Читать книгу Cool Camping - Laura James - Страница 17
Оглавлениеyou’ll need these
How to make sure you don’t spend the first night of your trip driving round looking for a late-night supermarket where you can buy matches and a torch.
It’s not for nothing that the scouts’ motto is Be Prepared. If you’re ill-prepared you’re setting yourself up for a miserable trip. Cameron McNeish, editor of TGO (The Great Outdoors) magazine, and president of the Backpackers’ Club, likes to camp alone and ‘any place wild’ and he makes preparedness an art form. The list of things he takes camping is so pared down compared to mine that it’s almost funny.
His must-haves are as follows: tent, sleeping bag, stove, insulated pad, head torch, bottle to pee in at night, rucksack, food, water, insect repellent and a little whiskey to get through the night. Compare these to my own essentials of cushions, rugs, candles, books and other paraphernalia.
Cameron’s most important piece of advice is this: “Never skimp on the sleeping bag. Invest in a good one or you’ll regret it.” He also emphasises the importance of a hat. When your mother told you that you lose most of your body heat through your head she wasn’t joking.
Though Cameron’s brand of camping isn’t for everyone (this is, after all, a man who takes dehydrated spaghetti bolognaise on his trips) it is truly inspiring and I’m rather envious of the complete sense of freedom he must feel camping alone on a mountain. When he explains why, it makes me think that one day I’ll try it. “I enjoy being close to the earth,” he says, “and mountains make me happy.”
While you’ll probably be camping somewhere a little less out of the way than the places Cameron favours, the rules about being prepared are just as important. It is, of course, not nearly as risky if you’re unprepared in The Cotswolds, but you’ll still have a miserable time if you get drenched in the middle of the night and have no way of getting warm and dry again.
| Picture credit: The North Face | Think pinkThis gorgeous Swiss army knife proves even essentials can be stylish |
| Light fantasticA good torch is a must-take. This one is lightweight and robust | |
| Picture credit: Millets Maglite | Snug as a bugI’m not a huge fan of sleeping bags, but if you use one make sure it’s well made |
| Picture credit: Boysstuff.co.uk | Bags of scopeYou don’t necessarily need a huge back pack; instead try something practical and stylish like this Messenger bag |
| Spark of geniusThis ingenious flint allows you to start a fire without matches | |
| Picture credit: Petzl | Pretty in pinkA storm lamp is a surprisingly glamorous addition to your kitbag |
| Picture credit: Cath Kidston | |
| Picture credit: Nokia | Use your headA headtorch is great for reading in bed or finding lost boots in the dark |
| Picture credit: Zippo Toast by Post | “I’m in the tent”A mobile phone is good for emergencies, but keep it switched off unless you need to use it |
| FirestarterA windproof lighter is brilliant; just make sure it’s topped up and the flint is new | |
| Picture credit: The White Company | Comfort blanketYou’ll stay warm and stylish with blankets like these gorgeous mohair ones |
| Picture credit: Garden Trading | Old flameIt’s really important to have the right sort of light when you’re camping. Try to make sure it’s not too harsh or artificial |
| Picture credit: Aga Cook Shop | Tea’s madeA good kettle means you’ll always be able to have a cuppa on demand |
| Picture credit: Divertimenti | Cutting edgeA sharp knife is a vital camp kitchen tool |
| Picture credit: Aga Cook Shop | Pots and pansCamp cookware can suffer on the fire, so make sure yours is sturdy and doesn’t have wood or plastic handles |
| Picture credit: Divertimenti | Ladelled with loveA choice of utensils helps ensure a smooth culinary experience |
| Picture credit: Labour &Wait | You can…The right tinned food can add variety to the camp menu |
| Pretty perfectI adore this mug with a lid, the funky string dispenser and delicious milk pan | |
Choosing what to take and packing it all up is fun and is something you should take your time over.
Deciding what I’m going to wear, which luxuries cannot be left behind and what music to take, is a process that takes me at least two days. But then I take a lot.
Kit tip
You can buy solar-powered backpacks which allow you to charge equipment such as mobile phones, iPods, cameras, radios and other small electrical items. See Listings for more information.
hot advice
TV presenter Kevin McCloud on the essential art of keeping warm
Picture credit: Tyson Sadlo
Clothing Spend your money on silk and cashmere and Botany wool. If you spend your money on yourself you’ll be warmer and much more comfortable
