Camping in Comfort

Camping is an increasingly popular and budget conscious option for a holiday at home, or even abroad, but if you’re not a massive fan of rolling around in mud it can seem pretty unappealing.

If you want to go camping in comfort you basically have 2 options. 1 is the not really camping at all option of  like renting a yurt, air stream trailer or sleeping in feather beds in “tents” with flushing toilets.  This can be affordable if you go in a big group, but if there’s only 2 of you then this could cost nearly as much as a week in Tenerife!

Option 2 is making a few simple preparations to ensure your night under bog standard canvas is as pleasant and free from mud as possible.

A few simple packing decisions are all that stands between you and camping misery. Here are my essential recommendations, there’s more you can take depending on how light you want your packing to be, but, apart from the essentials like a tent, torch, toilet roll, camping stove, matches etc etc these are the things I really won’t go without!

In your make up bag…

Camping by Retrochick on Polyvore.com

Make Up Wipes – You will feel grubby and greasy, these will help. You can also use them to clean cuts, your hands and any other grubby bits.

Tinted Moisturiser, Mascara & Pocket Mirror – Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you can’t be pretty, but too much make up is a faff in a tent. Choose a moisturiser with an inbuilt SPF to protect your face from the sun.

Dry Shampoo, A Comb and Hair Bands – keeping your hair out of the way and stopping it feeling and looking greasy and rank is pretty simple with these 3 things in your bag.

Insect Repellent – I don’t think I need to explain this one?

Anti Bacterial Hand Gel – As with make up wipes, it’s nice to think your hands are vaguely clean before you tuck into your evening barbecue.

In your Rucksack….

Leggings – I love leggings for camping, where jeans might drag through the mud and baggy trousers let bugs crawl up them at will leggings are snug, warm and don’t get soggy ankles.

Dress or Tunic – I like to wear one with pockets on the front for keeping handy things like torches, hand gel, mobile phones and other camping essentials out of the mud and within easy reach

Cardigan – When it gets chilly at night you’ll want to cover up a bit. Layers are the way to go, pile them on the chillier you get. A waterproof coat wouldn’t go amiss either!

Scarf – As with cardigan, with the added bonus of doubling up as a pillow / towel / blanket.

Wellies – When it rains, you’ll want wellies to keep the mud off your ankles, and wet feet are miserable.

Ballet Pumps – When it’s dry I love the fact that ballet pumps are flat, comfortable, but still closed in enough to keep bugs, twigs and dirt out of your shoes

Photo by by simpologist