The first time I camped in more primitive a setting than a school-friend’s back-garden coincided with my first festival. I bought a cheap, easily erectable tent from Millets, and set off; an obvious festival virgin with shiny saucepans dangling from my too-new rucksack, a cellophane-wrapped mat bobbing against my leg and enough loo paper to wrap the earth’s circumference.
From hazy memories, I recall thinking the bands were too loud, the food shitty, and the toilets unspeakable. However, despite my girl-guide approach to festival preparation, I forgot the tent-pegs; apparently an absolute camping necessity, and as a result, ended up sleeping top-to-toe with a boy who refused to remove his mud-caked Dr Martens for the full four days, in a tiny triangular sweat-box which was still covered in mould from a previous trip, with murky quagmires at each corner.
If you have a more positive approach to camping, at Middle Farm this weekend you can visit the C&E Annual Camping Show. I spoke to Sylvia from C&E to ask if she had any cunning tips or crafty gadgets in the run-up to this year’s camping season. “We’ve Pop-Up Tents which are ready to use, straight out the bag, as well as quick-erect tents from £80”. In the large accessory marquee, they’ll be displaying useful gizmos such as wind-up lamps and mobile phone chargers. However, surely their most inventive, and to my mind, invaluable product; comes in the shape of a collapsible wardrobe. Spoilt Southern softie I may be. Camping in creased clothes? Not a chance. RL