By: Blonde Two

B1 and I are recently returned from a short walking holiday to North Wales. We enjoyed that unusual phenomenon for Wales… sunshine and hot weather but rest assured, Wales didn’t let us down and we had our fair share of rain as well. Here are our top 10 things to take walking and camping in Wales.

  1. A tent

Mr B2 will disagree with me here but, most of the time, Welsh weather is more suited to tent camping than bivvy camping. It’s the rain you know… it gets everywhere.

2. Shoes to be wet in

By shoes to be wet in, I don’t mean your walking boots, which will hopefully keep your feet dry. I mean a pair of shoes, flip flops or Crocs for example, that you can slip on whenever you leave the tent and not worry about when they get wet (because they will).

3. A sense of humour

Wales doesn’t waste any time inducing the requirement for a sense of humour. If you can laugh at tent pitching in the rain, giggle whilst pulling each other up hills and experience hysteria crawling through mud under fallen trees, you are off to a good start.

4. Binoculars

Both Blondes often forget their binoculars but it doesn’t pay to do so in Wales, the views are long and to be gazed at in detail and the wildlife, particularly the birds of prey, is in abundance.

5. Pasta

We take pasta on all of our camping trips. It is great with so many traditional (and maybe not so traditional) things… salami, tomato sauce, cheese, ketchup, boiled eggs, cheese triangles, gravy (my son’s recommendation not mine) and chopped vegetables. It is also really great for building up those energy levels before a steep walk (and Wales has plenty of those!)

6. Waterproofs

Waterproofs should be a given for any camp but did you know that, with the right combination of weather conditions, a waterproof outfit can double as a portable sauna?

7. Gin

Did I say, ‘gin’ then? I think I meant a jolly good cup of tea for those cosy tent evenings.

8. A flask

Having a hot drink is a great cheerer upper when the weather is a bit drizzly. Fill a flask with your favourite beverage (no I didn’t say gin) first thing in the morning and have a reviving cuppa whenever you feel you need it.

9. Blister plasters

If you aren’t used to walking up steep hills you may well find that even well worn-in walking boots rub in places you aren’t expecting. Carry blister plasters and don’t be afraid to use them as soon as you suspect a blister might form.

10. Time

Walking up Welsh hills takes time but this isn’t the only reason you should allow plenty of this overused commodity for a walking holiday in Wales. With unexpected and stunning views around every corner (weather permitting) and history along every pathway, you will find yourself wanting to explore, sit and stare more than you usually do.

Thanks Wales… it was great!