I probably should have given a few more details
We're hiring almost everything, but bringing our own panniers because theirs are too small. They don't provide front panniers, or rack bags. But I'll bring a dry bag that we can strap to the rack.
Re:
>I'm not sure how you'd mount the tent on the handlebars, but it sounds like a bad idea handling-wise. In general, you should try not to put much weight on the handlebars, because it'll throw off the steering.
I've done this a few times. I sort of tie it below the handlebars, resting against the head tube, making a sort of poor man's
handlebar bag. Having tried both, I can tell you it makes a big difference whether the weight is above or below the level of the handlebars - but I couldn't tell you why.
At the moment I'm still leaning towards avoiding the trailer, but am going to try and plan things so we can try both. We're using this company "Bike Bus" which specialises in delivering bikes to you, so presumably that means if we're not coping without a trailer after a day, they can bring it to us.