MBSLynne wrote: "Don't be ridiculous Steve! How on earth would we manage our morning cups of tea and coffee if we didn't boil water in the tent! We are in Sidmouth for between 10 days and two weeks. We have a camping cooker and we cook meals in the evening and some of our breakfasts. Obviously one uses sense when using a cooker in a tent, but what would you have us do instead?"

Perhaps he thought you had a campfire inside the tent? Now that would be ridiculous! ;-)

We just use a small butane ("Camping Gaz") burner to boil our kettle - if you keep it away from the tent walls and don't touch it when hot it's safe enough, being designed for the purpose. We have a small table though, as our tent's just about high enough to stand up in, and the stove is on that when in use. I agree you have to be more careful in a small tent when using a stove of any kind (or a gas light for that matter - they get bl**dy hot too!)

MBSLynne also wrote: "I usede to wash my hair under the stand pipes on the campsite at Sidmouth. Admitedly I was younger and hardier...it was BLOODY cold!!"

Ah, the days when we used to have water - I can remember that! ;-)