tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47092508347674457222024-03-12T18:36:27.312-07:00How CampingDedicated to providing visitors the ability to research, share, and discuss camping solutionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709250834767445722.post-73958875600190288922011-01-15T12:55:00.000-08:002011-01-15T12:55:38.742-08:00Tin Foil Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TTIJpPU4ZrI/AAAAAAAABO4/mWWGGZbu2pY/s1600/tin+foil+dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TTIJpPU4ZrI/AAAAAAAABO4/mWWGGZbu2pY/s200/tin+foil+dinner.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b><br />
1 lb. of minced Beef<br />
1 sm bag of Baby Carrots<br />
Garlic Powder<br />
Cajun Seasoning (optional)<br />
4 large Potatoes<br />
1 medium Onion<br />
Salt and Pepper<br />
Butter or Margarine<br />
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How to Prepare: Use either the tin foil bags or create your own (if you make your own, be sure to double up the tin foil). Divide the minced Beef into four even pieces and break up into four tin foil bags. Cut each potato into small pieces into each bag. Slice onion medium size pieces and separate into each bag. Add carrots and butter to each bag. Season to your hearts content. Cook on an open flame or throw it right into the camp fire coals. Takes about 45 minutes to an hour but it's well worth the wait.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709250834767445722.post-66235470890467024272011-01-14T16:44:00.000-08:002011-01-14T16:44:35.462-08:00Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TTDtsYi3AAI/AAAAAAAABO0/wIzwUYsMS60/s1600/happy_brown_dog_cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TTDtsYi3AAI/AAAAAAAABO0/wIzwUYsMS60/s200/happy_brown_dog_cartoon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Dogs on holiday</strong><br />
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A lot of Dog owners feel their holiday would not be complete without taking along their pet Dog. It may be that the Dog owning family has had the Dog for a number of years and now the Dog has become part of the family, and goes everywhere with them. Also, if the Dog has been in the family home for quite some time, the Dog may not feel comfortable going into kennels when the family are off away on their holidays.<br />
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If you take you Dog along on holiday with you, don’t forget the needs of other holiday makers around you. One of the last things holiday makers want on their quiet peaceful couple of weeks break is to have to listen to a Dog continually barking.<br />
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Also remember that young children might feel frightened by the presence of your Dog, so don’t forget to keep the Dog on a lead. Camping shops sell quite long Dog leads that allow an anchoring point to be screwed into the soil outside your caravan or tent and therefore give the Dog some freedom to walk around your pitch. <br />
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If your Dog is vicious or protective of the pitch on which you are stopping, then never leave your dog on a lead unattended as children will naturally want to come and walk onto your pitch to give your Dog some fuss or to collect a ball.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709250834767445722.post-23839455329776382912011-01-14T14:48:00.000-08:002011-01-14T14:55:02.627-08:00Certified Locations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TTDSqEF33pI/AAAAAAAABOw/1abxwqIvBt0/s1600/CAMPER.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TTDSqEF33pI/AAAAAAAABOw/1abxwqIvBt0/s200/CAMPER.gif" width="200" /></a></div><strong>What are </strong><strong>Certified Locations</strong><br />
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A Certificated Location (or 'CL') is a privately-owned caravann campsite for up to 5 caravans in the United Kingdom. Visitors with caravans pay a fairly small fee to the CL owner in order to pitch overnight. This is usually cheaper than larger commercial caravan sites. There are about 2500 CLs in the UK and are for exclusive use by Caravan Club members. Each year the Caravan Club issues a Certificate to those sites that continue to meet their standards, hence 'Certificated Locations'. Caravan Club members vote annually for the best Certificated Location in the 'CL of the Year' competition.<br />
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Most CLs are in the countryside, they are individually owned and can be on a farm or smallholding, on spare land next to a pub, golf course or hotel or on land attached to the owner's house. CLs need no site licence or formal planning permission, but are covered by two Acts of Parliament; <br />
<ul><li>Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and </li>
<li>Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) (1963) Chapter 17</li>
</ul>The laws state that visitors with caravans must be members of The Caravan Club, who are required to act responsibly and to observe the Country Code and no more than 5 caravans may be accommodated on the site at any one time. <br />
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Caravan may not stay for more than 28 days per visit and must be occupied overnight. CLs are for recreational purposes and only touring caravans, motor caravans or trailer tents are permitted - tents are not permitted, other than attached caravan awnings, toilet tents or small pup tents; and permanently-sited (static) caravans are not permitted on the same landholding.<br />
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There are also a number of guidelines stated. For example CLs should be fairly level and have at least ½ acre of land; and have safe access for caravans including 12ft wide gateway and safe approach road. If the landowner has a caravan site licence from their Local Authority, the Caravan Club is unlikely to issue a Certificate, unless the CL is entirely separate from the landowner's other business activities.<br />
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To become a CL, owners should provide an emptying point for chemical closets; a safe drinking water supply; A bin for dry rubbish; and public liability insurance cover. Some owners provide optional extras such as electrical hook ups, showers and toilets. Although exempt from planning permission, CL owners are liable to pay business rates and income tax on their profits.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709250834767445722.post-90739713340030992312011-01-05T12:21:00.000-08:002011-01-14T14:56:03.263-08:00Anti-Snake Devices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TSUZrqzH6-I/AAAAAAAABMw/Hsahrv5Y5ko/s1600/caravan-crash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TSUZrqzH6-I/AAAAAAAABMw/Hsahrv5Y5ko/s320/caravan-crash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Towing a caravan can be a hazardous endeavor, made more dangerous by the tendency of a caravan to sway. The most common point for a tow vehicle to hitch a trailer is about 4 feet behind the axle. This gives the caravan enough leverage to affect the movement of the towing vehicle, causing a back-and-forth movement that is known as sway, or snaking A well-balanced caravan, with a proper hitch correctly installed, will easily correct itself in the event of a minor sway caused by wind or other external factors. The use of a sway bar will also improve the ability of a trailer to resume normal towing alignment after a minor sway. <br />
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Anti-snake bars are installed by dealers by default and are relatively inexpensive. Sway bars come in pairs and rely on brake pads to supply the friction that helps to control the swaying effect of the trailer. They have tension controls that are tightened manually and must be adjusted to reflect road conditions. Over-tightening will result in the trailer having a reduced ability to follow easily through turns. Under-tightening will prevent the sway bar from functioning efficiently and will not reduce sway adequately. <br />
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Stabiliser bars mount to both the a-frame of the caravan and to a ball next to the hitch ball. The bars go through the brake pads and provide resistance between the tow vehicle and the trailer. As the vehicle moves, the sway bar moves back and forth with the motion of the vehicle, allowing for wind and other forces and preventing the trailer from exerting force on the tow vehicle. <br />
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Correct installation and adjustment of a sway bar will reduce the tendency of a trailer to sway. Proper installation of the trailer hitch, correct balancing of the load in the trailer and avoidance of abrupt steering maneuvers will assist the sway bar in maintaining the equilibrium of a trailer and tow vehicle.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709250834767445722.post-56904704558246273012011-01-05T08:52:00.000-08:002011-01-05T12:24:31.946-08:00Building A Campfire<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TSShysVf2oI/AAAAAAAABMU/pzJ8T3ZEB7I/s1600/campfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TSShysVf2oI/AAAAAAAABMU/pzJ8T3ZEB7I/s200/campfire.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div>One of the most enjoyed aspects of camping is being sat around the campfire at the end of the day enjoying a hearty meal and sharing good conversation and laughter with others.<br />
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A suitable location for a campfire is very important. On officially designated campsites, these areas are usually designated for you but in the wilderness, it may be up to you to decide where to build a fire. It's always important to check out the rules and regulations concerning where you can build a fire from a park ranger or other official if a fire setting is not obvious.<br />
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If you have to choose where you build your campfire, you should try to ensure that it's situated somewhere with a natural windbreak to protect it from windy conditions. You should choose an area which is away from trees and bushes and any overhanging branches and you should never build your fire to close to a rock(s) or a cliff face where it can scorch the natural environment. If a fire ring is provided, use it but if not, make one with stones so that you can contain the ash. Also, remember to keep the firewood away from the fire area when it's not being used. It is advisable NOT to light fires on peat covered countryside.<br />
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Firewood can often be gathered from the natural environment but it is important to be aware of any restrictions which might be in place, particularly if you are camping in a National Park. If you are permitted to collect wood from your campsite surroundings, ensure you only collect fallen branches and twigs - you must never take or cut wood from standing, living trees. It's always recommended to take some wood with you before you travel, in case there is little to collect when you get there and the campsite shop (if there is one) doesn't have any.<br />
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For a fire to burn properly, it needs three elements - fuel, heat and air and three types of wood. Firstly, you need tinder. This can consist of small twigs, dry leaves, wood shavings, pine needles or paper. Then, you need kindling, i.e. small sticks and finally, the firewood which are the larger pieces of wood that keep the fire burning. These pieces should be smallish at first then the size can be increased once the fire is burning well. There are several methods of constructing the fire. The tepee or criss-cross style are popular as they allow the air to circulate freely and the fire to build slowly.<br />
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Beginning with the tinder, gather up a small heap of dry leaves, twigs, wood shavings or loosely screwed up newspaper in the centre of the fire ring. Either lay the kindling in a criss-cross pattern lightly over the tinder or layer it around in a tepee shape. You can use several layers but you need to ensure that you don't lay it too thick as the air needs to circulate for the fire to burn. A small gap should be left at the base of the structure for the match to light the tinder. Lighting at the base is best as fire burns upwards.<br />
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Once the fire's lit, the interior layers will burn freely and you can continue to add replacement layers until the fire is well alight. At that stage, you can start adding the 'fuel', i.e. the larger pieces of wood. Although safety should be your first priority, you should attempt to place the logs on in a similar shape and style to the tinder and kindling as opposed to simply throwing large logs at the fire as this can hinder its progress. Adding the proper sized wood at timed intervals will keep the fire burning well. Some useful tips are to keep a lighter handy in case your matches get wet. Alternatively, you can buy waterproof matches but if you only have regular ones, try to store them in a waterproof container.<br />
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Never leave your fire unattended or allow it to grow into a bonfire and don't let children go too close to the fire or leave them to attend it unsupervised by an adult. Don't try to build your fire in extremely windy conditions or build your fire on an upward slope as fire travels uphill fast and this is made worse by a strong wind. Unless absolutely necessary, you should try to avoid using lighter fluids if possible and you should never throw plastics, glass or aluminium cans or foil into the fire as this can be very messy to clean up.<br />
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Extinguishing Your Fire: Firstly, you should ensure your fire is fully extinguished before you go off to sleep. Many campers have put themselves in danger by thinking the fire has been fully put out because there were no visible flames. This can be dangerous as, although the flames may have stopped burning, the coals (kindling) underneath could still be hot. Pour water over the coals once they have died down and stir round and mix in some earth until you're absolutely certain that the fire is completely out. Careless campers are often the cause of wild fires breaking out so it is extremely important to ensure that your fire is kept under control when active and fully extinguished before you leave the site and remember to always leave the campsite as you found it, disposing of any rubbish or taking it with you.<br />
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Fire bans are put in place to protect an already damaged environment or one which is 'at risk' and it is essential that any prohibitions and/or restrictions are respected. If you are at an official campsite, you will be made aware of any restrictions. However, even if you camp in a remote area, ensure that you keep an eye out for any signs or warnings that are displayed or contact the relevant authority before you go.<br />
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By following the above procedures, you can ensure that you'll have a rewarding camping experience made even more special because of your campfire memories.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709250834767445722.post-15302351157533455522011-01-05T08:43:00.000-08:002011-01-05T09:02:08.261-08:00How to Level a Caravan<b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TSSijtFVLvI/AAAAAAAABMY/p7p4uQCf7_4/s1600/caravan+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UekexCK7TJ8/TSSijtFVLvI/AAAAAAAABMY/p7p4uQCf7_4/s200/caravan+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>If you don’t have a level caravan, you will notice it when things can slide on the surfaces, drinks don’t stay in the glass correctly and you may not sleep properly. If you can, try and pick a level pitch. Sometimes, you will just have to settle with whichever pitch you get given. You can still have a level caravan on an unlevel pitch. If you do have the choice however, balance out other factors of the pitch with how level it is. A better view or location might be more preferable than a totally flat pitch.<br />
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Having a spirit level in the caravan will make this process much much easier than having to do it by eye. For single axle tourers, use the jockey wheel to raise or lower the front until you have a roughly level caravan and then use the corner steadies to make the fine adjustments.<br />
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If you need to level a caravan from side to side, you’ll probably need a levelling ramp as the corner steadies will not be safe. If you can, try and park the caravan in a way that will allow you to level it normally. If this is not possible then reverse onto your pitch roughly a foot further than you need to. Place one of the ramps in front of the wheel on the side that needs to be raised.<br />
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It is easier to get a level caravan using this method if you have assistance. Use a spirit level and place it across the caravan, parallel to the axle. Pull the caravan forward until the bubble in the spirit level is in the middle. Use the handbrake to secure the caravan and chock the wheel that is raised.<br />
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If the wheel has needed to be raised a quite a lot to level a caravan, you may need to put something under the corner steadies to make them reach the floor. It can be anything that is flat and sturdy, small bits of wood are good. Do not use bricks as they can slip.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709250834767445722.post-51906869747165870242011-01-05T07:08:00.000-08:002011-01-14T14:56:44.243-08:00Tent Pitching<object height="231" width="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VMdxrHxiR1U?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VMdxrHxiR1U?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="275" height="231"></embed></object><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When choosing a place to pitch your tent, a flat, dry sheltered spot is the best. Clear the site of sharp stones or debris. If possible tent should be pitched facing away fro<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">m </span>the wind. If camping in windy weather, try not to pitch down wind of trees. You will find that the noise of the wind through the branches or even twigs blown from the tree could make for a very disturbed night.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com