It started off so well. The six of us in the book club decided on a weekend away with a difference – two nights in a yurt.

But two of our members disappeared on the first day and, by the second night, there were only a couple of us left.

That morning had started with a chilling scream as one of our dwindling number staggered, bloodied, outside.

Cousin Tina and I sat round the dying embers of our campfire; all was silent apart from the wind rustlling through the maize fields which surrounded us. The sun started to dip behind the horizon.

We thought back on all that had happened. An owl hooted and a chill went down our spines... should we stay another night?

Let’s go back to the beginning: It was Jane who wanted to stay in a yurt, which, after a bit of research, we discovered is a kind of tent which was first created more than 2,500 years ago and is still home to almost three-quarters of the population of Mongolia.

We found some closer to home at Stock Gaylard, an estate at Sturminster Newton in North Dorset.

They offer a way to go camping in comfort – to get close to nature in 1,700 acres of countryside, which includes oak woodland, a deer park and lake.

Perfect for sissies who want their canvas to come with (nearly) all mod cons.

There are two sets of three yurts at Stock Gaylard. They stand on wooden platforms and each set consists of two bedroom yurts, each with a double bed and two singles, and another with a kitchen and living area, which can double up for sleeping.

They are individually furnished with an ethnic flavour – and bed linen, duvets, pillows, rugs and kitchen equipment are all included. There are even wind-up torches, and books.

There was a bit of consternation over the “long-drop” toilet we’d be expected to use from one of the party (“the poo monster will live there!”) but as she’s a grown-up and it was her idea for the trip in the first place she didn’t get much sympathy.

As it turned out there were fully-functioning flushing loos and hot showers and a fridge in a nearby barn and after a midnight disaster with a portable loo she’d brought along, she soon joined the rest of us going native.

Numbers were depleted because of a family illness for one of our members and an invitation to be godmother after the booking had been made for another.

Our remaining four happily spent the first night wrapped in blankets drinking champagne around the campfire (we don’t do roughing it!).

Watching the sun go down behind the maize fields with our toes – and marshmallows – toasting on the roaring blaze was magical.

It’s a secluded spot which is wonderful for nature watching and getting away from it all.

But after a night’s sleep in the comfy beds, we really were awoken with a scream. Jane – who has a tendency to being accident-prone – had managed to gash her toe badly on the bed.

She was real trouper but it got worse as the day went on and wouldn’t stop bleeding so in the end it was decided she needed to be driven home.

So that left me and Tina.

Luckily my long ago Girl Guide training kicked in and we soon had the fire blazing again. Should we stay or should we go?

No question really... there were still champagne and canapes left!

Travel facts
THE Stock Gaylard estate features a wide range of habitats for birds and butterflies to thrive and provides an impressive location to see barn and tawny owls, foxes and roe deer.

Guests can choose to have organic food boxes delivered, have a lesson in the art of yurt building or enjoy a moonlit barbecue of venison from the estate.

The Stock Gaylard yurts are in-keeping with the estate’s ethos of conservation and preservation. They cause no permanent damage to the land and their dark green canvas coverings are in-keeping with their surroundings.

Each is well-equipped to provide everything you would expect from a holiday cottage.

Indoor and outdoor lighting is available, as is hot water for showers – all powered by solar energy.

Prices start from £228 for a mini-break in a single yurt sleeping four, or £390 for a set of three yurts which will sleep eight. For further information, visit www.stockgaylard.

com or call 01963 23511 to check availability. Weekly bookings are also available.