Camping Gear

Camping is a great way to spend time with family and/or friends enjoying nature and the simplicity of life. If you are new to camping, choosing what camping equipment you will need may seem overwhelming as there are many options and although having the right camping equipment will make the trip more enjoyable, it is easy to over pack. A camping trip typically means going back to the basics, so the equipment you take should also be just the basics.

Shelter
A good tent is one of the most important pieces of camping equipment you will need on a camping trip. The tent should be sturdy, waterproof and large enough to sleep comfortably in. If you will be using an air mattress the floor space should be large enough to accommodate the mattress and leave walking room. Look for tents that are easy to pack, set-up and take down. A standard four man tent comfortably sleeps three adults and leaves plenty of room for storing your camping gear.

Cookware
The type of cookware you choose depends on what you want to cook while camping. There are several options to choose from such as small grills, Dutch ovens and/or 2-burner camp stoves. When using a grill it is important to make sure the grill is portable, easy to set-up and that the campsite allows personal grills. Many campgrounds have grills available at each site, in which case you will need to bring aluminium foil, pots/pans and sturdy, metal cooking utensils.

Lighting
Although a campfire will provide lighting as long as the fire is burning, it can get very dark around a campsite so bring a lot of portable lighting. Kerosene or battery operated lanterns/lamps work great and last several hours. If using battery operated lighting, remember to bring extra batteries. Flashlights are necessary for trips to the restrooms or walking through the campgrounds.

First Aid and Survival Kits
The first aid kit should be well stocked with Band-Aids, burn ointment, insect repellent and over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. A survival kit should include a water-proof fire starter, compass, flashlight, rope and Swiss army knife as well as medicines similar to those in a first aid kit and large bandages or wraps. Some primitive campsites do not have access to restrooms, so remember to pack a few rolls of toilet paper.

Chairs and Bedding
Camping chairs come in a vast array of styles so choose something you will be comfortable sitting in for several hours and that is easy to transport. It can get cold when sleeping outside so bring extra blankets and a sleeping bag for each person on the camping trip. Small travel pillows are comfortable and work great on a camping trip because they don’t take up a great deal of room in packing.
Now you have read this, why not check out www.outdoorworld.co.uk to find out how much your trip is going to cost.

Log Cabin

With the summer months approaching, those of us working from home, will be facing the unpleasant conundrum of either being stuck in their study while sweating over their paper work or sitting outside with the laptop enduring screen glare and insect bites. It is no surprise than that many people are opting to create an outdoor study where the convenience of indoors can be combined with the luxury of being outdoors.

The Frame
Purpose built gazebo’s, log cabins and summer houses can be purchased at fairly reasonable rates but there is also the option of repurposing any wooden garages, sheds or other structures that already exist in your garden. If you are repurposing an existing structure, make sure it meets your needs as a study i.e. is it well ventilated? Can an electricity supply be routed to it? Is there enough space for all the office equipment you require? On the other hand, if you are considering a new building, you should be aware that structures in your garden over a certain size may be subject to planning permission, so check this out with your local council first.

Electricity
This is probably the most difficult part of transforming a log cabin into an outside study but also one of the most essential. Do not attempt to do this yourself, due to high voltage wires and amps this is a job for a professional. Shop around your local electricians to receive the best quote, a professional will know exactly what equipment and supplies will be needed to power your study. Also, remember to tell the electrician exactly how many electricity outlets you will need in your study, do not estimate, there is no point in having a finished project that isn’t functional.

Security
It is important to keep your shed secure if it is to contain important documents and expensive items of technology. The obvious security items are good quality bolts and pad locks but there are other security steps that can be taken. Consider curtains for the windows, what a burglar can’t see they have no motivation to steal, and removing expensive items that are portable such as telephones and laptops at the end of each working day. For those with extra money in their budget alarms, security lights and USB Cameras are all becoming more affordable and worth looking into for that extra peace of mind.
While the set up can take a bit of effort and expense, log cabins, wooden garages, garden cabins and other structures can be turned into a study that will keep for decades, making them an excellent investment for those working from home.

Old town canoes

Starting from the lower specs they offer the Saranac, this Is a wide, stable 3 seater canoe which has plenty of storage built in to the centre seat. The Saranacs allow people who just want to get out on the water at minimal cost to paddle up and down rivers or lakes with comfort and ease.

In the middle of the range they offer the Charles River 158, Guide 147 & 160s as well as the Discovery 119, 158 & 169s and Penobscot 164 & 174 all of which are made from a very durable 3 layer skin set up which involves sandwiching high density foam between two layers of plastic giving the boats rigidity, strength, buoyancy and the ability to be as hard wearing as possible.

Next on their list are the Royalex boats which are incredibly lightweight for their size – the difference is that of being able to carry a canoe by oneself and struggling with 2 people. Royalex is built up in the same way as the previous plastic boats, but the material is slightly softer due to the lightweight nature of it – this being said it is the most popular material among professionals and experienced paddlers alike and is never wasted on a recreational paddler as the weight of the boat allows you to get out far more often and easily than if you struggle to lift another. The Royalex canoes in the range are – Charles river 163, Penobscot 16 & 17, Camper 15 & 16, Appalachian, Tripper and the Pack. These cover every side of paddling from Expedition to Whitewater paddling and everything in the middle.

Finally, Old town still produce lovely wooden canoes which look beautiful and are ideally suited to deeper water (most people couldn’t bare to damage them on shallow water)

Old town have successfully combined tradition and innovation for over 100 years now which is why their canoes are one of the top rated and most sought after in the world.

Please view the range here http://www.hbcanoekayak.co.uk

Frosty Morning

Over the last 25 years Ali has been inspired by her travels to make work that connects people from different backgrounds through the art form of carnival. She has worked internationally bringing people together through the creation of large-scale spectacular processions.

In 2010 Ali took up walking, becoming a member of the LDWA and through this has rediscovered her love for the English landscape. She has become inspired by the way in which people communicate whilst walking, and the way in which she sees the world differently when traveling long distances by foot.

Avebury

She is now developing her own practice through walking and is currently devising a series of creative and interactive 100 mile walks. These walks will invite a team of artists to collaborate with Ali and a group of participants to create stories, images and installations through the walking and to provoke stimulating conversations along the way.
The first is in June 2012. Ali has been invited by The Ageas Salisbury International Festival to lead a creative walk that will connect all 8 White Horses of Wiltshire 

It will take place between 24-30 June 2012
Participants are invited to join Ali for all or part of the 7 day experience
Sun June 24 Westbury to Devizes
Mon June 25 Devizes to Cherhill
Tues June 26 Cherhill to Broadtown (via Avebury and Windmill Hill)
Weds June 27 Broadtown to Marlborough
Thursday June 28 Marlborough to Pewsey
Friday June 29 Pewsey to Alton Barnes
Saturday 30 June Alton Barnes to Devizes

Final day

Ali is working closely with The Ageas Salisbury International Festival to invite artists, writers, musicians, environmentalists to join her and to develop a programme of activities that will take place at various points on the way.
For more information please contact Ali Pretty via the contact page on alipretty.co.uk

For those people who adore caravanning but become tired of the limited amount of space inside a caravan, motor-home or campervan then maybe it’s time to consider a caravan awning. Caravan awnings can increase your holiday space dramatically and can be weatherproof too.

Caravan awnings can range in price starting from around £250. One of the better makes of awning is the Dorema range. You can expect to pay up to £1000 for a really good quality Dorema caravan awning. Caravan awnings come as tall annex or standard annex, their poorer relative is the porch, which are effectively the same thing only smaller than a full sized awning.

Awnings provide additional room attached to your caravan, they offer superb value for money and can be fitted to either side of your vehicle.

Escape The Rain

Most Dorema caravan awnings these days are weather proof, the roof of an awning is usually made of polyester with cotton sides. More elaborate awnings are all-season grade. The material will be  extremely strong, simple to clean and shower-proof. The awning fabric is coated polyester.

Windows & Entrance

An awning comes fitted with windows and a door. These are either roll down or zip up in design, some being both. Zip up doors and windows can help to keep insects out in summer months. If you do need some extra ventilation then look out for awnings with a zip panel vent.

Dorema Strength

Dorema awnings can be steel framed or lightweight aluminium and they are held together by support poles which come as legs and rood supports. Some frames come with additional triangular bracing for extra strength, this is well worth the effort in windy conditions. Locks are also a feature of some awnings.

Flooring

For the ultimate comfort one should consider adding flooring. Flooring comes as either tiles or groundsheets. Groundsheets offer great protection from damp conditions and also help keep worms and bugs at bay. Gound-sheets are breathable and are usually sold by the metre in the UK. The breathable fabric also helps to keep the grass alive beneath your temporary camp. A close weave allows the air to circulate but also reduces insects, worms and worm casts from penetrating through. Groundsheets are really hard-wearing and rot proof. They are easy to clean with a simple hosing down. For an complete luxury you can even buy carpet for your awning which can make it a home from home.

Caravan Awning Accessories

The most popular awnings accessory is an ‘inner awning’ which transforms your awning into a tent attached to your caravan, motor-home or camper van. These will have a zip entrance and are useful if you have guests as it offers a bit more privacy.

Other accessories include the pole suction pads and awning hangers made from tubing, which can provide more wardrobe space.

If you’re hoping to maximise space on your next caravan trip then investing in a Dorema awning is definitely worth considering.

Article by Simon Lucas

When the dictum where the grass is greener is used, it is often used in a sarcastic way to tell someone who things one place is better than the other that he or she is not necessarily right. When you say the grass is greener in Herefordshire, you are most likely making a true statement about this green country for indeed the grasses in Herefordshire are indeed greener in the most rural country in England.

Haven established Herefordshire credential, if you want a camping holiday or experience in a green natural environment, Herefordshire is probably your best bet and there is only one campsite in Herefordshire that combine the natural greenery of Herefordshire with the beauty of the Welsh borders, its is Burhope Farm campsite which sits right between Herefordshirre and the Welsh borders in the fantastic Wye Valley just by the foothills of the black mountains.

One of the things that set Burhope Farm campsite apart from other camping site in Herefordshire is the space. Set by a large lake with caravans stands that allows each camper to breath and have a decent space to itself, you will have a great sense of space around you.

Campervans is not the only way to camp at Burhope Farm, you can bring your tent or even a caravan, the site caters for all types of campers. Here are are some of the facilities available for campers at Burhope Farm campsite:

– hard standing for vehicles
– electric hook-ups
– adjacent water taps
– separate grassed area for tents
– first-class toilet and shower block with central heating
– disabled facilities
– fire bowls and fuel for hire

Because of the proximity of Burhope Farm campsite to the City of Herefordshire and parts of Wales, you can have a long camping holiday and be able to pop into Herefordshire, Hay-On-Wye or even Cardiff for a quick retail therabpy.

Old Town Discovery

The Old Town Discovery series of canoes is described as “Tough, rugged, stable and easy to handle” This holds true on all 3 of the models, the 119 – a solo canoe which is compact and makes getting on the water easy when out by oneself. The 169 – a longer canoe which can comfortably seat 3, maybe even 4! But will still handle perfectly with 2 paddlers on an easy day out. Then there is the 158…

the Discovery 158 is a 15ft 8” canoe which has been a best seller for years. It will comfortably sit 2 Adults with a load of kit, or if a snap in seat is used the space can be made to seat a smaller member of the family. The flat hull design keeps the boat very initially stable, meaning that it will inspire confidence in even the most sceptic beginner. It may be best suited to paddling flat waters, lakes, lochs and calm rivers. However it also can navigate some moderate rapid water should you come to it. The Old Town name means many things, some of them being tradition, build quality and reliability, the combination of these will allow you to have a trouble free boat and a decent return on your investment should you ever sell it.

To sum up – the Discovery 158 is a stable easy to paddle tandem canoe which is well suited to camping trips, day trips and learning all the basics on some easy going water and rivers.

Here is the specs:

Length

15′ 8 / 4.8 m

Width

35.5 / 90.0 cm

Bow Height

21.5 / 54.6 cm

Depth

13.5 / 34.2 cm

Weight

80 lbs / 36.2 kg

Max Load Range

1,100 – 1,150 lbs /
499 – 521.6 kg

You can order this kayak from Powys  canoes and kayaks page of HB Canoes.

Symonds Yat is an ancient area of outstanding natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of Herefordshire, it is one of the oldest areas of human habitation in the UK. The area is steeped in history and has long been covered in woodland and forest.

If you’re considering a good weekend break then you’ll find plenty of places to stay, and if you want to try some accommodation Herefordshire style, then you will find some of the best hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts in Herefordshire right in the heart of Symonds Yat gorge.

The River Runs Through It

The river Wye runs through the heart of the Yat, splitting it in two, East and West. The river is best viewed from the top of Yat Rock where the ox-bow bend can be clearly seen. There is some great rock climbing around here and many rock climbing groups embark on conquering the ‘needle’ rock which juts out from the gorge. Walking around Yat Rock is truly breathtaking, with deer and peregrine falcons at large. If you have long enough, this is a great place to start exploring the Forest of Dean which is right on your doorstep.

The River Wye offers up some of the best salmon fishing in England but a permit is needed as there are clubs who fish the waters here.

If canoeing floats your boat then a trip down the rapids is worth a day, boats can be hired from both sides of the river and there are some great routes to take in both direction up and down stream.

Endless Forests

There are quite literally miles of quiet woodland and forest walks and cycle routes around Symonds Yat, and that is not taking into consideration the Forest of Dean next to the Yat and the rest of the Wye Valley.

Hiking, walking and cycling is all popular around Symonds Yat and you can easily get lost so a map is worth investing in.

The sights around here are beautiful. Beech, oak and pine woods blanket the area with a wide variety of fauna and flora, not to mention the wild life, wood ants, wood peckers, deer, peregrines, cave spiders and the occasional boar. Symonds Yat is peppered with old caves and a few mines as well as old lime kilns. Some of these are open to the public but it is not advised to venture into the caves without a guide or an experienced caver.

If you think of the film Excalibur, then you’ll have a good idea of the beauty of Symonds Yat. It really is a hidden gem in the British countryside. There is plenty to do in the area and a long weekend is probably not enough. If you’re hiking in winter then be wary of the slippery rocks under foot, there are a couple of small waterfalls during winter months and Symonds Yat covered in snow is something to behold.

If you’re looking for a Herefordshire bed and breakfast then a visit to the Saracens Head Inn is well worth the money, although you may need to book ahead as the Inn is very busy.

Article by Simon Lucas

Camping is a very popular pastime throughout the world, and no matter where you live, the attraction of camping is ever present. From woodland getaways, to coastal cliffs, festivals to lakes, camping can be a cheap and easy way to escape the hum drum of everyday life.

Camping is notorious as a rough way to spend your holiday, especially if the weather is not so great. The comforts of home are left behind, and for many this is quite off-putting.

However, there are plenty of caravan accessories and camping furniture which can really make camping a pleasant experience.

Camping Furniture

There are many accessories which can make your trip away more enjoyable. Camping furniture is great for both caravanning and camping in a tent.

Tables will always be a great addition to any camping holiday, they allow you to utilise the space outdoors or in an adjoining porch or awning.

Camping tables come in all shapes and sizes, and the most useful ones of all are the fold away type. These can be stored easily and provide a good solid wipe-able surface for preparing food, eating and drinking. These are also known as trestle tables.

Chairs are also important, especially if you want to sit at your table. Camping chairs can be used indoors or outside, and are popular with fishermen, campers, festival goers and general outdoor types. They can be padded for extra comfort or lightweight with breathable material to prevent sweating in summer months. Most camping chairs are the fold up type, and some even come with drink holders for extra comfort.

Caravan Accessories

Caravan accessories are vital for those who enjoy getting away in their caravans. Accessories fall into various categories, such as electric, awnings and covers, furniture and other handy tools.

Caravan electrics help to make caravanning a great experience, like for instance camping fridges, mini televisions, portable lights and torches, heaters and so on.

Furniture has already been discussed but items such as caravan covers can really help keep your pride and joy in good condition and clean from the elements. Awnings are also very popular with campers and caravanners as they offer additional space and provide shade from the sun or protection from the rain but still allow you to get outside the caravan.

No matter whether your passion is in the tent or in a caravan, accessories for camping and caravanning are essential to making a great holiday. For more information on caravan accessories, camping furniture and camping equipment try Camping-Online.co.uk in Derbyshire.