Re-Wind Solar Radio

My husband is notoriously difficult to buy presents for and every time his birthday or Christmas comes around it is a hit and miss affair. He isn't very good at hiding his thoughts either, which can make for a very depressing present opening session. It is doubly frustrating because, every year, at least two months before the big day, I start asking for some ideas in order to avoid the disappointed puppy look on the day! To date, he hasn't given me a single, sensible idea.

Last year I bought him a solar-powered, wind-up radio as a little extra. It cost me just under £15.00 and, to be honest, I didn't have great expectations of it.

I'll explain why I bought it. In 1997 we were camping in the southern Dordogne in late August. Early one morning, I toddled off to the little shop on site to buy our morning baguette. As I was paying, the owner said, in very hesitant English, something about Princess Diana and hospitals. I wasn't sure what he was saying so I wandered back to our tent pondering on why he would mention Princess Diana at 7.30am. I mentioned it to 'he who is rarely obeyed' and we decided that something pretty big must have happened. Little did we know that we would spend most of that day sitting in the car trying to tune the radio into the BBC World Service to listen to one of the biggest news stories ever while worrying about flattening the car battery. We even had lunch in the car, listening as the full, sad story broke.

Move forward to 2014 and my present-buying dilemma. I remembered our frustration at having to sit in the car just to listen to the radio and decided that a nice little portable radio might be a nice thing to have next to us as we sit in our recliners watching the world go by. My husband never has a day without a newspaper if he can avoid it but it is not always easy hundreds of miles from home. Listening to the news on the radio is one solution.

I bought the Re-Wind radio after reading reviews on Amazon. There are several makes of solar-powered, wind-up radios on the market so, if you are tempted, have a look around. Some also have a built in torch and alarm clock settings but I wasn't too bothered by these features. The model I bought is a simple FM/AM radio that can be powered by solar energy, by cranking the wind-up handle or via a USB port before you leave home. We leave it on the dashboard of the campervan when we are not driving and have found that it charges continuously, even on a fairly grey day. The manufacturers claim that 1 minute of winding will give 20 minutes of listening, and with 5 hours of charging under sunlight you will get 30 minutes of radio time. Fully charged they claim 7 hours of radio use. We haven't tested these claims out but we can say that it hasn't died on us yet in the middle of listening! We bought ours for camping but I can see it would be just as useful in the garden, at the allotment, on the riverbank or at work.

What do we like about it then?:-

• it is really compact (130x73x41mm plus 33mm antenna)
• it's lightweight (203g)
• it is very portable
• it doesn't require batteries
• it charges up well in all levels of sunshine (or lack of..!)
• it has a soft, non-slip rubberised casing
• it feels well made
• it is good value for money at £14.95
• the sound quality is pretty good
• it is straightforward to use and to tune
• even someone with restricted mobility would probably be able to use this radio because there are no tiny, fiddly buttons or knobs to turn

Any negatives? We can't think of any really. It you are as blind as a bat you may need to put your glasses on when you are tuning it because it is a small radio. My husband wears glasses for up-close stuff and he manages it with no problems though.

The J-Pillow - a great little travel pillow

I first came across the J-Pillow when I was searching for travel pillows on Amazon. We had just recently completed a long drive in Denzel the campervan and both kids had fallen asleep in the back on the way home. They woke up with very stiff necks and I used that as an excuse for a spot of Internet shopping!

A quick search will bring up many different types of travel pillow. I looked at them all and read many reviews before settling on the J-Pillow. I paid £15 for mine but I did notice that they varied considerably in price depending on what colour you wanted and where you got it from. I was impressed by the number of very positive reviews so I took a chance and bought one pillow to try out. We were so impressed we have since bought two more (one for each passenger - not for the driver!)

The J-Pillow looks as if it shouldn't be comfortable. It even comes with a diagram showing you how to use it because it is not immediately intuitive. It does, however, cradle your head providing support where it is needed and stopping your head from falling forward. We have all used one now and we are all agreed that it is very comfortable. I suffer from an old whiplash injury that requires fairly regular treatment from a Chiropractor. I always sleep with an orthopaedic pillow because, if I don't, I will suffer for several days with neck pain and stiffness. Prior to discovering the J-Pillow I would do everything I could to stay awake on long journeys because I knew I would be in pain afterwards if I did - now I don't have to worry.

Here's what the inventor has to say about the product - 'How does the J-Pillow work?.......Unlike anything else on the market, the J-Pillow is specially designed to cradle your head from the side, keeping it elevated and supported. At the same time, the J-Pillow slots in under your chin to support your head from the front as well. This revolutionary design stops your head from falling forward, which often happens when you nod off. The result just could be the best sleep you'll ever have sitting up.'

Why do I like it?:-

• It is very comfortable with lovely soft fabric
• It squishes down quite small so it can be stuffed into a small space if required - great for travelling by aeroplane or backpacking
• It is an award-winning British invention

What don't I like?:-

• I can't think of anything

So, if you do a lot of travelling and you find it difficult getting comfortable this could be the pillow for you.

Spatchcocked Chicken on the BBQ

This is another favourite camping recipe in our family. It is one that I often prepare before we leave (I often have a couple prepared and in the freezer, we like it so much!) but it can just as easily be made at the campsite. We like it as a change from the ubiquitous bangers and burgers which we love to eat but sometimes it is nice to have a change.

Whether you make this on site or at home before you leave you will need to prepare one element of it in advance - the chicken seasoning rub. I make up a jam jar of this every so often and I always have some in the cupboard. I use it for a lot of things at home but I think it works particularly well on chicken.

Chicken Seasoning Mix

• 2 tbsp Herbes de Provence mix
• 1 tbsp paprika (hot, mild or smoked - your choice)
• 1 tbsp sea salt (I use Maldon, but use whatever you have to hand)
• 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
• 1 tbsp English mustard powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder

I simply bung all of these into my mini food processor and blitz for about a minute. I don't mind the odd lump of peppercorn but, if you want it finer, keep going for longer. You can do this in a mortar and pestle but I am too lazy to bother.

Store in a screw top jar. Slap it over roast chicken along with some olive oil and a squeeze of lemon and you will think you are in deepest Provence.

This recipe is my variation of a recipe that appears in a lovely book about preserving food called 'Preserved' by Nick Sandler and Johnny Acton.

So, you have made your chicken seasoning mix and it is ready to go. Onto the rest of the recipe.

Spatchcocked Chicken with Lemon, Garlic, Onion, Herbs and Seasoning

• 1 chicken (the size will depend upon the surface area of your BBQ - don't buy a huge chicken if you only have a little one!)
• 1 tbsp Chicken Seasoning Mix
• 1 tbsp good quality oil (Rapeseed is my choice)
• Zest and juice of half a lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced (optional)
• Some fresh mixed herbs - whatever you have to hand - I like a mix of Thyme, Rosemary and a couple of Bay leaves

First you need to spatchcock your chicken because it will cook more quickly and evenly on a barbecue this way. This is really easy to do but, if you don't want to tackle it, just ask your butcher to do it for you. Firstly, remove any string that is keeping the chicken together. Then turn your chicken breast side down on the chopping board and, starting at it's bottom, cut up either side of the backbone and remove it. I use poultry shears because I find it easier but a good pair of kitchen scissors will do the job too.

Once the backbone is removed, turn the chicken over and press down, with the heel of your hand, in the middle of the two breasts to flatten it. Et voila!! You have a spatchcocked chicken.

Next, you need to bash together the garlic, herbs & lemon jest with the lemon juice and the oil. At home I use my mini food processor, on site I either use a mortar and pestle if I have one or I just chop the garlic, herbs and lemon zest on a board, tip into a spare jam jar and add the oil and lemon juice before giving it all a good shake.

This mix needs to be poured over the chicken, making sure that the skin is covered.

The last thing to do is to sprinkle over the chicken seasoning, the onion if you are using it, and leave it all to marinate somewhere cool.

When I make this in advance I put the chicken in a vacuum bag and use my vacuum sealer to keep it fresh. It will happily keep in the fridge for  up to 3 weeks or I often freeze it.

When you are ready to cook, take the chicken out and brush off any onion that is clinging to it. Put it on the BBQ for about 10-12 minutes each side, turning once or twice. If you like you can fry the onions in a pan alongside the chicken on the BBQ if there is room or fire up a camping stove.

Serve with salad, maybe some new potatoes or garlic bread and a very large glass of your favourite tipple. Bloody lovely!!

Camping Drop Scone Recipe

When I was a kid we used to make these little drop scones on a Sunday afternoon. We would have them with butter and jam, maple syrup or, occasionally, clotted cream and jam. They are really quick and easy to make and are perfect to make when camping. I take a zip-lock bag with the dry ingredients weighed out and mixed already with me. All I have to do on site is mix in the wet ingredients.

CAMPING DROP SCONES

Ingredients

115g Plain Flour
1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1/4 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
Pinch of Salt
1 tsp Caster Sugar
1 Beaten Egg
1/4 pnt Milk
A knob of butter


Method

Mix the first 5 (dry) ingredients together and store in a zip-lock bag and take with you.

When the urge comes upon you, make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients (best done in a bowl but can be done, at a push, in the zip-lock bag if you don't have a bowl or can't be bothered to wash up afterwards!) and whisk in the egg and the milk, making a smooth batter.

Lightly butter a flat griddle or frying pan and heat it up over a medium heat. Drop (hence their name) dollops of the batter onto the griddle. After a minute or two, little bubbles will start to appear on the surface. When they do, flip them over for another 1-2 minutes.

Serve with butter and jam, clotted cream and jam, fresh strawberries, maple syrup or anything else that takes your fancy.

Enjoy!

If you have any left over mix we can confirm that fat brown spaniels like them too - particularly with strawberry jam!

The Stol Chair - truly portable

We bought four of these Stol chairs from Swedish company Ergolife last year to replace some rather tired, old, folding beach chairs that we had.

I was drawn to them because this unique, ergonomic chair has been developed for situations where your back does not have appropriate support. It is easy to use and gives you a comfortable, portable seat wherever you go. I find it increasingly difficult to sit on the ground without some sort of back support so picnics, trips to the beach, festivals and outdoor concerts of other sporting events were becoming less and less appealing.

The chair has smooth slats, made from natural birch wood, that are positioned to ensure lower and upper back support. It can be used on hard or soft surfaces and is as comfortable on a bench or rock as it is on the ground.

 



What I like about the chair is:-

• it is easy to use and gives you a comfortable, portable seat
• it appears to be well designed and well made and should last for years
• it offers good support whatever size and shape you are
• they are small enough to keep in the boot of your car
• they roll up into a drawstring bag that is 40cm long by 10cm diameter. They weigh 985g.
• they look good!

The negatives:-

• if you sit on a wet surface you may get a wet bum because the slats have gaps between them
• they aren't cheap at between £25-£30 each
• they take a few goes to find the perfect sitting position. You have to shuffle back as far as possible. Not really a negative but worth a mention.

In summary, if you are looking for a lightweight, portable and versatile chair that folds down into a compact size, you might find these hard to beat.

If you want to see a selection of ridiculously slim and attractive Swedish people enjoying their Stol chairs, take a look at the YouTube link below. If you want to see some overweight, pale Brits using theirs you will have to wait until I've filmed us!!

Sit-On-Top Kayaks

We are very fortunate to live within a short drive of four very different rivers - the Wye, the Severn, the Avon and the Thames. All four rivers offer opportunities for fun on the water so, with that in mind, a few years ago we decided to treat ourselves to three kayaks. We currently have a double sit-on-top and two singles. We have recently added an inflatable kayak to our collection too.

We did a considerable amount of research before we made our purchases, going to open days at different retailers in order to try out a selection of canoes and kayaks before we chose.

So, what is the difference between canoes, kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks? The most obvious difference is the sitting position. In a canoe (often referred to as Canadian canoes) the paddler either kneels on the bottom of the boat or sits on a raised seat. In a kayak the paddler sits on a low seat with their legs extended in front. You have to climb into a kayak and your legs are enclosed. With a sit-on-top kayak you literally sit on the top of it. The next obvious difference is in the type of paddle you use and the number of blades it has. A canoe paddle has a blade on one end, while a kayak paddle is bladed at both ends.

Why did we choose a sit-on-top? At the time we started looking our children were around 10 and 7 years old. We tried Canadian canoes but found that they struggled to paddle them and we found them difficult to paddle alone. As we couldn't find a canoe that could comfortably accommodate two adults, two growing children and a fat spaniel it quickly became clear that Canadian canoes were not going to be an option for us - at least not for a few years until the children were older.

We have a relative who has a kayak so we were able to spend time messing about with hers on the river Thames one summer. It was a lovely kayak, very light and easy to steer and fast through the water but none of us were comfortable with the enclosed nature of a traditional kayak. We were worried that the children would panic in the event of a capsize and would not be able to get out quickly. Then, at an open day run by a local canoe and kayak retailer, we tried a sit-on-top for the first time and we loved it. My advice to anyone thinking of buying any sort of canoe or kayak would be to make sure that you try before you buy. You can either do this through a reputable retailer, who will be only to happy for you to have a play with a variety of different canoes and kayaks, or by paying for a days hire, loading up a picnic and giving it a go.

Sit-on-top kayaking is enormous fun, whether you are on a river, a lake or the sea, they can cope with everything. As a sport it is accessible to almost everyone and you do not need to be particularly fit to enjoy it. Sit-on-tops are made from moulded plastic and they come in all shapes and sizes. They are very stable and easy to paddle. We found our children took to them very quickly because they did not have a fear of capsizing - it you tip a sit-on-top over you simply fall off into the water.  They are slightly more cumbersome  through the water than a traditional kayak but, I think, less so than a Canadian canoe. We transport ours on roof bars on the car with no difficulty. The double kayak is big and heavy and takes two people to get it onto the roof where as the single ones can be loaded by one person.

So, where can you paddle in the UK? It would be wonderful if you could drop your kayak into any river, lake or canal that you fancied and paddle away but it is not quite that simple (but it isn't hugely complicated either). The restrictions in England and Wales are considerably more than in Scotland where they take a much more relaxed view of rights of way and of navigation.

RIVERS

Messing about on a river can be a fantastic way of seeing the countryside from a different perspective. You will see wildlife that you would not normally see and, if you are lucky, you may experience total solitude. It is a lovely way to unwind from a busy working week.

In England and Wales the situation regarding use of our rivers is not terribly enlightened, with  many landowners claiming ancient rights over the river that flows through their land. This is particularly so if they also sell fishing rights. Many of the larger rivers, such as the Severn, the Thames and the Trent require a British waterways licence (this is included in the cost of membership of the British Canoe Union). The larger rivers are often busy with floating gin palaces passing up and downstream. Be aware of the rules of the road and always paddle on the right. You can find a lot of useful information on the do's and don'ts on the British Canoe Union website.

To the best of my knowledge, the river Wye is the only river in England and Wales that has a right of navigation for virtually all of it's length. This explains why it is so popular and why there are so many canoe hire companies and campsites based along it's banks. The beauty of the Wye is that it has something for everyone. There are sections that you should not attempt unless you are experienced but there are many sections that are suitable for the complete novice. If you are interested in trying some canoeing or kayaking on the Wye the best place to start is with a marvellous little book called 'Wye Canoe? Canoeists Guide to the River Wye' produced by the Environment Agency for Wales. This will tell you everything you could possibly want to know about canoeing on the Wye (see below for a link to a downloadable PDF of this book)

CANALS

As the 'roads' of the industrial revolution in the 18th & 19th century, canals run through the heart of many historic towns and cities. They also pass through some beautiful countryside. The licence included in the membership pack of the British Canoe Union covers the entire canal network. The drawback of using canals is the locks. Canoeists must get out and carry (portage) their canoe around the locks. My advice, if you plan to use canals, is to do some research and try to find stretches with few locks. Canals are often busy with large boats so, if you are not very confident, you may wish to avoid them.

LAKES

The same access considerations apply to lakes as to rivers. Many will be privately owned and you will have no right to use them. On others, such as many in the Lake District, you will find all types of craft including canoes and kayaks. Paddling on lakes can be incredibly hard work, particularly if the lake is large and it is windy. You have been warned!

THE SEA

Sit-on-tops are incredibly popular at the coast because you can have a huge amount of fun riding the surf once you have the knack. However, it is essential that you make sure that you take advice from lifeguards and other surfers familiar with the beach you plan to use. Local conditions may make kayaking unsafe in certain coastal locations. Make sure you understand the tides, currents and the effect the wind can have before you venture out.

So, you have your kayak or canoe, what other equipment will you need to get started? The list below shows what we bought initially:-

• buoyancy aid - a no-brainer!
• paddles - basic ones often come as part of a package
• removable clip in seats with adjustable back support
• straps to secure the kayak to your car

That's it! There are other bits and pieces and items of specialist clothing you can buy but that is all you need to get out there and have some fun. In terms of clothing, we go for layers that you can easily put on and take off. We tend to wear aqua shoes or neoprene wetsuit boots (you will get wet feet!) and a windproof jacket, such as a soft-shell is a useful addition.

If you know you will be out all day take enough drink and food to keep you going (unless you plan to paddle past a lovely riverside pub, in which case, take your wallet!) and a mobile phone in a waterproof case in case you have a problem.

I also bought three books that I have found very useful:-

• 'Wye Canoe? Canoeists guide to the River Wye' - Environment Agency Wales
• 'Sit-on-top Kayak' - Derek Hairon
• 'Pub Paddles - the best short canoe trips in the South of England' - Peter Knowles

Happy paddling!

What have the Romans ever done for us.....?!

There are many sites in Gloucestershire to visit if you have an interest in the Roman occupation of Britain. Some of them, such as Chedworth Roman Villa at Yanworth and the Corineum Museum in Cirencester are very popular tourist attractions that offer an informative and interesting visit and an enjoyable day out. Others are hidden, often known only to locals and take a bit more effort to find. Some are marked on a map but you could easily miss them if you didn't know they were there. At these you won't find visitors centres, information boards, tea shops of gift shops but you will feel if you have been on an adventure!

To keep you in suspense a little longer, I am going to talk about Chedworth Roman Villa first! The villa is owned and managed by the National Trust and the site includes the villa itself, a museum, a lovely little café and a gift shop. We really enjoy a day or half day out here, often combining a visit with a circular walk from the villa through some beautiful countryside that includes quiet back lanes, ancient woodland and arable farmland. There are several walks you can do from here that you will find in many local walking guides and in publications available from the gift shop. Our walks usually either start or finish with something from the on-site café which you can access without having to pay to go into the villa if you prefer not to.

I love the history of the accidental discovery, in Victorian times, of one of the largest, most complete Roman villas in the UK. It was discovered by a gamekeeper working on the estate where the villa,  was located. At this time the villa was completely buried under several metres of soil. He noticed that every time one of his terriers went into a rabbit hole it would bring up with it some tiny mosaic tiles. Presumably he eventually mentioned it to his master who arranged for a spot of digging to take place, whereupon they uncovered a small part of the Roman villa we can see today.

Chedworth Roman Villa was home to some of the richest people in the country during its heyday in the 4th century. You can see some of the inventions brought to this country by the Romans - including mosaics, bathhouses, latrines and even underfloor heating. It is possible to get up close to the mosaics, some of which were only excavated in 2015, on elevated walkways. You can read the story of the Victorian gamekeeper who unearthed the first clues to what lay beneath an ordinary field in the heart of the Cotswolds in the museum. I love the fact that there is still a breeding colony (not sure if that is actually the correct terminology) of edible Roman snails, presumably ancestors of the original snails bought over with the Romans, living within the grounds of the villa. Sharp eyed children should have no problem finding them! Speaking of children, if you check the National Trust website you will often find special events for children at the villa.

GETTING THERE

Address: Yanworth, Near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 3LJ
Telephone: 01242 890256
OS Grid Ref: 163:SP053135

                   

I first became aware of the existence of another roman villa in Gloucestershire in 1996, located in the middle of Spoonley Wood, just outside Winchcombe. I was reading Bill Bryson's book 'Notes on a Small Island' where he mentions it:-

'On a hill above Winchcombe there is a little-visited site so singular and wonderful that I hesitate even to mention it......' He goes on to describe the ruins of a Roman villa that are to be found in the middle of woodland, covered in undergrowth and virtually hidden from view.

I wasn't living in Gloucestershire at the time and, although it intrigued me, I quickly forgot about it. In 2003, when we moved here, I remembered the story and decided to have a look on an Ordnance Survey map to see if it was marked (it is). Shortly after that we paid our first visit and it was every bit as magical as I had hoped it would be. Only in this country could the mosaic floor of a Roman villa that has long since vanished, be found by wandering through a wood, deviating from the path down little animal tracks, to a small clearing where some thoughtful person has erected a little wooden shelter that stands over a piece of hessian sacking weighed down with four bricks! Carefully remove the bricks, lift up the sacking and gaze upon an intricate mosaic floor where once a Roman family stood! In the middle of a wood, with birdsong overhead and not a soul to be seen! Further exploration will uncover some low walls and flagged stone paths, all evidence of the villa that once stood here. I love it!

GETTING THERE

OS Grid Ref:    OL45:CP045255 - Spoonley Wood

Not too far from here is another, even better preserved, mosaic floor. This one can be found inside a stone barn (built, presumably, to protect the mosaic) that stands in a small copse of trees in the middle of a field just off Corndean Lane in Winchcombe, adjacent to Humblebee Cottages. this one is marked on an OS map, but only with a small white square. Whilst finding it is not so exciting it is an even better example than the one in deepest, darkest Spoonley Wood.

GETTING THERE

OS Grid Ref: OL45:CO023261