PERFECTLY PACKED Peli

We have a problem at Muddy Towers in that we have too much camping gear, and it’s always difficult to know what to take with us when we decided to go camping, or simply a day at the beach.

Arguments and tantrums would often ensue as I run around the house looking for this and that, and by the time I’ve got everything together and packed in Deux Smurf, it’s usually midday and there’s no point in going. This, dear reader, is why I ended up with three Peli 1650 Protector Cases.

In two of the cases I keep recovery gear and other bits, that I’ll go into in another issue, but my camping case is far more interesting.

On the inside of the lid I have Peli’s lid organiser that I’ve crammed with the following:

•An array of fire starting equipment, including storm proof matches, lighter and ferro rods

•Head torch, normal torch and batteries

•A multitool

•A small solid fuel stove •Notebook and pens

•Small first aid kit

•Suncream

•Sachets of hot chocolate, coffee and sugar that I’ve, erm, borrowed from hotels

•USB cable and small charger

•Cutlery, including the Jetboil utensil kit

•Rubbish bags / bin liners

•Serviettes, tissues and hand wipes

In the case itself:

•Coleman Dual Fuel / unleaded Stove and fuel

•Jetboil Flash and Minimo, including extra gas

•Wolf & Grizzly fire pit and grill

•MSR Flex 3 System that includes pots, cups and plates

•Separate hot plate as the above doesn’t come with a skillet

•MSR Alpine Delux Kitchen

•Collapsible washing up bowl

•Buck Compadre trio - knife, froe and axe

•Gerber Freescape Camp Kitchen - knives and chopping board

•Opinel Nomad - knives and chopping board

•Helinox ONE table •Helinox Savanna chair

•Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set

•Javamill Coffee grinder from GSI Outdoors

•Welding gloves for handling the BBQ and hot plate

•An extra pair of socks!

Everything we need for camping, or a day out is packed in the case, though it isn’t a definitive list - I may decide to remove a product and replace it with something else at any point. For example, do I really need 2 cutting boards and knives in the shape of my Gerber Freescape and Opinel Nomad? Probably not, but they’re both damn good!

It’s a heavy thing, too, including all the gubbins listed above, this case weighs in at 30kg, so although it’s waterproof and dust proof, I wouldn’t want to heave it up on a roof rack any time soon!

On reflection I could’ve bought a drawer system for the back of Deux Smurf, and it may have even been cheaper, and to a point, more practical. However, Deux Smurf isn’t a full-time 4x4 toy, and there are times when I need her cavernous space in the back, like recently when I had to buy a washing machine, I couldn’t wait for it to be delivered, so I collected it myself.

The cases are also useful as when they’re not in use I can store them at Muddy Towers, out of the car and away from prying eyes. Add to that, I get a lot of press cars, and being able to ‘throw’ it in at a moment's notice is handy. Oh, and as they’re so incredibly strong, they can also be used as chairs, tables and even steps!