Camping And Caravanning Hobbies

An illustrated collection of camping and related activities. Anything that involves setting out and staying a while - in the Great Outdoors or the rest stop up the road.


Let's hitch up the trailer and aim to pitch camp somewhere before nightfall.

Backpacking

Backpacking is a cheap way to travel.  Pack everything you need in a rucksack and hitch, beg, borrow your way from A to Anywhere.

The purpose being to see, taste and experience the world rather than just Google it.

Extreme backpacking is prepping.  That is preparing for the end of the world by stuffing a rucksack full of everything you could ever need.  Water purifying, hunting, radio, first aid, sewing - the kits are endless for the survivalists among us.

​Luxury backpacking involves Airbnb using short term accommodation bookable via the internet.  A modern and more expensive version of youth hostelling.
Backpacking design shows a backpacker carrying large rucksack on back with map in hand. Load up the backpack and set off to explore the world, hiking and camping your way around.

Backpacking Gifts >>

Camping

Leave a perfectly comfortable house with heating and running water and head off somewhere with a tent and whatever you can carry.

Pitch tent after a struggle and make camp.  Enjoy the great outdoors with a fire, food and the company of the stars at night.
Camping design shows pitched tent and happy camper behind

Camping Gifts >>

I Love Camping design features a typical camp scene - camper and tent - in front of a large I Love motif. For camping fans and happy campers!

I Love Camping Gifts >>

Campervan

The mostly VW campervan, although there are variants of the same idea, is an iconic hippy style of transport from the sixties.

Under-powered with relatively cramped living conditions - it enabled a generation of surfer types to escape parents and home and break free for a while.

​Still iconic, still loved - the campervan is on tour now.
Peace love and campervans celebrated with this Keep Calm and Campervan graphic for enthusiasts. Fun, bright and friendly like the iconic campervan itself.

Keep Calm Campervan Gifts >>

Caravanning

The caravan is a wildly popular way to escape for a while.

Take the kids, pets or just you and your partner out on the road and find a nice place to stay with all the comforts and familiarity of your own mobile home.
Caravan design features two cars and caravans in a cool graphic style. For caravanning enthusiasts.

Caravan Gifts >>

I Love Caravanning design features hand drawn caravan in front of I Love symbol. For caravan enthusiasts.

I Love Caravanning Gifts >>

Keep Calm Caravan design features a caravan and car graphic with the words

Keep Calm and Caravan Gifts >>

Rambling

Rambling involves walking to or through places of scenic beauty or historical interest.  It is a gentle activity - walking - that requires a little stamina and the ability to get from one place to another.

It is suited to older folk who enjoy some time out at a peaceful pace.  Put some sandwiches and a thermos into a rucksack, put on your walking boots - pack some rainclothes - and you are ready for the next rambling meet.

It is not entirely clear what the difference is between rambling, hiking and walking.  Here is an attempt to define them.
​
  • Rambling - easy walk, afternoon out, with group of other ramblers
  • Walking - solitary or couples walking a variety of routes - coastal paths, locally, hills and valleys
  • Hiking - more strenuous form of the above
Rambling, hiking or walking image shows rambler with stick and rucksack

Rambling, Hiking and Walking Gifts >>

RV Recreational Vehicle

The recreational vehicle or motorhome is hugely popular - particularly in the States with wide open spaces and roads to go with them.

These vehicles are the equivalent of camping on the move - without the need to pitch tent when stopping.

Equipped with sleeping, toilet and cooking facilities they provide a way to travel and holiday at a reasonable cost - once the initial purchase of the RV has been borne.
RV Recreational Vehicle Motorhome drawing

RV Recreational Vehicle Gifts >>

Staycation

A staycation can mean staying at home and enjoying days out, or staying within your own country borders.

Whichever, there are many benefits to the leisure pursuits on this page.  No queues at the airport and less air miles.  Outdoors and safely isolated with friends or family.  Having more choice and freedom to go where you want and do what you want.

It is possible to have a complete change within a few miles of your own front door.  That's the benefit of staycation.
​Staycation design shows some choices for a stay at home holiday - caravanning, camping, RV travelling and a narrowboat. Choose one or all of them and enjoy a staycation in your own country.

Staycation Gifts >>

Van Life

Van life is living in a van.  Rent free apart from parking fees.  Tiny house style accommodation and for the intrepid nomads - a chance to travel the world.
Van Life features a cool van with panda and daisy artwork, plus daisy wheels with the words

Van Life Gifts >>

Breaking Camp

It's time to leave this page and return to a life of creature comforts. Simple things like a comfortable bed, a hot shower and a flushing toilet.


Part of the fun and adventure of camping is the things that don't go according to plan. When a new tent turned out not to be entirely waterproof, or the RV refused to climb that steep ascent. Tales to tell as you enjoy your first hot meal for a fortnight and a favorite armchair.


See you next year.


Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: September 28, 2025.