New Down Sleeping Bags

Just taken delivery of the awesome Rab Summit 700 Down Sleeping Bag - great for trekking holidays and mountaineering. This fully specced down sleeping bag will keep you warm down to -17c and weighs in at only 1600g. Perfect for trekking the Annapurna Circuit and trips to the alps.

Not only that also now have the incredible Rab Quantum AR Top Bag. Is this the ultimate sleeping bag for adventure racing and mountain marathons? 200g of down on the top half and a Pertex Quantum sleeve on the bottom to slip your sleeping mat in, keeping you warm and keeping your bag very lightweight when you are out running over the fells.

Going to see how well the Rab Summit sells and may start to increase the range of them.

Have you used one? Let me know your thoughts on the Rab Summit Down Sleeping Bags, would be great to get a review of the Rab Summit 700 or any others in the range.

I want one, but have a Rab Ladakh 600 which is still going strong...

Sleeping bag for Kilimanjaro

Sleeping bag for Kilimanjaro

Hi
I'm due to climb Kilimanjaro in the next few months and need a 3-4 season sleeping bag. Ideally, I'd like one that's light, doesn't take up much space and keeps me nice and warm. I intend to use the bag on my return for camping trips on my bike so again size and weight is important, but i don't want to freeze. Any advice gratefully received.

Thank you very much


Thank you very much for your email and for looking at www.walkandtravel.com.

It sounds like a great trip - some friends of mine went up Kilimanjaro last year and thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

The bag that I would recommend would be the Rab Quantum 600 Womens. This sleeping bag is one of the lightest and because it is down filled, with some of the best down available, it is highly compressible, therefore taking up minimal space. It comes with it's own stuff sack, but the sleeping bag can easily be crammed into a smaller stuff sack when needed. The sleeping bag is made from Pertex Quantum fabric which is one of the lightest available and also very high wicking, taking any sweat you produce in your sleep away from your body, helping to reduce chill from being damp in the sleeping bag.

Rab comfort rate this bag down to -12c which is 3+ season usage. Rab are usually pretty good at rating their bags for an 'average' person, but it is always worth remembering that different people feel warmer or colder in their sleep.

I would recommend getting a silk sleeping bag liner to go with the Rab sleeping bag. This will help to keep it clean as you can wash the liner rather than the bag. I recommend a silk liner as this won't impair the wicking abilities of the lining fabric as silk helps to transport moisture out to the liner fabric, whereas cotton will not and can leave you feeling cold and clammy and may reduce the warmth rating on the sleeping bag. A silk liner may add up to a half season of extra warmth to the sleeping bag.

Another great plus with a down sleeping bag is that they last a lot longer than a synthetic sleeping bag and with occasional use could last up to 20 years before you notice any great reduction in their performance. For a synthetic sleeping bag this can be as low as 7-10 years.

If price is a consideration that I would recommend the synthetic 3 to 4 season sleeping bag, Snugpak Softie Chrysalis Autumn - however it's pack size and weight to warmth ratio is not as good as the down sleeping bag.

Rab Sleeping Bags

The first tranche of new Rab Sleeping bags now available on line.

Rab Quantum 250 Endurance Lightweight, highly water repellent down sleeping bag

Rab Atlas 750 - excellent 3 season down sleeping bag, in women's version too - check out the lovely lupin colour.

And of course all at the best web prices with free delivery!Rab Summit 700 and Rab Quantum top bag coming soon...

I've been using Rab Down Sleeping bags for nearly 20 years now - still the same ones! I keep wanting to upgrade them to a sexy new Rab Quantum, but can't warrant it, because the ones that I have are still in fantastic condition. That is what I like about down, it lasts and lasts. The down still has it's loft, the fabric is still not worn and most importantly - it keeps me warm!

Many people will argue that Rab make some of the best down sleeping bags in the world - and I would tend to agree. It always makes me happy when I sell one, because I know that the customer will be very happy with their selection.

Here are my top 5 reasons for choosing a down sleeping bag:

1 - Down gives you long lasting warmth.
2 - Down has a better warmth to weight ratio than synthetic fillings.
3 - They can pack smaller.It is an all natural filling, making the bag feel more comfortable.
4 - They wick moisture better than synthetics - which can help keep you warmer in cold 5 - weather, cooler in warm weather and ultimately more comfortable.

Buy down, you won't regret it - and it comes in lupin colour too. You'll look great at the campsite.

The Doorstep Traveller

The Doorstep Traveller

We're in recession, we shouldn't fly because of our carbon footprint, we shouldn't do this and we shouldn't do that. But one thing you can do and that is become a Doorstep Traveller.

We have all probably been Doorstep Travellers at one point or another, but have you really travelled around what is on your doorstep? Have you got out the local guide book that a tourist would use and really had a good nose about?

Now I am with child this is something I intend to do a lot more. So what are the most common things you go and see when you are travelling? You go to:

• Museums
• Churches/Places of worship
• Galleries
• Buildings of Architectural Significance
• Parks
• Ruins
• History
• Woodland
• Beautiful countryside

My Doorstep has this in abundance - it even has a beach, one of those places to get away from it all and relax. Fair enough the beaches on my doorstep don't inspire the ads for suncream, nor have you racing to get a sunbed before the other tourists, but the pebbly beaches of Worthing and Lancing really can be interesting, if you know how to look at them.

What else if there on your doorstep? What else do you look for when you are travelling? Different cultures? Most cities and give you a great big dollop of different cultures.

So really, ask yourself, do you need to go to some far flung exotic location when you can be a Doorstep Traveller? Well, yes. We just don't get the weather here and lets face it, exploring Worthing isn't quite the same as exploring Rome.

But wait, I haven't mentioned the Churches in Worthing - Worthing Tabernacle Church, the first, 'in the round' church I have been into (Excluding the Font in Brighton which is now a pub). Most churches I have been usually stick to the cross style of layout. And to rival Rome, or the Sistine Chapel to be more precise is the wonderfully painted English Martyrs Church in Goring. A labour of love for artist Gary Bevans, who has reproduced the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel on the 'aircraft hanger' 1960's roof. A transformation and on my doorstep.

I'm going to draw a circle around Horsham, roughly 25 miles travel and see what else may tickle my fancy for my doorstep travels. There must be a list as long as my arm, so watch out there will be more of my ramblings on what I find. So save money in the recession, save the planet and discover what is on your doorstep. Join me and become a Doorstep Traveller.

What is on your doorstep? What do you recommend? Fellow Doorstep Travellers, tell the world what we should be seeing!

Lightweight walking boots - part 3. The final reckoning.

Yes, I'm going to keep Meindle Lightweight Walking Boots - they are not destined for eBay!

They were given their full road test the other weekend, or should I say their full bridleway test the other weekend.

A quick yomp across the South Downs from Southwick to Wivelsfield Green following the Sussex Border path broke the boots in well. 15 miles of pure pleasure and I am sure my feet felt that little it lighter going up hill. Only one small complaint was the hotspot on my heel which was soon alleviated with some second skin dressing. To be expected really, they were new and I've got bony heels - prone to blisters from ill fitting boots in formative years.

So, recommended and I know people will say it isn't important - they look good on my feet as well. To me looking good on the hills is still important.

Gareth's five top tips for buying walking boots:

• Always go to a reputable (preferably independent) outdoor store.
• Get your feet measured - they change shape / size as you get older.
• Try on as many pairs of boots in the shop as possible, under the guidance of the qualified and experienced boot fitter.
• Always use a test slope to walk up and down in the shop to make sure you don't slip in the boots.
• Buy your boots later in the day when your feet are hot and slightly swollen from being used all day.
• Take the socks you expect to wear with the boots to ensure optimum fit and comfort.
• Get them home and wear them indoors for as long as possible to make sure they really are a good fit. Climb the stairs in them a few times.

Need any more advice or have any more questions about walking boots? Ping me an email.

Happy buying, happy feet - happy walking, love the adventure.

Carry on Camping - a cheaper alternive holiday.

Carry On Camping

What do I need to go camping?

Camping. It conjures up images of sunny days, green fields, meadows full of flowers. Peace and relaxation. Camping is a wonderful experience, for young and old alike. It is a great experience for children, fresh air, space to run around in and usually lots of friends to be made.

Camping is the green holiday alternative. You’ll be surprised how many great campsites there are within easy driving distance, in beautiful local areas which are well worth exploring. The other great thing about camping is that it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Camping means there is less travel and less use of hotels with all their wastefulness. Once you have bought your kit, it should last you for years. After the initial financial outlay, you will reap the rewards of your purchases for many years, making your holidays cheaper each time you go. You will not only be saving money but will be helping to save the planet too.

Camping can be very simple, you will only need a tent, a sleeping bag and a sleeping mat. There is a huge range of these three simple basics and a huge range of other camping accessories which will make your experience even more comfortable. Let’s talk a little about these three main items of kit you need to go camping:

Tents.

When you are buying a tent there are two main things to consider:

Space – Space is important in your tent if you are living in it for a holiday and equally important if you need a lightweight tent for backpacking. If you are holidaying and living in your tent, think about room to stand up, room to hang out and play cards in if it is raining, especially if you are taking your children, and room in which to store your kit.

Quality – think about what quality tent you want. The better the quality the longer it will last, but the more it will cost. If you are only camping in the summer or locally in the South East of England a basic 2 seasons tent will be fine. If you are going into the mountains or somewhere where you get high winds and heavy rain, you will need a better quality tent, one that is rated at 4 seasons.

Think about what quality and space you require and seek out an expert to help you choose the perfect tent for your holiday. Remember, this will be your home while you are on holiday and it is essential, for your comfort and enjoyment, that you make the right choice.

Sleeping Bags

Choosing a sleeping bag is simpler than choosing the tent. If you are travelling to your campsite by car, then size and weight do not matter. If you are carrying your kit then you need to think about the size and weight. A small, warm, lightweight sleeping bag is more costly, but better to carry. As with tents, the season rating is used with 2,3 and 4 season sleeping bags available.

Sleeping bags will have a temperature rating on them, showing what they will go down to. It is important to remember here, that there is no standard way of measuring this and when a bag states it is comfortable down to -5 degrees, this may be true for a fit and hardy person wearing thermals. The reality for somebody else could be that the bag is only warm down to 10 degrees. Bear this in mind when you are buying your bag and seek an expert opinion.

You can have the choice of a down filled sleeping bag or a synthetic sleeping bag. Down filled bags will last longer and have a much better weight to warmth ratio, but can be costly. A synthetic bag is heavier for the warmth you get, but they are much cheaper and can be carefully washed after use.

Sleeping mats:

These are an essential piece of kit to help keep you warm. Primarily they are designed to stop you getting cold from the ground. If you sleep directly on the ground it will draw the heat from your body quicker than you can go to sleep, leaving you shivering, even in summer. A ground mat can be a simple foam mat, which you can buy for around £5. A self inflating, super comfy, super luxury mat will set you back in the region of £100.

Self inflating mats are regarded as the better option as they will also provide an element of comfort as well as the insulation. They start at around the £25 mark and can be a great investment. A self inflating mat was one of my best buys for camping, many years ago, when I had to spend three months in a tent, pure luxury compared to a standard foam mat.

There you have the three key ingredients for kit to get you out camping. There is a lot more you can learn about camping, but buying the right kit the first time is important. The rest you can learn as you go. Get out there, enjoy the fresh air, sunrises, moon lit nights and have an eco friendly holiday, saving you money and helping save the planet too.

Local Travel

More on the theme of exploring locally...


Love the adventure, love it locally!


The Great British Seaside

Way back when I was a small child I was taken to Worthing on the Sussex Coast to go shopping with my Grandma. I distinctly remember going for elevenses at BHS and going up the escalators to the café, very stylish, very 1970’s décor. Which considering it was the mid 70’s isn’t surprising. The part of the décor that fascinated me the most was the big glass block wall. I still haven’t managed to get one in my house, even though they are now ‘back in fashion’.

Anyway, I digress, I’m not here to talk about interior design, I’m here to talk about Worthing and the Great British Seaside. I was merely setting the scene. I’ve been to Worthing quite a number of times since those childhood jaunts. I’ve been there clubbing, I’ve been there to sit on the beach and I’ve been there to just look about.

Yesterday I was back in Worthing, working in an exhibition, suited and booted, talked to people about the joys of being self employed or having your own business and how they can access the raft of free government support. The exhibition finished and the sun was shining. I got in my car to go home and made it to Findon, when my phone rang and my girlfriend said that she and a couple of friends were heading south from Horsham for a walk along prom and a fish and chip supper. Great. I parked up, was scooped up and we headed back down to the coast.

In all my visits to Worthing I’ve never had a fish and chip supper. It sounded very English, very seaside and the sort of thing old folk did. We parked up, hopped out the car and braced ourselves again the wind for a stroll along the prom. The strolling was met with remises about coming to the pier in our childhoods and playing the shove tuppence games and as we grew older heading to the seedy salubriousness of Rutherford’s nightclub situated at the end of the pier. Strolling onto the pier, taking in the sea air, seeing the fishermen and listening to the crashing waves I felt rejuvenated, like a child once more on a visit to the seaside. The only thing to top it off was the half hour in the amusements plying the machines with 2p’s in the vain hope they would push some off the shelves down into the slot where I can collect my winnings. Needless to say I lost nearly £2. An expensive trip to the amusements.

The Fish and Chip supper was beckoning, I had only a rough old sandwich all day and the sea air was making me more and more peckish. My friends knew of a couple of chip shops so we sought them out. This was our first ‘gem’ of the evening. We stopped at the Blue Ocean Fish and Chip shop for our supper and was welcomed to a place where old meets new. Wonderfully refurbished, very clean with modern tables and chairs and a fancy ceiling with spot lights in it greeted us. The man behind the fryer also greeted us. WE grabbed a seat and ordered our supper. I went the whole hog and had mushy peas, curry sauce, pickled onion and of course a large cod and chips. The food was delicious. All cooked exactly how I like it, chips spot on and the batter not too greasy. The chip shop curry sauce is a thing of its own. Who came up with such a sublime recipe?

Wandering back to the car we walked past Worthing Dome Cinema another memory of my childhood. But I remember it always looking down at heel, a faded piece of English Seaside resort forever doomed to be like this, just waiting for the developers to move in and make it into luxury flats. AS we strolled passed we saw it was open with the latest releases. The old world charm that the cinema now exuded drew us in, and we were welcomed by an old wooden ticked office and a very polite young man who was very enthusiastic about the old cinema. Quite different to people you get working in Cineword, Crawley. He filled us in a little on the history, saying that it was the second oldest cinema in the UK and that the ticket machine still worked, but they couldn’t get hold of the old fashioned tickets anymore. We bought tickets to see 21 at 7.30pm – from the new computer and fancy printer – and wandered in to a magnificent hall. The hall was like a throw back in time, sumptuous red carpet, wood panelled walls and stained glass windows telling us where we could put our cloaks or find refreshments.

The refreshments beckoned as we had some time to wait before the film so we wandered in to the bar, to be greeted by a lovely aroma of the lilies, sitting there in a vase on the bar top. The room was full of old projectors, comfy sofa’s and film set seats with your position in the crew printed on the back, such as Best Grip, giving us much source of amusement. The film was great too. Finished off the evening perfectly. The Worthing Dome Cinema is another gem.

The Great British Seaside, an institution and one full of wonderful things, little gems that you need to experience. Go down there, wander along the front, stroll out to the pier and play on the amusements. Then get your fish and chip supper at the Blue Ocean and top it off with a trip to the purportedly second oldest cinema in the UK for some wonderful old seaside resort charm.

Who is Simon Calder?

Who is Simon Calder?

OK OK, so I've got a business that sell travel related items, I've worked in this industry for quite a number of years - I'm sure you are saying 'You should know who Simon Calder is'.

Well, I didn't - until the other day. His name was just popping up all over the place, I think he was on Radio 4 commentating on local travel (Which I think is extremely important - check out earlier blogs). I got home and promptly forgot about him. Then he popped up in his very easy going, engaging way - not sure what he was talking about this time, but the presenter mentioned him as the foremost commentator on travel in the UK.

So I googled him. Sounds painful when you put it like that. 350,000 results - result!

Turns out he is local to me. From Crawley, West Sussex - and now in London. May get him to open my store, if ever I get one!

Have a read of his website, its interesting. I particularly like the pictures - I wish I could say his writing too, as he is now an important journalist, but you need to buy publications to do this - which I don't mind doing, the Independent Travel Section is quite good. I have even advertised in it, relatively successfully. I'm sure if I went through the google search a little more I will be able to find some of his articles for a read.

Got some great travel tips and fave places on his biog page - best of which is 'Smile' couldn't agree more with him - a smile opens lots of doors and goes a million miles.

Smile, Travel and Love the Adventure.

Till next time...

Lightweight Outdoor Gear

Lightweight or even Ultralight Outdoor Gear.

Am I foolish, traditional or a fantasist?

Foolish because most of my outdoor gear errs on the heavy side? Am I traditional because I want rugged gear, three layer Gore Tex waterproof jackets, leather boots, backpacks with lots of buckles and clips? Or a fantasist because I buy rugged gear so it will last me a season mountaineering in the alps or at the very least a couple of years of walking and scrambling every weekend in Snowdonia or the Lake District National Park?

The reality is, I go walking a few times each month, mostly local, mostly on the South Downs. Now rugged they me be in their own hilly way, it's not quite as demanding as a mountain. I get to the mountains a few times each year, and as for the Alps - perhaps once every two years and likely that is for skiing.

My kit consists of a Berghaus three layer Gare Tex jacket, Han Wag Lima Gore full grain leather walking boots, Vaude Triset 35+8 daypack, Craghopper Kiwi Cargo walking trousers, Source Widepack 3 litre and arious other items of outdoor paraphernalia, almost forgot to mention my nod towards lightweight items, Berghaus Paclite over trousers and my new walking boots - see previous blogs. Pretty much all of this is available in a pared down version. I can get a paclite jacket, a Vaude Triset Ultralight daypack, lightweight walking boots - if I was really going for it, I could get carbon fibre trekking poles.

As I age gracefully on the hills (37 is graceful), I feel my knees aching and I see 70 year olds striding off into the distance, I want to be like them. I need to start getting serious about lightweight gear, just to allow to keep aging gracefully on the hills and not end up retiring to walking around the Lake District Villages and Lakes. It is time to embrace the lightweight way.

The lightweight way has becoming much much stronger over the last ten years or so, quality gear, not too bad prices and even an element of style (though some would argue if this is needed on the hills - traditionalists?). A moment I feel started by Ray Jardin and his company Go Lite. So, more lightweight outdoor gear is a must, Walk and Travel are stocking more and more each season. I'll keep those knees in shape and not load them too much.

What am I then? Fool, Traditionalist or Fantasist? A little bit of all I think. Time to move on. Embrace the new lightweight outdoor gear culture.

New Boots - part two.

The Meindle Softline GTX so far have proved a success. The toe box became more comfy and there is a good feeling of room around the boot, especially in the heel cup, though not too much. Next week will be the main warm up event for them. I'm walking a section of the Sussex Border Path, from Shoreham to Wivelsfield Green.

We're doing the walk to raise fund for the Scout Group, in order to buy a replace our old rattly LDV minibus. Arguably the most important piece of kit that the Scout Group owns. Without it the Scouting activities that we can offer the young people of Roffey would be severely limited. I hope the boots hold up and give me comfortable, blister free miles on this walk. Will let you know how it goes.

Walking Boots

Have decided to plump for a pair of lightweight walking boots - well lighter than my old ones anyway, as a nod towards old age and achy knees.

Have gone for the Meindl Softline Goretex Ultra, felt very comfortable straight out the box, perhaps a little narrow on the toe box on the right foot for me, which was a surprise as they are supposed to be a wide - ish fit my feet I always thought were narrow - ish.

Scout training today, (core modules 1 and 3), exciting stuff, but necessary (?). So it is a gentle break in for the boots. No walking them out, but may try and sneak them in for St Georges day parade tomorrow. Will let you know how I get on with them. First thoughts are comfort, lightweight and to be honest, for a walking boot, I think they look pretty good. As if that is important? Yes.

Walking in the Lake District

Lake District Easter 2009

Why don’t I live closer to this beautiful place? I always have to battle through the M25, M6 (the M40 isn’t usually too bad) event at midnight. It’s ridiculous - we live in a country full of people wanting to go places. Hmmm…. I was one of them. Shouldn’t complain really.

We are staying at Ennerdale YHA Barn, basic, rustic, but lovely. I sometimes wish I could live with such simple pleasures. Why do I need a plasma TV? Paved driveway? Ensuite bathroom and fitted kitchen? Lots of questions, but that it what beautiful places do to you. Get you thinking about life.

Today’s walk was wet. It was bound to be it’s the Lake District. Wettest part of the country. Out the barn down the track and up, up, up. So steep, past the lowing black cattle that looked like labradoodles and were subsequently named cowadoodles. Hard work up the steep hill and out onto the ridge along to Haycock. The wind was howling around us as the clouds closed in, bringing the cold and rain in as we followed the undulating ridge across Scoat Fell towards the high point of Pillar at 892m.

Summit was gained and we split into two teams one fitter than the other who went on to tackle Kirk Fell, skirt around the Gables and up to Haystacks. Me being a rather unfit walker who suffers with knee ache decided to drop down with the old folk to the Ennerdale Plantations, past Black Sail Hut for the long slow slog on the metalled track back to the barn for a much needed cup of tea and seaweed crackers. Seaweed crackers? Don’t ask.

The next day saw the sun breaking in through the windows, past the cracks in the towels that were masquerading as curtains. Porridge and tea down us we were ready to head out for a glorious day in the hills. Rucksack packed and off we went, back up the metalled track, only to come back down it again later. Not a great start to the day.

Off to the east of the track and straight up, up , up to the ridge line. Now this was a way to get the lungs working first thing in the morning and stretch out the un-exercised legs after yesterdays six hours. A 600 meter climb to the top of Red Pike. Then a rest. Well deserved and well needed to allow my heart rate to return to normal. The views, as ever, in the Lake District on a sunny day, were tremendous, one way down into Buttermere, (which I think is the most beautiful view in the Lake District), the other way the view was showing us the wet and windy ridge of yesterdays walk.

Our ridge was to the South, towards the towering cliff face of Great Gable, the summit glowing in the sunshine, waiting for us to tread it’s flanks and peak. The route to the summit was up and down much more than we anticipated, across High Stile to High Crag and down to rugged tops of Haystacks, past Innominate Tarn, the final resting place of Alfred Wainwright, perhaps the most famous of the Lake District writers and fell walkers.

With the sun still beaming down on us, we skirted under the peaks of Brandreth and Green Gable and took the path up to Windy Gap on the eastern flank of Great Gable. Another fifteen minutes and we topped out on goal of the walk, as the sun was slowly dipping toward the west. Dropping off the North West flank, back down into the valley, following the streams that lead into the River Liza, we took a very leisurely stroll under the watchful eye of the two ridge lines we just walked. Back past the Black Sail Hut, back down the metalled track, back to the single shower on the barn at Ennerdale, closely followed by a well deserved curry in Cockermouth.

The Lakes in the rain, the Lakes in the sun, the Lakes at Easter. Where is there a more beautiful place in England?

How is a Swiss Army Knife Made?

Have just watched an interesting short documentary on Discovery Channel. How to make stuff. This evenings stuff? A Swiss Army Knife.

Wow! This really amazed me. I can't believe how manual the process is for making a Swiss Army Knife.

They have machines to stamp out the blades and other associated tools you get on a knife, 20,000 per hour! But, this is then moved around the factory in metal boxes to the next machine, then poured into a tumbler to polish off the burrs, then carried to the heat treatment machine to harden them off, where they are laid out by hand to go through the furnace, then off to the polisher, again laid out by hand!

They wouldn't show us how they they sharpened the knives, but I'm sure there was a little army of Swiss Children all armed with little ceramic sharpening stones....

Finally the whole thing is assembled, yes, that's right. By hand. This lady is so skilled that she can put together 60+ components in 2 minutes. I'm very impressed.

So when you buy your next Swiss Army Knife, just think how many people have handled it. Almost, almost, hand crafted. But they don't seem expensive.

Have they heard of lean manufacturing?

The Source of the Thames

Who knows where the source of the River Thames is? I had no idea until a few moments ago when I looked it up on t'internet. One of my valued regular customers has just sent me an email saying that she found the source of the Thames and is now has another 179 miles to go. The Thames is (according to web research 210 miles long).

I've never really thought about the source of a river. I wonder where the source for the River Arun is that runs through Horsham? Finding the source of a river always sounds like it is going to be a swash bucking adventure. The sort of things that Harrison Ford (in actor mode) of Ranulph Fiennes would do. Fighting your way up river, against all the odds, the boat getting holes and nearly sinking while the crocs watch from the riverbank, waiting for you to go under.

OK, so I was getting a little carried away there, but Ran (as I fondly call him, having met him the once at a book signing and he signed my book to Gary) has actually done this finding the river source thing. He used hovercrafts to get to the source of the Nile. Now that must have been an adventure.

So here is your challenge, and you have a year to complete it in:

Find your local river, then find it's source.

I'm sure with modern technology like GPS and Internet sites you should be able to find it. I'm going to hunt down the source of the River Arun.

Keep it local, beat the credit crunch and reduce carbon emissions.

(But hey, you can't beat a good bit of travelling to somewhere exciting - source of the Amazon anyone?!)

Local Travel

There are lots of local places to go and visit right on your doorstep. Beat the credit crunch and get out and exlpore local. What is there around where you live? What is there an hours train journey away?

I took my Scouts out on a walk a month ago, just before the snows, on the Horsham Riverside Walk. The Horsham Riverside Walk is a fantastic 11 mile walk around Horsham in West Sussex, following bridlepaths, foot paths, and believe it or not the rivers of Horsham, the Arun or as some call it Red River.

The walk passes through housing estates, little cut through around the town, pass an old pill box, mott and bailey castle and an old water mill. You can learn quite a bit about the town and it's history as you walk along taking in the country side as well as the houses!

Going camping?

I got a great email from someone looking at www.walkandtravel.com today. They want to start taking the family camping! How exciting. I love camping and I think that more people should be doing it. Scroll down to see my reply.


Hi Gareth
I found your contact details on the website and need some advice. We are on a really tight budget this year and have decided to invest in a tent and equipment to take the family camping. There are 2 adults and 4 children (15,13,6 and 1). We will be starting from scratch and need everything from a tent to pots and pans! Can you tell us where to start? We have a Nissan Terrano (7 seater) so need to consider transporting the equipment too!!
Many Thanks

My answer:

Thank you for the email and for looking at www.walkandtravel.com.

How exciting! You will have immense fun camping and the other great things about it are that you only really need to buy the equipment once and you have it for many years of enjoyable holidays providing it is all well looked after. Camping is a great eco-friendly, wallet friendly and family friendly of enjoying holidays and the great outdoors! Even in the rain...!

Have you read the Walk and Travel Beginners Guide to Camping? This will take you through some of the basic things you need to think about, but I can cover some of them here.

The main things you will to get are:

Tent
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Mats
Stove or Cooker
Lighting

A lot of the other things such as pots, chopping boards, washing up bowls you can just raid from the kitchen cupboard to help keep the costs down.

When you are looking at tents you will need to consider the who will sleep where and who will want to share space with who. You also need to think about how you will pitch the tent, where you are using the tent and what weather.

If you are doing family camping, I am assuming that you will be camping late spring to early autumn when the weather should generally be fine. A lot of family campers go for a tent that has separate sleeping compartments - bedrooms, and it sounds like you will need 3. Look for a tent that has a central area that you can stand up in and hang out in if the weather isn't so great. Most tents with a central lounge will have a ground sheet so you can all drag your sleeping mats out to sit on, or you can invest in lightweight camping chairs. Some of the more well known brands are Khyam, Wynnester, Vango, Gelert and they all do quite a number of different models.

These tents, because of their size can all be quite heavy and quite hard to put up on your own, so a couple of adults will make things easier. However, 13 and 15 year old children will also be very useful for this. Always have a practice pitch in your garden or a local field before you take it away to make sure it all works and you have everything. This also helps to reduce the amount of time it will take to pitch the tent when you arrive at your camp site.

If you can, try and see the tents up before you buy as this will give you a good idea of what you are getting and how it would look when it is pitched correctly. This is not always possible with some shops due to the size so make sure you talk it through well with the shop owner or person that is selling you the tent.

It is imperative that the tent is totally dry before you put it away for storage or you will get mildew and rot, rendering the tent useless next time you want to go camping.


Sleeping bags come in a range of sizes and warmth and cost. As you are camping out of a car you don't need to get the lightest smallest bags, but you may need to consider this if your children are in the Scouts or going to do Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions. Brands to look for again are Vango, Wynnester and Gelert and Millets have their own brands such as Eurohike. For summer camping in the UK, you should look for a bag that is at least two season. If you feel the cold then opt for at least a 3 season bag. Some bags come in mummy shapes that taper with the body, other are square shaped. Most of them will have a full length zip for airing, getting in and out of and loosening off if you are warm. Mummy bags will be a little lighter for their amount of warmth because there is less space for you to warm up when you are snuggling down for the night. you may also get the choice of synthetic or down filled. Synthetic will be absolutely fine for you. (it is much cheaper!).

It may also be worth investing in sleeping bag liners, which are like sheets for a sleeping bag, these cost around £10 and will help to keep the sleeping bag clean and are easily washable. You can make your own from some old sheets sewn together to make a sack shape to sleep in.

Sleeping mats or camping mats or really important as this insulates you from the ground and most of your body heat is lost through the ground. A simple foam mat will suffice and these range from a few pounds upwards. Aim for something in the £10-15 bracket as they will last much longer and be warmer under you. Blow up mattresses are comfy, but can sometimes be cold under you as they do not have any insulation. Combine them with foam camping mats if you want to. You can also buy self inflating camping / sleeping mats which fit well between the two, but can be more expensive, heavy and possibly puncture, so make sure you take a repair kit.


For cooking you will need at least a double burner gas stove. Again, lots of people make these and any camping shop will sell them. Brands to look for are Camping Gaz, Coleman and I'm sure Gelert. You will need a hose and regulator to attach the stove to the gas bottle. Make sure it comes with these. The gas bottles are generally by Camping Gaz and can be a called things such as 901 (idea size). There are also larger blue ones with brass attachments on the top which I have completely forgotten their names, but easily available as a lot gas BBQ's run off them. These gas bottles can be expensive to buy so look in your local free ads, or on Yahoo Groups - Freecycle, to see if you can pick one up cheaply second hand. You can get them refilled at garages and garden centres.

You may also find a stove with a small grill under it, great for a slice of toast of bacon. When cooking take a wok and do big stir frys or any other type of dish such as spag bog and chilli where you can lob it all in to cook together, while pasta or rice bubbles away on the other burner. The only problem you may have is the space on the stove to fit the pots as the stoves can be fairly compact.

Invest in some lighting for the tent. This has moved on a lot in recent years and you can now get some great little led camping lanterns to light things up. It may also be worth investing in head torches for the children so they can find the way to the toilet at night if need be or read in their sleeping bags.

When you are camping always try and plan in advance what to do if it rains! It does happen and you will need things to keep you all occupied, possibly in the tent in the evenings.

There are many many more gadgets and things you can get to take camping, above is the basics. Other things include fold up tables, fold up chairs, solar panels, washing lines, radios, fridges and much more besides.

I hope you find the above useful, I don't sell the tents or stoves, but sleeping bags and sleeping mats I can help you with, along with small lanterns.

All of the gear I mentioned above will be available from a range of camping stores. Good luck, enjoy the camping, love the adventure and if there is anything else I can help you with please let me know.

Rab Quantum Endurance 400 Sleeping Bag

Rab Quantum 400 Endurance Sleeping Bag

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Rab make some of the best down sleeping bags in the world. Hand filled in the UK for the best polish goose down with a 750 fill power (the best loft to weight ratio you can get), these sleeping bags have a weather resistant outer to help keep the down dry and are warm down to about -5c (depending on a lot of factors!). Ideal for Mountain Marathons, backpacking, trekking and travelling.

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London Value Restuarant

More notes from things I have done!

Had a wekend in London between Christmas and the New Year and there are thoughsands of restuarants to choose from. So many that sometimes it is hard to choose. You just have to take the plunge. Dive in from the freezing weather and see what delights (or non-delights) await you.

Luckily the restaurant we dived into was full of delights. We were welcomed in by the waitress (she was outside touting for business - the only one doing it and it as sooooo cold we decided to take a small amount of pity on her and go in). The restaurant was quite busy, no doubt down to the hard work from the waitress outside.

Mimosa Bar and Grill, 54 St James Street W1 5HS. That is the place. We had the lunch special menu which was just right, portions the right size, very tasty food, £6.95 for the set lunch which is great value for money and everything is cooked on an open charcoal bar b q at the back of the restaurant creating these mouth watering smells. So yes, the food was Greek/Turkish and so lovely. Served with a smile.

What more do you want?

Berlin

Berlin Accommodation.

Just going through and tidying up, realising that I have shared nothing about my weekend in Berlin. Yet. Watch out for the Berlin Travel Review coming up on the Walk and Travel Travel Reviews in the next couple of months.

Before that though, a Little insight into the wonderful pension that we stayed in. Highly recommended, very clean, very friendly and a fantastic spread of European breakfast. More than enough to keep you going until your first Bratwurst!

Hotel Bregenz is the place, just ten minutes walk from the main shopping streets of Berlin and of course, a lot of the attractions. Comfortable, quiet, clean and welcoming and one last thing, very good value for money. Especially important now you have to think about the weak pound and all that.

Whilst we are on the subject of the week pound - why go abroad? Explore your local area! More info coming up soon....

Love the adventure;

Gareth Sear
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Going travelling? Travel Security.

Travel Safe. Travel Security. Love the Adventure with Walk and Travel.

It's that time of the year when thousands of young people are heading off on their travels or getting close to heading off. If you know someone who is going travelling get them to think about travelling safely. There are many things that can ruin a trip, but a carefully planned trip has less chance of being ruined. Here are some of my tips for a safe and enjoyable trip where you can 'Love the Adventure' and stay safe.

Learn about the country you are going to.
This is now simple with the Internet. Get other peoples reviews and tips, find out about the culture. I think that the more you can learn about a country the more you will enjoy It. If you know about the people and their customs you will be able to interact with them better. Especially in the more exciting places off the beaten track.

Learn some of the language for the country you are going to.
This is an absolute essential. We all know that in most countries the people that you come across will talk a small amount of English, especially in the tourist areas. But, you learn some of their language, simple phrases such as, please; thank you; how are you?; yes; no; and some numbers and you will be breaking down barriers everywhere you go. More importantly you will be having fun!

Always let people know where you are going. If you said you were going to check in with someone at a certain time, really do make sure you do. It just reduces any anxiety they will feel.

Take valuables in a money belt. In fact keep you valuables in a money belt. It can be a belt that goes round your waste, across your shoulder or on your arm. Just keep the valuables out of sight. I was in Bali once and a friend of mine was walking along with her money belt in her hand, a scooter whooshed by and grabbed the money belt. It went with our tickets to Sulawesi, her money, passport and credit cards. Yes, it should have been round her waste.

Think carefully about your accommodation. If you are travelling on a budget and staying in budget hotels and hostels, think about who else is staying there. There may seem like a lot of camaraderie and you will meet some wonderful people in these places, but there will always be a thief looking for and opportunity to nick things. Again, keep your valuable with you at all times. If there are lockers use them, use a travel padlock to lock the zips on your bag to stop opportunists and lock your bag, with a cable lock, to something solid like a bed leg or seat leg on a train, just to help reduce the chance of people walking off with it.

Trust your instinct. If a place feels unsafe or a situation feels wrong then get out the way. A friend was walking around Amsterdam late one night and sensed that something was wrong, so headed off to a brighter area to find a bar, 5 minutes later they heard a gun shot.

If you are heading off to a country for the first time, book onto a tour for when you arrive. This will help you get a feel for the country and learn about it in a safe environment. You will also get instant friends and these could well make great travelling companions for the independent leg of your journey. When I was in India I travelled independently first and then on a tour. I would rather have done it the other way round! A great travel safe tip if you are on your first trip to a developing country or going on your first ever trip on your own.


Have a look at the Foreign Office website and look at the information they have on the travel advice section by country. There is a wealth of information on there about all the countries in the world.

At Walk and Travel we supporters of the Foreign Office Know Before You Go Campaign. Check out their website for more travel safe tips and advice.

And lastly... Don't forget to get travel insurance. It isn't a lot of money when you think what you may get out of it. I had everything I was travelling with stolen in Morocco once. It taught me to travel light, but more importantly it taught me to have good quality travel insurance as I managed to claim back for everything I lost, even without a police report.

This may all seem like a lot to think about, but you may even need it in the UK!

Travel safe and Love the Adventure!

Gareth Sear
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