Camping: An Idiot's Guide

I went camping with a group of eight friends, all of them being regular campers. I however, only remember going camping when I was more interested in a colouring book. When you're nine, the parents do all the hard work and all of a sudden, a brand new home is created for you on holiday. So when I went away this weekend, everything was brand new and alien to me, and I actually learnt a lot about camping. There's a lot that can be said for the phrase 'taking things for granted'...

The camp site we were at (Bush Farm, West Knoyle, Wiltshire, England) was a really rustic place, where they literally give you a patch of land in the woods and leave you to it. None of this business where they pack you in so tight you can't see grass. We were allowed camp fires, and, more importantly, were allowed to be in a group consisting of people aged between 20-25. There's a lot of camp sites that actually disagree with this, but they're more family based. From my short but sweet camping trip, here are my rules for a successful and convenient holiday. Some rules are obvious, but perhaps so obvious that they get forgotten:

1) When you buy a tent, double it.I suppose this is a given. I bought a '2 person' tent; however you do NOT want this if you are sharing with someone else. I felt like I was in a sardine tin; and so did my tent buddy. I was almost relieved when my tent buddy was forced to leave the tent because the rain had got her stuff soaked. Are you sharing a tent with three people? Buy a '6 person' tent. Etc...

2) Dry Wood.Campfires are a bitch at the best of times, but when you are surrounded by trees you think that maybe the wood you can gather will be enough for a decent campfire... unless the wood is perfectly dry, either buy some or use an alternative material. Smoke EVERYWHERE...

3) Dry Shampoo.Probably one for the ladies here. Shower and toilet facilities are fab, however dry shampoo saves you a LOT of hassle (especially if you're stranded in your tent because you forgot your wellies and it's bucketing it down with rain outside.) It doesn't make you feel as fresh, but hey, you're camping.

4) Remember Wellies.See above.

5) Lanterns and torches.You can never have too many of these. You don't realise just how dark it can get outside - this sounds silly but light is heavily taken for granted. I bought a LED torch and also a LED lantern. The lanterns are great for putting in tents whilst you're trying to sort yourself out.

6) Blankets.There's nothing worse than being freezing cold in a tent when it's windy and rainy outside. If I hadn't had my blanket with me (as well as my sleeping bag, obviously) I'd still be at the camp site now, thawing.

7) Know your route!Scenario: It's torrential downpour outside your tent. There's water inside your tent. It's 3:30AM. You don't have your wellies with you, and the toilets aren't exactly a 10-second walk away. Even though you have your LED torch, you don't want to be shining it everywhere around other people's tents. Know your pee route; the nearest emergency tree...

8) Emergency Poncho (No, seriously)After going to the effort to know your pee route, you don't want to return back to your tent soaking wet. They are a life saver, and also work well to use as a cover around the inside doorway of your tent. I got one for 50p at Morrisons; and it served it's job well. Zip fastenings really aren't that secure with the rain is without mercy.

9) Socks.Always take spare socks. Wet feet are never fun.

10) Heads up!It's rare that you will be able to get that perfect flat surface when you pitch your tent. Nine times out of ten you'll be on a slope of some sort. ALWAYS sleep with your head on the top of the slope, with your feet at the bottom. It's a lot more comfortable and the condensation can gather elsewhere.


So that's my quick summary of a complete idiot's guide to camping. I hope I remember it if I go again! For a wet, filthy, knackering weekend, I must say, it was totally worth it! An education, if you will. Laters!

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'What does it mean?' 'You've already interpreted it anyway...'

Wow it's been a long time since I have posted here! I have been lacking blog inspiration, and I'm trying to get more followers to make this blog somewhat useful in the massive cyberspace world.

University year-two is complete; and, as ever, I'm exhausted from my cushty student lifestyle. I have wondered for ages what to write about when it comes to blogging; you don't want to hear some girly diary (If you do, go watch a chick-flick or something!) however I find this blog personal to me, so when in doubt, talk about any interesting stuff in your own life. I will find a niche, someday. One thing that I find interesting right now is tattoos. Particularly tattoos on women. I recently got a tattoo (Pictured above) and it was my first one. I don't plan on getting any more, because personally I'd rather have one bold one than loads of little ones. I chose to have it in a place that can be easily hidden (some employers still frown on such things) and also I got it placed behind my left shoulder, because if I don't like it in 10 years, it won't matter because it's literally behind me. Besides, I often hear older people these days saying how much they would love to remember how it was to feel 20 again. Well, I can - just by looking at this reminder!

People ask very strange questions and make weird statements when it comes to the revelation of someone's tattoo. For instance: 'It cost HOW much? What a rip off!' (It's for life, and probably cheaper than what you pay for your car insurance per month...) 'What if you meet a guy and he really doesn't like it?' (If they detest it that much I don't want to be with that person) and finally: 'What does it mean?' - I personally find this question a tricky one to answer. As my tattoo is an image, it's hard to put what it means into words (that's why it's an image...) however I find that even if I do say the meaning of my tattoo, it will always get interpreted differently by other people. I'm glad that more and more people are accepting of tattoos on women. They no longer convey the 'gangster' image they once did. And why should they? Anyway, if you're worried what other people will think if you get a tattoo, chances are you shouldn't get one and you should be working on that self-esteem issue of yours. Peace out! :)