Some of my friends aren't very fond of camping trips. Instead, it would be fair to say that they prefer their creature comforts. When I do persuade them to join me, there are certain rules that have to obeyed at all times.
One of the key things that they are always telling me is that the weather conditions have to be right. That means that it can't be too hot, it mustn't be too cold, it shouldn't be raining heavily and it definitely shouldn't be windy. Given these regulations, it's a surprise that we ever head out on a trip at all!
When I tell them that I actually rather enjoy adverse weather conditions, they look at me as though I'm a little bit mad. They wonder how it's possible to enjoy listening to the rain falling on the canvas. You may well wonder that too!
For me, one of the pleasures of such trips is that they allow you to get really close to nature. The truth is that nature isn't always benigns. Sometimes this means dealing with situations that may seem uncomfortable. That's part of the challenge and the fun.
I like to think that I'm prepared for pretty much any eventuality. It hasn't always been this way, of course. I can certainly remember some early camping trips, which were spent sitting inside a tent that wasn't quite as waterproof as I'd imagined! Going back a little further in time, I can also recall early occasions when I even struggled to get the tent erected in the first place.
But it's true what people say: we do learn from our mistakes. Those early problems helped to teach me that preparation is absolutely everything when it comes to outdoor pursuits. If you think about the various problems that you can face, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to deal with them.
In my case, this means checking my tent and kit before every trip. To some, I don't doubt that such an approach sounds fairly boring. The value in this approach is that it means that I'm far less likely to be caught out. It's why I also always insist on having numerous items of clothing available to me.
So what happens when it rains? Well, I usually have plenty of information about the local area. That means that I have options available to me, ensuring that I don't have to sit inside my tent. But, if I do feel like reading a book under canvas, I can be certain that I'll be kept warm, dry and well fed!
My message to others is that camping trips are great fun, whatever the weather. Don't allow yourself to be put off by fears about the weather or other conditions. Take precautions, of course, but make sure that you enjoy yourself!
One of the key things that they are always telling me is that the weather conditions have to be right. That means that it can't be too hot, it mustn't be too cold, it shouldn't be raining heavily and it definitely shouldn't be windy. Given these regulations, it's a surprise that we ever head out on a trip at all!
When I tell them that I actually rather enjoy adverse weather conditions, they look at me as though I'm a little bit mad. They wonder how it's possible to enjoy listening to the rain falling on the canvas. You may well wonder that too!
For me, one of the pleasures of such trips is that they allow you to get really close to nature. The truth is that nature isn't always benigns. Sometimes this means dealing with situations that may seem uncomfortable. That's part of the challenge and the fun.
I like to think that I'm prepared for pretty much any eventuality. It hasn't always been this way, of course. I can certainly remember some early camping trips, which were spent sitting inside a tent that wasn't quite as waterproof as I'd imagined! Going back a little further in time, I can also recall early occasions when I even struggled to get the tent erected in the first place.
But it's true what people say: we do learn from our mistakes. Those early problems helped to teach me that preparation is absolutely everything when it comes to outdoor pursuits. If you think about the various problems that you can face, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to deal with them.
In my case, this means checking my tent and kit before every trip. To some, I don't doubt that such an approach sounds fairly boring. The value in this approach is that it means that I'm far less likely to be caught out. It's why I also always insist on having numerous items of clothing available to me.
So what happens when it rains? Well, I usually have plenty of information about the local area. That means that I have options available to me, ensuring that I don't have to sit inside my tent. But, if I do feel like reading a book under canvas, I can be certain that I'll be kept warm, dry and well fed!
My message to others is that camping trips are great fun, whatever the weather. Don't allow yourself to be put off by fears about the weather or other conditions. Take precautions, of course, but make sure that you enjoy yourself!
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