Camping

Travelling for up to 5 months and staying in hotels, lodges etc would have been very expensive, we therefore decided to take a tent.

We already had two medium sized suitcases (approx 20kg each) so we needed to ensure that any camping gear could be carried onto aircraft as hand luggage (approx 7kg each).

We settled on a VANGO lightweight 2/3 person tent as our previous Vango tent (Force 10 mark IV) was still in use after 35 years. We also took 2 sleeping bags with mats, a kettle and 'Pocket Rocket.' To carry this we chose two Berghaus Mules (40+20).
This was ideal as we flew with numerous airlines and never had any trouble either with weight or size.

It was while camping that we had some of our most memorable moments. Spectacular locations, friendly wildlife, freedom, peace and quiet (unlike camping in the UK), and, of course, cost.

Here are some of the best locations...

Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island. Carole got a sleepless first night because of the fear of Bears. Helena's tent looked really flimsy but it was quite stable (only extremely small).

Hovenweep National Monument. Note the gravel, which made sleeping a little uncomfortable as we only had thin sleeping mats. This was a spectacular location as there was a canyon behind the tent. In the evening we sat and watched a Great Horned Owl.

This was a wonderful, and deserted, site within the 'Cedar Breaks' forest (USA). It cost 15 Dollars (£10). It was really welcome after staying at the 'Ruby's Inn', Bryce Canyon the previous evening. (this was a very comfortable hotel but a truly horrible blot on what was once a beautiful landscape).

Big Pine, in California. We stayed here just before entering Yosemite National Park.

Yalgarup National Park, Western Australia. This was the most remote and idylic site we stayed at. We ate after dark and were visited by a (rare) Quenda, (small marsupial). In the morning Wallabies were browsing right ouside the tent..... It was a little cold as can be seen by Carole still in her sleeping bag.

                                             Yes, it really was this quiet.

Pemberton, Western Australia.

Rottnest Island, Perth. A very small site, which, although quiet when we were there, would be pretty crowded at peak season. Nevertheless, the Quakkas (like a small wallaby) were hilarious and kept us constantly entertained........but the flies,the flies, the damned flies!

                                      Quakkas are not afraid of entering your tent...

Bontibok National Park, South Africa. A great site. We woke up to Bontiboks grazing around the tent.

The Karoo, South Africa. This site was full of giant Tortoises, and.... boy, was it HOT.

This selection does not include any of the wonderful  camp sites in The Yellowstone or Grand Teton parks.I really dont understand why I did not take any photos. The lodge accommodation within the park would have cost us more than 200 Dollars a night. Camping cost 15-20 Dollars and was an absolute joy. The only down side was that we had to drive about 10 miles for a shower!....and Bears could be a realproblem.