Outwell e-cAmp Magazine November 2013

ecAmp Settle for great camping

Perfect rice dish

Gas on the go

Knight Stainforth is the venue for a top family base from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales and take in some cracking walks

Guyrope Gourmet serves up a surf and turf with a twist fusing smoked mackerel with black pudding and Basmati rice

We consider gas to be the most convenient fuel for camping and check out some of the things you have to know for its safe use

Read more on page 4

Read more on page 5

Read more on pages 6-7

ecAmp Magazine

e e-cAmp magazine November 2013

ecAmp magazine ecAmp Magazine

INNOVATIVE FAMILY CAMPING

ecAmp Magazine ecAmp magazine WIN WIN WIN Great prizes up for grabs in our end of year competitions – check them out on page 8

editor’s welcome

clive garreTt

Our very own Outwell camper

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inter is still on the horizon as I write this month’s leader but, while TV weather forecasts predict the usual seasonal gloom, we are still enjoying some lovely sunny days and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we might yet snatch some weekends away before the bad weather really sets in.

It is hard to gather the enthusiasm for a late season camp when newspapers like the Daily Express rant on about unseasonal extremes about to hit our shores with huge November snow storms. But, until it happens I’ll rely on our own Met Office reports and count on the norm – my camping gear will stay out in case we get a sunny weekend that cries out for a night under canvas.

Of course, those who cast stones, consult runes or touch up sea weed could well be right and I’ll be left with egg on my face as you read this – if any actually reach my remote part of rural Lincolnshire through the snow drifts. That being the case my wife, Tricia, and I will snuggle in front of our wood fire, pour another glass of our favourite tipple

and start planning next season’s camping.

It is well worth while spending some quality time discussing holiday plans with the family – no matter if it be a weekend away or for a longer spell. Different ideas will be thrown on the table and you may end up enjoying an experience or trying an area that would otherwise have never crossed your mind.

Such forward planning will also allow you time to book that popular campsite well in advance before the Easter and May Day bookings take hold and the high season pitch availability falls like the temperatures forecast by the Daily Express.

While Tricia tends to concentrate on seeking out new areas to visit and places to explore I will often use this time to research the less well known campsites. After all, the media and guide books tend to concentrate on just a few of Britain’s thousands of campsites, leaving many more ready to be found by campers who are willing to spend time discovering some little gems and who are willing to camp with minimum facilities. High on my list are the sites that make up The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Certificated Site network – a huge choice of sites in a staggering range of locations that include pub beer gardens, the grounds of stately homes and museums!

The quiet Hideaways are particularly nice and peaceful. Why not consider a weekend at one of these great sites? We could meet up… if we can find each other!

Happy camping

Clive Garrett Editor

content 3 Meet the fans We meet a very hospitable couple from Nottinghamshire – Hank and Shirley Waddingham

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

4 Site reviews The lovely Knight Stainforth Hall near Settle is the venue for this month’s campsite review

5 Cooking with Outwell Guyrope Gourmet cooks up a tasty surf and turf with a twist

6 Technical feature We think gas is the most convenient solution for rustling up hot meals on a campsite and we look at some of the things you need to know…

7 Q&A of the month How we size our tent bedrooms

8 Competitions We have two great competitions to end the year. Just send us your pics and tips to win some great prizes with a total value of more than £600!

Editorial Issue: November 2013 Editor Clive Garrett editorial@outwell.com Publisher Lotte Simonsen los@oase-outdoors.dk Design Kaja Damgaard Please note, email addresses are for editorial use only – product related emails should be sent to info@outwell.com 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.

Conkers – a great game for autumn camps! Have you got any pictures that epitomise camping? Then enter our competition on page 8 (Image: Charlie Gill) 2 e-cAmp magazine November 2013

meet the fans

open air

Warm welcome Meet Shirley and Hank Waddingham – founders and administrators of the Outwell Camping Club Notts Facebook page. Our hospitable campers make use of every spare moment to get out and about camping and you can read all about their exploits on their Outwell fan club page if you aren’t lucky enough to join them on the campsite.

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ank and Shirley became bornagain campers around seven years ago. They just love the outdoor life and the opportunity it brings to get away from the modern day doldrums. And, of course, their chosen camping brand is Outwell.

Hank says: “We chose Outwell because of its good reputation in the camping field and its reliability to withstand the typical English weather. We have three Outwell tents to suit different needs.

Our Monty 6P is great and spacious for long breaks. We use the Birdland 4 for weekends away – it’s a great touring tent. We also have a Cleveland 5P that we’ve yet to use although we expect it to be a good all rounder.”

The Waddingham’s favourite local campsite is Sherwood Holiday Park: “It has lovely surroundings and the camp shop is a great place to pick up some bargain camping gear.

“The site also has four fishing lakes.

The play areas are great for children and there’s walks and cycling opportunities from the site. Sherwood has a bit of something for everyone.”

Hank and Shirley love walking – in fact it’s their favourite camping pursuit and their faithful dog goes everywhere with

Hank and Shirley’s main holiday tent is their Montana 6P – a model that remains a firm favourite with many Outwell campers. In fact, a recent straw poll that we carried out amongst Facebook fans showed an overwhelming appreciation of this award-winning family tent that cements its reputation as a modern day classic.

them. “She loves camping as much as we do,” says Shirley, “But, if the sun is out we all love just chilling out by the tent and watching the world go by.”

Shirley’s favourite bit of camping gear is their queen-size airbed: “It’s better than the bed at home,” she says. Hank’s is his Vacanza coolbox: “It’s so quiet and, yes, it keeps the beer cool in hot weather.”

Our camping couple are always on hand to help newcomers and they advise that people should start with a small tent to see if they like the camping life and then gradually build up the equipment they may need.

Hank says: “You’ll save money in the long run and a small tent is easier to handle while you learn the ropes.”

However, their main soapbox is ‘NO BARBECUES IN THE TENT – carbon monoxide is a silent killer’.

Finally, Hank says: “We love camping whatever weather. It’s a great way of getting out and socialising with likeminded people, enjoying the sounds of nature and seeing so many different, stunning, vistas at different times of year. We have met some great people along the way, so, just get out there and go camping – it’s great!”

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

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s the camping season draws to a close it’s been another good and busy year.

Plenty of sunshine and heavy rain to test tents, gear and, of course, will power.

It’s easy to maintain the will when the forecast is fine even as the heavens open but not so easy to drum up enthusiasm for a winter trip. But, with so many sites open for much longer, it’s pretty easy to find a pitch. More important is the increased availability of electric hook-ups for tents.

This allows two crucial elements for cosy, convenient winter camping – heat and light. I’m a convert to the easy comfort it brings. It was once about keeping food and drink cool in summer. Now it’s the potential it brings camping from December to February. This is not ‘soft’ camping for we want fun not a survival challenge. If it’s in a tent it’s camping and there’s no ban on being warm and comfortable.

I’ve enjoyed winter camping for most of my life but it tended to be backpacking – it’s relatively easy to pack up a small tent and seek out warmth when temperatures drops too low for comfort. And, while great to fulfil the desire ‘to get away from it all’ it’s great to get back for a hot shower.

No matter your camping preference, light or heat at the flick of a switch doesn’t negate outdoor experiences. After yet another canoe capsize in late spring a tent heater would have been more than welcome for it took hours to warm up.

Perhaps the exclusive term ‘glamping’ could be replaced with the friendlier notion of ‘cosy camping’. It avoids a hierarchy of style and experience so a retired couple touring can enjoy a similar experience to a young family pitched for a fortnight.

Put me down as a founder member of the Cosy Camping Club – I expect to see a lot of Outwell fans flying the CCC banner.

Above: Montana 6P

November 2013 e-cAmp magazine 3

Site reviews

Little

Stainforth

Above: Classic Yorkshire stone buildings Top right: Pitches are clearly defined Bottom right: Great playground for the kids

Situated two miles north of the market town of Settle, Knight Stainforth Hall makes the ideal base for those walking in the Three Peaks Area of Yorkshire or just wanting to explore the stunning surrounding countryside.

Mark Songhurst pays a visit with his wife, Janette…

The site his is a great example of Yorkshire’s fantastic family run campsites. With the modern shower block and large playground it is the ideal base for a family get away.

Janette and I have used this site a number of times and enjoyed every visit. It is perfect for when I walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks as it is only a few miles away from the start at Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

The stunning views up and down the valley add to the beauty of this well laid out site.

It has a mixture of fenced, spacious electric pitches and a large camping field.

You will be welcomed to the site by a member of Maudsley family who have been farming this area for centuries. Nothing is too much trouble and we appreciate the licensed shop that carries a large range of goods.

Entertainment includes an on-site TV room and games room. Settle has a small

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Knight Stainforth Hall Little Stainforth Settle North Yorkshire BD24 0DP Web: knightstainforth.co.uk Tel: 01729 822200 Facilities • Electric and non-electric pitches • Chemical disposal points • Toilets and showers 4 e-cAmp magazine November 2013

swimming pool but the site is close to a river, which has provided a refreshing balm the day after completing the Three Peaks! You can also fish here if you have a licence.

The area The site is well placed for walking and other outdoor pursuits like climbing. There are plenty of attractions within reach and these include: • Underground adventures at White Scar and Ingleborough Caverns • Ride the Settle to Carlisle Steam Railway • Malham Cove offers some classic walks • See the potters at work at the Ingleton Pottery and buy some Stoneware • Ingleton Waterfalls is a privately owned walk with great photo opportunities • Settle is a lovely market town that’s well worth visiting • Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre • • • • • • • •

Washing-up and laundry facilities Gas sales Site shop Ice pack freezing service TV and games room Kids’ playground Fishing on site WiFi

Tourism Information Email: settle@ytbtic.co.uk Tel: 01729 825192

Eating out The Craven Heifer is a short walk across the bridge from the site. It offers a good choice of Thwaites beers and a nice menu. There are a number of pubs and restaurants in Settle and we quite like a takeaway from the Shambles Fish and Chips shop in the centre of town.

Above: Wonderful countryside just waiting to be explored surrounds the campsite Eat local The campsite sells locally sourced meat and it is worth visiting the Serendipity Delicatessen in Settle. For more ideas check out http://yorkshiredalesfood.net/ northyorkshirelocalfood/ Did you know?

The composer Edward Elgar regularly visited a friend who lived in Settle and there is plaque dedicated to this fact on the market square

guyrope gourmet

Sea and surf

Shoppin g list Perfect mackere rice with smo k l and bla ck pudded ing Ingre

dients – Serves f our ✓ Half a small black pu ✓4 large dding rin flat mu g shroom ✓ 6 smo s ked mac kerel fil ✓ 8oz Ba lets (sk smati ri in remove ce d) ✓ 16oz w ater ✓ 12 cherr y tomat oes ✓Fresh basil ✓ Flaked sea salt ✓ 6 blac k pepperc orns ✓ 1 star anise ✓ Drop o f olive o il

- with a twist

This one uses my ‘perfect rice’ recipe. Smoked mackerel is so versatile. Usually vacuum packed, it’s perfect for taking on a camping trip as it will keep well in the cool box. The crispy black pudding gives a great bite against the fluffy rice and the smoky flavour of the fish and the mushrooms makes this one of my favourite easy dishes.

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Cookbook news

lace the rice, star anise, peppercorns and bay leaf into a saucepan, together with a pinch of sea salt and the water. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil. Turn to a low heat and leave to simmer very gently for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and stir gently with a fork. You will see that the majority of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Fold a tea towel in half and place over the pan. Place the lid back on a press into place to form a tight fit. Fold the hanging corners of the tea towel onto the pan lid to stop them burning on the flame. Continue to simmer on very low heat for a further five minutes. Turn off the heat and leave to stand unopened for another five minutes or until you are ready to add the other ingredients.

While the rice is cooking, remove the skin of the black pudding and cut into small chunks measuring about 1cm. Fry until crispy over a moderate flame in a drop of olive oil. Chop the mushrooms and add to the pan just before the black pudding begins to crisp up. Flake the mackerel fillets into the pan and stir just to warm through. Add this to the cooked rice and fork through a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes and ripped basil leaves. Serve with sweet chilli sauce.

This delicious recipe is taken from the new Guyrope Gourmet cookbook, published by Punk Publishing with our support. And you can support the author by purchasing your signed copy from the Guyrope Gourmet website here.

We would love to hear from all budding Guyrope Gourmets and share your recipes with other Outwell campers in e-cAmp magazine – just send them with a few images to editorial@outwell.com

November 2013 e-cAmp magazine 5

Technical features

Cooking on gas

Most campers consider gas to be the most convenient fuel to use for cooking when camping but how many people just buy a stove, hose, regulator and gas without understanding or considering the factors that dictate choice, enhanced convenience and safe use? Our brief guide may give you some food for thought.

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Never try to repair a regulator – they do not cost that much so carry a spare in case the one in use seizes.

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utwell gas stoves use top materials to ensure a long life working in the outdoor environment. Although not operating at the same high temperatures as your stove at home the burners are made from stainless steel to prevent damage and rust. Stable, easy to use and clean, the stoves make the ideal platforms from which to cook up a tasty meal. But are you making the best of them – or even think about maintenance or the fuel that you burn?

Outdoor cooking goes beyond recipes – it pays to understand the tools that you use. Even a basic knowledge will help you get the best from your gear and improve the camping experience. Read on…

Fuel Campers have the choice of propane or butane without modifying our stoves. Propane (normally supplied in a red cylinder) operates at a higher pressure and requires a different regulator to suit. It has a low boiling

= = Top and middle: Gas cylinders use different regulators Above: The Campingaz cylinder handle also protects the valve Right: Manufacture date on a gas hose 6 e-cAmp magazine November 2013

Tip

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Above: Family mealtimes are a fun outdoor activity that all can enjoy – but remember to use a well-maintained stove safely

point and can be used in temperatures down to -43°C – ideal for winter camping. Butane (normally supplied in a blue cylinder) begins to freeze at about 3°C so is less efficient in cold weather. However, it burns cleaner and you get slightly more for your bucks.

You rent your cylinders and then just purchase the refill via a cylinder exchange when empty. Prices vary greatly between suppliers so check them out carefully – especially if travelling abroad.

Tip: Some cylinders have a gauge showing what’s left in a cylinder or you can take the empty (tare) weight from the cylinder and convert from pounds to kilograms by multiplying by 0.453592. Place on some bathroom scales to get its total weight and deduct the empty cylinder weight to give you how much gas you have left against the fill weight.

Regulators There is no universal regulator and you have to match your regulator with the gas type and gas supplier. Some regulators simply clip on to the

Safety first • Never use a naked flame to locate a leak • Never change a cylinder while smoking or near a flame • Change a cylinder in the open air • Disconnect regulator and turn off any cylinder valve before travel • Do not use a stove near inflammable materials

• Do not move a stove when lit • Store, transport and use cylinders in the upright position • Treat a cylinder with care and do not subject to heat • REMEMBER while natural gas is not poisonous in itself it does produce carbon monoxide when burnt and this is deadly in enclosed spaces. Cook outside on a stable surface

Hot tips cylinder. Others screw on. Calor Gas requires a gas spanner to connect its regulator – using a counter-clockwise twist to prevent you accidently undoing the connection.

Camping abroad Every country has its own gas suppliers and few are compatible with each other which means that you may have to rent a new cylinder and buy a suitable regulator to match if you run out of gas while camping abroad. Either take a spare cylinder or use Campingaz that is readily available throughout most of Europe.

Various adaptors are available to convert regulators when abroad but check requirements before leaving home.

Hose Use the correct hose – those manufactured in the UK are stamped with the British Standard 3212 (pictured opposite).

Ensure you have ample hose to connect cylinder to stove without placing stress on joints or pulling the stove from the work surface. The hose is normally pushed onto the regulator and stove, being kept in place with jubilee clips. If you find it hard to push on heat the hose ends by immersing them in hot water to make them supple.

Once connected smear the joints with washing-up liquid and turn on the gas – bubbles will show up any leaks if your sense of smell does not pick up the pungent smell of the chemical added for this purpose.

Regularly inspect the hose for signs of wear and tear and replace at least every five years from the date of manufacture that you’ll find stamped on the hose.

Time to share those tips that you find help improve camping life!

Each month we publish a few from our postbag so drop us a line and help spread the knowledge...

Check out our Top Tips competition on page 8 •

When packing the car put the things you need last in first and furthest away, and the things you need first closest to make unpacking easier. Rachel Chico by email

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Put an extra groundsheet outside your door for rainy days to help keep mud at bay. Louise Kent by email

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Water proof shoes, like Crocs and flip-flops, are essential whenever nature calls in the middle of the night. They’re easy to slip on and off, and can be worn right into the shower to avoid all the germs that must exist on the shower floors of public campsite. Jenny Harris by email

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Line a pop-up laundry hamper with a plastic bag and use as a bin when no public bins available. Lana Quinn by email

q&a of the month Dear Outwell Below: Camping demands a hearty breakfast – and gas is provides a convenient fuel for cooking (image: Charlie Gill) In use Synthetic tent fabrics are even more susceptible to damage than cotton and modern tent designs that feature sewn-in groundsheets cut down on ventilation. These factors make it highly suspect to use of any sort of fuel-burning stove in a tent.

Fire and carbon monoxide poisoning are real risks…

It is wise to cook outside using an extension, tarp or separate cook tent in inclement weather. A good, stable kitchen unit will keep the work surface at the correct height for comfort and safety.

Maintenance Inspect hose and stove regularly for signs of wear, damage or loose connections. Clean your stove before storage and wipe down with light oil, like WD40, to keep rust at bay.

Store your gas cylinder upright and dry in an out building, or under cover, away from any heat source. Use the supplied cap to keep the outlet valve clean and free from dirt.

I recently went to check out tents and I see that manufacturers still do not size them realistically. I think a three-man tent is really only fit for two adults. How are they sized?

Unknown via Facebook Hi all, his is a common question asked many times each year as campers come to buy their new tents. And it is a fair question for bedrooms often appear very small for the number of people they are supposed to house.

However, all manufacturers use an industry standard to size the sleeping capacity of an inner tent. This allows 60cm width per person for sleeping compartments. Not a lot if you take into account space required for any extras like clothes but it does provide some small measure by which to compare tents.

We recognise that this is not enough and that is why we also quote our own Sleep Comfort recommendation for the number of people – adults and children – that our inners can accommodate to ensure the required comfort and space for a good night’s sleep. This allows 7080cm per person which caters for airbeds, mats etc, as well as a small amount of personal belongings.

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November 2013 e-cAmp magazine 7

image of the year competition

WIN! Top table and chair set up for grabs in our new Image of the year competition

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he rapidly approaching long, cold nights are just the opportunity to trawl through your holiday snaps and relive those memories of sunny summer days under canvas. And we want you to share those pictorial memories with us!

We have enjoyed seeing your pictures so much on Facebook and in e-cAmp this year that we’ve decided to run our own Image of the year competition and find the best shot that captures all that is good about the Outwell camping experience.

There are no strict picture guidelines except keep it clean and try to represent what you enjoy about camping. This could be living in your Outwell, families at play, stunning scenery and sunsets – the choice is yours!

Entry is easy. Just email up to three of your pictures with captions to us at competition@outwell.com and we will post them in a special Facebook gallery. Place ‘Image of the year competition’ in the subject line and remember to include your full contact details.

WORTH £450+ We will publish the best in e-cAmp and choose the best of the best for our Image of the year.

And that winning pic will not just appear in e-cAmp but it will also net the lucky Outwell fan a Fredericton table and four Watson Stone Grey chairs worth more than £450!

You can find full details of the competition on our website at outwell.com

Top tips win prizes We’re offering a special competition over November and December in return for you sending in your top tips that we can use in e-cAmp.

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or the next two months our e-cAmp competition will see the best Top Tip entry walk away with a Waldo Hills camp bed, with a Stacks Expand each for two runners-up!

The good-looking Waldo Hills features the simple pull-out one-go-system for easy use. The tough polyester fabric and powder-coated hybrid frame will take a maximum 125kg load. The Stacks Expand is the neat Pack ‘n’ Go solution to storage and packing small items.

8 e-cAmp magazine November 2013

For a chance to win just send us an email with a single tip and your contact details to competition@outwell.com Place ‘Top Tips November competition’ in the subject line. Each reader can send in up to five emails in a month.

Winners will be notified by email as soon as possible after the 3 January 2014 close date. The winner of any duplicate tip will be decided by who is drawn first and we reserve the right to use all tips received in our publications.

Single pole is a winner My Indian Lake is by far the coolest tent I have ever owned. Used for family music festivals it is always much admired.

Jon Richards via Facebook

WORTH £200+