Vango Banshee 200

Having used this tent on several walks now I feel i'm well placed to review how good it really is.  A 1 or 2 man tent which is lightweight and good for walks.  There are lighter tents around but the Banshee really isn't heavy and packs down to a nice size.  I found the tent to be the perfect size for 1 person and kit when I took it out however if you were walking with minimal kit, 2 of you could snuggly fit inside using day sacks for pillows.

Quick and easy to erect the tent is quite spacious to the top end which has a distinct advantage over some competitors, especially when trying to get dressed in the cold mornings. A superb little porch area allows extra storage space, outside the inner for boots and/or non food items at night.  The tent comes with loads of additional pegs to ensure it stands firm in wind and it's sleak shape also forces the wind over and around it.  A large sponge sits between the inner and outer to gather any condensation and take it away from the inner (i'm guessing anyway, I could be wrong) however there really is no need because due to a fantastic airflow design I have yet to see any condensation on the inside of the outer at all and I have used it in a number of cold situations.  With plenty of guys and pegs the tent shouldn't go anywhere as long as it's pegged out correctly.  I really struggled to find fault with this tent although I do have one slight issue.  When setting up, the inner has to be put up using the pole first with the outer then being laid over the top and pegged out.  The problem with this is when it is pouring with rain the inner is going to get wet.  Obviously the quicker you set it up the better and it really is a 5 minute job but it's a shame because other than that it's a great tent.  It has a superb clip design which attaches inner to outer for added security and stability.  All in all it's a great tent, fit for purpose and one i'd recommend for walkers.

West Highland Way, Why?

We decided to walk the West Highland Way in memory of a truly wonderful man, Hugh Carroll.  Hugh sadly passed away in December 2012, totally unexpectedly.  Hugh was Gill and Martin's dad, Gerard's uncle and my father in law.  Hugh loved to be outside and many years ago had walked the West Highland Way, among other walks.  It was an honour for all of us to walk the route, knowing we were walking in his footsteps and retracing a path he had once breezed along.  The stick with the carved head you can see in some of the photos was a present which was due to be given to Hugh but sadly he never recieved.  It was important to all of us that the stick was carried along the way to completion. Hugh was a great supporter of the charity Water for Life which is the reason for this charity being selected to raise funds.  Some of us had previously made a failed, 4 day attempt to complete the way which ended in Martin collapsing into a bush, on the first day.  Hugh, being the dutiful father came to pick us up from Balmaha and I think he laughed, just about all the way home, at our expense.  I know Hugh would be proud that we all completed the walk on this occasion and i'm sure he was looking down watching over us as we did it.  We all miss you Hugh.

Martin laying a stone at the top of the Devil's staircase for Hugh