Hey /out/, I'm looking for some advice about tarp+bivi camping.

I'm looking at going out for a tarp/bivi bag camp in a few months time (Southwest England here), but I've never done anything to do with either before - no kit either.

Looking at getting a Belgian Mk2 bivi bag, and combining that with a 2.4x3.0m tarpaulin off amazon, with some cheap extending walking poles to support it. You can guess that's on a serious budget; I don't want to buy all the stuff, try it, and never do it again. If you have any suggestions about that kit, post away.

(And I'm wondering what wind & rain is like - all the tarp setups I've seen have one open side and small gaps beneath the edges - doesn't it get windy?)

Not completely inexperienced with small solo camping, have a tiny milsurp tent, but that thing has sides!

Thanks.