It's Camp Bestival Time

Camp Bestival 2012

Roll up, roll up, the best circus this summer is in town! The car is packed, I'm not quite sure where the children will be sitting?! Early tomorrow morning we will be heading to Lulworth Castle in Dorset for Camp Bestival.  We are all very excited and I am sure there will be little sleep had tonight.  With so many things to see and do this weekend we have each chosen specific things we really want to do or bands/acts we want to see.  Personally I am looking forward to watching James on the Castle Stage on Friday night and of course De La Soul on Saturday night, reliving my sixth form and uni days.  A visit to Dingley Dell for activities with Project Wild Thing and The National Trust is a must and Kitty won't leave without seeing Ben & Holly.  I am also really excited to meet up with some of the other Camp Bestival bloggers and enjoy a drink, laugh and dance.

But for now I am off to get Lucys glasses fixed, one of the arms fell off this morning, then I may sneak in a cheeky cold beer in the garden before tea, well it is almost holiday time!

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

Packing List For Camp Bestival

Camp Bestival 2012

Continuing from yesterdays post celebrating a good list, I thought I would share my list for top things to take to Camp Bestival.  With only nine days until we head to the beautiful Dorset coast, I am starting to check we have everything and that it's still in working order.  Batteries are top of my shopping list this week, torches and tent lights need them, also our phone charger needs some, aswell as the cameras.  So apart from plenty of batteries what else do I consider essential?

Loo Rolls - there are none provided, DO NOT forget these!

Hand Sanitiser and Baby Wipes - there aren't sinks in the porta loo's. Baby wipes also come in handy when ice creams get drippy and coke cans explode! (The toilets are cleaned regularly and we have never had a problem with them).

Sunscreen, sunhats, wellies and raincoats - this is England, be prepared.  Also wellies are handy for those early morning trips to the loo, across the dewy grass.

First Aid Kit - plasters, paracetamol - adults and childrens, insect bite cream or spray, antiseptic wipes.

Sleeping bags, warm PJ's, socks and a hat - the nights are chilly under canvas. Lucy brought her woolly hat last time to wear to bed, I wish I had as I slept with my hoodie on, hood up!

Jumpers - I always take a hoodie camping and a lightweight cardi.  First thing in the morning and later in the evening can be chilly and you will be glad of the extra layers.

Matches or a lighter - always handy for lighting your stove.

Teabags, Coffee, Hot Chocolate and UHT milk - that first cuppa of the day will be the best. Just remember no glass containers, so buy instant coffee in the refill bags.

Wine in a Box - again not glass - Helen of Knackered Mothers Wine Club shared some top choices in this blog last month, read them here.

Lots of Snacks - all that fresh air makes you hungry - for more food ideas read my post here.

Bubbles - of course I would prefer the fizzy champagne kind but children everywhere seem to have bottles of bubbles! There are stalls that sell them but taking some with you saves a little money.

Washing Up Bowl - this can double up as your sink for washing your face and brushing your teeth.

Water Bottles - there are ample taps around the campsites and in the festival too for you to fill up for free.  We take our camping water container and each have a water bottle to refill.

Air Beds and Pump- yes I know this a luxury, but a good nights sleep is essential to make the most of your time at the festival.  However my sons are a bit more hardcore and just have roll mats!

Picnic Blanket - we take a couple that can be used outside the tent and can be used in the festival too.

Bunting and Flags - there are hundreds of tents so personalise yours to make it easier to find.  We will have a flag and bunting, infact I've just found the circus bunting from Kitty's birthday party, perfect for this years circus theme.

Well I think that's the essentials.  One last thing is take some cash, there are cash points and some stall holders probably take cards but cash is king. Right I'm off to check all the sleeping bags zips are working and to find our flag pole!

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

Disclosure - This year I am one of the official Camp Bestival bloggers, working with them to share my top tips and reviewing the festival.  They have kindly given us a family weekend ticket, however all opinions are my own.

Wine Choices for Camping

image source

With a summer of camping ahead I wanted some advice for which were the best wine boxes, as sometimes it is not possible to take glass bottles.  This rule applies especially for festivals and I know I want to take something worth drinking to Camp Bestival. So I have enlisted the help of Helen McGinn of The Knackered Mothers Wine Club to guide me in my choices and hopefully to help you all too.  

Camping Wine: The Essentials

When Zoe asked me for some tips on camping wines I was thrilled, not least because it gives me a chance to talk to you all about bag in box wines. Now, I know they often look horrible and some of them taste really horrible, but pick the right one and you’re sorted. They’re easier to transport than glass bottles. There’s less waste to carry home afterwards and the wine keeps fresher for longer as there’s no air in the bag (wine starts to oxidise once in contact with the air, losing freshness and fruit over time). Here’s the thing: bag in box wines are generally cheaper to produce than bottles so the wine inside – if chosen wisely – can be great value. And they’re definitely a greener option than bottles, which is energy hungry to produce and transport. Win-win, I say. For reds, look for classics like Australian Shiraz (Aldi do a good one, albeit a bit on the light side), Chilean Cabernet or Cotes du Rhone (the Tesco Simply one is brilliant, really spicy and earthy, just right for camping). No need to chill, either! But if you prefer white, go for a Chilean Chardonnay (Waitrose have got one) and stick it in an icebox. They all work out at around £4 per bottle.   

I’ll be at Camp Bestival this year, with my own wine parlour! There’ll be a wine tasting on Saturday, with some of my current favourite wines. Let me know if you’ll be there, would be lovely to meet you. And I’ll save you some wine, obviously. For more information on the Knackered Mother’s Wine Club at Camp Bestival, click here (http://www.campbestival.net/line-up/2014-line-up/knackered-mothers-wine-club/)

For weekly wine recommendations, visit my blog at www.knackeredmotherswineclub.com. 

Thank you Helen, I will definitely be trying these this summer and look forward to escaping to your wine parlour at Camp Bestival.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

Festival Camping Without Buying a Tent

I know, it seems a silly title, but really this is possible.  No more squeezing everything into the car, children squashed under sleeping bag rolls.  No need to trudge for half a mile with your tent and all the camping paraphanelia you know you will need over the weekend.  Across the country this year at over thirty festivals you will find a sea of orange tents.  Tangerine Fields will have your tent erected, complete with sleeping bags and air beds, before you even arrive.  

So all  you have to worry about is bringing clothes and food, meaning you can head off to enjoy the festival fun rather than struggle with guy lines.  Alongside their tents, you will find a private set of loo's and hot showers, with the added bonus of a pamper parlour at most of their venues, complete with hairdryers and straightners. Another benefit is that Tangerine Fields have their own fenced off part of the camping field, with security at the gate.  Overall when I saw Tangerine Fields at Camp Bestival a couple of years ago, it looked like the perfect option if you didn't want to buy a tent, for it only to sit and gather dust between festivals. 

Having spoken with Tangerine Fields earlier this week, I know that they have limited availability for Camp Bestival and other festivals.  For further information about their packages and to book please visit www.tangerinefields.co.uk

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

Images courtesy of Tangerine Fields.

Disclosure - This year I am one of the official Camp Bestival bloggers, working with them to share my top tips and reviewing the festival.  They have kindly given us a family weekend ticket, however all opinions are my own.

Stylish Festival Camping

I know pitching a tent in the middle of a field at a festival, sharing toilets with who knows and not having a sink to brush your teeth in, is not everybodys cup of tea.  However you may prefer some home luxuries but desperately want to go to a festival.  Well I have the answer for you.....Airstream Facilities.  With home from home luxuries, including iPod docking stations, fully equipped kitchens and your own toilet and shower, these airstream caravans make for the perfect choice of festival accommodation for the camping shy.  Whatever the weather you can return to your festi-home knowing that the heating or aircon can be switched on, so probably no need to bring that extra jumper.  

Now I am have to admit to loving the design of airstreams and am very envious of Jane at Snapdragon who has one in her garden.  The perfect alternative to a shed, maybe I could find a 'little' space for one here one day?! Yet I also love the idea of  my sun soaked (hopefully) and weary family resting in one of these, but sadly we have too many bodies to fit.  However for those of you wanting all the fun of the festival this summer without tripping over guylines and sharing your toilet with strangers, then this could be the perfect compromise.  Airstream Facilities are at many festivals this summer, including Glastonbury, WOMAD and Camp Bestival.  Having spoken with them this week I know that they still have four berth and one five berth still available at Camp Bestival.  So why not take the plunge and enjoy some festival fun with your family or friends.

To book accomodation with Airstream Facilities please visit their website.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo