Tag Archives: camping

THE WILD YEAR – the family who lived in a tent for a year

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The Wild Year immediately caught my attention for it’s originality. This memoir by Jen Benson, who lived with her family for a year in a tent, is a brave book about triumph over hardship. This book is awash with nature and atmosphere. It is inspirational and will fill you with both joy and hope. It will also make you angry about the financial hardships so many are under. Jen writes about struggle with flair and complete honesty. Her talent as a writer is vast, and her love for her family and the world around her is so beautiful. I cannot recommend this book enough. I think everyone should read it for it’s insights into poverty, financial hardship, and the beautiful outdoors. Awash with love, nature and bravery.
The Wild Year by Jen Benson, book, book review,

This is an utterly delightful, eye-opening read, bathed in the natural world. Reminiscent of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn and Homesick by Catriona Davies. Jen and her husband Sim have written a whole host of walking and running guides, and this is her first memoir. You can find out more about their previous books on their website — https://jenandsimbenson.co.uk/books/

The Wild Year is all about Jen and her young family’s decision to live in a tent for a year after suffering severe financial hardship and needing a way to live that retains their freedom but doesn’t cost a lot. Think cooking over fire in the dead of winter in stormy weather with a 3 year old and a 6 month old! Out now with Aurum (Quarto Group).

The Wild Year tells the uplifting true story of a family who left their old life behind to spend a year living wild in a tent around Britain.

With a baby and a toddler, mounting debt, work demands and stress trampling over their desire to spend time together as a family in nature, Jen and Sim Benson move out of their rented accommodation, sell up their possessions and decide to live in a tent for a year as nomads around rural Britain. This is the story of that year – the highs and the lows – the doubts, epiphanies and the weather.

Detailing one family’s search for a life in the wild, away from the screens and stresses of modern life, this captivating memoir is a must read for nature lovers or anyone who has dreamed of a life outdoors. It’s nature writ large with the joys and challenges of each season experienced under canvas, a story of ultimate freedom in the beautiful landscapes of Britain. This is a book that gently steals up on you and captures your heart.

Jen Benson has a passion for wild places and sustainable adventures. A lifelong runner, she is a writer, photographer and part-time PhD researcher exploring the philosophy of running. Jen and her husband Sim live in Wiltshire with their two young children. They have co-written several books including Wild Running, Short Walks in Beautiful Places, Amazing Family Adventures and 100 Great Walks with Kids. Jen writes regularly for the national press. Twitter/Instagram @jenandsim

The North Face re-launch Covent Garden store

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North Face Cover

Starting in 1966 from humble beginnings, The North Face has transformed into one of the biggest outdoor brands in the world. As well as firmly establishing themselves as a recognisable brand all over The world, The North Face continue to make sure their focus on quality has gone from strength to strength and adapted to our ever changing environment.

 

Technology and innovation have always been important to The North Face having sent explorers out on some of the toughest and most challenging expeditions but also maintaining a brand which appeals to every person as well as athletes The North Face encourage anyone with a love for The Outdoors to Never Stop ExploringTM.

Alberto Orlandi©

Alberto Orlandi©

 

 

This week The North Face re-launch their Covent Garden flagship store and as well as showcasing their brand new make-over, the brand have celebrated by working alongside Street Artist, Charles Uzzell Edwards to produce The World’s Largest Base Camp Duffel. The Duffel is to be sold at an Art Gallery with all of the profits going to The British Exploring Society.

 

Alberto Orlandi©

Alberto Orlandi©

 

This store gets you excited to get your outdoor gear on with a wide variation on colours, styles and options and reminding you that their gear isn’t just for the ski slopes. With winter not even here yet it’s the perfect opportunity for you to get down to the still and try on all of their amazing stock. You can never have too many parkas, especially with our climate. The great thing about most of the clothing on offer here is that they are so functional and layered, that you can adjust the clothing to suit your needs. As well as that, technologies such asGORE-TEX®, Hyvent® andFlashDry™used within the jackets ensure durability for all conditions.

As part of their AW14 collection, The North Face have introduced their new Summit Series which uses a new FuseForm technology which sets out to deliver ultimate function, style and protection. Pieces are constructed from one single piece of fabric with less threads and fewer seams to make it lighter, stronger and more durable.

 

Thermoball
Thermoball technologies are engineered with lightweight layering to insulate but also pack down. Practical and with a warmth equivalent to 600 goose down this pushes the levels of insulation to new limits.

Alberto Orlandi©

Alberto Orlandi©

 

The North Face continue to be a brand which show passion to Outdoor exploration by staying on top of latest innovations and keeping the environment in mind when producing new products. Each of their garments are made with care and extensive research and this shows in their great quality.

Bottled Water Causes Fire & Other Useful Things Campers Should Know

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As the heatwave continues and Pitchup.com reports record levels of daily bookings (averaging around 1,000 per day), the outdoor holiday specialist has revealed six top tips for anyone taking a camping, caravanning or glamping holiday this summer.

Camping_ground_in_Kippel

  1. Pick a campsite with shade, such as a forest location. US research shows forests can be up to five degrees Celsius cooler due to the shade and evaporation.

  1. If buying a new tent, pick one with a separate groundsheet. This allows air to circulate inside the tent, even when closed, which has a cooling effect.

  1. Take extra freezer blocks: rotate them to keep food and drinks cool. Choose a site with ice pack freezing available.

  1. Pack a fan. A battery-powered fan will provide a great cooling effect, especially if a bowl of ice is placed in front of it – instant air conditioning!

  1. Put a tent over your tent – if pitched in direct sunlight, provide shade or reflectors that will keep the sun’s rays off and the tent cooler.

  1. Be careful with innocent objects that could start a fire if left in direct sunlight. Bottles of water can concentrate the sun’s rays and ignite groundsheets.

 

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, commented: “These are just a few of our top tips for  keeping cool – and staying safe – while camping in warm weather.  Camping air conditioning units are available but these can prove expensive and require an electric hook-up, so are not ideal for all campers on non-electric pitches.”

 “Visitors to our site can search to find the perfect site for hot weather,  from forest locations to those near water or sites that offer outdoor swimming pools.  This is our busiest time of year and with the mercury still high, we’re getting more visitors to our website every day:  daily visits average 60,000 with bookings at around 1,000 per day.  Most site owners are well versed in staying safe while camping in summer, so if in doubt always ask for advice on arrival and request a cool and shady spot that gets the least sunshine and perhaps cut back a bit on the booze.”

For more information visit www.pitchup.com.  All prices correct at time of writing.