Camping – A tale of the great outdoors
Camping with a view (Photo Credit: C Riney)
Camping has been a staple in my travels since I first went, at the tender age of 6 weeks old, to Canada with my intrepid parents. My husband’s family’s first camping experience was wet and cold and never repeated (well, not as a family unit!). Unfortunately, the tent didn’t have proper sides, it rained … you can fill in the rest of the blanks. It can be daunting if you have never been and some will prefer never to try it.
However, if you do want to try a form of camping there are many from glamping to swag bag and everything in between.
You can camp just about anywhere in the world. I have done it in Africa, UK, North America, Australia, Scandinavia, Central Europe but the list of places is a long one and those that camp will have their favourites.
We like to have a focal point of sorts when we camp as a family or a group. Often it involves cycling, kayaking, canoeing or walking. This year it didn’t matter what we did it was all about who we were with.
Garden camping
Garden camping (Photo credit: C Riney)
During the pandemic last year, we found a window to visit the Grandparents but didn’t want everyone staying inside so we did some garden camping, as I like to call it, using my little green tent, an REI special, from my backpacking days. It just needed some waterproofing seam seal and it was good to go. REI is an outdoor co-op organization in the USA that is well worth looking into if you are in the country. Also, if you are interested in companies that do great things and are not only about making a profit, check out my article on B Corps.
On that note waterproofs of all kinds, tent, clothes and shoes are the key, we think, to a successful camping adventure!
The garden setting was perfect as you can see from the photo and the teenagers in the tent enjoyed it. I know this is something kids can do easily if the family don’t fancy going too far from creature comforts. You can even do it under a marque or a tarp you don’t need a tent necessarily.
Also, not much is required in the way of equipment for garden camping. The bare minimum is:
Tent = substitute anything water proof or just sleep under the stars (on something water proof)
Sleeping bag & Pillow = duvet or blankets & your favorite pillow
Roll Mat = blow up mattress or cushions/pillows
Advantage here is that you have all the facilities of the house close to hand and you don’t have to share with strangers.
Beach camping
My daughter and her friends made the most of post lockdown last summer 2020 and did go “proper” camping together right next to the beach in Birchington-on-sea. Impressively they went swimming in the sea which for a Floridian like me, well, burr. A very basic campsite but well run and it had all you needed. It is located between Herne Bay and Margate.
Photo credit: A Riney-Lucas
As for food, a trip to the fish and chip shop was the main attraction. But they had cooking equipment as well and enjoyed using their combined Duke of Edinburgh, Scouting, Woodcraft folk skills to set up a complete camping experience.
Peak District National Park
Image from the Peak District website.
This is a favourite place for us to go with friends, located North of Nottingham. We have been going every summer with the same group of people for about 18 years. Not everyone goes every year but we probably average 20 people. This year it was 24. Last year we were not able to go due to the pandemic. This year, 2021, it felt like we needed to gather and we would be outside and we would be within the rules...! At that time it was up to 30 people outside.
Activities – hiking/walking and cycling
Our favourite things to do there are walking/hiking and cycling along the Tissington, Manifold or Monsal trail. All old railway lines. Everyone picks their activity – cycle or walk/hike or hanging out in the campsite. We usually all try to meet up at one of the cafes on the river for a picnic or even a dip, especially if you are one of the 2-7 year olds as the water is very shallow.
