e-cAmp Magazine April 2013 by Oase Outdoors

ecAmp Cornish cream

Touch of Spain

Choosing a tent

Kathryn Whelan visits Polmanter – a top five-star touring park with superb sea views and plenty of activities for all the family

Guyrope Gourmet provides a Continental twist to the much-loved chicken casserole – it’s guaranteed to tickle the taste buds

Our pointers will fire up the synapse to help you focus on key considerations when identifying the perfect tent for your needs

Read more on pages 6-7

ecAmp Magazine

e e-cAmp magazine april 2013

ecAmp magazine ecAmp Magazine

INNOVATIVE FAMILY CAMPING

ecAmp Magazine ecAmp magazine happy campers It’s official!

Yes, research shows that campers are generally happy people thanks to their life outdoors. And we aim to help make the Outwell camping experience the best – join us inside…

WIN!

Lunch Bag Cool up for grabs in our latest competition

editor’s welcome

content 3 Meet the fans Meet Outwell supercampers Janette and Mark Songhurst

3 Open Air John Traynor takes us on an off-beat ramble through an outdoor writer’s camping life

clive garreTt

Our very own Outwell camper

hanks for all your great comments and helpful suggestions about the launch issue of e-cAmp. It really is a pleasure to put together and know that many of you find it useful and entertaining. And I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Stories, tips, recipes and pics – just send the to me at editorial@outwell.com If your tales reflect some of the things you told me at the NEC Spring Caravan and Camping Show then I’m certainly in for a treat! Many of you were looking for a new tent, like a new Biscayne (below). This month’s Technical Feature builds on the tent material discussion that appeared in March’s issue to help you focus on your needs when in search of the perfect tent. Use our pointers to create your own criteria that will guide you to your final choice with the help of fellow campers on our Facebook page and Outwell dealers. One thing for certain from your comments at the show and on Facebook is that we’re all looking forward to the start of the camping season and it’s clear that many of you have already booked your pitches. This could be a wise move given the shortage of pitch

availability on our popular sites at peak times and I’m feeling quite left out for I haven’t even picked up the site guides yet! But I do intend to get out and about to meet Outwell fans and explore a few more of our smaller, little known campsites that are epitomised by the Camping and Caravanning Club’s network of Certificated Sites. With thousands of tiny sites dotted around the UK I should be guaranteed a pitch somewhere. And, I have a new Outwell tent on order to replace my old, if memory serves, Southern Ocean (the pre-production name for the popular Lanai Reef) which will find a new home with my brother-in-law. Fingers crossed my next camping trip will see me and Tricia using a SmartAir Concorde M filled with smart, functional Outwell kit rather than my usual eclectic mix of scruffy old and failing gear… Cheers

Clive Garrett Editor

4 Site reviews Kathryn Whelan finds a great family site with stunning views at Polmanter Touring Park in Cornwall

5 Cooking with Outwell Guyrope Gourmet tickles the taste buds with a camper’s casserole

6 Technical feature Our simple pointers will help you choose your family tent

7 Hot tips Send us your tips and tricks to help other campers enjoy our pastime

7 Q&A of the month Your questions answered

8 Image of the month Outwell Guy pics!

8 Competition Your chance to win great prizes.

Editorial Issue: April 2013 Editor Clive Garrett editorial@outwell.com Publisher Lotte Simonsen los@oase-outdoors.dk Design Kaja Damgaard Copyright © 2013 Oase Outdoors ApS. All Rights Reserved. Use of information, content and images only by written approval from the editor or publisher. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Oase Outdoors. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of this magazine is accurate, but we assume no responsibility for any affect from errors or omissions. While every care is taken with unsolicited material submitted for publication we cannot be responsible for loss or damage.

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meet the fans

open air

John Traynor with an outdoor writer’s ramble through camping life. Follow John on Twitter @jtopenair

Janette and Mark Songhurst have been keen Outwell fans for many years

Four-season campers Meet Mark and Janette Songhurst from Leeds. Many of their friends describe them as camping nuts. Maybe – but I think that like all enthusiastic Outwell fans these knowledgeable and discerning campers have their heads screwed firmly on their shoulders…

heir tent is the second home that enables them to explore new places with family and friends – no matter the season or weather. And, delightfully, they simply enjoy being together outdoors. Why choose Outwell? After a tent with fibreglass poles they realised that metal poles were the way forward. Attracted by the Outwell pitching videos Mark says: “We could see style of tent we wanted could stand up to the weather conditions we meet when camping.”

Their current tent is a much-loved 2009 Outwell Vermont XL. They have also ordered a SmartAir Concorde L and can’t wait to add the second Outwell tent to the family. I asked them to name their favourite campsites. These include Sleningford Watermill Caravan and Campsite as a summer weekend retreat. Their overnight escape is the very basic Champs Field at Home Farm, Colton where the owner provides home-sourced pie and pea

suppers delivered to the tent. In winter they head for Dalesbridge in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Geocaching and cooking come high on the activity list – although camp with Mark and you might just get to see his circus skills! Their advice to anyone new to camping? Janette says: “Beg and borrow gear, try before you buy. Talk to experienced campers – there are a lot of tricks that will make camping a very enjoyable experience. Finally, have fun!

Outwell takes the sting out of inflation Mark and Janette have just placed an order for a SmartAir Concorde L and if anyone should know how easy they are to inflate it’s Mark. He spent a day with Outwell demonstrating a Concorde M at the recent NEC Spring Caravan and Camping Show. We do not know his fastest time but he did request another tin Outwell One-go Inflation Technology makes of spinach and came away with muscles pitching a quick and simple process. Check out the Concorde M, Concorde L and Concorde XL that would have made Popeye proud.

love clouds’ shadows as they can change the character and mood of the landscape in an instant leaving no mark of their passing – unlike all of us. It is a sad fact that even leaving nothing but footprints eventually has an impact on the land we love and embrace. Even taking exceptional care will not mitigate the tread of millions of footsteps each year on the countryside. Any long-term restriction of access is unthinkable from a personal point of view and as a matter of principle. But the pressures on my favourite Lakeland landscapes continue to grow and are highly unlikely to ever ease. I regularly fall into the trap of re-tracing my steps on favourite routes many times as well as picking familiar spots to picnic and places to camp despite wanting to keep exploring new locations. Putting something back has many angles ranging from financial and time contributions to litter collection. From personal preference, I like to spread my time and activities in the Lakes throughout the year and in less popular areas. The term ‘honeypots’ is often used in connection with the Lake District and the pressure has moved inexorably from the roads and streets to the tracks leading to the mountain summits. Happily, for every honeypot there is a quiet corner. I’ve discovered in recent years the pleasure to be gained from being out and about on foot long before most campers are awake. Stomping along in the early light of dawn not only guarantees vistas empty of humans but also builds a fierce appetite for breakfast – Cumberland sausage, of course. There’s so much to do on each visit as well as pondering how to justify buying yet more books on the Lakes. I accept it’s a weakness but reject the charge that it has become an illness. So much to enjoy but only one life. We should all live it. April 2013 e-cAmp magazine 3

Site reviews

Big and friendly This month, Kathryn Whelan visits Polmanter Touring Park – a full-featured park that has great family appeal besides providing the perfect base from which to explore the stunning west Cornwall peninsula. And it’s easy to find – just follow the directions given on the site’s website rather than a GPS or you may find the narrow roads a tad difficult to navigate – especially if towing a camping trailer The site Polmanter is a five-star family touring park located on the edge of St Ives, Cornwall. You are immediately struck by its stunning sea views and the warm welcome from friendly staff who provide plenty of information about the site and local attractions. The site sits on a hillside and while some pitches slope, most are fairly flat, generous in size and well maintained. Drainage is good in all but unseasonal wet weather. There are three toilet blocks, all have facilities for the disabled and are maintained to a high standard. There are also private shower rooms and two baby bathrooms. Chemical disposal points and indoor dishwashing facilities can be found at the toilet blocks and there are recycling facilities. The site has a heated outdoor pool, two children’s play areas, a well stocked and reasonably priced shop, a bar that serves food, and a takeaway. There’s also a games room, Pitch and Put nine-hole golf course, huge sports field and a dog exercising area. WiFi is available at a cost. The area St Ives is about a mile away. It is a pleasant and relatively easy walk but uphill all the way Polmanter Touring Park St Ives Cornwall TR26 3LX Web: polmanter.co.uk Tel: 01736 795640 Facilities • 296 pitches • Chemical disposal point • Disabled facilities • Laundry and washing-up facilities 4 e-cAmp magazine April 2013

back. There is an hourly bus service during peak season! You’re spoilt for choice for beaches. The excellent sandy beaches at Carbis Bay and Porthminster are fairly sheltered and you can find surf action at Porthmeor beach. Other places to visit include: • P layzone – soft play and Quasar Laser Tag for children and adults! •H ealey’s Cornish Cyder Farm – also home to Cyder Brandy and Fruit spirits. •H eartlands – free cultural playground for gardens, adventure and exhibitions.

• Flambards – theme park. • And, of course, the Eden Project for that rain forest experience. Eating out Campers seemed to enjoy the on-site food and prices were fairly typical of campsites. The nearby pub in Halsetown served excellent food, although was a little more pricier than the site. It is a very friendly and even our three-year-old enjoyed it. There is a good selection of places to eat in St Ives that will suit most palates and pockets alike.

Above: A rare sight – a quiet playground! It was early and soon filled up… Right: There are simply wonderful long views of the sea from most of the campsite • Children’s play area • Sports field/Pitch and Put • Swimming pool • Games room • Shop • Bar and takeaway • WiFi • Dog walk Tourism Information Web: stivestic.co.uk Tel: 01299 404740

Eat local A weekly farmers market is held in St Ives every Thursday at The Guildhall, Street an Pol. Further details can be found at stivesfarmersmarket.co.uk And the St Ives Food and Drink Festival is worth a visit on the 18-19 May. Did you know? St Ives is named after the Irish princess St Eia or St Ia, who sailed across the Atlantic to convert the locals to Christianity.

cooking with outwell Shoppin g list Chicken and Cho rizo Cas serole Ingredie nts

: ✓ One la rge onio n (finely ✓ Two chopped cloves o ) f garlic ✓ Olive o (f inely ch il opped) ✓ Half a chorizo ring (ch ✓ one de opped) ssertsp oon of ✓ One h paprika eaped te aspoon ✓ Six jo of plain ints of flour fresh c or both hicken (d !) rumstic ks or th ✓ One re d pepper ighs (c hopped) ✓ One ye llow pep per (cho ✓ One s pped) mall gla ss of re ✓ One tin d wine of chop ped tom ✓ One li atoes tre of ve ge t able sto teaspoo ck (use n of Bo a cube ullion) ✓ Salt a or a big nd Pepp er to ta ste

Touch of Spain Josh ‘Guyrope Gourmet’ Sutton tells us about a fantastic feast first cooked up by Niki of the Jones persuasion in mid Wales.

hings weren’t going to plan and it was getting late! The kids were still up and it was beginning to rain. “You sort the kids and I’ll sort the supper”, she said. It was fair to say that I had the easier of the tasks, but an all round team effort found nippers tucked up and adults tucked in by nine o’clock! This simple meal sticks to the ribs – just the job for hungry campers. Put a kettle of

water on to boil for the vegetable stock. Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a stockpot over a good flame. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Simmer for four or five minutes, then add the chopped peppers and the chicken joints. Turn the chicken so it begins to brown all over. As the onion begins to turn translucent, throw in the flour and paprika. The whole thing will turn a glorious orange colour. Now add the chopped chorizo and marvel as the colour deepens. Chuck in that small glass of red wine (yes – it’s for the pot and not the cook!) and the tin of chopped tomatoes. Give it a good stir and bring back to the simmer. Stir in the vegetable stock and add salt and pepper to taste. Place a lid on the pot and turn the flame to low and

Join Josh as he shares his cooking skills at workshops around the country. You can find the details of these events on his website guyropegourmet.com and catch up with his escapades on his entertaining blog guyropegourmet.blogspot.co.uk And, of course, you can often catch him in e-cAmp

simmer for 45 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally so as not to let your tasty treat stick and burn on the bottom of the pot. Serve with pasta, boiled potatoes or rice, or just consume with hunks of fresh crusty bread for dunking!

Cookbook news If you enjoyed this recipe then keep an eye open for the Guyrope Gourmet cookery book that’s being published in association with Outwell this May by Punk Publishing – those nice people who are also responsible for the Cool Camping books. We will be bringing you news of its launch on our website, Facebook and Twitter so that you won’t miss out! April 2013 e-cAmp magazine 5

Technical features

Family tents

hoosing a family tent should be fun for all the family as you explore the market for your next country ‘home’. But it pays to have a clear focus on your needs to ensure a wise investment that reaps maximum return on your hard earned cash. Let’s consider three key areas that will help you buy the perfect tent It helps to have a clear focus yet an open mind when researching your tent

Intended use ight, you’ve decided to go camping. But what tent should you choose? Your first question should concern intended use for the answer will go a long way to help make the decision regarding the size and design of tent to purchase. Time for a family meeting! What do you all aim to get out of camping? Approach the pros and cons of a tent – don’t just go on looks. For instance, if you have children, or like space, then a large multi-bedroom tent is perfect if you intend to use it for longer stays on site. Tents, like our new Bahia 7, provide plenty of room in which to play and lounge around. And it will soak up all those fantastic camping accessories that catch the eye. However, if you intend to include overnight or weekend camping then you may decide that the easy-to-pitch-and-transport features of a smaller tent more suitable. After all, an awning or extension can be added to provide the extra space needed for longer holidays. And smaller tents, like our Nevada MP are easier to work with when touring. External influences should also be taken into account when choosing a tent. Will you need a trailer or is your car large enough to transport your tent and accessories? Can you simplify the camping experience to suit space? Other questions include: how often, when and where you intend to holiday? Is the tent heavy to move and pitch? How many people

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are needed to help pitch? Have you room at home to dry, maintain and store your tent? Then there is budget… Most answers to the above will help you decide on the size and type that’s best for you. However, budget considerations are important for you want to get the best quality in all areas of design for your bucks and you should bear in mind that you normally get what you pay for when buying a tent. This does not mean you buy the most expensive tent possible but even if making a modest purchase you should check out the manufacturer’s pedigree and see if they are campers designing product for campers or just aping leading brands or selling a generic tent sourced off the shelf from abroad. Remember, spending a few extra pounds on a reputable brand may significantly increase ease-of-use, safety, stability, comfort and the longevity of the tent – all of which will maximise return on investment while maintaining high residual values. Much of the quality side, like fabrics and their coatings (covered in last month’s e-cAmp), is hidden so now it’s time to research, research, research. Visit specialist retailers and shows to nose around pitched tents and talk to the experts about your needs – you will also become familiar with styles and features. Join Internet communities to seek out ideas and opinions. Chat to any camper you meet – we’re a friendly bunch who generally love to talk about our pastime! Keep an open mind. Tent design The moment you start talking to people that is when we get down to the business of turning desires into reality and it is worth understanding basic tent styles and design We use tunnel designs (right) for their ease of use and inherent stability

features – they do affect outdoor living. There may be many tent styles but not all transfer easily to a larger tent. For instance, geodesic and semi-geodesic designs are more suitable for smaller technical tents rather than larger family units where the long flexible poles complicate pitching. There has been a resurgence of traditional tepee and bell tent designs with campers looking for something a little different. Many stand up well to bad weather and a few are remarkably easy to pitch, but living space that may well incorporate a centre pole and rapidly decreasing head height as you move to the tent perimeter requires a different take on camping that does not suit all. New materials have moved family tents away from the traditional A-frame/ridge variety or even those based on a steel frame. Generic shapes tend to be based around the dome and tunnel. However, large tunnel tents are far easier to pitch in all weathers compared to a family dome that has to be raised into the wind before it can be secured. The tunnel’s quick-pitch characteristics are a real boon for family campers who may have to split their attention between pitching and looking after children. Check out the pitching video of our large Georgia 7P family tent and you will see how easy it is! While angled pole joints are used to reduce the angle of the walls and increase overall useable space and headroom, we have also applied innovative design features to improve our tents’ stability beyond that offered by an equivalent dome tent. The Outwell Wind Stabilizer and Easy Pegging Systems that

Hot tips Time to share those tips that you find help improve camping life! Each month we will pull out five from the postbag for publication so drop us a line to editorial@ outwell.com and help spread the knowledge... This month’s helpful tips come courtesy of Jacqui Sclanders from Thurlby in Lincolnshire.

Key design features, like our Wind Stabilizer System above, enhance performance have been applied to the majority of our Collections enable a correctly pitched tent to withstand gale force winds. Development continues with the introduction of the Outwell Hybrid Frame System found in the Superior Collection that creates a free-standing structure with high levels of rigidity and a host of new features to improve camping life. Features These fall into a number of categories. Design features, like those mentioned and the Outwell Wave-shaped Hanging Point System that minimises stress placed on inner seams, effect structure and performance. Some, like high visibility guys and extra exterior doors, enhance safety. Others improve the experience, like our panoramic, tinted windows and large, well-placed vents that create a light, airy interior while minimising condensation. Versatility also improves camping. Examples include our Universal Inner that balances bedroom and living space, and the new Superior zip-in pods. Optional extras fall into this category, too. Many campers now consider a carpet and footprint essential for they improve underfoot comfort and provide protection against wear and tear, making cleaning and maintenance easier. The awning and extension are so popular that it is hard to find stock if you want to retro fit rather than buy at the time you purchase your tent! Less important are features like organiser pockets, valances to hide hanging points and, possibly, ports for an electric cable and the associated cable ties. These appear for convenience rather than necessity. It is worth considering that if a low-price tent has loads of bonus features then quality and build may be compromised to meet that price. Our pointers are guides only and will help you enjoy the buying experience even more by enabling you to focus on your needs and understand what’s on offer. Amend to develop your own criteria to find your perfect tent.

1. Allocate jobs. Our teenagers always do the dishes in the communal washing area. 2. Keep warm by sleeping in the clothes you have worn through the day. Start the morning with an early shower to freshen up. You save on sleeping togs and, thus, the laundry when you get home. 3. Use paper plates and cups to miminise breakages and washing up. 4. Use ‘S’ hooks to hook torches/lamps up high, keep carrier bags off the floor, as clothes pegs or toiletry bag holders. 5. Remember to take spare batteries – you will need them!

q&a of the month Dear Outwell I recently had to use my spare Duratec pole that came with my Glendale 5. Upon my return I purchased a replacement pole set so I always have a spare. By chance I measured it and found the replacement poles too short compared to my Glendale’s, necessitating the use of two cut down to replace any that break in the future. This would have been awkward if doing a campsite repair for it needs a hacksaw – and I may only have taken a single replacement pole! Would it not be wise to highlight this fact? Mark Mckenzie via email Quite right, Mark, and thanks for the headsup. We are reviewing our packaging and the instructions that come with the kits to ensure this is addressed. As existing stocks will have to be used before this takes effect we are highlighting this requirement here and ask campers to measure the original pole length and diameter when buying poles to ensure enough are packed to replace any length that breaks.

April 2013 e-cAmp magazine 7

image of the month

Superhero spotted at NEC!

Happy camper Well chuffed to meet Outwell Guy at NEC Anne Adam Johnston, via Facebook

he recent NEC Spring Caravan and Camping Show provided a host of superb photo opportunities as Outwell fans swamped our stand. And the main attraction was our very own superhero, Outwell Guy – some fans travelling from as far as Scotland to meet him. Of course, our latest tents also drew some very positive comment… Sometimes it felt as if the show’s entire 84,000-something visitors had decided to descend on Outwell and we apologise if we were slow in helping you with your enquiries. But fun was certainly had by all. Undoubtedly our favourite photo was taken by a colleague at another show – the hugely popular Reise + Camping Messe in Essen, with this discerning gent who was caught on Germany. Spending hours on a hard concrete camera taking a well-earned break on one of floor takes it out of you and we sympathise our comfortable display seats. He has good taste in literature too! SmartAir wins fans We always love to see your camping pics so Thanks to Outwell Guy for please post them on Facebook or email them assisting me in inflating the to Clive Garrett at editorial@outwell.com – Concorde… 43 seconds to pitch… on you could see them chosen as an e-cAmp the short list of next tent purchase! Image of the Month. Remember to tell us the Richard Bourne, via Facebook story that lies behind your pic…

ERHERO P U S

Competition Our new Lunch Bags provide the perfect way to store food or to pack a quick bite to enjoy during the day – and we’ve a couple of the Lunch Bag Cool to give away!

here are three Lunch Bags in the range. The standard M and L sizes cater for all appetites or numbers, but it’s the Lunch Bag Cool that we have up for grabs. This is insulated to keep the contents fresh throughout the day. All cheerful, bright Lunch Bags feature our trademark stripes and are made from hard-wearing, easy-to-clean polyester. They all have a practical roll-top opening and fold flat when not in use. And they are perfect to as a food basket for the table.

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We have two to win in our easy-toenter competition. Just visit the Lunch Bags page on our website to find out the material that the insulating lining is made from and email your answer to competition@outwell.com Please place ‘Lunch Bag competition’ in the email subject line and include your name, address and contact number. The winners will be notified by email as soon as possible after the close date on 30 April 2013.

The e-cAmp Image of the Month