When April comes with softly shining eyes,
And daffodils bound in her wind-blown hair,
Oh, she will coax all clouds from out the skies,
And every day will bring some sweet surprise…
Verna Sheard – When April comes
So after what‘s seemed like a long winter, thoughts are turning again to journeys on the bike. Time to air all the camping gear and pour over maps and finally settle on some of the many routes I’ve been thinking of.
It’s also provided a chance to spend some money and try some new kit. So this year I’ll be trying a larger but still very lightweight tent, with a little more room to hide the Brompton inside if needed and to spread things out for extra comfort. It also comes with two doors, which may seem unnecessary but adds to ventilation on a hot day (if we have them)
As an added bonus it comes from Canada, unlike a lot of potential choices which were American.
Cooking systems too are under review. Thanks to some very generous Christmas gifts, I have a full Trangia cookset. Proper old school camping gear built to last and running on alcohol. Not sure yet if I will use on every camping trip, but for longer ones where finding gas may be more of an issue, I almost certainly will.
Trangia is of course Swedish, so another plus !
But to kick things off none of these will be used, as in a week and a bits time, I’m off on a plane assisted trip with the Brompton and basing myself in a hotel.
I’ve been to this city/area several times before. Most notably being there on a momentous day in November 1989.
Hopefully things will be a little less austere this time !
Steady Pedals 