coffee – Page 27 – Clive's Blog

Backpacking Trip – Last Weekend

7 April 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Outdoor Gear, Walking / backpacking food, coffee, Golite Jam 2, lightweight backpacking food, outdoor gear, tea

Weekend Trip to Woodhall Spa and day two here

When I got my Golite Jam pack I had planned to carry my sleeping mat inside – however my new sleeping bag does not compress as much as the previous one – so the sleeping mat had to be fixed to the outside.

I used the top lid strap to hold the mat roll onto the pack and for extra security I clipped the elastic straps on the mat to the upper compression straps.

Before my next trip in mid April I am going to experiment with pacling the bag as I really wanted to travel with everything inside the pack.

I am also going to try and find a better (lightweight) compression sack for the sleeping bag and clothes.

The food for the weekend weighed 1.2kgs – of that the high calories/fatty foods made up – 150g sausages, 120g tinned sardines and 135g salted cashew nuts.

Saturday Mid-morning

Saturday Lunch

Canned Italian sardines in lemon olive oil – plenty of calories. With these I had crackers, chocolate oatcakes and tomato soup – I stored the complete meal in a ziplock bag and kept it in the pack’s external pocket so it was easy to get at.

Saturday Evening Meal

When I arrived at the campsite I bought two bars of chocolate – so when it came to the evening meal I did not want the custard desert.

The small ziplock contains instant peach tea. I had two of the sausages that evening and saved two for Sunday.

Sunday Morning

The first thing I had was tea and biscuits whilst watching the sunrise from my sleeping bag – see here.

The plastic bag contains a measure of Columbian roast ground coffee.

Sunday Trail Snacks

I had the last sausage for lunch.

Resupply

I have bought in some supplies this week for my next trip.

Backpacking Trip – Last Weekend Read More »

Camping Trip pt2

1 April 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Photography, Walking / coffee, iPhone camera apps, lightweight camping, lightweight walking, MSR titanium mug, outdoor gear, tea

It was a reasonably cold night – which was a good test for my new sleeping bag. It kept me warm but I was glad I brought my long sleeved under shirt and long johns with me to sleep in.

When I woke up it was bright and clear – and ideal for having tea in bed.

Preparing breakfast, with my titanium mug with lid and the coffee maker – it is a plastic tea strainer from Asda into which I pack the ground coffee and then pour hot water through. I have to take some care not to pour the water in too quickly compared to a commercial unit. However this coffee maker weighs only grams and cost me less than 20p.

I left the campsite at about 10.30am – but due to work commitments I can only walk for about 3 hours today, so the plan is to get to Southrey via the Viking Way.

This image is for those people who are asking why I use Pro HDR so much? It is an unprocessed shot taken with Camera+.

lunch – small brew kit and titanium mug with lid

Camping Trip pt2 Read More »

Picture of the Day

31 March 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Photography / coffee, iPhone camera apps, Lincolnshire, Photos 2012, walking

I am walking to Woodhall Spa today, via the Viking Way and the Water Rail Way.

I stopped off in Hardy Gang Wood for a coffee break and got this shot by holding the camera down low on the ground and using Pro HDR to balance the exposure.

Picture of the Day Read More »

Camping Trip

31 March 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Outdoor Gear, Photography, Travel, Walking / coffee, England, lightweight camping, lightweight walking, MSR titanium mug, outdoor gear, tea

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.

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

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.

I followed the Viking Way to Bardney..

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.

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.

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>

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.

Camping Trip Read More »

Backpacking Next Weekend

25 March 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Outdoor Gear, Photography, Walking / backpacking, coffee, hiking, outdoor gear, tea, walking

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.

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

Cooking Gear

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

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.

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.

Backpacking Next Weekend Read More »

Today’s Photo

4 March 2012 / Photography / coffee, Photos 2012

The walk was planned, the biscuits baked and I’d packed the stove and gear to make fresh coffee for lunch…

…and then I rained!

—and then the rain turned to snow and sleet!

Today’s Photo Read More »

Spring Snow Drops

26 February 2012 / Lincolnshire, Photography / coffee, MSR titanium mug, outdoor gear, Photos 2012

The walk today is out to Potterhanworth woods.

The route passed behind an old factory.

There was a convenient fallen tree along the route for a lunch stop.

I successfully used the “Clik Clak” stove, to prepare cous-cous and water hot enough for coffee, on one fill of meths and the priming fuel – but again there was no breeze at all, so this stove is probably only good for a single boil in normal conditions.

The only thing wrong with the day was the huge amount of dog mess along the paths – I watched three people walking their three dogs and they were quite happy to watch them making a mess and then they walked on. Oh well I just have to watch where I walk.

Spring Snow Drops Read More »