Author: Kevin

Camper Outs ‘Absurd’ Staged Camping Pics

Camper Outs ‘Absurd’ Staged Camping Pics

Posted on by Kevin

Camping is a joy – the great outdoors, cooking and eating al fresco, the fun of bundling up under canvas – but social media has bred a competitive photography trend to post scenes that may be less epic than they appear to be.

My Modern Met reported that keen yet realistic camper Luisa Jeffrey has set up an Instagram account called @youdidnotsleepthere outing the most ridiculous scenarios and bringing us all back down to earth, after all, with top camping accessories for your UK adventure, who wants to pretend they slept in the open air on a cliff edge?

While Jeffrey’s posts are amusing, they are not meant to sound superior.

“It’s not about being wrong or right at all, it’s just about calling out clichés and making people laugh,” she said.

Among the allegedly staged clichés her posts have made infamous are images of people with their feet sticking out from under the covers (chilly!) under an improbably starry sky.

In addition, images of tents perched precariously and without any kind of anchor on rocky cliff edges (uncomfortable and unnerving) get the @youdidnotsleepthere treatment when they cross her path.

If you like to document your camping trips for social media then the backdrop of the countryside in winter sets an impressive scene – but campers need to remember to keep warm, so we recommend investing in a good sleeping bag liner for bedtime.

And for during the day, re-usable hand warmers are great to have in your backpack to keep paws feeling toasty when out taking snaps.

For the best camping accessories the UK has to offer, visit us here today!

Wholesaler days

Wholesaler days

Posted on by Kevin

Found a photograph to put here. This was me (Kevin) in or around 1998.. We (Burdens) had just brought out the “Royal” brand..This was us in Las Vegas at a trade show promoting the brand

How To Stay Warm In Your Camping Tent In Winter

How To Stay Warm In Your Camping Tent In Winter

Posted on by Kevin

Just because the temperature drops doesn’t mean you can’t pack up your camping supplies and head off into the wilderness as you would if it were summertime… but you do need to be prepared so you can stay nice and snug in your tent and sleeping bag during winter camping trips.

Even in summer it can get awfully chilly once the sun’s gone down so it’s worth making sure you have the appropriate equipment so you get a good night’s sleep and wake up ready to attack the day.

Investing in a good sleeping bag liner is certainly advisable as this will help make your actual sleeping bag a lot warmer. And don’t forget that a lot of cold comes in through the ground so if it’s just you in your sleeping bag on the tent floor, you’ll probably find yourself shivering a lot more. Get yourself a foam sleeping mat and you’ll certainly notice the difference.

Another top tip from us here at Leisure Plus Direct is to take a little hand warmer with you on your camping trip. You can wrap this up and put it in the bottom of your sleeping bag before you’re ready to go to bed so it’s lovely and warm already when you get in there.

You can also buy heaters that have been specifically made to be used inside tents – although make sure you don’t keep this on all night when you’re asleep. Thermal blankets, dry socks and hats are also a must! You could even heat up a few big rocks in your campfire, let them cool so you can handle them, then wrap them in a towel and put them at the bottom of your sleeping bag..

For the best camping equipment the UK has to offer, visit us today!

7 Tips For Better Family Camping

7 Tips For Better Family Camping

Posted on by Kevin

If you’re planning on getting out the tent for a family trip away then you might be interested in finding the best camping supplies Kent has to offer. Once you’re stocked up, take note of these top tips from The Good Men Project to make sure your camping getaway runs as smooth as possible.

Before you embark on your trip make sure you do some research on potential locations you would like to visit, and seek out the best possible camp site for your needs. Check that what you do choose is open for the month you’re planning to visit as you don’t want to turn up and have to find somewhere else last minute due to seasonal opening times.

Once you know exactly where you’re staying look into what the campsite has to offer. Are you allowed to BBQ or are there food establishments on the site, and are pets allowed? Look at what the check in and check out times are so you give yourself the time to pack up at the end of the holiday, putting up the tent isn’t as time consuming as getting it back in the bag!

Not to put a (quite literal) dampener on your holiday but it’s always best to prepare for the worst – you can never know exactly what adverse weather conditions you may face and the impact that could have on your planned campsite, check out local hotels so you have a backup plan to fall on.

You won’t have to leave all technology at home, many campsites now offer free Wi-Fi included in your campsite fee. Your smartphone is also great to use for navigating your way out of vast woodland areas and countryside. They’re also great for getting up to date weather forecasts so you can plan out day to day activities.

Fancy A Winter Camping Trip? Make Sure You Stay Warm

Fancy A Winter Camping Trip? Make Sure You Stay Warm

Posted on by Kevin

The weather in the UK can be variable at the best of times – even in the height of summer you can experience heavy rain and colder than average temperatures – so if you’re a hardened camper the thought of spending a few nights under canvas during the winter isn’t likely to send you running for the hills.

Of course, the winter months in the UK to tend to bring cold weather with them, especially if you’re heading north, so it pays to be prepared.

When you’re shopping for camping supplies in the UK, make sure that a sleeping bag liner is on your list of things to pick up, because these can make a big difference to your warmth in a tent at night.

Camping with Style offers some advice on ways to stay warm during a winter camping trip, including sleeping on a folding camp bed, wearing thermals in bed and making use of a hot water bottle.

The blog also notes that you shouldn’t go to bed cold, as it will be difficult for you to warm up, so have a warm drink before you snuggle in, or even do a few star jumps to get your temperature up a bit.

As well as the cold, you may also have to contend with strong winds in the UK. Out and About Live recently offered some advice if you find yourself pitching a tent in windy conditions.

Choosing a sheltered campsite and making use of natural windbreaks, such as high hedges or the side of a hill, are among the top tips offered by the website.

It also recommends that you check the weather forecast before you set off, to ensure you aren’t taken by surprise by any bad weather that comes your way.

Holidaymakers Warned Over Scam Social Media Caravan Breaks

Holidaymakers Warned Over Scam Social Media Caravan Breaks

Posted on by Kevin

If you’re tempted to use social media to find your next caravan holiday, make sure you do due diligence so you know you’re not falling for a scam that’ll leave you well out of pocket.

According to BBC Scotland, dozens of people have paid for trips in static caravan parks only to find out later down the line that the owners of the parks have never heard of them and have no bookings in their names.

Jane Clark from Stevenston in Ayrshire, for example, paid £180 and a £50 deposit after seeing an advertisement on Facebook. She messaged the profile in question and transferred money to a bank account.

She was told to pick up the keys from reception on the day – but her son later noticed messages on Facebook saying the offer was a scam. Ms Clark tried to message the woman she booked with but received no reply and was later blocked.

Haven, owner of the site, issued a statement: “Whilst we have only experienced a relatively small number of people who have been duped into making fraudulent bookings, we are committed to proactively targeting these sites where we can.”

To avoid holiday booking fraud, check that web addresses are legitimate. You should also do your research and check thoroughly that the company is credible. Read numerous reviews so you know whether a company is genuine or not.

Try to avoid paying by direct bank transfer as well, as this cash isn’t traceable and will not be refundable. Always pay using a credit or debit card whenever you can.

Looking for camping accessories in Kent? Check out our online store today.

Easter is coming! Thule Bike Carrier fitted

Easter is coming! Thule Bike Carrier fitted

Posted on by Kevin

A customer called in on his holidays today.  He was heading down to the coast at Minnis Bay, in his Motorhome a Trigano Tribute.   His problem I saw that he was taking his two bikes out from the rear door of his motorhome.  

I enquired why didnt he have a bike rack fitted instead of putting the bikes inside and causing issues every time he traveled with the bikes inside of his motorhome?

 I suggested he needed another way of getting his bikes down to the front at Minnis Bay.  Maybe a Thule or Fiamma bike carrier? Later in the day he called into Leisure Plus Direct for some advice, the shop happens to be near the sea front, 135 Minnis Road, Birchington-on-Sea, only a few hundred metres from the beach!

I happened to have a Thule bike carrier at a very good price and fitted it for the customer at a good rate..all part of the service. The Thule bike carrier now carries both his bikes and he also purchased the locks for the arms making it very secure. The bikes are now easily put on and removed from the rack.

He commented to me that we just needed some decent weather and can ride to Reculver and back.  So if any of your ‘Tribby’ friends want anything Camper or camping related or a Thule bike carrier, this is the place!  We also carry ranges of other items including beach goods, and even frozen bait for all of Mr JJ’s fishing buddies.