Photography

Camping Trip

Today is grey and overcast – having had a week of going to work in the brilliant sunshine! Jeremy had great weather for his trip to the Peak District on Thursday and Friday.

I started off from Fiskerton footbridge at about 8.30am and followed the Viking Way across the Witham and up across the fields.

The path goes through the grounds of the ruins of Barlings Abbey – where a local farmer is grazing a herd of cows with very sharp looking horns.

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Just past the abbey was another herd of slightly less fierce looking cows – who lined up for a photo.

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At about 10am I found a convenient log to sit on to have a break, coffee and half a bag of cashew nuts. Sitting quietly there was a lot of varied bird song around me and I saw some grey squirrels and rabbits.

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I followed the Viking Way to Bardney..

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On leaving Bardney I changed onto the Water Rail Way. Mainly I changed paths as there are a number of seats along the river suitable for a lunch stop. The table I found had a metal SusTrans logo set in it an ideal place to set up my stove.

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I got to the campsite at about 5.30pm – there had been a few spots of rain during the day, but not enough to get my waterproof out, and there were occasional sunny spells but mainly it was a grey cold day. I had a similar pitch as before next to the pond and between the trees. I was glad to get the tent up and my pack emptied so I could get a hot drink made. My little tent is very cosy when I have a hot mug of tea, the mesh door down and the fly sheet open, so I can see out (I had also bought a bar of chocolate at the reception to have with the tea).

I did not start cooking my evening meal until about 7.30pm, which gave me an opportunity to photograph my stove burning, where the meths flames can be seen.

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this is my titanium mug with the lid, that was made for me by The Little Frog Group, standing on a vented stand that they also made (there is a link in the side bar to their website)./em>

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This is a better shot of the vented ring that holds the mug away from the burner, so it works more efficiently and allows for the heat to get under the mug.

I am going to send both of these photos along to Mark at the Little Frog Group so he can see his work in action.

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Backpacking Next Weekend

As I am planning an overnight walk, next weekend, it was time to get the equipment out of storage and check it over.

Tent

I am still using the Colman Bedrock 2 (that I paid £17.50 for) – although I am looking out for something lighter and that I can cook in if needed. To save some weight I have got two longer alloy stakes to use, to peg out the guylines, that hold up the vent cover and the foot of the flysheet. This saves carrying three heavier pegs and gives a better angle to the guylines.

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The carabiner is used on my backpack during the day to secure equipment.

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Cooking Gear

All the utensils went through the dishwasher and the fuel bottles refilled. I changed out my beaker for the new one.

Beaker and Lid

The water bladder for the rucksack needed a rinse.

Sleeping Gear

I packed my new sleeping bag into the lightweight compression sack it came with and I was able to pack my silk sleeping bag liner into the same bag.

Eurohike Adventurer 200 Sleeping Bag.

I store my sleeping mat semi-inflated, so I inflated it fully to check for leaks and then rolled it ready for Saturday.

 Bits and Pieces

I sorted through my accessory pack and removed all the extra bits that had accumulated in the pouch over the winter, whilst I have been using it for day walks – watching the grams keeps the weight down.

I checked the batteries in the headlamp.

I also checked the contents of my first aid kit.

Food

I took a trip to the supermarket to get the food for the weekend – Aldi and Tesco – rather than camping shops. Jeremy is going on a Duke of Edinburgh’s expedition this week so I got his food as well.

Saturday

Lunch
Tinned sardines with lemon, cream crackers, hazelnut wafers, coffee

On arrival at the campsite – tea and biscuits

Dinner
Tomato cup-a-soup, Duck flavoured noodles with added salami, instant custard, tea

Later
Chai Latte, Southern Comfort, hazelnut wafers

Tea and  fruit and spice oatcakes – first thing in the morning, whilst still in my sleeping bag

Sunday

Breakfast
Tea, crackers and jam, cereal bars

Lunch
Salami, cereal bar and coffee

Trail snacks
Banana chips, Meerkat jellies, white chocolate buttons

Clothes and Wash Kit

I have packed my long sleeved underwear shirt, long johns and some wool socks – the nights recently have been cold and if needed, I can wear these in my sleeping bag.

The few spare clothes I need were packed into the same dry sack with my sleeping bag and my small wash kit.

Check List

Later this week I will check my kit against my spreadsheet check list to make sure I have only 9.5kgs of gear.

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