We had some glorious summer weather this week and many people are still on summer holidays. So why not have a weekend camping, it's been warm, sunny and not too windy. Think of "Le Camping". Outdoor fun, fresh air, bread and cheese lunch with sultry evenings sitting out with a glass of wine.
Actually going camping isn't straight forward, unless you have a dedicated camping gear cupboard where you put everything away each time (mended, dried and in order). Then you can just grab it all, pack the car and away you go. If this is a first try out, maybe an adventure for the kids, you can be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you can end up taking. Don't just go for one night, or even 2, you may as well stay for a week once you've got there, unpacked and actually got the tent up. I'm a Girl Guide Leader planning a weekend camp next month and I'm feeling weighed down by all the equipment and lists. But once you get there, it will be idyllic, with fresh air, cup of tea in a plastic mug, sunsets and ...
The Great British weather.
Even the Great British Bake Off tent falls foul to the British weather. #GBBO. You see it shaking or hear the rain. It always sounds so much heavier inside a tent.
In my planning I'm hoping for dry, warm weather, doesn't have to be too sunny, we don't want any heatstroke thanks. However, I do have to think about it being wet, how to cook/light fires, activities in the tents and those who decided not to bring their waterproofs as it was sunny when they left. Our weather is just not reliable.
And this weekend is not ideal, sorry but when is it? It's not a complete right off so don't despair, but do be forewarned and "Be Prepared" as we say in Guiding.
Weekend Weather
There will be sunshine. There will be rain. It also looks quite windy, especially for England and Wales.
The rain arrives on Friday, heading north and east with brisk winds.It is in distinct bands, so if it is raining when you arrive, but you can see brighter skies away to the SW, do wait a while as the hefty showers should clear and you'll get a lull.
There will be further outbreaks of rain on Friday night, it's not too cold but still with brisk winds, so do a good job pegging in.
Saturday 20th
Northern Scotland sees the driest weather and only moderate winds. The showers for SE Britain ease by the evening so longer dry and bright spells here later. In between it's a blustery, showery day. So bright sunshine for a while then along comes a rain shower, that clears and it's back to fine weather. Temperatures of only 13C in a heavy shower 20C in brighter eastern areas. WINDS - see below
Saturday night - blustery with a few showers. Similar temperatures overnight.
Sunday
The showers begin to fade for Sunday morning with more brightness and sunshine and feeling a bit warmer. There will still be a brisk west wind, particularly for England and Wales in the morning. There is now rain forecast to arrive from the SW during Sunday. So, it will be worth keeping an eye on the forecast. If you look at the Netweather Radar or download the Netweather Storm App, you will see the frontal band of rain heading in and then you could decide when to pack up. Currently, the rain looks like being over Wales by lunchtime and then SW England into Northern Ireland in the afternoon. This could leave a fine day for much of eastern/central and northern Britain.
Winds this weekend.
It will be blustery and at times downright windy. For some, it will be like autumn. The brisk winds are from the SW or west, so SW Britain will bear the brunt of this. However, the Met Office have issued a Yellow 'Be Aware' warning for much of southern coastal Britain. There will be gusts over 40mph with exposed areas possibly seeing up to 60mph. This threat spreads eastwards during Saturday with large waves too.
Camping tips
Take an extra ground sheet then you can put your gear on it, whilst you put tent up, and when you take tent down.
Before you pitch the tent, look about for flat ground, stones and potential streams. Put the outer part of tent up first
Slacken your guy ropes the moment it starts to rain, just ease them off a bit, not too much in the breeze. Check your pegs.
Make sure nothing is sticking out of the tent before retiring overnight. Small children roll and wriggle enough to have half their sleeping bag right outside. They will realise this at 4am and want to share the news.
Enjoy the adventure.
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