Things necessary | page 2
Torches: Obviously a torch is necessary for grown-ups, but a torch for each of the kids
adds to the sense of night time adventure. We used to keep a small lantern on at night but it quickly burnt
through batteries. Instead, pack a handful of fluorescent snappy lights to allay any night-time fears.
Waterproofed child
Waterproofs: All-in-one suits and wellies for toddlers, all-in-one suits for babies, and jackets and trousers for everyone else. Walking boots or wellies, especially at festivals, where the mud can be biblical. Never get wet.
Picnic rug: Plastic-backed picnic rugs as even when it is not raining the ground gets damp in the evening.
Water carrier: a collapsible one with a tap for drinking, cooking and light washing.
Water flasks: For drinks in the night and drinks in the day. Bottled water is over. Make sure the kids have their own flasks as floaties turn my stomach.
Solar powered shower: Sounds fancier that it is. Basically this is a bag you fill with cold water and once the sun has warmed it up, you use it to shower. Festival showers struggle with water pressure and what may seem like an uninhibited playful exercise in communal cleansing quickly turns into three cold naked people huddled under a dripping tap.
Music: Without talent to sing or play an instrument, we take an iPod and portable battery-powered speakers. Matthew spends a lot of time devising suitable playlists and has developed quite a few theories about music and campfires.
Opinel knife: A sharp knife is always useful. A sharp knife that folds back into its handle is essential. Hence the design classic that is the French Opinel knife. Used for cutting vegetables, whittling kindling, removing things from bike chains, opening packets etc
More >> “The It-Must-Work law rules out the Swiss Army knife”
