By: Blonde Two
Have you ever been in the situation when you and your friends have planned a night-time trip to walk onto the moor in the dark, undertake some daring navigation, experience a scrabble across a stream, endure a swim (well splash) under a secret Dartmoor waterfall and scoff a feast of baked potatoes, only to find that the weather forecast might be putting a kibosh on it?
Or maybe you have experienced the weather hanging doubts over your ability to access a ‘Depths of Dartmoor First Aid’ course because you booked it forgetting that your husband is taking the 4×4 truck on a bike-packing adventure to Wales leaving you with the ‘absolutely don’t take me out on a slippy road’ MX5?
No…?
Well you aren’t a Blonde then are you? I bet Blonde One has been in exactly these situations.
Anyway, that is how my Friday and weekend are shaping up. I’m quite excited about them! I imagine that with this particular group of friends there will still be a darkness adventure somewhere even if we don’t make it up to Dartmoor. I also suspect that I will make it to my First Aid course, albeit slowly and maybe a bit late. I am taking my sleeping and bivvy bags just in case (no room to sleep in the sporty number) and have booked a night at the bunkhouse.
Who knows what will happen…
And more importantly, who knows what on earth I should pack…
If you are taking the car just take everything. It is only when backpacking that difficult decisions have to be made. I’m sure you must have a kit list to refer to.
Me, I’d want a fur-lined wetsuit, boots and gaiters, a furry hat with ear muffs, and a nice dog to cuddle up to. Oh, and a few hundred cans of self-heating soup wouldn’t come amiss. I have noticed that it is when the weather is at its worst, sleeting, blowing frantically and you are in the most isolated place possible, that tyres puncture and fan belts break, so take a look at your spares and tools! Have fun!