Camping

Camping. I went camping with my friend and her daughter and their tiny kitten. We only went to a local campsite but it felt like we were a long way from home. It was a small eco-site hidden in a woodland glade on the edge of the Peak District and just what we needed, a break from normal life.

When I was in the grips of my treatment and not sure if I was going to make it, I thought about many things and one of them was reminiscing on all the fun I had growing up camping.

I spent most of my spare time outside lighting fires and camping out. I was in Brownies, Guides, Rangers and then Venture Scouts. I preferred to be under canvas than indoors and one year spent months outside in my tent in the garden. I went on so many camps over the years in Guernsey, Netherlands, Norway as well as all over the UK. I camped on Dartmoor and in nearly force ten storms and all types of weather. I represented the SW of England Guides at Jamborees.

In fact as I write this, I realise even more just how much I learnt and enjoyed that part of my life. I learnt to canoe, fish, paraglide, do archery and numerous other sports and activities. Learnt first aid, earnt my Queens Guide Award, did service to my community, public spoke to the Rotary Club etcto secure funding for my overseas trips. In fact it formed me as a young adult and made me who I am.

It has been several years since I last camped with my family in the Gower, Cornwall and Devon. Now my son is a big teenager he is not keen to go anywhere with me or do anything as he is SO GROWN UP... and too cool for being with his parents...as we were obviously never young and teenagers ourselves...

It was brilliant smelling the musty smell of the tent and camping equipment again. The smell of the gas stove and the noise of the kettle boiling for a cup of tea. My friend's daughter is only 11 and still young enough for cuddles and liking being with us grown ups.

One thing I had never done was camp with a cat. She was a delight to have with us the joy we got from watching her explore and play with leaves and twigs and experience everything for the very first time was priceless and should be bottleable as medicine.

A very, very good day!