Hi Glampers ! 

Are you all ready for the festive season? Christmas comes around so fast doesn't it . Now that we are in December if you are anything like me you will be frantically hitting the shops or surfing the internet trying to find your loved ones the perfect Christmas gift. 

I have been taking a look at Glamping Fashion gift ideas this year, there are so many fabulous clothing gift ideas for those family and friends who love to Glamp.  

I love this cute white ladies Glamping jumper, it would make a perfect gift. Priced at £24.70 this can be found on Zazzle.com by using this link,  https://www.zazzle.co.uk/glamping_style_t_shirt-235370967319216947

This T - Shirt sums up Glamping for me and comes in a variety of different colour options too, great value at £22.85 also available from Zazzle.com at this link, https://www.zazzle.co.uk/campfire_smoke_in_my_hair_camping_glamping_t_shirt-235712183234560170

This T-Shirt is a brilliant bargain at only £15.44 and would make a great gift for any man who loves his camping trips ! Available from Esty.com at this link https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/519154072/glamper-life-comfy-t-shirt-life-is?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=glamping%20clothing&ref=sr_gallery_38

These Glamping PJ's will keep you warm in your sleeping bag at night, they come in a variety of different coloured and patterned PJ bottoms too. Priced at £28.00 they can be found from Amazon.co.uk here at this link https://www.amazon.co.uk/CafePress-Happy-Glamper-Pajamas-Comfortable/dp/B01JOSYDA6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1512559582&sr=8-5&keywords=glamping%2BPJs&th=1

These wellies are a favourite of mine, they are really cute and I love the pink buckle bow and what's better is they are only £12.50! These are available from Asda Direct and can be found at this link, https://direct.asda.com/george/women/shoes/cloud-print-wellington-boots/GEM568670,default,pd.html

These children's PJ's are amazing, I love all the little pictures on them of the trees and caravans etc, any little girl who loves camping would make a proud owner of these PJ's ! They size from 2-10 years and can be found on Amazon at this link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hatley-Little-House-Kids-Glamping-Pyjama/dp/B00U1RY9GI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512560627&sr=8-1&keywords=childrens+glamping+clothing

I hope that has given you a few Christmas gift ideas . 

I wish you all a great Christmas and a Happy new Year . 

Camp Katur xxx

Hi Glampers 

Here is another fantastic article by out guest blogger Jamie Strand on the importance of taking your holidays each year and the health benefits that come with it. After all nothing puts a smile on your face like some much needed relaxation time ! 

The Mental Health Benefits of Using Your Vacation Days

You’d love to go on vacation. You dream about hopping on a plane and going to an exotic foreign country where you can lay on the beach and sip something yummy from a glass graced with a tiny umbrella. Or maybe you fantasize about jumping in the minivan with the family and driving across country to see the sights.

But just as soon as those tantalizing visions pop into your head, they quickly fizzle away. After all, the boss can’t spare you at work. There are too many deadlines to meet. Maybe your supervisor will be annoyed and find a replacement for you. Or maybe you feel that your department will be lost without you. So you give up those vacation days and keep dragging yourself to work even though you feel frazzled, depressed and totally stressed out. Well, now is the time to change your way of thinking. Using your vacation days is good for you. In fact, it improves your mental health. Read on to discover how traveling on vacation can be the best thing you ever do for yourself.

Goodbye Stress

When you travel on vacation, it allows you to escape from the environment that is the source of your stress and anxiety. Many people struggle with the the stress of meeting deadlines at work, stress of trying to balance home and work life or stress of being unemployed or underemployed. All of these factors gradually take a toll on our mental health.

If you don’t take time to get away from everyday pressures, you wind up feeling depressed, irritable and filled with anxiety. Your memory worsens, and it becomes more difficult to make wise decisions. These are all important reasons why you should really consider taking those vacation days.

After taking a vacation, your outlook on life improves. Why? When you’re on vacation, you’re able to relax with people you care about, sharing new experiences as you explore unique places and come in contact with people that differ in culture, language or religion. If you take a family vacation, you have the opportunity to strengthen the bond with your loved ones. You broaden your mind and create shared memories with family. Even better, these memories are completely unrelated to school, work or regular life. A University of Vienna study even found that the positive effects of taking a vacation continue even after you return to work. In fact, when study participants returned to work, they experienced fewer physical ailments such as backaches, headaches and heart problems--all issues linked to stress.

Cognitive Boost

When you slave away at work, never taking days off, you begin to feel resentful and burned out. Eventually, your work production suffers. Going away on vacation helps to recharge your energy and sharpen your mind as you plunge into a new environment and maybe even learn a foreign language. Finding your way around an unfamiliar town by studying a map or taking a flamenco dance class while visiting Spain are both ways that you boost your cognitive abilities while on vacation. These benefits improve your work performance once you return to work.

Taking Your Pet on Vacation

Do you own a pet? Why not take it on vacation with you? It’s a well known fact that pets help reduce stress in our lives. Taking your pet with you to an outdoor or wilderness vacation may be just the thing you need to help decompress from all of life’s anxieties.  Many hotels accept pets, so it would be easy to take your precious cat or dog along for some rest and relaxation.

Recovering from Addiction

If you’re recovering from addiction, you also receive mental health benefits when you travel. Taking a vacation promotes self-healing. It  might allow you to meditate on your past mistakes and your hopes for a positive, healthy future.

You earned those vacation days. Every day you come to work and deal with tight deadlines, overtime hours and stressful situations. So why let those vacation days fall by the wayside? Take time for yourself, improve your mental health and travel somewhere on vacation. Just don’t forget to take your sunscreen!

Photo via Pixabay

Hi Glampers !

I would like to

 introduce Jamie Strand who is our guest Blogger today who has written a great piece for us on Dog Safety when out in the woods or camping with your fury friend. We are dog friendly here at Camp Katur so we think this article is full of great advice ! 

Dangers That Lurk in the Woods and What You Can Do to Protect Your Dog

Every spring, summer, and fall (and maybe even winter for the adventurous), outdoorsy people head to their local forests to camp. Many of these people bring their dogs. Camping with a canine companion can be a lot of fun - for you and for your dog. But there are dangers to dogs that lurk in the woods. Here are some of them, and what you can do you protect your best friend.

Lakes, rivers, and streams

Though most dogs are naturally pretty good swimmers, this doesn’t hold true for every single dog. And like humans, dogs can tire out in water and have a hard time getting back to shore if they swim too far out. Dogs can also get caught in currents, taking them to places where it’s hard for them to climb out (steep banks). If you’re camping near water, it’s best to keep your dog on a leash or a stake chain when you’re not interacting with them. A dog can wander off and get into water and drown just like a child can. If you encounter the worst case scenario, here’s a good guide for saving a drowning dog.

Ticks

Tick bites cause a wide range of illnesses in humans, and the same goes for dogs. Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesosis, Bartonellosis, and Hepatozoonosis are just some of the tick-borne diseases than can affect your dog, according to the American Kennel Club. Preventing tick bites is a two-step strategy. First, you must make sure that your dog is protected by flea & tick medication before you venture out into the woods. Next, you should comb through your dog’s coat and check for ticks as often as you check yourself. Don’t forget to check inside the ears.

Other animals

Obvious fact: the woods are full of animals. Another obvious fact: dogs are inherently curious of other animals. You should always carry bear mace to protect against large predators like bears, coyotes, mountain lions, and wolves (depending on where you camp). It’s much more likely, however, that the wild animals giving your dog trouble will be more common animals like raccoons. What should you do if a raccoon is harassing your dog?

“You have two choices—come at them like a predator with an object like a bat, or wait for them to simply go away,” advises dog behavioral specialist Beverly Ulbrich.Dangers That Lurk in the Woods and What You Can Do to Protect Your Dog

Keeping your dog restrained is the best way to keep them out of trouble. If an animal like a raccoon, skunk, or porcupine is coming near your campsite, make noise and use sticks and rocks to scare them away. Put your dog inside your tent until the threat moves on.

The sun

Heat stroke can occur in dogs just as easily - if not easier - than it occurs in humans. Dogs don’t sweat, so their cooling mechanisms aren’t as effective as ours. The two best ways to battle heat stroke are shade and water. Never leave your campsite (to go on a hike, for instance) without enough water for you and your dog. Camp near shade.

Dogs can also suffer sunburns, so giving them a light coating of sunblock spray can help during prolonged periods of sun exposure.

Don’t let the dangers of the woods dissuade you from going camping with your dog. It’s great for your dog, and most of the time it’s incredibly safe. Like with any camping trip, however, it’s best to be over-prepared for anything that might come your way - even scenarios that may seem unlikely.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Hi Glampers !

With the long summer nights here and the school holidays just around the corner I thought I would share with you some of my favourite family camp fire recipes. It is amazing what you can actually cook round a camp fire, there is so much more to be enjoyed than sausages and beans ! 

Campfire Potato Cakes 

This is a really simple recipe that is great fun to do with the kids. These would be yummy for breakfast or to serve along side a bubbling hot pot or slow cooked stew. 

All you will need is

Potatoes 

Plain Flower
1 egg 

Oil

Water

Optional seasoning

First of all you need to chop and boil the potatoes. This can be done over a gas camping hob, or hanging your boiling pot over your campfire. Once the potatoes are boiled you need to mash them and let them cool. Once cool make a well in the potato mix and add an egg plus any seasoning you wish, sprinkle over some flower and then mix everything together. Shape the mixture into burger shapes. Now you need to fry the potatoes over your campfire. These are very tasty! You could also add cheese or onions too if you wish.

Frying Pan Pizza Pie 

This is another easy idea that is great for a tasty lunch time treat. 

You will need

290g pack of pizza dough mix

Flour for dusting

1 tbsp Pesto

125g ball of mozzarella, thinly sliced

6 chopped sun dried tomatoes 

First of all you will need to make up the pizza dough mix by following the instructions on the packet, leave it in a bowl covered with a tea towel and leave somewhere warm for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. Once this has happened then you need to divide the mixture in half and press out each piece until it is approx 20 cm round. Take one of the rounds and spread with the pesto leaving a 2cm gap around the edge, then top with the sliced mozzarella and tomatoes. Cover with the other piece of dough and then press the edges with your fingers to create a seal. Heat your frying pan over your campfire with a little oil and put in the pizza pie and cook for about 10 minutes. Use a side plate to take it out of the pan and then slide back into the pan the other side down and cook for a further 10 minutes until well browned. It will be very hot when first served so leave it for 5 minutes before slicing and serving up your lunch. 

Caramel Hot Chocolate with Strawberries and Marshmallows 

A delicious sweet treat before bed to keep you warm, kids will love this one. 

You will need 

750g whole milk

1/2 397g tin of Nestle Carnation Caramel 

1 tbsp malted milk powder

Bag of marshmallows

Packet of strawberries 

This is very simple. In a saucepan, over your camp fire heat the milk with the caramel, whisk until smooth and heat until it is steaming. Divide the malted milk powder into 4 mugs and pour the hot caramel milk on top, stirring so you don't get any lumps.  Serve and dip in strawberries and marshmallows. This is truly yummy and great for those of you with a sweet tooth! 

Omelette in a Bag

Another easy recipe, with this one it helps to have all the ingredients cut and prepped before you go camping and stored in small Tupperware containers, this make it a lot easier and quicker when it comes to making these. 

You will need 

2 eggs

1 tbsp water

Grated cheese

Ham chopped

Tomatoes chopped

Peppers chopped

Any other toppings you would like in your omelette 

A large freezer bag

Bring a pot of water to the boil over your campfire. In the meantime crack your two eggs into your freezer bag and add the water. Shake, smash, squish the bag to get those eggs really beaten up. Add the remaining ingredients you have chosen to include then squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can and then seal tightly.  Shake the ingredients round a bit to get an even mix. Place the bag in the boiling water and cook for about 13 minutes until the eggs are set and no longer runny. Carefully remove the bag from the water and when you open the bag the omelette should easily side onto the plate. Serve with a side salad and enjoy. 

Salsa Verde Baked Salmon 

Salmon is one of my favourite things to eat, it is so tasty. This quick and easy camping dinner is packed full of flavour. You will need to pre make the salsa verde at home and then bring it stored in a small Tupperware container. 

You will need- to serve 4

4 skinless salmon fillets

10 cloves of crushed garlic

1 tsp of chili flakes

Olive oil

1 packet of fresh trimmed green beans

Chopped tomatoes

Juice from  1 lemon

Chopped Parsley 

Salt and pepper to taste 

You can make the salsa verde the night before your camping trip at home. Blend the parsley, garlic, chili and olive oil in a food processor until mixed but still a little bit chunky. Boil the green beans for about 3 minutes at home also. Cut 4 pieces of tin foil into 14 inch lengths and lay the salmon fillets in the center of each. Top each with a quarter of the green beans and then top with the salsa verde mix. Cover this with the chopped tomatoes and season to taste. Wrap the salmon parcels up and store in a container and take away with you. When camping place the salmon parcels on a grid over your campfire and cook for approximately 20  minutes and enjoy. This dish would go lovely with the potato cakes mentioned above. 

I hope these simple recipes have given you some tasty ideas for your summer camping trip this year.

If you have any favourite recipes you would like to share with us please send us them. 

Happy Glamping !

Girl in the Cupboard  xx 

Images taken from 

https://www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com

https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com

http://www.wholefoodbellies.com

Local Easter Activities 

Hello Glampers ! 

I hope you are all looking forward to Easter and this long weekend ahead. 

If you are looking for somewhere to take the children this weekend I have a few local suggestions below that could help.

Thorpe Perrow 

From 1st -16th April you can follow the Easter themed trail through the Arboretum and on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th April you can join in the free Easter Craft Activities anytime from 11am till 4pm. ( standard admission applies) For more information you can check out their website http://www.thorpperrow.com/diary.html

Fountains Abbey 

From 1st -23rd April you can join in the Cadbury Egg Hunt from 11am till 4pm. Explore every corner of the ruins and water garden to find the eggs and get a yummy chocolaty prize. £2.00 per trail plus standard admission prices. For more information you can check out their website https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden/features/easter-at-fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal

Newby Hall and Gardens 

On 16th and 17th April you can take part in their Easter Family Fun Days where there are lots of activities for the whole family, meet the Easter Bunny and his friends and solve clues through the woodland walk. More more information can be found here http://www.newbyhall.com/events/easter-family-fun-days/ . 

Stockeld Park 

Open now until 24th April for their Easter Adventure. Join in the giant egg hunt by finding their hidden golden eggs around the park. There are also giant character eggs to meet along the way!. 

http://stockeldpark.co.uk/

Camp Katur 

If you are one of the many Easter Glampers we have staying with us this weekend we have an Easter Egg Hunt around the Estate for you to enjoy. Find the hidden eggs to spell out an Easter Word and you collect a prize ! 

Whatever you are doing this weekend I hope its a good one and have a very Happy Easter !

Girl in the Cupboard  xx 

Camp Katur Voted One of the Best Camp Sites by Staveley Head !

We are pleased to announce that Camp Katur has been voted one of the best camping sites in Yorkshire and Humber for its attractions and amenities. 

We do have lots on offer here on the Camp Hill Estate. You can choose from a variety of activities during your stay with us including Quad Bike Tours, Seway Tours, Football Golf, Aerial Extreme Tree Top Adventure and not forgetting the Woodland Kingdom Adventure Park.

We always recommend booking activities in advance to avoid disappointment, you can get more information about activities and make bookings here, http://www.camphill.co.uk/ 

We are now featured on Staveley Head's UK Campsite Finder Map

You can view their Campsite Finder Map Here,  http://www.staveleyhead.co.uk/utilities/tools/camp-site-finder

If you fancy booking a glamping stay with us you can find all our information on our website http://www.campkatur.com/


Girl In the Cupboard xxx

Camp Katur makes Trivago's Bucket List Hotels Blog!

We are so happy to have been featured on Trivago's 50 Bucket List Hotels Blog. We have been hand picked from a world wide search by Trivago to find the top 50 bucket list hotels which offer a once in a lifetime chance to experience something out of the ordinary. 

You can view their blog here, http://room5.trivago.co.uk/50-bucket-list-hotels/

If you fancy ticking something off your bucket list and booking a stay with us in one of our unique accommodations then you can check out our website here http://www.campkatur.com/

Many thanks
Girl in the Cupboard xx

Hello Everyone and Happy New year !

I set two main new years resolutions this year, the first was to learn how to take great pictures with my new digital camera and the other was to get out on a weekend and explore some lovely local walks and find interesting things to take pictures of ! Well so far i have been very good at sticking to my resolutions and I am enjoying having inspiring days out that don't cost anything whilst spending quality time with my family. 

Sutton Bank Thirsk ~

One of my favourite places to walk, although when setting off from a cold but dry, grounded, village location, perhaps being a little naive , I forgot that taking a trek up the steep Sutton Bank hillside would mean a lot of frost, ice and almost snow. But this certainly added to its beauty on this afternoon. Our two family pooches came along for the fresh air and they loved skidding around the ice and getting their noses covered in the snowy frost!

You are up extremely high on this walk so on a clear day the views are breathtaking and you are very close to the Yorkshire Gliding Center so if the weather is suitable for flying then you will be lucky enough to see the gliders soaring above exploring the skies.

River Nidd Waterside Walk Patley Bridge ~

This walk I have done many times as I love all the elements to it. You have the country side, the trees and the the river, and then towards the end you have the lake with all the wildlife and birds that can be seen. It is another great walk for pooches especially those who like a dip in the river, which on a hot summers day could provide a much needed cool down. My four legged friend would go in the river any time of year as she is a bit of a water baby, and this cold January afternoon was no exception!

On our walk we were lucky to see swans, ducks, geese and also a heron from the distance across the lake. I have to say the geese were very photogenic, happily posing for a photo or two !

Ripley to Harroagte Walk and Cycle Path ~ 

This walk takes you from Ripley Village to the Bilton area of Harrogate via a purpose built path which is great for keen cyclists and walkers. It has some stunning views across Ripley especially as you walk across the viaduct  you can see for miles.

One of my favourite parts of this walk is there is a pub called the Garden's Arm's as you reach the Bilton Area which is a great half way point if walking back again to stop off and and re charge the batteries. The pub has a large beer garden at the back which welcomes dogs as well. There is plenty of off lead opportunities for dogs on this walk too as long as you keep an eye out for the cyclists.

Picture taken from www.geograph.org.uk

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Park ~

I often think how lucky I am to live so close to this area of beauty. Explore the Abbey ruins and walk around the beautiful gardens. This place is stunning in Winter and also makes a great place for families in the summer, children can play and explore in the gardens, and the lawns make a great place for a picnic.

Picture taken from: www.telegraph.co.uk

When walking around Studley Royal you might be lucky enough to see the deer which make this place their home. They travel together and make their way around the gardens throughout the day. Dogs are welcome at both Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal but they must be kept on their leads at all times due to the wildlife.

 As you can see I have had a busy January getting out and about and I look forward to experiencing more walks over the year.

If any of you have pictures of local walks you have been on or any suggestions of where to go we would love to hear from you.

The Girl in the Cupboard  xxx