When I feel the need and have the capacity we adjourn to healthier climes (Long winded way of saying we "bugger off out of chokey smoke to get energy") If you look book early enough and look in the right place you can find amazingly cheap tickets on trains to some pretty amazing and healthy places.A favourite recently is Dorset - £1 there - £1 back - stick your life on your back, be free, breathe the air, and live in a tent for few days. If you go to Dorset you also get the sea, geology, and wildlife thrown in for free.
We ended up backpacking our way to a unique place not far from Swanage. I knew I would like it when I heard it was called "Toms Field". The name conjured up in my mind beautifully serene images of wind blown green fields full of yodelling sheep, rabbits, cows, ducks and a farmer called Ol'Tom letting backpackers sleep in his cornflake cake field for 50p and a tap dance. This being well away from roads, traffic lights and Government ministers telling you about the dangers of fresh fruit and Vimto.
Well - it is beautiful, quiet, full of wildlife although slightly less surreal than my dream. It lives on Toms Field Road in a place called Langton Mantravers. A Geoff Capes throw from the sea surrounded by some of the most picturesque scenery you can imagine. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves.
We arrived mid afternoon, feeling a little guilty as we pitched up near where the rabbits play, seeing saw them scurry into the hedgerow as we approached. They must have been cursing us, as during the night, they nibbled our tent flaps. All forgiven next morning as we watched them softly nibble the grass just yards from our coffee and porridge. The big one was called Quentin. They glanced periodically to check we didn't have guns or a pot, but were otherwise content with woomun-presence.
And relax...
The site is rightly proud of it's environmental status. Everything is recycled and they even have a solar powered hot water system which has won awards and cleans saucepans up a treat. The site exists with the surrounding area not in spite of it. Hence wildlife and nature is close and symbiotically respectful. In our time there we saw various species of birds, sheep, horses, cows, deer, foxes, insects and even at dusk a badger. All within 15 mins stroll of Toms Field.
After the claustrophobic intensity of a city there is a humbling sense of simplicity and self reliance . In my opinion this is the way it should be when camping. This isn't a site with a cigar smoking club house, bar, or live Skiffle bands. Caravans are not allowed and there is barely a mobile signal. There is however a mangle.
Toms Field is the nearest you can get to wild camping without needing a shovel. The whole place is just so darn friendly, happy and smiley. The scenery and coastal walks are incredible and Jo the manager even became APOTSPOAB #724! Oh and by the way - the the price of pitch, water, peace, quiet, seaside, wildlife and healthy air? £8 a night. Sold!
Please visit their website for more info @ tomsfieldcamping.co.uk and you might spot Quentin the friendly rabbit :)
A x
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