How to light a successful campfire that will impress friends (and maybe save your life)

Camping is not camping without a flaming camp fire. There are many campgrounds that have taken the step of banning camp fires. I avoid these campsites whenever I can. Nothing tastes quite as good as a burnt campfire hotdog.

Over the years I have had many situations where the campfire did not want to light, burnt out or flamed far too high – seeing me go hungry or being forced to eat what was no more than charcoal with a hotdog flavour, therefore I bring you my top tips (learned from my mistakes)

1. Firewood – Never collect enough firewood to keep the fire going, always collect far too much. Fires will burn faster, it will get colder, or you will decide to stay up for longer if you have only collected “enough” firewood.

1. Good tinder bundle – It is important when camping to always be prepared and by that I mean assume there will be no dry suitable tinder to light your fire with. Once you start bringing your own you will find that the forces of nature will leave far more for you in the wilds. The reason for this is all to do with chaos theory. I believe the technical term is sods law.

1. Always be first up in the morning to light the fire, because even if you do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day everyone will remember that the fire is yours which comes with certain benefits; first to eat, first to warm up and the secret satisfied feeling of knowing that you have beaten the elements.

1. Finally, remember that fires are dangerous especially when there are children around and make sure the fire is out when it is time to retire for the evening (luckily this is a mistake I have not made).

Written by on June 6th, 2009 with 1 comment.
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Camping trips are supposed to be fun!

There are few better holidays than a camping holiday. Camping vacations are a great time for families to bond and forget there usual hectic lifestyle in a countryside crying out for adventure. Unfortunately the truth is that in any family there will be at least one that hates the idea of sleeping under the stars. Below I have listed some tips that may help even the most unwilling camper have a good time!

It is a good idea to think about what you want out of a camping experience and specifically what the area in which you intend to travel can offer in terms of making that experience come alive. The execution of a perfect camping trip is all in the planning.

Once you have decided on a location or a handful of potential locations it is important to research the area by all means available. Search the internet for local attractions, walks and restaurants (for those days that everyone may need cheering up).

Once a specific location and campsite has been chosen, or just an area if you intend to camp in the wilds focus your concentrations on what you will need to take with you. Probably the biggest spoiler of camping trips is the weather so it is important to think ahead. If you are visiting an area such as Scotland weather will be a huge factor (as will midges).

Draw up a list of everything you need to pack and what activities you plan to do when you are there. Make sure that some of these activities can be done on days of bad weather as this will be important for family moral.

Once you are there enjoy yourself. Make sure everybody else enjoys themselves and if you are with children make sure that they are involved in every stage of the planning and setting up camp.

Written by on June 6th, 2009 with no comments.
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