the night, in the form of heavy showers and the occasional mad gust slamming into the side of the tent. It felt very stable. I slept pretty well, finally waking properly around 7am.

It was fresh and breezy, but no longer raining. Lovely and bracing really. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk back home, taking a different and longer route to the one I’d walked in on. Looking back at the Downfall occasionally, it was still spectacularly blowing upwards.

Logic suggests that I might well eventually find something I don’t like so much about the tent, but nothing obvious came to mind last night.

In fact, I’m rather wishing I had the money to buy the one person version, as well!