Just had a discussion with Kath about my desire for her to have a go at doing our own side awning for the Isabella Shadow Sun Canopy rather like Randa's. Her enthusiasm has somewhat dimmed after her sewing machine played up big style whilst she was making us some face masks.

Her new line of defence is that, although, the Isabella side netting is very expensive, it is very stylish, matches the Eriba & would be better than she could do and I'm not sure of the answer to give her which wouldn't elicit a response from her including the word "cheapskate"...........................

Can I ask people who have owned a side net just how good they are at keeping out any rain..........does it keep drizzle out but then let heavy rain come through the net in a kind of spray?

Any constructive comments welcomed

MikeT

P1020302 (2).JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)
Or you can,like Randa and I, make your own, in our case all one piece.
Dave

Thanks Colin, Randa & Dave for your prompt responses.

I didn't realise that the side net was too tall anyway for our Eribas - this in itself changes the whole game.

I read your responses last night but didn't broach Kath until this morning. I waited until she had started to slowly come round in bed this morning, knowing she would be in a good mood as we are due to see the grandchildren to go for a walk.

She took the height thing from Colin with a philosophical "oh well". However his suggestion of a new sewing machine drew a mild expletive (this from a good Methodist girl) Rand's suggestion of bullclips and a flag drew some incomprehensible mutterings. However the worst response came when I informed her that Dave's solution was to construct their own one piece canopy........

At that time the rain started lashing against the bedroom window signifying that her much anticipated walk with the grandchildren might not take place, and her mood darkened........I thought it best to change the subject and offered to make breakfast..........

However this afternoon we will be watching Blackburn Rovers hopefully thrash our local rivals Wigan on the TV followed by an Italian takeaway delivered as the match ends. At this stage I will re-broach the subject of the side net and show her your photos......I am a born optimist.

Thanks for your help
MikeT

https://www.esvocampingshop.com/en/tent-...reststukken-en/

They sell all the bits you need and very quick service.

thanks Dave

Cheers Colin

Have an eyelet punch so that not a problem. Will have a word with Kath yet again........................

Further to my previous email re Kath and side cover. Despite Rovers being mugged by Wigan 2-0, the Italian take away being very late on Saturday due to someone forgetting to order it online, and her sewing machine misbehaving for her whilst making me yet another mask for the one I lost she was quite receptive when she looked at the photos posted by Randa & Dave.

Optimism will prevail...............................
MikeT

Thanks Randa this is really helpful.

Not sure if I have said this before but I (we) do have some experience in adding extra bits from our tenting days. We had an excellent Outwell Bear Lake 4 frame tent which was great. However when it first came out it had a very small sun canopy at the front, which rain used to blow under and through & soak me when I was cooking. I "designed" a number of solutions based on cutting up material from our first Brandt family frame tent.

I was happy if I remained dry whatever it looked like but Kath was coming from a different place - "we have spent a fortune on this tent and you have made it look like something from a shanty town" was one of her many responses. Fortunately Outwell realised that there was a demand and produced their own stylish extension.

However my "experiments" left her scarred so that when I talked about me going down this road anew with the Isabella I think she had flashbacks to a particular garish solution I cobbled together one Whitsun at St Valery-sur-Somme which disconnected itself one wet & windy night & flew off into the distance.. However when I showed her the pictures of your side awning and Dave's one piece she realised that the solution could be stylish and fit in with the van. Also the fact that I recently found an orange flysheet off an old Vango Force 10 (?) in the loft didn't help her.

It was good to see Dave's one piece design but we will be going down your avenue with a gap for the wind at the top and bottom.

Thanks again

MikeT

No counter argument Roger, every-bodies needs are different, and you can't help being wrong.