| There's something about heading off to visit | | | | to clean. |
| Mother Nature, with nothing but you, lots of | | | | |
| trees and a cheerful campfire. It's the best | | | | Just in case the stars aren't sufficient, a |
| way to experience total peace and quiet. | | | | strong torch with fresh batteries or a |
| There are no other people, no smog, nothing | | | | camping lantern can help. If you need to go |
| to do but relax for the weekend. If this | | | | wandering in the night, you'll want to be |
| sounds irresistible to you, then make sure | | | | able to check out your surroundings. For |
| you do some planning before you head off. | | | | sleeping, make sure your sleeping bag is |
| | | | suitable for the conditions you'll be |
| Check out what sort of camping gear you | | | | encountering. If you have a lightweight |
| already have. While you might be keen to | | | | summer bag and it starts to snow, you won't |
| escape the modern world, it might not be so | | | | get much sleep because you'll be shivering |
| much fun if you're sleeping on hard ground | | | | the whole night. |
| with a thin sleeping bag and it starts to | | | | |
| rain. Don't worry if you don't have all the | | | | If you're really planning to get away from |
| gear you need for your great escape into | | | | the world, to the point that you won't be |
| nature. If you look online you'll find plenty | | | | near your car at night, then you'll need a |
| of sites where you can look at camping gear, | | | | backpack to carry everything with you. Modern |
| compare different styles and brands, then buy | | | | designs are truly wonderful, with all sorts |
| what's right for you. | | | | of features to make carrying a pack more |
| | | | comfortable. You can find packs suitable for |
| It can be a bit more difficult to know what | | | | anything you might plan to do, including |
| you need if you've never been camping before. | | | | strolling round a local park right through to |
| Generally, a tent is necessity. You can | | | | heavy going trekking in the wilderness. Take |
| chance the weather, but that's only for the | | | | the time to think about what you need to use |
| very hardy souls! Perhaps if you're going to | | | | the backpack for, perhaps even visit a |
| be close to some well protected caves you can | | | | camping store and chat to the salesperson, |
| get away without a tent, but otherwise you'll | | | | but if you choose wisely you won't regret it. |
| be very glad you have one when that | | | | |
| thunderstorm rolls in. Persistent insects and | | | | Remember, in the end it's important to travel |
| wildlife are also less of a nuisance when | | | | light when you're going camping. You don't |
| you're in a tent. | | | | want to have so much stuff in your backpack |
| | | | that you can't even lift it! It's easy to get |
| If you're planning on cooking any food over | | | | carried away and buy far too many things and |
| the campfire, a good campfire grill makes | | | | spend a lot of money, but it doesn't need to |
| life much easier. If there are fire | | | | be that way. Take the time to think about the |
| restrictions or there's no wood available for | | | | sort of camping you're likely to do, where |
| a campfire, then take along a camping stove. | | | | you're likely to go, what the weather |
| You'll also need some basic cooking utensils, | | | | conditions will probably be, and then choose |
| including some pans. Never use your best | | | | carefully. By doing that, you'll get the |
| utensils out of the kitchen; they inevitably | | | | maximum use out of whatever camping gear you |
| get burnt, melted, lost or almost impossible | | | | buy, and so you'll get great value for money. |