The tent by the stream

Published 8 June 2014

My tent, on the Southern Upland Way near Abbey St Bathans

I have a confession to make. You see, the thing is that recently I haven’t done as much walking as I would like to have done. And as for the tent you see at the top of this page, well that hasn’t been out of my loft since this time in 2012.

That’s not to say I haven’t done any walking, because I have. However changes in circumstances have led me to reduce a little. Firstly was a change in job (forced by redundancy) which then resulted in less annual leave. And then there was the arrival of a small child into the household. Suddenly it’s not quite as easy to say “Hey, I’m heading off for a long weekend by myself! See ya!”

This kind of thing happens to many a walker. Children arrives and everything changes. They stop walking until, several years later, they have some sort of mid-life crisis and rush off to do the Pennine Way in brand new walking boots.

I am determined that won’t happen to me. It’s part of the reason why I do this website. To keep it in focus. And that’s why this picture is here. It’s a picture that reminds me of the fun of walking somewhere, then setting up my little tent in some lovely picturesque location, and sitting in the doorway by myself just looking out of it all.

It’s not the best colour for wild camping – such things weren’t on my mind when I bought it – so you may not find me on a fell top in the Lakes in it. Although I don’t really see what the fuss is about tent colour – especially when you’re only camping overnight – but I know that others feel differently. This photo was taken in a discrete location. Only some sheep and someone in a Land Rover saw it.

But it’s a picture that reminds me that I need to head somewhere. Soon. Chances of doing it this year maybe slim, but next year? It’s going to have to be done. Because if I don’t go walking somewhere with my little tent, I may well find myself standing red faced in Edale with a giant rucksack, aged 47 wondering where it all went wrong.

Comments

max

9 November 2014 at 10:04 am

Well… no kids here but getting older (and wiser). So… after dreaming about it, I am now preparing for adventures in 2015. Tent bought (Nordisk Telemark 2), mattress bought (Thermarest NeoAir) and fully exploring sleeping bag options and other ultralight gear since I am… a runner! So I know the feeling, although everything is new for me. Maybe I did this in my previous life as well since I can’t wait to get out -)

Hope you will get the chance soon again too!

Andrew Bowden (Rambling Man editor)

11 November 2014 at 12:54 pm

Hi Max – penciling in something for next year. Not sure where or when, but it will happen!

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