Toddler Camping for cheats
Camping with toddlers may seem a bit of chore. All the getting ready, the packing, unpacking, crying over dollies left at home and misplaced tent pitching enthusiasm. An easy alternative is 'balcony camping.' (Or 'stoep camping')
Two nights ago Rosemary looked up at the crescent moon and milky way from her balcony 'camp bed' with wonder before exclaiming. "I can't reach the moon. It is too high." There was quite a pause, then, "I can reach it with a step ladder."
Rosemary's camp bed is our bouldering mat, and it has never seen quite so much use as it is now. Later the moon set blood red over the Atlantic ocean, that earlier that day I had braved a 'swim' in. Large bats flew overhead, and the calls of the night were plentiful. Most interesting was the grunting of the Eland which seemed to echo across the valley.
The great advantages of balcony camping are:
having use of your entire kitchen including the microwave.
having the loo kitted out for nappy changes, (easier than with a headtorch on the ground.)
being able to 'decamp' at high speed if needed.
not having a long drive followed by putting up a tent whilst toddler uses the tent as a trampoline.
I am fast realising that winter in the Cape with toddlers is far more fun than summer, which requires endless dousing in factor 60 and militant hat and clothing checks to stop burning. Whilst the Cape of Storms (Good Hope) is known just for that, it's best kept secret is the winter berg wind and warmth preceding the squalls.
Two nights ago Rosemary looked up at the crescent moon and milky way from her balcony 'camp bed' with wonder before exclaiming. "I can't reach the moon. It is too high." There was quite a pause, then, "I can reach it with a step ladder."
Rosemary's camp bed is our bouldering mat, and it has never seen quite so much use as it is now. Later the moon set blood red over the Atlantic ocean, that earlier that day I had braved a 'swim' in. Large bats flew overhead, and the calls of the night were plentiful. Most interesting was the grunting of the Eland which seemed to echo across the valley.
The great advantages of balcony camping are:
having use of your entire kitchen including the microwave.
having the loo kitted out for nappy changes, (easier than with a headtorch on the ground.)
being able to 'decamp' at high speed if needed.
not having a long drive followed by putting up a tent whilst toddler uses the tent as a trampoline.
I am fast realising that winter in the Cape with toddlers is far more fun than summer, which requires endless dousing in factor 60 and militant hat and clothing checks to stop burning. Whilst the Cape of Storms (Good Hope) is known just for that, it's best kept secret is the winter berg wind and warmth preceding the squalls.
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