Tuesday 23 July 2013

Le Camping

In preparation for the 2013 'tour', which will now include nights under canvas, I resolved to take S on practice camping excursions to idyllic spots in Cornwall where I could iron out any practical difficulties vis a vis 'survival in the wild'. So, having made a lightning raid on Go Outdoors and purchased the necessary equipment we loaded up the bikes and set forth to Siblyback lake near Minions, forgetting that, despite having had many a leisurely ride to Minions in the past, it does boast to be the highest point in Cornwall and the bikes were now fully loaded with the paraphernalia for a night under the stars, plus a litre of tetra-packed Spanish Red (weight saving measure). Nevertheless, got there ok and met the neighbours on the adjacent pitch who, having driven, had brought a camping table and four chairs . . . but no regulator for their gas cooker. So it was with great pride that the Trangia camping set was twice christened, once with Uncle Bens rapid cook rice, and second with a tasty veggie curry made by John and Debs from next door - two lessons learned, double check before you go, and you can cook a decent meal al fresco from scratch . . . camping virgins no longer.
The next excursion was more glamping than camping, given that we stayed with my folks in a 6 berth caravan complete with microwave, tv and fridge. Nevertheless, this still required transportation of sleeping bags and so forth, and we took the long route to Polzeath so S was contemplating rescue at Wadebridge - I convinced her otherwise after a fortifying cup of tea, however. This was the trip that took in the 'village that time forgot' described in the last post, but as an addendum to this the red wine at lunch turned out to be not such a good idea in the blistering heat as we rode back from Plusha on the (ironically) club TT route. Leaving this, and thence onto the Sun beaten A388 until the 'best tasting can of coke I ever had' at the petrol station in Hatt.
So, to today and deja vu . . . the sun is shining and temperatures topping 30; the camping gear Is out; once again to Polzeath; I cycle there in record time . . . and S takes the car.

No comments:

Post a Comment