17 June 2011

Inspiration: Camping

It is only in the country that we can get to know a person or a book.
-Cyril Connolly

But the place which you have selected for your camp, though never so rough and grim, begins at once to have its attractions, and becomes a very centre of civilization to you: "Home is home, be it never so homely."
-Henry David Thoreau

I love camping. I'm not sure whether this is influenced by my childhood obsession with making huts, the chance to escape to the middle of nowhere, the challenge of living well without the trappings of civilisation, or that it combines two of my favourite things: eating outside and interesting living spaces!

The longest camping trip I've ever been on was for five weeks while travelling through Europe, but now I try to go camping at least one weekend every year. We've developed a tradition with some friends to go to camping at the same spot on a particular long weekend. It's a really relaxed place which allows dogs and camp fires, and also has bathroom facilities (which is always good!)

Are you into camping, or are the outdoors not really your thing?

Links
Eco Camping at Design Sponge
Backyard Camping at Wit + Delight
Do You Like Camping? at Cup of Jo
Get Cozy Round the Fire at Code for Something
Camper Vans and Caravans at Gypsy Girl's Guide
The Cosy Outdoors at Eat Drink Chic

09 June 2011

Decisions Have Been Made!

We just booked tickets to London! For the last few months Owen and I have been trying to make some decisions about whether to spend money on renovating our house or on another trip to Europe. Our sense of adventure won out, and come next May we'll be on the other side of the world!


True to form I've already started making extremely detailed travel plans, though we won't be booking anything else for a few months yet. We'll be away for nearly four weeks, and the big challenge will be practicing moderation when it comes to deciding which countries to visit (I want to see them all!)

In the meantime we'll be saving as much as we can and remembering what it's like living out of a suitcase.