Camping as a Holiday

A Good Idea ?

We went away camping last week. 

If you have been reading my blog over the last year you will remember my reluctance to participate in this crazy English obsession.

It is not that I dislike the idea of sleeping under canvas or alfresco eating. In fact the idea rather appeals.

It is just that I think it is only the English who would persist when the heavens open , to huddle together in a field , under a thin piece of material with only an open flame to cook on , with crazy children for company, fighting in a confined space. 

It is just so weather dependant.

And in England the weather is NOT that dependable.

However, this year we had Sun, Sun, Sun and it was the best holiday we have had for a long time.

I am still overrun with washing, in a house devastated by building works , but we had time to reconnect as a family and spend time together, just being.

The kids relaxed and we found that the tensions fell off them too and they were good to be around again - I suspect this had something greatly to do with the fact that we were relaxed with them .

The camping was basic.

The children are not that clean.

I relied greatly on dry shampoo and hairbands.

BUT...we returned home, tired, dirty, refreshed and ready for the next chapter.......

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Back Home!

A Glamper not a Camper!

I have come to a final, irreversible, earth shattering conclusion this year, that despite having the biggest and most equipped tent on the site, despite having a queen size air bed and a king size duvet, despite taking provisions for just about every eventuality for the kids...........

I am not a camper! 

There you have it. Remind me of this next year when I am about to change my mind!

 This is our 9th year on this particular camp - it is a church camp with about 8000 campers all there at the same time so you can imagine the sanitary arrangements! The kids have activities all morning and evening which they love and we cant get away with not going anymore - I even went with a 5 week old baby one year! This year, as in previous years, it just rained every day and not just a shower, the sort where you are soaked within minutes of stepping out in it. If we lived in warmer climes, then maybe a tent is feasible, but in this weather, it is an endurance for me rather than a holiday....or maybe I have just reached the age where enough is enough? 

So is the solution .... 

A caravan !? 

We have been eyeing up other peoples caravans, peering in through the windows, hoping not to catch them in any compromising situations and there are some lovely little vans ( actually not so little ) out there! You can get some superb awnings with sleeping pods for the kids too so they feel they are not missing out on the camping side. There is also the possibility of being able to plug in my straighteners - yes I went a whole week and did not straighten my hair... and I survived, although I got told constantly that I looked tired - damn those under eye bags! I am definitely more of a glamper, needing my luxuries, than a hard core camper who is able to stand the wet and cold. 

So, despite some high points, I am home, exhausted, with mounds of washing, dirty children and a resolve not to camp again! 

And a few photos of the tent........ and yes, one of me,to give you a taste of reality, with un- washed, un- straightened hair, in a hoodie, clinging on to a glass of wine!

Before the tent got trashed!

Probably the only sunny day?

My kitchen!

One hand for cooking, one for drinking!

Are you braver than me and do you enjoy the camping adventure ?

Camping Trip!

The weather we are having at the moment has made me look forward to rather than dread our annual camping trip next week. I am not particularly stoic when it comes to roughing it and am rather of the opinion that a holiday ought to include a few home comforts along the way. I know, life doesn't depend on them etc etc .However I take one look at the enjoyment spread all over my kids faces and I have to man up and get on with it!

On the positive side we do now have a tent that can be seen from outer space and have collected a lot of useful gadgets over the years that ease the job quite considerably. I do quite enjoy sleeping under canvas and eating outdoors so this year I am going to be firm on the OCD elements that stop me from relaxing and follow these rules:

1. Take plenty of alcohol.

2. Don't take chocolate ( it melts and tastes foul and then you sulk for hours)

3. Take tins of food from M and S and just boil rice or pasta to go with them.

4. Take dry shampoo and hairbands and forget about hair.

4. Take a good tinted moisturiser, lip tint and mascara and go minimal!

5. Take water pistols and spend time with the kids.

Wish me luck!!

p.s My usual weekly posts will still be around so please continue to visit me. Loving getting to know you all. XX

Wednesday Beauty Buys

Redken Powder Refresh

I have been looking for a dry shampoo or similar to take camping with us. I am not the most willing of campers and the toiletry arrangements have the capacity to fill me with dread! I will try and cope with a couple of hair washes a week as there is nowhere to blow dry or straighten which for someone who washes their hair every two days is quite a feat.....However this year things are going to be different as I have discovered this lovely product. 

Redken Powder Refresh

This is an aerosol powder/dry shampoo that absorbs oil, extends the life of a blow dry and instantly refreshes your style .... and it does! I find it doesn't leave a grey residue either or have a horrid build up. It is also useful as a styling product as it adds volume as well - a bit similar to using a hair spray, but without the firm hold. It adds more volume than firm hold.  Lovely - a bit on the pricey side, as the can doesn't last that long and I have gone through one bottle already. However, for a weeks camping, to have hair that is not plastered to my head I think it is worth every penny! I also am using the Redken Extreme Shampoo range at the moment - beautiful. You can get all of this range at Look Fantastic - the link is in the side column of my blog. Well worth signing up to the sites I am listing here for money off and vouchers....especially for us beauty junkies! Still waiting with excitement for my first ever JolieBox Beauty Box! The only one who understands my excitement in my household is my little girl who is 4... We shall share the unveiling together!