Latest news with #campsite
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Man details the shocking realities of living in a remote tent in the woods after shunning modern life
A man who sold his apartment to live in a tent in the woods alone has lifted a lid on his unusual lifestyle - revealing he uses baby wipes to bathe and survives off canned beans. The man, named Keith, who is in his 20s and lives in Australia, explained exclusively to the Daily Mail that the idea dawned on him after years of working tirelessly and still struggling to get by. 'No matter how many hours I worked, I'd still have nothing left at the end of the pay cycle,' he said. 'Sham contracting jobs make you liable for taxes at the end of the year.' As someone who is 'naturally introverted,' he enjoys 'solitude' and being in nature, so four months ago, he decided to leave his home and try living in the forest full time. At first he started by sleeping on the tent floor in a sleeping bag, but when he woke up 'drenched and shivering' he got creative. He bought a stretcher and started resting on that at night - and he now insists he sleeps better than he did at his apartment. 'I can sleep better in the woods than with noisy roommates,' he told the Daily Mail. The only items he has with him are some clothes, a mop to dry the floor of the tent if it rains, his sleeping bag, a portable clothesline, and 10 power banks that he uses to keep his phone charged. He sleeps at 'free legal campsites' and usually stays in the same one for a month before he is required to switch to a different campsite. He has a gym membership and goes once a month to re-charge all of his power banks. As for food, he explained that he lives off tortillas and canned beans. 'Twenty flour tortillas at $5 a pack, along with a $1 can of large canned beans (either kidney, chickpeas, lentils, baked beans) lasts me three days,' he shared on Reddit. 'I also buy high protein soy milk cartons, a carton costs me $3 and I consume them within 72 hours of opening since I don't have refrigeration. 'I also buy around 10 packets of family sized snacks (potato, corn, biscuits) for calorie bulking. 'These cost me around $2.50 each. So about $40 on snacks, plus water costs me $20 for two 24 bottled water packs. I take vitamins C, B12 and iron supplements. 'My bloodwork is normal and my BMI hovers around 19. I used to have Type 2 diabetes but it is now in remission since going on this diet.' He uses baby wipes to bathe 'every few days,' but he 'might use a smidge of hand sanitizer once a week with the baby wipes.' 'I use creek water every week or two with the biofriendly soap. I carry a bucket and bathe on the soil away from the water flow,' he added. He wears his clothes for 'three to six days' before he deems them dirty, and washes them in the river without any detergent. 'I immerse them in the flow, take them out, wring it, and repeat three times,' shared Keith. 'I wash the sleeping bag every few months at a laundromat though.' While his tent is waterproof, he said rain sometimes seeps through the seams and collects on the floor, which is why he sleeps on a raised stretcher off the ground. 'I mop up the water and occasionally spray some disinfectant on the tent fabrics during heavy rain,' he dished. As for how he uses the bathroom, he explained the campsites usually have 'drop toilets,' which are non-flush toilets that utilize a drop hole instead of water to dispose of waste. He told the Daily Mail that he has faced some life-threatening situations over the last four months of living in the woods. He said he was once worried about getting hypothermia after he 'got drenched' and once had a large branch fall off a tree and nearly hit him. 'I try to set up underneath a gap in the canopy for this reason. I also try not setting up right besides the road as a careless driver could run me over at night,' he explained. 'And [thankfully] my area stays above freezing even in winter so I just adapt.' As someone who is 'naturally introverted' he said he 'doesn't need constant social stimulation' and is happy to spend his days going on hikes. He vowed that he doesn't get lonely and is able to stay in contact with his family using his phone. He estimated that his living expenses are only $500 a month, which includes his car registration, insurance, gym membership, phone bill, food, and supplies. He lives off 'savings and welfare' and still works 'a few months in the year' to make some income, and he said the 'main benefit' so far has been cutting out his high rent. 'The benefits of this lifestyle are mainly financial, though being able to go on nice walks through the forest trials in the early morning is an underrated advantage,' he explained. While Keith knows not everyone will understand his lifestyle, in the end, he insisted that he is happier than ever. And he said he could see himself doing it 'indefinitely' as long as nothing goes astray.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Father accuses French campsite staff of 'bias' against English tourists - claiming they 'ganged up' on his family with false claims against his children
A 'fuming' Englishman has claimed that a French campsite unfairly accused his family of 'tearing' a trampoline up and 'leaving rubbish everywhere' - saying they have a 'clear bias' against the Brits. Taking to TikTok, father-of-three James, who runs @thedaurats - an account with more than 11,600 followers - blasted staff at Camping des Lancieres, in the Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses region, for 'ganging up' on them. 'I'm raging,' he said the video, which has racked up some 119,400 views. 'We're travelling through Europe in a campervan and we're in France at the moment. 'We needed somewhere to stay for a couple of nights and we found a campsite and we thought this was brilliant value. It literally was like €9 per night on this site.' James admitted the play area was 'a little bit basic' but there was a 'trampoline'. 'Our children then went to play,' he continued. 'They were fine. I kept checking on them every so often. 'There was another family at the other side of the site who have children who were playing with our children. 'But I could see that the two boys were being rough, like, hitting my child to a point where I said, come off the trampoline. 'Later on, they came over - and they were playing fine... all getting along nicely. They went back anyway and they went back on the trampoline.' Then however, James said his daughter was 'pushed into the side netting of the trampoline' - and 'fell out'. 'Luckily she was okay,' he assured. 'We've taken pictures. We took pictures straight away of the net to show that it was torn and how she fell out.' He explained that, however, the following morning he heard knocking from a site 'warden' at his door, saying she was 'shouting': 'You must pay for the net!' 'So what has happened is the families of the other children, the French families staying in the caravans over there, which are right next to the trampoline, who I think are long term stayers, have all coincidentally got the story from their children and messaged the person to say our children were picking apart and tearing the net... and that's what's caused it to break,' he said. James then shared a clip of his conversation with someone at the campsite, which appears to have been facilitated by a translator on the phone - who also works at Camping des Lancieres. The woman on the other line appeared to be trying to get James's side across to the warden, in French saying: 'They seem to be saying they took the kids away... that it wasn't them.' In return however, the warden sarcastically quipped: 'Yeah right, they're angels.' Then, she claimed the family 'left rubbish everywhere'. She added: 'You can tell them if they cause another problem they're being kicked out because other campers are fed up.' James also denied claims that he and his family were leaving trash around the site. 'She's pointing out that I left a tissue,' he said in the clip, trying to speak to the warden. 'She said, you're leaving rubbish I could work out. You're saying you're leaving rubbish on the floor. It was under the door. When I've opened the door, it's fallen off the counter... Look at this plastic that's not even ours.' 'How can we have a conversation when you're walking away?' he continued. 'Because every time I try and speak to her, she's just walking away. 'She's received emails from other families that we've done something, when clearly she's made up her mind. I can only assume that it's the English family's fault. She just didn't like us.' It did however also seem there were language barriers in place, and it is unclear if both parties truly understood one another. 'This is the worst experience of my life. I feel like they've clearly ganged up on us,' James said. 'We're the English family. We struggle. We speak a little bit of French, but not much.' Commenters appeared divided, and as while many voiced their support, others insisted James's family should pay for the net MailOnline has reached out to the family and the campsite for comment. Commenters appeared divided, and as while many voiced their support, others insisted James's family should pay for the net. 'I'm so sorry this happened to you!' one wrote. 'I'm a Brit living in France and do feel like the the French always side with their own as I've had a few similar issues here with French neighbours in my apartment building (not the same issue I know, but I do understand your situation a little bit!)... 'It's such a shame and I hope you got it sorted in the end.' One also recounted: 'Not being funny but I've noticed a lot of micro aggressions over seating in cafes and restaurants - parking at tourist destinations, taxi drivers, passport control and even beach chairs. 'I've traveled in remote areas of Africa and Asia for 25 years and never had so much low level snark from people clearly annoyed by strangers and perhaps over tourism. Literally in the last 2-3 years I'm a Gen X so am pretty laid back and not about it. 'I also live in a tourist area in the UK so am very respectful of locals when I travel abroad because I know what a pain tourists can be. I think humans have changed since Covid - road rage, Reform, Trump. It's not you mate.' Others however appeared to site with the campsite. One questioned: 'Why didn't you report to the campsite owners if you had nothing to hide.' 'Families will always side with their own children, even if they are in the wrong, no matter what the country, these days,' elsewhere, someone penned. 'Tourism is taking the back lash for the immigration crisis, today. 'Most of the countries that rely on tourists are taking their frustrations out on the tourists. It's very sad. 'And yes, there are terrible tourists that can't behave themselves, mainly adults.' The campsite has largely positive reviews on TripAdvisor, with a 4.3/5 score. Reviewers said the accommodation is 'restful' and service is 'top notch'. The Daurats call themselves a 'home education family' and share their travels on social media, with their children Henri, nine, Genevive and Gabriel, who will be one in October.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Picturesque' Kent campsite set within cherry orchard named among UK's best
A campsite an hour's drive from south east London amongst a cherry orchard in the Kent countryside as been named among the UK's best. recently named its list of Outstanding Sites for 2025, featuring 150 camping sites across the UK, from eco-friendly hideaways to family-friendly holiday parks. Set within a cherry orchard in the Kent Downs, just a short drive from Faversham, Painters Farm Campsite was one of two campsites in the county of Kent. The campsite is set within a cherry orchard in the Kent Downs, just a short drive from Faversham. (Image: Described by campers as a 'picturesque campsite' with 'really friendly hosts', this campsite offers a tranquil spot for camping whilst still being within a short distance to nearby towns and villages. 96 per cent of campers on said they would recommend the campsite to stay, with the campsite receiving top scores for location, value for money, services and cleanliness. The campsite's facilities include toilets, hot showers, and an area to wash up and do laundry, as well as fresh water taps. 96 per cent of campers on said they would recommend the campsite to stay. (Image: Just five minutes from the campsite you can reach the market town of Faversham, with its popular antiques and farmers markets and its many pubs, but if you don't fancy driving the campsite is just two minutes away from nearby pub The Alma. The dog-friendly, family-friendly campsite offers both electric and non-electric spots, with 46 pitches for tents and caravans and campervans. The dog-friendly, family-friendly campsite offers both electric and non-electric spots. (Image: If you get chilly in the evening or want to have a barbecue on the site, you can bring a barbecue and firepits are also available. For things to do, the campsite offers plenty of day trip options to seaside towns like Herne Bay and Whitstable, and historic sites like the city of Canterbury, and being within the Kent Downs you'll find plenty of outdoor walks if you're a nature lover. The campsite is open from March 1 until October 31 with prices for an electric pitch starting at £31.50 per night and non-electric pitches starting at £24.50.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Classic Julia Child Recipe Ina Garten Idolizes
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Every once in a while, you'll have a meal that sticks with you, for more than just wistful nostalgia. It's food that reinvigorates, inspires, and has you wanting to share it with everyone. For Ina Garten, one such meal was the coq au vin she once had decades ago in a campsite in France, which in turn led to her learning Julia Child's recipe for the dish. When Garten was a guest on the Your Mama's Kitchen podcast with Michelle Norris, she recounted a trip to Europe she and her husband once took when they were both young and relatively broke. During a stop in France, they drove up to the two-star campsite they'd be staying at and were offered a fresh serving of coq au vin by the woman who ran the campsite. Garten brought it back to their tent, heated it up for dinner, and fell in love. "I just thought, 'I need to know how to make this. This is amazing,'" she shared on the podcast. Since then, coq au vin has been a fixture in Garten's repertoire. She first learned how to make it by following Child's recipe, and has since adapted it to add her personal touch. Her dish today is the product of three great inspirations: the rustic campsite coq au vin, the legendary Julia Child, and her own personal tastes. It's a recipe worth learning, especially if you're a fan of Ina Garten's genius 10-recipe rule. Read more: 13 Meats People Used To Eat, But Are Now Illegal In The US The Julia Child Recipe That Inspired Ina Garten's Coq Au Vin If you want to follow in Ina Garten's footsteps and learn how to make Julia Child's coq au vin first, you can find it in "The French Chef Cookbook." Child was, for decades, America's most famous advocate for French cuisine -- and also, rather surprisingly, a spy for the early CIA -- and happily shared her recipes both on television and in writing. Child's coq au vin is hearty stew bearing the rich flavors of browned chicken, bacon, mushrooms, and onions, simmered in a broth of beef and tomato paste, and fortified by a healthy amount of red wine. The liquid is then reduced and further thickened with butter and flour, resulting in a dish that warms your bones and fills your belly. It's easy to see why the iconic French staple was Julia Child's favorite chicken dish, and why it left such a strong impression on Garten. Garten's recipe for coq au vin changes up a handful of things from Child's, but the inspiration behind her version still shines through. How Ina Garten Gave Julia Child's Coq Au Vin Her Own Spin Cooking can be a deeply personal matter, which is why you'll often see two chefs have wildly different takes on the same dish. In fact, there's a significant difference between Julia Child's and Ina Garten's beef bourguignon recipes, despite both being fans of French cuisine. While Child's recipe may have provided the foundation for it, Garten's coq au vin is distinctly her own. Based on the recipe she included in her cookbook "Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics," Garten uses chicken stock as the base of her broth instead of beef stock, while also forgoing the tomato paste. This strengthens the flavor of the chicken itself, but trades off some of the depth that the beef and tomato can provide. The addition of cognac to Garten's recipe accentuates both the sweet and savory flavors in the dish through its complex layers. While this likely isn't the same recipe that inspired Garten at the campsite all those years ago, it's nice to know where the story of her version of coq au vin came from: a life-changing trip with her husband, the kindness of a stranger, and the wisdom of a food icon. Every recipe, after all, comes from an experience we want to share with the people we cook for, and Garten's coq au vin is a tale we'd listen to over and over again. Read the original article on Chowhound.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
The scenic coastal Kent campsite with 'breathtaking' views of France
Just a drive away from south east London in Folkestone, you'll find a campsite offering incredible views of the Kent coastline and "breathtaking" views of France with pitches starting from £8. With the six-week summer holiday fast approaching, you may be considering where to staycation around the UK this summer. Located just 10 minutes' drive from the main hustle and bustle of Folkestone – a popular Kent coastal town known for its foodie spots and stretches of beaches – Little Switzerland Caravan and Camping Site is well suited for those looking to enjoy scenic views of Kent. Little Switzerland Caravan and Camping Site is well suited for those looking to enjoy scenic views of Kent. (Image: Pitchup) This family run campsite is situated within The Warren Country Park and nestled within Kent's iconic stretch of the white cliffs, with views of France on a clear day. One reviewer described the views as 'breathtaking', whilst another praised the campsite for its 'secluded pitches' and 'adventurous walks', with The Battle of Britain Monument and Folkestone Downs being within a short walk of the campsite. Opening to campers and caravanners between March and October, the campsite offers a wide selection of camping options for tents, trailers and caravans with electric hook-ups, and laundry and bathroom facilities onsite. The campsite offers a wide selection of camping options for tents, trailers and caravans with electric hook-ups. (Image: Pitchup) If you'd prefer not to cook, the campsite also has a bar and restaurant with views overlooking the English Channel, where you can stop off for breakfast, lunch or a slice of cake after a walk. But if you fancy the walk or drive, Folkestone offers a plethora of places to eat in its popular Folkestone Market, where you'll find everything from street food vendors to indie restaurants housed within former sea containers. If you want to travel further afield, you can easily hop on the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone if you feel like exploring a bit of France.
