Wintery getaway

This past year has been a tad busy (in a good way); four family weddings within six months, an overseas holiday, first home ownership... so although it is getting a little late in the year to dream of open-fire-cooked breakfasts and lazy afternoons in the sun at a picturesque campsite, that is indeed what we have been doing. It's usually around May that I declare we should squeeze in a last camping trip "before it gets too cold". Err, since I've been suffering numb fingers, toes and nose during the daytime sitting here in my apartment in Sydney, I'm thinking this weekend might be a bit interesting in terms of keeping warm.

I dare say, having lived through three German winters and regularly camped in a tent where normal people pay to stay INSIDE a building, I'm a little bit qualified to give advice about keeping toasty! (Insert gratuitous picture of cold but sunny German winter day with nice castle in background).

You do see people doing some serious camping set-ups with tent heaters and electric blankets running off generators (that give off a stressful noise and an awful smell). The classic example I give is the family we spotted at a beautiful otherwise quiet and secluded campsite that brought up a generator and a TELEVISION, and then ran a CHAINSAW to build a wooden box to put over the generator as they couldn't hear the footy commentary over the din it made as it powered the tv. I shake my head.....why bother even leaving the house?!

So, the basic rules for "real" winter camping or travelling:

• Keep dry, and keep your head and tummy warm! Long tops, high topped longs, whatever you need to do to stop warmth escaping. And we all know that we lose most of our heat through our head so on with the fuzzy beanie. Bring fresh socks and don't let your toes go numb because it's very hard to reverse the situation!
• Layers, lots of layers. The basic rules I used to teach my customers: start with some thin thermals top 'n bottom, and decent socks - on many occasions I have declared out loud my love for my merino travelling socks. So soft and cosy and they stay that way forever so do splash out on them.
• Layer up with some nice mid layers like fleece or wool.  Puffy or windproof vests are great because they keep your core warm; high collars an extra bonus. And I hereby declare fingerless gloves are very trendy. (You can't use an iPhone at the bus stop in regular gloves. I say at the bus stop because there shouldn't be reception at a "real" winter campsite ;) ooh does that make me a campsite snob?)
• Find a nice outer "shell" like a lightweight but waterproof and windproof Gore Tex jacket or similar. Goosedown is lovely but if it gets wet it's as useful as wearing a (wet) cotton tshirt. Alternatively, if it's not likely to be raining, find the cheapest, most padded polyester jacket possible and stay away from sparks from the fire!
• Get into some little added extras like "pocket warmers" - little reusable sachets that you "activate" and they generate heat for an hour or two. Great for popping in the sleeping bag before you try to sleep with numb feet. Boil them up in water for 5 minutes to liquify them and they're ready to use again next time. Available at camping stores but they're a dime a dozen at German two dollar shops!

A few other tidbits about the rest of the gear needed to keep cosy....

• An air-filled mattress like a lilo will literally surround you in cold air while you sleep. Use a mat with foam inside (any thickness is better than that freezing air!)
• Bring your matches in a waterproof bag or case....
• Bring a warm-blooded tent buddy!

What are your keeping-warm tips and tricks? Or are we Aussies completely wussing out by even complaining it's cold when there's not even a chance the temperature will drop below freezing?! Leave a comment and join the discussion.