A camping pod is like a mini hut that you can sleep in. There are many sites around the UK that now have these pods but the best we have seen is at Eskdale in the Lake District. The Eskdale camping and caravanning club site is open between the 1st of March and the 14th of January 2011 and has 80 standard pitches. But it is the pods that are causing all the talk in the valley. A camping pod costs just £40 per night, contact the Camping and caravanning club to find out more.

Eskdale was recommended by the great Alfred Wainwright as

“One of the loveliest of Lakeland Valleys”

and it is easy to see why. Put on your walking boots and enjoy some of the best scenery the Lakes have to offer.

Sykes farm is situated in the heart of Buttermere village and is only a few minutes walk from two excellent Lake District pubs. Crummock Water, the other lake in the valley, is only a short walk away and the walking from the campsite is excellent.

The campsite is open year round and booking in advance is not required but during the summer months it is advisable to arrive at the site early to secure a pitch. So why is Syke farm the second campsite on our list? Perhaps because it is set in one of the most unspoilt valleys in the Lake District and on a purely selfish note, because we love it.

In the next five posts we will cover in our opinion the best five campsites in the Lake District. Whilst our point of view might be subjective, we have chosen these not just for the amenities that they provide but the overall experience of camping in the lakes.

The North Western lakes are perhaps the best place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the visitors that are attracted to the Lakes every year. And one of the best places to visit in the Northern lakes is Wasdale.

Nestled on the beautiful Wast Water, Wasdale campsite is surrounded by beautiful views of some of the Lakes most stunning and imposing landscapes. Great Gable is within touching distance. As is Scafell Pike – England’s largest mountain. The Wasdale Head Inn is a short walk away from the site and serves excellent real ales and good pub grub. The campsite is owned by the National Trust and places can be booked in advance – and should be during the more popular summer months.

You can get hand bags, purses, back bags and sholder bags all types of roxy luggage. Looking at them its for Girl’s really and don’t look very practical at all. In a camping bag you want to be able to carry lots of stuff. Have seperate compartments and also straps for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat.

But on the plus side you would look cool around the campsite. It might be the case that you get a traditional back back and then a roxy bag when you are out and about. Prices of roxy backs start from £10 and go all the way up to £60 which is ok for a fashionable bag.  the bags all feature floral pringts or fucnky designs something that the camping indusrty could learn from. It might help more girls get into campaing if there were more pink bags with flowers on!

So how does this relate to campings and campsites? Well on weekends and bank holidays campsites get very busy it’s hard to keep everyone informed of pitches etc. So bigger companys might want to look into using a free sms program to send out messages to campers yet to arrive about the status of the site related to capacity.

E.g. A text could be sent to say that 70 out of 100 pitches were gone. Even more important to say that the campsite is full and that will stop people turning up to find no spaces. You can then text a location of a campsite near by.

It’s a much faster way to get in contact and much more reliable than e-mails or phoning people. You can also then text people offers in the future. E.g. on a thursday offer cheap camping for the coming weekend as it might be nice sunny weeken comming up.

They also saw a good increase in sales of bikes due to the weather and the increasing pick up of the bike to work scheme which gives workers a a cheaper way to buy a bike.

Sales in a 13 week period up to July 3 increase buy 1.3%

Halfords financial director Nick Wharton explainds the companies view on the increase in sales during the 13 week period. “We’re very pleased with what we see as a solid start to our financial year but there is no doubt the consumer situation remains challenging,” he said.

It’s not all good though as Wharton explained “We think the consumer is a little bit better off at the end of the month and therefore has got a little bit more disposable income they might invest in a bike for their children or for themselves.”

The company may be able to look forward to a bumper christmas with bike sals on the up as well as items to get your car through the winter months.

The Tory leader expressed that there is a need for a freedom of speech but the camp had been there too long “enough is enough” commented Mr Cameron.

Brian Haw has managed to resist eviction seven times by the Westminster City Council in London and by the government.

It was thought that homeless people had joined the protestor and two years ago several people were removed from the site.

Many members of parliment feel the site is too noisy and make a eye sore

David Cameron spoke to Sky News about plans if his party were to get into government .

He said: “I am all in favour of free speech and the right to demonstrate and the right to protest.

“But I think there are moments when our Parliament Square does look like a pretty poor place, with shanty town tents and the rest of it.

The only problem is that he need to get into government first

While in the area I planning on going to see the miniture pigs at pennywell farm which is one of the biggest attractions in the area. It looks like a great day out even for a 24 year old.

I’ll also be visiting Blackpool Sands which is a private beach near to Torbay. There’s a cafe and and shop on the beach which is made up of pebbles. It’s a place I visited as a kid so will be looking forward to going back with my other half.

Camping wise I’ll be taking a two / three man tent, it’s a tad dirty from glastonbury so will need a clean and a fix to the ground sheet which has a hole from dropping a lanturn, I was a tad drunk.

The second epidsode shown last night showed that selection process and also the start of training for the walk to the south pole. It included the task of putting up their tent in 10 mins flat. At the start it was taking around an hour but after a little practice they managed to get it up in the desired time. Any longer and they would start to freeze.

It’s a great tv so far, head over to the bbc to see the first two shows http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00llqdz and then catch it every Sunday after top gear. You’l be sure to be amazed at some of the camping and walking equipment being used just to keep warm in the freezing south pole tempratures.

The rain wasn’t too bad and the sun was out burning everyone, Ive got a burnt neck and upper arms. The camping was good pitching in the same place as last year near to the other stage. We took two three man tents, 4 stools, small stove, three pans (yet to be washed) a small glass light and for the first time i had a self inflating mattress which was really comfortable.

Music wise it kicked off with Maximo Park at the Queens Head it was packed and when opened a stamped caused one or two injuries. After that hightlights included the great Little Boots, Rolf Harris, Tom Jones, Madness, Bloc Party, The Ting Tings, Status Quo, and the two big headliners Bruce Springsteen and Blur.

There was a bit of wait to get in with a 6 hour wait but a nifted shortcut helped us into the festival for 8 on the wednesday, we were planning to be there at two.

I’m looking forward to next year, already here is a picture of me at the viewing platform at the top of the site with my glasto beard and hair. Over all highlight Little Boots.