Hi Glampers !

Going camping with children is so rewarding, seeing them tearing around being free, exploring nature's biggest playground. They often learn new skills and the best of all tire themselves out by bedtime leaving you time to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. For most children there is nothing worse than a long car journey when going on holiday, I remember this myself and it always lead to the same old question .... Are we nearly there yet? 

With that in mind I have come up with a few fun games and ways of keeping children entertained in the car so as to start off their camping holiday in good spirits as you mean to go on .

ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET? 

1. Film/ Pop Star Alphabet Game

One person in the car names a Film or a Pop star and the others have to take it in turns to think of another person or film that starts with the same letter that the previous word ended with. This is a great one for keeping children thinking and one for adults to join in too.

2. Hum the Song

This one is for older children to enjoy. Each child takes it in turns to think of a song, they then have to hum the song, without speaking or singing and the others have to guess what it is. You get one point for naming the song and one point for naming the artist. Whoever guesses correctly goes next. If you set a time limit, for example 20 minutes then the winner is the person with the most points after that time. 

3. Yellow Car / Mini Game 

This one is a favourite of mine from when I was a child and is a good one to play on a motorway where there are lots of different cars. It is quite simple, you get one point for spotting a yellow car and one point for spotting a mini, again set a time limit and the winner is the person with the most points at the end of that time. This game can often be one to keep on going for your whole journey.

4. Play word association

One person says a word. The next person has to say a word associated with the previous word, the next says a word associated with that word and so on.  For example Bear - Woods - Picnic - Basket - Laundry - Washing Machine - Kitchen - Kettle etc

5. Make up a Story

Another favourite of mine is to make up story as a team with each of you saying one sentence at a time, and the others then continuing the story, adding on their own sentence. For example the child starting off might say, ' Once upon a time there was a cabin the woods ', the next child can then add their sentence to the story such as ' in the cabin lives an old man called Bob' , then it would move on to another child to say their sentence. The aim is to make the story as funny as  possible.

I Hope these games help you with your Journeys . We look forward to seeing you Glamping with us soon !

Bye for now

Camp Katur :) 

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 !

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