Hi guys!
I'm back after a brilliant night! thank you so much to the people on here who helped convince me that it wasn't a crazy idea!
Fortunately, when I arrived at the camp spot, I found that the other campers who frequent it had conveniently left a big arched tree branch next to the fire pit as a make shift bench.This would come in handy...
With darkness already falling, I collected as much wood as possible whilst I could still actually see! Then got the fire going:
I then quickly grabbed a bunch of bracken and turned the branch into a sketchy lean-to shelter to keep the heat from the fire on me:
(photo taken in the morning as it was too dark at the time!)
Feeling thoroughly chuffed with myself, I settled down with a nice cold beer and some music!
I spent most of the night listening to an audiobook version of Henry David Thoreau's "Walden", and enjoying the sounds of the woods.
In the early hours, I re-arranged the fire to lie parallel to my bed, and stoked it up with the long, chunky logs I'd collected. Then I retired to my bag for the night!
I was actually -contrary to my worries before I left- too HOT to sleep for about an hour! Although I was still constantly dosing off.
Once the fire had died down a bit, I was out like a light, waking up this morning to see this:
Then I felt some spots of rain so packed up and walked home!
I also seem to have not one bug bite whatsoever, which I'm well shocked about! Although I did wrap up and wear lots of layers.
I will definitely be solo camping regularly now rather than only going with mates. I just need to find myself a hammock and tarp, then learn how the set up the thing (can't tie a knot to save my life!).
Sorry for the essay! Here's a picture of my sister's dog with a birthday card which I accidentally uploaded from my phone with the other photos...
much love,
your darling Prof. Gordy xxx