Life begins at 40 is what they say. People can start new things, try new things, and start to get some of their lives back as the children start to get older. For some it can be new relationships, new house, new country even.
I’m not sure what has happened to me since I turned 40 almost 2 yrs ago. Things have changed for me in so many ways:
*I now have a long term illness that stops me from working and makes me quite dependant on others around me
* After years of stating I would NEVER camp I now am a complete camping covert
* I am now old enough to have both of my children at Secondary school ( from September)
* I am now the owner of 2 cats- after never being a ‘cat lover’!
* I have now started knitting and LOVE it
* I know walk using a walking stick!
HOWEVER THERE IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED THAT HAS ME CONCERNED FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH………………………………..
* I now LOVE to go FISHING!!!!
I know I know there must be something seriously wrong!
The tip of my fishing rod with a passing duck!!My first catch………..no laughing allowed!Each one is getting bigger……YAY
We headed out after the youngest went to school and set up, it was a lovely day and very peaceful. In fact I didn’t want to leave and have already booked my next trip out on the calendar!!
SO LIKE I SAID……………………………………………….I’M WORRIED ABOUT MY MENTAL HEALTH!!!
Crazy things can start to happen when you turn 40…………BE WARNED PEOPLE………BE WARNED!
Having just had a week away at half term camping in Dorset, I started thinking why I love being away camping. Something that would have had me breaking out in a sweat a few years ago. So I thought I would share a few top tips for camping with families.
This is me and my friend celebrating getting set up and starting a week away!
THE TRICK IS TO BE ORGANISED!
Print off a camping list…
Of any of the main camping equipment online. Or make your own using their list as a starting point. Check the list against your equipment several weeks before you go. Tick off the stuff you have and listing the stuff you need to get.
Make a shopping list..
Make a shopping list just for the time you are away. PLAN YOUR MEALS and take the basics with you. So, if your plan is to have a curry make sure you have the jar of sauce and then buy your meat fresh on the day.
Cool box and freezer blocks…
A good cool box and freezer blocks are essential for milks and butter to keep cold. I tend to freeze a pack of bacon and sausages to take for a cooked breakfast on our 1st morning there. They will also act as freezer blocks for the first day but will have defrosted well for the first mornings breakfast.
Go prepared…
Go prepared for cold and warm weather this is the UK after all.. Woolly hats and hot water bottles for the colder evenings and possible shorts and sun cream for warmer days.
Take games…
Take games suitable for your children and family to play. We take Uno cards and several decks of cards for Black Jack and Solitaire. Pens and writing pads for Hangman/ Battleship. These really don’t take up much space but can provide a few hours of entertainment on a rainy day. Don’t forget games for outsidetoo, such as, football/ bats and balls/ Frisbees. These will all help keep the kids entertained after dinner in the evening.
Get the kids involved…
Get the kids involved by giving them some responsibility. Let them pack a small bag of things they want to bring for their own amusement like books, head torches, trump cards etc. Also during the camp try giving older kids a chore, such as, filling the water bottles, washing up, or taking rubbish to the bins etc.
Take Flasks…
Take flasks because not only are these fab to take out with you during the day for a sneaky cuppa. But we fill them at dinner time to make teas and hot chocolates before bed. Instant hot water when the kids are tired and don’t want to wait for the kettle to boil.
Take a windbreaker…
Take a windbreaker to mark an area close to your tent space. These can help create a great cooking area if your tent does not have a porch. Also they are easy to uproot and take with you for a day at the beach, presuming you get sunshine.
Disposable BBQ…
Disposable BBQ’s can be picked up for a few quid in most places. They are great alternative to take to the beach for a lovely evening with a Hot Dog or Burger thrown in for a cheap and easy dinner. Sometimes we don’t even bother with the BBQ. We just use one of our single stoves and a frying pan for the same results. They are portable so make use of them.
Relax and enjoy…
Relax and enjoy the time. There doesn’t need to be a strict regime like at home. No one will be knocking at your door. The ironing and cleaning do not need doing. Have a break from social media. Take each day as it comes, late mornings/ late bedtimes/ extra snacks and treats. THIS IS YOUR HOLIDAY AFTER ALL!
Let me know if you go camping and have some tips I haven’t mentioned here.
Before you get all excited and start asking me which exotic, sunny, warm and relaxing part of the world I am heading to I will say one word……………………………..CAMPING!
Now that put it in perspective didn’t it. That means this country, hoping for sun, dodging the rain, and occupying an 11 and 14 yr old so they don’t kill each other, all under the roof of my fab ( huge) tent.
YET I LOVE IT AND CANNOT WAIT TO GO.
Madness I hear you say but once we have set up and settled ourselves these are a few things that make it relaxing and enjoyable:
No one knocks on the front door
No TV for the boys to be glued to
No games consoles so boys will talk to us
Mostly our phones are off!!
Time for us all to be together
No real schedule
Everyone mucking in with- cooking, washing up etc
NO CLEANING!! (a major bonus)
Time to do what we want to do without the rosta of kids clubs and parties
Beating the kids at Black Jack
A great RELAX
So I will be going cold turkey on all things technical ( except my camera). No Facebook, no Twitter, No Blog or reading other blogs……………………………Like I say cold turkey for 6 whole carefree, chilled out days. Come rain or shine we are going to have a fab time.
Therefore, without further ado I wish you all a GREAT HALF TERM and I will see you on the other side.
Wish you were here and all that……………………Happy Half Term.
