Category Archives: Advice

Join the family camping trend

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Camping is on-trend and growing by the year. Most likely fuelled by the stay-cation, campsites across the UK are reporting increased bookings and already some sites are full for the popular school holiday weeks. The style of camping has also changed over the years. These days, families are looking for more luxuries when they choose a holiday under canvas (or nylon!) with their children and the camping equipment manufacturers have been happy to meet this demand.

Camping – or as some like to call it, Glamping – offers a cheap and healthy holiday option for families. Once you have purchased the family tent, bedding and the basic cooking utensils your holiday equipment is yours to use as many times a year or on as many annual holidays as you desire.

And if camping memories from your childhood include leaking, saggy tents, damp sleeping bags and cold porridge you’ll be delighted to discover that modern day camping is all about being warm, dry, comfortable and well fed.

Impressive range of modern camping kit

* Tents from single pods to family tents the size of a semi-detached house

* Sleeping bags for couples, men, women and kids

* Blow up mattresses, pillows, camping beds

* Heaters, fridges, gas cookers, carpet, larders

* Wine glasses, matching crockery and cutlery

* Solar heated showers, wind up radios, mobile phone chargers

The list of glamping luxuries is endless.

Where to go camping this Easter or Summer

As camping demands rise, so a couple of handy guides ot campsites have been published.

Scotland Camping with Kids

Cool Camping

Dog-friendly Camping and caravan Sites

And camping websites to check out :

Camping and Caravan Club

Scottish Camping

Tell us where you plan to go camping this year.

National Trust head fears for ‘over cosseted generation’

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The chief at the National Trust has blasted a 21st century of “cosseted upbringings” and reckons that we could be damaging our children’s health by denying them the “sheer joy” of being outdoors.

Dame Fiona Reynolds warns that our over protection of children due to safety fears could have a long-term affect on the health and well-being of Brits.

Figures have shown that children are now three times more likely to injure themselves by falling out of bed than from a tree. Meanwhile, the chance for children to roam unsupervised in the outdoors has dropped by  worrying 90% since the 1970s.

Added to this, a report in 2009 for Natural England showed that only 10% of children experience woodland play, as opposed to 40% of their parents’ generation.

Dame Fiona is reported in the Times newspaper as saying: “The world has become a very different place, and people have become very anxious about the risks – real or perceived. It’s a matter of knowing where the risks are, but not trying to wipe them away.

“Children are missing out on the sheer joy and physical and mental well-being of being able to play outside and experience nature in all its messiness.”

New get kids outdoors campaign

Now the National Trust is launching a campaign in the hope of giving children a greater chance to play outdoors.

Dame Fiona said: “It’s about wanting to give children a sense of freedom to discover. The campaign will help children to get outdoors and connect them with nature, including things that can be done at trust properties, to try to stimulate a nation of nature-lovers.”

Do you let your kids play outdoors? Are you worried about their safety in the countryside, as well as the towns and cities? What can we do about this?

Girls.. A guide to outdoors Leap Year proposals

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Today is February 29 – and traditionally this is the one day every four years when a women can ask a man to marry her. Yes, yes, we know that in these modern times girls are free to ask their men to marry them anytime should they so wish, but February 29 is still that special day. And if you do plan to get down on one knee girls, you’re surely going to propose in a fun and unusual way? Aren’t you?

A woodland proposal

It was fours years ago to the day that Jenny got down on one knee beside a huge, but very special tree, to ask her man to marry her. The tree, in a location that Jenny isn’t keen to reveal, is set amid fabulous countryside – and it was the place of her first “proper kiss” with Jim.

The couple, who had been romancing for three years, were wed in the summer of 2008, following Jenny’s romantic Leap year’s Day proposal.

Jenny says: “Everyone has a special place, somewhere where they met or where they had their first kiss or dance. Well our special place is beneath a beech tree on a favourite walk near our home.

“We have done the walk loads of times and we always stop for a kiss by the tree… but in 2008 on February 29 I surprised Jim with the big question. As we kissed I got down on one knee and asked him to marry me. He said: ‘Yes’ immediately, fortunately!

“To be honest I’m not sure who was the most surprised, Jim or the dogs!”

Great locations for a Leap Year’s Day Proposal

At SimplyHike, we reckon that proposing outdoors in a special location could easily be the way to your man’s heart.

On a hilltop: Imagine his surprise after hiking to the top of your favourite hill if you then produce a bottle of Champers from your rucksack and get down on one knee to say: “Will you marry me?”

Heart of England: Head to the Cotswolds hills in west-central England, which are often referred to as the Heart of England. Choose your favourite location amid an area 25 miles by 90 miles to pop that special question. Make sure you’re close to a wonderful country pub for that post-proposal celebration.

Beach bonus: A walk along a windswept beach is always romantic… so why not draw a big heart in the sand, pull your loved one into the middle and get down on one knee. We know he’ll “sea” sense when you ask the question: “Will you marry me!”

Rude move: Okay, so this one is a bit forward but if you’ve been thinking about a baby, and you think that marriage should come first (just), then why not take your bloke to legendary naked “fertility” giant carved into the chalk of a steep Dorset hillside? Folklore has it that women who sleep somewhere on top of the 180ft-long club-wielding Cerne Abbas giant will” blessed with fecundity.” You might be jumping the gun a little but he’s hardly going to say no to marriage when you have gone to so much trouble!

* Do you have any suggestions for romantic outdoors leap year proposal locations?

How to buy the right tent for you

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Tunnel, pop up, festival, family, lightweight, lighter weight, cabin, dome, bivi and two-man through to nine-man. The range of tents grows ever greater as each summer goes by. But rather like choosing a car, bike or new home, there is most likely a tent that will suit you perfectly.

A guide to matching campers with their tent

Weekend festival dudes: The last thing you want is tent hassle during a fun festival weekend. All festival goers require is a tent that’s easy to carry from public transport or the boot of the car, quick to put up, waterproof and mud-resistant. If it’s brightly patterned or coloured then all the better because re-finding your tent in a field of hundreds of other tents when you have had a couple of beers and your head is dizzy from all the dancing could be the difference between a night’s sleep and a night spent searching for your tent.

The perfect tent solution: Pop-up tents or festival tents.

Family, comfort and joy: This type of family likes to pack the car (or mini bus!) full to the brim. Add in two or three children, a dog, a parent or two and perhaps friends. At the campsite, luxury is important. Blow-up mattresses, cosy sleeping bags, pillows, a sink, a larder, solar powered showers, fridges, carpet. In other words, a camping holiday is a home-from-home affair.

The perfect tent solution: A family tent that sleeps up to nine people with a living space and separate bedrooms for parents, kids and hanger-ons. Tunnel family tents make a great choice.

Family + head room: If the worst thing for you about camping is not being able to stand up then you’ll want to choose your tent carefully. If your camping location is likely to be open to the wind and rain then you should also think about the structure of your tent. If you also need a living area and bedrooms…

The perfect tent solution: A dome tent construction offers great internal space and holds strong in wind and bad weather. Or choose the equally sturdy cabin-style tent.

Go wild: This is wild in the sense of the wilderness. Some people like to get away from it all and head off with only a backpack, a lightweight tent, a small stove and some dried camping food.

The perfect tent solution: A one or two-man lightweight tent that packs up small but still offers strength (in case of wind) and is highly waterproof (in case of rain).

Wild and very light: If you’re planning on a long, multi-day camping trip that includes many miles of walking carrying all your clothes, equipment and accommodation then….

The perfect tent solution: Choose a one-man bivi bags. These tents-come-shelters offer protection from the elements but also cut weight and volume to an absolute minimum.

Wild and high: Mountain goats require a lightweight tent that can also cope in extreme conditions.

The perfect tent solution: A mountain tent is a five-season expedition tent that is designed to offer safety and comfort. The geodesic tent design ensures strength and stability against the strongest winds.

New technology to reduce accidents on Snowdonia Mountains

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The number of calls for assistance to Mountain Rescue Teams in Snowdonia has significantly increased. However, modern mobile technology and an awareness initiative launched this month will contribute towards reducing these calls and a safer enjoyment of the area.

The Mountain Info Services Project was formally launched by Hywel Williams MP at the Snowdonia National Park Warden centre at Pen y Pass. It aims to give mountaineers and hillwalkers access to state-of-the-art information, as well as traditional safety advice and enable them to plan a journey or walk in the mountains of Snowdonia safely.

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During 2011, 411 calls for assistance to Mountain Rescue Teams were made as people ventured to North Wales to enjoy the beauty and special qualities of the area and this resulted in 291 Mountain Rescue team deployments. Recent research shows that a significant number of avoidable calls were made by young male adults who were not adequately prepared or did not have the required skills or equipment for their activity.   The “Reducing Mountain Accidents in Snowdonia” survey concluded that young male adults from urban areas were mainly responsible for these avoidable calls.

The Mountain Info Service Project aims to target this particular audience by using modern technology and today at the Pen y Pass cafe, a new app for the iPhone was launched by Hywel Williams MP who said,  “By applying the latest technology to the field of mountain safety, which is such an important issue in areas such as Snowdonia, there is a greater chance of accident prevention and of promoting the safe enjoyment of our wonderful hills and mountains. In so doing, the strain on local Mountain Rescue Teams will also be eased. I congratulate everyone involved with the Mountain Info Service Project, and hope that all mountaineers and walkers, be they local residents or visitors, will take full advantage of the advice and information that is available.”

Elfyn Jones, British Mountaineering Council (BMC) Officer for Wales, added, Although visitors may have researched the area on the internet before coming, some may not have the required skills to read and use maps and have not prepared themselves for travelling safely in the mountain environment. This app provides the necessary information for visitors who are planning a trip to Snowdon and will help them make an informed judgement before they begin their journey.”

As a result of the Mountain Information Services project, in addition to the development of the new Mountain Info app which is available from iTunes, three additional tools have been developed:

  • A daily report by Snowdonia National Park Wardens on ground conditions and snow levels on the mountains during the winter months, including advice on the skills and equipment required to enjoy these conditions safely. These are provided for the Met Office’s Mountain area forecasts page www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia/snowdonia_latest_pressure.html and on Twitter by following @safesnowdonia or @eryridiogel.
  • A series of five short video clips narrated by Sian Lloyd, demonstrating the way to prepare for a journey in the mountains including hazard avoidance and what to do in an emergency. These are available on the Met Office and YouTube websites. Visit www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/video.html.
  • A publicity and marketing campaign to publicise the project, made up of posters, banners, leaflets and commissioning articles in relevant magazines and periodicals.

The Mountain Info app was rated as the best available app for mountain safety planning by novices by Trail magazine in autumn 2011 and, depending on funding, it is hoped that a Welsh version of the app will be produced in future.

Ramblers National Get Walking Weekend gets into the sporting spirit

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The Ramblers is urging everybody in the country to get to their feet for this year’s National Get Walking Weekend. They’re making it easy with two days of free, fun family walks as Olympic fever sweeps the country. Get your family and friends involved and join ‘Get Walking for the Games’ from Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 May.

Simon Barnett of the Ramblers said, “2012 is the year to get walking. It’s one of our nation’s favourite pastimes but best of all its easy, enjoyable and affordable. We can’t all be Olympic medalists, but we can get into the spirit of the Games and use it as inspiration to get active and contribute to a great atmosphere in the build up to the Olympic and Paralympics Games – what better way to get into the sporting spirit than by getting yourself and your family to their feet. There will be plenty of easy walks under 8km/5 miles taking place across the country, so bring your friends and family to enjoy a fun day out and you’ll soon want to fill all your weekends with walking!”

If you’re just getting started and especially if you want to walk regularly for health and fitness, The Ramblers Get Walking Keep Walking website at www.getwalking.org has loads of information and advice including an interactive 12 week walking plan – My Get Walking.

Other Ramblers events include:

Summer Evening Walks Festival – a new festival (1-31 July; nationwide) for 2012, which aims to make the most of longer days.

Festival of Winter Walks – Britain’s biggest walking festival (22 December – 6 January 2013; nationwide) will see hundreds of winter-themed walks on offer, from short ambles to more demanding outings.

The Ramblers is Britain’s walking charity. It works to make it easy for everyone to walk, whether in countryside, cities, hills, coasts and on or off the beaten track. It has a grass roots network of over 17,000 volunteers who work tirelessly for a walking Britain. For over 75 years, it has helped build and protect Britain’s 130,000 mile long path network, it runs over 38,000 walks a year, and campaigns for better walking routes and more walking opportunities.

Stay tuned to www.ramblers.org.uk/walksfinder to find a walk near you.

Facebook www.facebook.com/ramblers and Twitter twitter.com/RamblersGB

plus www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland; www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

Top tips for winter hill walking

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The photo with this blog post was taken late last month in the Lake District. In the valley, the weather felt quite mild; a few hundred feet higher, the wind and snow made for Arctic conditions despite the bright sky. Winter hill walking should really be seen as mountaineering with the added dimensions of shorter daylight hours plus snow, ice and severe weather.

Never take the weather for granted in the hills. By their very nature, mountain weather patterns can change quickly without warning and can pose serious problems if you’re unprepared. Always check the weather forecast and never just ‘hope for the best’. Check the Met Office weather forecasts – www.metoffice.gov.uk – as well as local advice.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Steep ground, snow and cold conditions will sap your strength and can turn what you thought would be a good day out into an epic. On your map, before leaving, check out and mark ‘escape routes’ off your planned walk in case the going gets too tough. Tell somebody where you’re going and let them know when you’re back. Walking alone high in the hills in winter is definitely not recommended!

Your rucksack will hold more than you’d expect to take on a summer stroll so it will weigh more so take that into account as well when planning your walk.

Warm, wind and waterproof clothing is obvious to wear and it pays to carry an extra layer of warmth for when you take a break to avoid cooling down too much. Overheating and sweating is not good for comfort and safety so ventilate your body heat and take off hat and gloves when you start warming up  (unless conditions are horrendous!). Time and again, people pile on the gear as they slog uphill from the car park and stop at the top, sweating as they pull the layers off to cool down. Let your body keep you warm when working hard and use your clothing to retain heat when you stop.

Map, compass and GPS are not accessories, they’re essentials. As is keeping them to hand and knowing how to use them competently. Emergency equipment should include a torch, whistle (emergency signals are six blasts on a whistle or six flashes with a torch), first aid kit and a bivi bag or emergency shelter.

Your footwear needs to offer good support and reliable traction so boots are usually preferred to low shoes. Ice axe and crampons should be considered if conditions warrant. Carrying them, though, is not much good if you don’t know how to use them. Gaiters are a really practical item to wear in snow; put them on before you head off up the trail.

Take enough food to see you and your party through the day with something to spare – you’ll burn calories faster in winter. As well as hot drinks, take plenty of water and drink regularly.

Walkers can create their own itineraries in North Devon

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Ingenious free tools contained within the new Explore the Coast map-based website enable walkers to create personally tailored itineraries for days out and short breaks within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A Smartphone App will also be available in the spring for walkers on the move; once downloaded it will be accessible without an internet connection.

Pioneered by the North Devon AONB, interactive features on www.explorethecoast.org identify hundreds of points of interest including the most scenic spots and natural landscapes, where best to view local wildlife and discover local heritage sites. Particular reference is given to the South West Coast Path, permissive paths and Public Rights of Way to suit walkers of all levels from experienced long distance hikers to families seeking a gentle circular walk. It aims to inspire everyone to leave the car behind and explore the beautiful coastal area on foot.

The majority of information is accessed via a central Google map with a simple, user-friendly menu to choose from. Paths and points of interest are instantly overlaid according to the user’s choice of theme, identifying a wealth of information and glorious photographs. Sites in close proximity to bus stops, refreshment outlets and other useful local information can also be identified. The website also includes themed interpretation guides, family-friendly resources and links to related websites and downloads.

The AONB covers 66 square miles from the boundary of Exmoor National Park at Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth on the Cornish border; previously it has taken hours of research to plot the best walking routes and places to visit. The new website will undoubtedly help visitors discover local treasures they never knew existed.

Website users can plan their own trip, while accommodation providers and other tourism organisations can use the itinerary planner to create their own branded outings for visitors. There’s also a facility for local communities and visitors to add and share their comments of personal experiences at sites across the AONB.

To view the website visit www.explorethecoast.org, while further information about the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty can be found on www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk, www.northdevoncoast.org.uk.

Photo credit – Neville Stanikk

The North Devon AONB is a stunning coastal area which is nationally protected for the beauty of its landscape. It is made up of several distinct landscapes, each with their own special habitats and geology with many of them receiving extra protection in their own right. The AONB contains many Sites of Special Scientific Interest including Braunton Burrows, which is the core of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – http://www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk.

Walk your way to better winter health

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Walking just got even better. Most walkers will already vouch for a host of mental and physical benefits. Now new research has revealed just why walkers feel so darned good during the winter as well.

You see, there is a fine balance when it comes to being fit and warding off illness, especially common winter bugs, and enjoying a brisk daily walk is about the best balance you can achieve if you want to stay fit and healthy.

The study at Loughborough University found a link between too little exercise, moderate exercise, too much exercise and the body’s ability to see off common winter illnesses.

Exercise can have a positive and negative impact on health

Professor Mike Gleeson, who was in charge of the research, looked at exercise and upper-respiratory tract infections that affect the nose, throat and sinuses, and include the common cold, tonsillitis, sinusitis and flu.

The university study revealed that couch potatoes who do very little exercise are more likely to suffer an increase in cold-like symptoms and infections.

Meanwhile, people who participate in moderate exercise, such as a daily walk  or jog, will benefit from enhancing the action of the body’s natural killer cells, which in turn can help to fight off viruses. Indeed, the cumulative effect of regular exercise will lead to a long-term improvement in immunity.

But for people who participate in very high energy and endurance activities the opposite can occur.  It was found that exercising hard or for a long time in one session, such as training for and running a marathon, can actually leave you more vulnerable to illness.

Prof Gleeson was reported at the Association for Science Education conference as saying: “NK cells recognise viral-infected cells as foreign invaders and force them to commit suicide. During moderate exercise the activity of NK cells is enhanced…These changes are tightly regulated by stress hormones and other immune cells.”

He added that “exercise can have both a positive and negative effect on immune function, combined with genetics and other external factors like stress, poor nutrition and lack of sleep. Collectively these factors determine an individual’s susceptibility to infection”.

Professor Gleeson said: “Conversely, in periods following prolonged strenuous exercise, the likelihood of an individual becoming ill actually increases. In the weeks following a marathon, studies have reported a two to six-fold increase in the risk of developing an upper respiratory infection.”

So there are even more reasons to pull on your walking boots and outdoor clothing and head out every day for a brisk walk. Add a longer walk at the weekends just to keep your body and mind in tip-top condition. As the Prof concluded: “Moderate exercise has a positive effect on the immune system.”

Winter camping is on trend

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It might have been wet, sometimes windy and occasionally snowy but this festive season has seen a rise in the numbers of campers in the UK. Leading campsite providers, The Camping and Caravanning Club, has seen a 51% rise in bookings over the yuletide period. In addition the club has opened a record 24 sites over Christmas and New Year due to increased demand from holidaymakers.

Club sites director Bob Hill said: “The rise in overall booking figures compared to last year shows just how popular camping as an all-year round activity is proving to be.

“Camping in winter offers a truly magical experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. The rise in bookings is clearly proof that the winter nights need not spell an end to those memorable camping adventures.”

Rise in sales of camping products

Meanwhile, many on-line camping retailers have witnessed bigger sales of camping products and accessories this Christmas. It would appear that we have been adding a host of camping goods to our Christmas gift wishlists – and many retailers are predicting that there will be an early start for more fairweather campers this year.

These days, thanks to a host of modern camping products, such as cosy sleeping bags, cold-ground-buffeting airbeds, and even ovens and heaters, campers do not have to worry so much about the cold outside their tent.

If you’re thinking about a holiday under canvas this season, and especially if you are trying to save money, we have a range of tips to keep you warm.

Top tips for winter camping

Bag a good bag: The general rule is that the more you pay for a sleeping bag the better quality it will be. Look for warm down and three/four season ratings.

Double up: A double sleeping bag allows you to cuddle up next to your favourite person – and stay warmer. The body heat of two people together is a blessing on a cold night.

Luxury liner: Add a silk sleeping bag liner for a warm inner layer in your sleeping bag.

Layer up: Go to bed wearing several thin layers of outdoor clothing. Thin layers trap body heat and keep you warmer than one thicker layer. Add a fleece or down outer jacket for extra warmth and don’t forget leggings and socks.

Don’t forget your hot water bottle: When you’re boiling up water for your hot chocolate night cap, also fill up your hot water bottle.

Go for a pee: According to scientists if you’re holding on to your pee during the night you will be using up unnecessary body energy, which can lead to reduced body temperature. So make sure have a pee before bedtime.

Go for a Go Bag: Peeing outside in the middle of the night is unpleasant at any time of the year but especially in winter and early spring. Instead, buy a Go Bag that allows you to pee inside your tent and then get rid of the bag the next day. An alternative is a Pee Wee Urine Bag. Guys, you can simply pee in an old water bottle so long as you remember to screw the lid back o

Note of caution: Do remember that camping in winter will be very cold. If you’re in any doubt about your health, simply wait a few months and enjoy camping in warmer seasons.