diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 97ae3db..89a8fc2 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -36,3 +36,6 @@ nosetests.xml
 
 # Vagrant
 /.vagrant/
+contrib/vagrant/.Python
+contrib/vagrant/include/
+contrib/vagrant/share/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index c10693d..a024ebb 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -9,9 +9,27 @@ Bootstrapping development with Vagrant
 --------------------------------------
 
 1. If required, install `Vagrant <http://downloads.vagrantup.com/>`_
-2. From the project directory, run  ``vagrant up``, and wait for initial bootstrapping.
+
+    The installer will automatically add vagrant to your system path so that
+    it is available in terminals. If it is not found, please try logging out
+    and logging back in to your system (this is particularly necessary
+    sometimes for Windows).
+
+    VirtualBox may also be required.
+
+2. From the project directory, run  ``vagrant up``, and wait for initial
+   bootstrapping.
+
+    This may take a long time (in the vicinity of an hour) and requires a large
+    download (in the vicinity of 1GB).
+
 3. Connect to the VM using ``vagrant ssh``.
-4. Change to ``/vagrant``.
+
+4. Change to ``contrib/vagrant``.
+
 5. Initialise virtualenv: ``virtualenv .``
-6. Activate: ``./bin/activate``
-7. Install requirements: ``pip install -r ./requirements.txt``
+
+6. Activate: ``source contrib/vagrant/bin/activate``
+
+7. Change to project directory root.
+   Install requirements: ``pip install -r ./requirements.txt``