Under Canvas In Blackberry Wood Sussex

Little update.....

I just want to add that I loved this place very much.

It is a wonderful tranquil place to be for a while.

Maybe if my family was with us I may have enjoyed it more?!? yep I know I would.

There is running hot water and a flushing loo and our bed was snug and very comfortable.

Once dark, it is very dark, too dark for me to pick my way through the trees to use the loo.

But then the stars are just amazing because of the absence of light pollution.

It is something I know I will do again. Ugh!

Do not let me put anyone off the idea, it is important that we try new things as it really does make us appreciate our home comforts.

I love camping and have been spoilt having Nigella the Camper Van to sleep in.

X

I found Blackberry Wood in The Happy Campers.

I love this book, anyone who wants to get back to nature, go camping

and needs a few tips on how to camp with comfort will enjoy this book.

Blackberry Wood is a special place.

Only 20 pitches for tents.

No radios, nothing but the sound of the birds singing and the odd distant giggle!

You pick a plot and set up.

The plots all have a fire pit and iron stand on which you can cook.

They are well placed so each little camp is fairly private.

The sun was shining when we arrived. I was in quite a good mood. We parked the car and decided to explore and choose a pitch that we thought would be just right. Wheel barrows are supplied to transport kit from car to pitch.

Mr N put the bell tent up while I lit the camp fire. With kettle now on, I prepared a big stew which I thought would be easy to keep a constant supply of something hot to eat without any fuss. A stew is great as you can keep topping it up with fresh vegetables and once the fresh meat is all eaten a tin of M&S Beef would be better than taking any chances as we had no fridge to keep meat chilled.

The stew was delicious, lovely dumplings, fresh vegetables and tender beef steak.

The peace and quiet here was a great tonic.

We had picked a pitch on the edge of the woods with a wonderful view of the surrounding fields and the South Downs.

A wonderful place for big kids and little ones to explore and play.

But I must say that by 8.30 pm we were both tired.
We sat in the darkness surrounded by our lanterns and candles.
With no music allowed and not enough light to read, we just sat by the camp fire in a daze and talked about nothing much, just took in the atmosphere, stillness of the night and the damp air while we listened to the owls and whatever it was that was scurrying around in the bushes.
We were in bed by 9pm!
We woke several times during the night, I was a bit scared, Guy slept in between us under one of the two huge crochet blankets we had on top of our duvet.
It was very snug though.
Next morning I lit the fire again ready to boil the kettle for tea and cook breakfast.

I do love a camp fire and to cook on one was brilliant.

But.....

I was a bit quiet really, I am not sure if this camping lark is for me.

I am up for the camp fire cooking.

The making the tent cosy.

But I did not enjoy the experience as much as I hoped I would.

So we cleared away our camp and set off for Lewes.

A lovely town where we had lunch and I bought some green Hunter wellies in the fishing tackle shop at a bargain price.

I was thinking of putting the canvas bell tent up for sale.

But maybe I should give it another go.

We shall see!

Bye for now.

Carol

X