The Kit

Overland Adventures provided everything we needed for successful camping in Northumberland.

We packed clothes, some toiletries, a power bank, and some films downloaded onto my laptop.

Already in the car was everything else. I’ll not list it all here, as there was so much provided, but here were some of the standouts:

• SOLO STOVE. Usually, I’d not list this first, but this did make both our evenings much better, (as with most Northumberland camping trips, we weren’t blessed with the best weather, but at least no rain). Michael also wants one of these now – it’s a smokeless firepit. It was brill, stored in the boot in its bag, and Overland Adventures provided wood and kindling for us. We sat in our chairs (provided), and the stove gave us a great fire with plenty of heat, at the top and from the sides.
  • How It Works

‘Strategically placed holes in the double-wall structure draw in air from the bottom and feed the heated oxygen to the top, resulting in a spectacular secondary burn. The best part? Nearly no smoke and minimal ash left to clean!’

• THE TORCHES. An array of lights – a lantern, headlight, and powerful little torch – again, Northumberland camping essentials.

• COOKING EQUIPMENT. Tracey thought of everything we’d need for camp cooking – packets of spices, salt and pepper, stock, pans, cutlery and plates, knives, all sorts.

• REMY’S BED. There was a hammock / seat cover to protect the seats and Tracey also provided a dog bed for Remy which, by the end of a day’s walking, he was begging to get into.

They also have a discount code for Camping and Caravanning Club sites if needed and had so much knowledge of the area and the options available.

We enjoyed both campsite and wild camping experiences, both with differing pros and cons. I was very happy to find a clean and empty shower block at Kielder Waterside’s campsite (with hot showers), and was glad we did our wild camping in Northumberland on the first night so it wasn’t too long between washes. Had it been hotter, we could have used the solar shower provided by Overland Adventures!

Having a wild campsite to yourself is something else though; peaceful and beautiful.

• Note, always leave a place as you found it, leaving no litter.

For someone who actively avoids camping, this really surprised me. There were wobbles, of course, but Darren and Tracey were always on the other end of the phone to help out with suggestions or advice.

Next time we go camping in Northumberland, we’ll be taking the Defender for longer and heading more off-track… now that we’re seasoned adventurers.