Camping

When we first started camping in Greece, I would wake up every hour or so with sore hips and numb limbs. I thought I'd just have to get used to disturbed sleep. Now I more or less sleep through the night (except when there is a thunderstorm, like last night).

PERKS OF CAMPING

• The roadsignage. In Europe they really like to let you know where the campgrounds are. Sometimes there are signs every km or so. like a treasure hunt. turning up in a town and looking for signs generally works well (except in Venice when it was like a wild goose chase)
• We can check in and out whenever we like (some hostels have check out at 9am)
• great locations. we have had some of the most scenic spots
• can do our own cooking, have own space
• Cheap. except some in Italy. France camping is great
• can freedom camp as last resort if nothing available.

THE NOT SO GOOD
when it rains! like last night and a few nights before... it is loud and i worry about stuff getting wet.

CAMPING WITH BYRDIE
means early to bed and early to rise. A sleep in is now 7am. One morning she is up, rustle rustle... I'm thinking I should get up soon. I doze a bit. then finally check the time. 5.45am!

The minute Byrdie sees eyes open (or even flicker). she thinks great! "do you want a coffee?".

and then she is somehow surprised "wow it is only 7.30 and we are on the road. isn't it nice at this time?" I am hesistant to agree in case I'm agreeing to getting up really early every morning.

Although to be fair, it does make sense to follow the sunlight. (although I don't know what happens as the days get longer. maybe we just won't sleep when we get to Norway) and cycling is cooler and the lighting is beautiful early in the morning...

Byrdie loves to try and save on cooking gas. She thrives on the challenge. This means doing complicated things like cooking something only 20% and then putting it into a plastic container to continue "cooking" in it's own heat. and then putting it back in the pot on gas again... twice we've opened our hard boiled eggs at lunch to find them not completely cooked (though she has vowed to actually let the water boil now). crunchy rice or potatoes occassionally too. oh and she has said a few times "can you save the pasta water?". yum pasta broth. I have yet to see her consume it...