Third email

The mildew and damp on the tipi and the wetness of the floor was well in excess of the normal levels of tolerance whether the dwelling is to be considered ethnic or not. The hole in the top also serves to emit smoke from the fire within the tipi below. It is this fire which serves to keep the tipi dry. Your tipis, not containing fires, have the hole sealed.

Though I did not receive the second call, you rang me twice to warn me that there was a possibility that the tipi may not be fit for use because of the rising water table indicating that the moisture – some of which at least – was not wholly due to the hole in the top.

When my wife contacted you to tell you we could not stay because of the condition of the tipi you offered a refund of our deposit in the form of a voucher, thus indicating that you were aware that the tipi was inhospitable.

Second reply

Tipi,s are ethnic dwellings and unlike most tents have a hole in the top to let the poles thru ,most people realize that this could also let in rain .Drips happen,especially in severe weather conditions ,we have just gone thru the worst august for eighty years .You booked aTipi and we supplied one . We cannot be responsible for bad weather

Second email

We are aware of the weather conditions we have had recently as we were camping, with no problems, for the week leading up to our stay in one of your tipis. We would not presume to hold you responsible for the weather but that you are responsible for the provision of tipis which are fit for purpose and as your tipis were wet inside we consider this to be a failing on your part. The condition of your tipis not being suitable for our stay was reinforced by more of your customers who, like us, had had to seek alternative accommodation in a bed and breakfast, thus incurring considerably more expense - not because of the weather but because of the inadequacy of your tipis to keep to keep the weather out to a satisfactory, safe or healthy level.

We have been already offered vouchers equal to the sum of our deposit in vouchers for a future stay in your tipis but as we do not plan to visit South Wales for a number of years we consider this impractical and would request again that you refund our deposit.