Petromax 8L Cooler Bag

For decades Muddy Madam and I have been using the same old cooler bag, and it’s been fine for a day, but that’s about it. So for extended time away we searched for something better - so all hail its replacement, the Petromax 8ltr Cooler Bag.

Made using a water-repellent nylon fabric, the cooler bag has sturdy waterproof zips and dirt-resistant surfaces, ideal for the 4x4 owner, campers or those who simply enjoy the outdoors.

It’s practical too, on both the front and rear there are zipped pockets that provide space for small items, such as cutlery, kindling or a lighter. The zipped pocket on the rear can be a struggle to get your hands in as it has a narrow opening, but then I have large hands! There are also mesh pockets on both ends as well as a bottle opener fitted to the rear of the bag.

Size-wise it measures 32.5 x 26.5 x 24.5 cm on the outside and 28 x 18 x 16.5 cm on the inside, which is handy if you’re taking it shopping for cold and frozen stuff.

When it comes to lugging it around, not only does it have an extendable padded shoulder strap, but there are also two side straps on either end and a large sturdy handle on the lid.

Of course the most important part of any cool bag is how it performs, and using good quality icepacks the 8ltr version has the ability to keep food cold and fresh for up to four days, or six if you opt for the larger 24ltr version.

When empty it weighs in at just 1.3kg and I’m reliably informed is sturdy enough for a small child to sit on.

We’ve had this cooler for a month or so now, and it’s been faultless at keeping food and drinks perfectly cold and frozen, but as we’re still in December, the real test will be during summer, but judging by its performance so far I have no doubt it’ll work just as it should.

price: £119.95 more at » https://www.whitbyandco.co.uk

I have a thing for carbon steel cookware, in particularly my Open Fire Set from Madog Outdoors, and to keep it in tip top condition, Craig has created his own seasoning wax.

Formulated to give your seasoned cookware the most durable seasoning layer possible it’s made from the perfect balance of sunflower oil (high in omega-6) and rapeseed oil (high in omega-3), and provides the ideal chemical composition for

Madog Seasoning Wax

developing a durable seasoning layer on both your cast iron and carbon steel cookware.

The wax is also reinforced with beeswax that helps to create a stronger net-like structure to your seasoning layer, which results in a better non-stick surface and increased durability.

Specifically designed to withstand flaking at high temperatures, it's perfect for searing and cooking over an open flame. Not only is it made from 100% natural ingredients, but Craig even includes the recipe on the tin if you want to make a second batch yourself!

Madog Seasoning Wax can be rubbed onto your BBQ grates, massaged into your favourite Dutch oven, or lathered up in your Madog Open Fire cookware.

price: £12 more at » madogoutdoors.com

New Stuff we've discovered this month

3 Second Tent

Apparently, this pop-up, lightweight, multi-season tent, which popped up (see what I did there) on my Facebook feed, will change your experience of camping. The pre-assembled mechanism will save you plenty of set up time, allowing you to crack open a cold one, sit back and watch your mates struggle.

To erect, simply remove it from its bag, lay the rods flat on the ground and lift the tent upwards. From here you push the inner rods down to lock the tent, and that’s it. Don’t believe me, watch the video on the website. Disassembling looks just as easy.

When it comes to durability it's double-skinned and is sealed and protected with taped seams. It has a built-in flysheet, a HH rating of 3000mm, and comes with 2 doors, a waterproof rain cover and a set of pegs.

Available in 3 sizes:1-2, 2-3 & 3-5 person prices: normally £179.90 - £394.60 though grab one now as they are currently 50% OFF! more at » uk.reactiveoutdoor.com

The new Range Rover, L504, was released last year, and by now pretty much all of you will have spotted a few on the roads. That said, they’re not the easiest to spot, especially from the front as they look similar to the previous model. Checking out their derrière, however, is a different matter, as those rear lights are a bit of a statement, and not to everyone’s taste.