Guest Blog by CampWild Member Liz Hibberd.
I was thrilled to be chosen as a Wilding as part of Camp Wild UK’s ReWilded project.
I love being outdoors, it feels so freeing and is incredibly beneficial for my mental
health and of course camping is the ultimate experience. Going to sleep and waking up under canvas, completely part of nature, especially if you’re wild camping.
But, it can be scary can’t it. There are so many reasons not to do it and hard to
prioritise the reasons to do it. The questions are the worst; can I camp here? Is it
safe? Will I get moved on? What’s that I can hear?!
That’s why I love Camp Wild – you know that wherever you go, you’re allowed to be there, but you can have the secluded and peaceful experience you want.
From November to February, I plan to camp once a month. In the coldest part of the year, when most people pack their kit away, I’m going to chase new experiences, crave those frosty mornings and starry nights. Get the hot chocolate and marshmallows ready (plus the thermals).
Join me as I go from nervous newbie, to (hopefully) confident winter camper.
Wild Camp 1 | Ouseburn Woods
I decided to combine my first camping trip as a Wilding for Camp Wild with a Halloween Dip at Pool Bridge Farm.
I got to the camp spot early afternoon and after an easy set up, I settled down for lunch. I’d planned to go exploring but it was so mild and the sky was so beautiful, I hung around drinking cups of tea and enjoying all the colours around me. Despite being close to civilisation, I was remote enough to completely switch off and enjoy the peace and quiet.
It was soon time to head for the swim. I met up with friends, had a lovely dip and warmed up around a fire with the requisite marshmallows. I drove through the inky night and found my way back to camp. The darkness was absolute. It was still and silent. I loved it…..until I convinced myself I could hear footsteps! After about 10 minutes of scaring myself to death, I realised it was likely to be the peasants and squirrels moving through the crunchy leaves!
Once I’d calmed myself down, I slept like a log and woke up rested and happy. I popped my head out of the tent and could see a classic autumn morning; slightly damp, overcast with the colours more muted than the day before. I didn’t mind, it was the perfect setting for my morning coffee and porridge – very atmospheric. I sat and just was. I wasn’t on my phone. I was
n’t thinking a thousand thoughts a second, I was just still, and in the moment. That’s what the outdoors does for me.
I’m planning my December camp now and hope to get somewhere special!
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