RURAL PURSUITS

This list for a car camping trip in Australia has been trialled in many different locations, including a seven- week long trip. The list includes the essentials and assumes you will be able to buy fresh fruit & vegetables on the road.

SLEEPING sleeping bags with liners mattresses, cushions (can sit on during the day too) tent, pegs, groundsheet handbroom (for cleaning tent before packing up) hammer (for pegs in hard ground) old rugs (in case of cold, or picnics)

COOKING paper, matches, tomahawk, grate OR gas cooker and gas bottle wok, cast-iron fryingpan, big billycan, small billycan, jaffle iron spatula, tongs, big slotted spoon, masher, can opener, bottle opener sharp knife, cutting board forks, knives, spoons, teaspoons mugs, bowls, plates jug, salad (mixing and serving) bowl large bowl for washing in, soap, scourer, washing cloth, teatowels bucket, pegless washing line large water container with tap, esky and ice (on short trips) I store all the cooking gear in two plastic crates which, together with a piece of plywood as the top, make a handy table

FOOD The food you take really depends on your diet and the length of the trip, but these are essentials for vegetarians. teabags, loose tea, instant coffee, sugar, powdered milk or UHT, fruit juice breakfast cereals, bread, savory biscuits, muesli bars, peanut paste, vegemite pasta, noodles, rice, flour, potatoes, onions, lentils cooking oil, flavorings eg soy sauce, herbs, garlic, salt, pepper, tomato flakes dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, sweet biscuits canned beans, TVP, freeze dried vegetables, hard cheese

GENERAL handspade and toilet paper in a plastic bag candles and holders (i use recycled tin cans), matches torch and spare batteries tarpaulin and ropes car tool kit camera and film compass, maps, guidebooks, wristwatch paper and pen folding chairs (a luxury but worth it for longer trips) daypack, waterbottles

FIRST AID KIT bandaids, bandages, sling, sterile dressing pads cottonwool large sewing needle, strong thread, matches (to sterilise needle) tweezers, sharp small scissors insect repellant, Stingose antiseptic eg, Ti-tree oil painkiller tablets eg panadol suncreen, lip salve, moisturiser

PERSONAL Toiletries, including sanitary products and condoms Towel, facewasher, comb, nailbrush, nailfile Hat, sunglasses rainjacket, jumpers, walking shoes, sandals, socks clothes to suit expected weather and one good outfit in case of emergencies a relaxed, adventurous and positive attitude!