Carry on camping

Tags

anti-bacterial gel, at one with nature, baby carrier, beaches, budget, camping, campsite, first aid kit, flasks, food and drinks, hills, hotels, lakes, lots of water, matches, mountain type buggy, mountains, pegs, pub, research, rivers, shower, sleeping bag, tent, tents, tin opener, tissues, toilets, towels, wipes

In recent years, with a rise in festivals and a renewed love of the great outdoors, more and more people are skipping checking it at hotels in favour of sleeping in tents.

Camping is a fantastic way to get away from it all with family and friends and being at one with nature.

Not only can it be great fun, and relaxing, it also tends to be more cost-effective than renting a cottage or jumping on a plane.

We know the weather might not always play ball, but we have put together a basic guide to camping so you can give it a go and work whether it’s right for you.

First things first, you need a location. You can take it slowly and start in your own garden, otherwise look for a campsite within an hour or two of home. If you are feeling braver, there are many amazing spots close the hills and dales, beaches and rivers as well as lakes and mountain sides.

When it comes to the camp site, check out the reviews before you book. Just as you would with a hotel, look at the cost, facilities, toilets and showers. See if there is a shop, pub, hot showers and generally cover off the basics so you get a really good feel for where you will be staying and what is on offer.

Once you have booked you will need a tent.

Your tent will be a key purchase, so it is best to get it right.

There’s a wide range of options on the market and you soon just how big a business camping and camping equipment has become.

Set a budget and try to stick to it. Consider how many people will be in the tent because a family of five won’t get much sleep in a two man pop-up. Style, materials and features all affect outdoor living, so do your research and find a tent that works for all your needs.

Each tent goes up in a different way, so we suggest you do a trial run at home before you go away. Pitching doesn’t have to be hard but do read the instructions, don’t do it in the dark and when you pack up, keep all the parts safe. On the day of your trip, leave early so you can set up and remember it isn’t much fun pitching a tent in the dark.

Even in the warmer summer months, the evenings can get cold, so make sure you pack warm sleeping equipment. Start with a mat, it takes the cold floor away from your body and offers comfort. Alternatively go for a blow-up airbed but remember to pack sheets, pillows and of course, a pump. You will also need to take a sleeping bag. Again, do your research. Think about the shape, size, materials and go for the best your budget will stretch too as this will keep you warm and last more than one trip.

Other things we suggest you pack for your trip are:

• Waterproofs and wellies
• Toiletries a hang-up bag you can take to the shower
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Warm jumpers and socks
• Sun screen and hats
• A baby carrier and mountain type buggy (if you have kids)
• Towels
• Toilet rolls, tissues, anti-bacterial gel and wipes
• Insect repellent
• First aid kit
• Flasks, camping cutlery and crockery plus a tin opener
• Matches
• Portable BBQ
• Food and drinks
• Phone and charger
• Lots of water
• Torch and batteries
• Camera

Most of all, enjoy being at one with nature and have a fantastic time.

Team Pure-Beauty

Festival safety and wellbeing

Tags

bands, black eye, busy, cool, crowded, deodorant, drinks, ear plugs, ears, flag, hay fever medicine, hearing, hustle and bustle, hydration, loo roll, medical centre, memories, money, music, pack, safe, speakers, spiked, stage, tent, torches., vigilant, water, wellies, wipes, YouTube

V, Glastonbury, Reading and many other music festivals are on the horizon. The excitement is mounting, the tents are being packed and plans are being made.

Whilst there is no doubt that festivals are great fun and an amazing experience, it is vital to keep safe and be vigilant whilst you attend, or things can get messy .

We have some handy tips to help you have a great time but keep safe at the same time.

Make a list of everything you need to pack; from loo roll and deodorant, hay fever medicine and wipes to wellies and torches.

Safety in numbers is true so try to stay with your tribe and if you plan to go solo, let them know.

Organise a meeting point with your friends so you can get together at specified times of the day. This way you know you can find each other if you get split up.

It is a good idea to locate the medical centre when you arrive and put a flag on your tent so you can see it when heading back to base.

Keep your mobile phone charged and with you at all times and take out insurance. Add an emergency number, just incase, and a tracker so you can find your phone it is gets lost or stolen.

Leave valuables at home. Yes you might want to look good and record your fav bands for YouTube but not everyone on site will be the model citizen. Keep anything of value with you at all times and even better, leave it at home.

Don’t assume things will be safe in your car or tent and don’t ask new found friends to look after your stuff.

Basic, but keep your hands clean and wash them after going to the look and before eating, you don’t want to get a bug on site.

Music festivals and feet don’t always go together, especially when it rains. Try to keep them clean and dry to prevent blisters, infections and trench foot. None are pleasant and they can all make you feel rotten, so invest in your feet.

Just as it might be wet, it can also be sunny, so take your sunscreen, a hat and glasses.

Drink plenty of water and do it before you are actually thirsty. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times and don’t get hydrated from the combination of dancing, heat, lack of food and booze.

Don’t leave your drink unattended. Any drink can be spiked and the consequences aren’t worth it.

Keep your cool. It will be busy and crowded so don’t get annoyed by the hustle and bustle as things can quickly escalate and the last thing you want it to go home with a black eye.

Alcohol and drugs will be on offer but remember both can affect your ability to make safe judgements, so have fun but be safe.

It might not look cool, but if you need to, wear ear plugs. The music can be really loud and if you are close to the stage or near the speakers, you might want to protect your hearing.

From pollen to smoke from fires, BBQs and cigarettes, there can be added pollution in the air so if you have asthma ensure you take your inhalers and any other medication.

At night, stay on the main roads and routes and don’t go off exploring in the dark.

Never hesitate to get help if you think you are in danger. Don’t worry about making a fuss – it’s far better to be safe than for something awful to happen.

Have fun, make memories but be safe!