I went camping
The other day, I went camping in Gifu.
You might be hearing someone say , "Oh, so you're camping? You're taking a break from restaurants, you're receiving financial support, and you have plenty of time and money to spare." But that's not the case.
I've said this many times, but I'm a sommelier who advocates that "New Zealand wine and the outdoors are the perfect pairing." That's why I need to personally demonstrate how delicious the New Zealand wines sold at Bokumo Wine are to drink outdoors. In other words, camping is a must!
Also, I booked this campsite more than a month ago, and the restaurants were supposed to have resumed business on that day. That's right, I was planning to go during a break in business. But then, due to the extension of the state of emergency, I happened to go during a closed day.
Also, basically, my camping doesn't cost that much . In the first place, most of the money spent on camping is on the equipment. I used to be a family camper, but now that my kids are grown, I've reluctantly become a solo camper, and my closet in my room is still full of camping equipment. There's no need to buy equipment now.
To be honest, for a store like ours, we're barely making ends meet when it comes to subsidies. It costs money to maintain a store. Your taxes → Aichi Prefecture subsidies → my camp funds definitely don't cover it.
With that rather lame excuse out of the way, I'll now write about this camping trip.
This year, I wanted to think of ways to enjoy New Zealand wine while solo camping, so I started by practicing setting up a solo tent inside the closed Bokumo store.
Then in the spring, I tried my first solo camping trip in Mie, but it was a spectacular failure.
The storm that followed flattened our tent. We tried to sleep in the car, but we ended up spilling wine inside, our moods were all down, and we couldn't even eat a decent camp meal. It was a disaster.
I planned to go camping this fall as a revenge. I was thinking of going solo again this time, but a friend from high school said, "Camping sounds good, please take me," so we decided to go camping together in Gifu.
Forgetting things is common
By the way, I have a rule regarding camping.
It is said that when camping, you are bound to forget something .
Even if you think you're perfectly prepared, you're bound to forget something.
I have plenty of experiences. I forgot some unusual seasonings that I ordered online for camping, I forgot whole vegetables that I cut up the day before in the fridge, I forgot a mini light, water repellent spray, spare underwear, badminton racket, and so on.
In all my camping experiences, I have never forgotten something. Remembering to forget something is what camping is all about.
So why do we forget?
That's because there are an unusually large number of types of camping equipment .
Even if you start out with a simple setup, the more you do it, the more you will need to be particular about it. The more particular you are, the more things you will need to prepare.
In my case, when I went on a family camping trip, I brought 50 items, including tents, tarps, sleeping bags, tables, chairs, kitchen utensils, etc. Even in this duo camping trip, I brought about 30 items. If I made a list so I wouldn't forget, I could reduce the number of forgotten items a little, but at my age, I still forget to write things on the list.
However, this time, the friend I was going with was a total camping newbie. The instructor is especially important for newbies, and this is true for sports, camping, and wine. I want them to feel "this was great" on the first visit no matter what. I don't want to forget anything that would make them think "I've already done it." So this time, I used my days off to make preparations little by little.
result!
This time, safe!
There were a few small things forgotten, but overall, no problems. I think the strategy of preparing little by little was a good one.
My friend was very happy!
The lamb, beef rump and autumn salmon all turned out delicious, and the paired New Zealand wine was also well received.
I was very happy that my friend realized that New Zealand wine goes well with the outdoors.
The photos give you a sense of the atmosphere.
▶ Graham Norton Pink Design Rosé 2020
▶ Antzfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2020
(↑Iwasu's top recommendation: a New Zealand white wine to take camping. Even if it's not sunny, you'll feel sunny! It goes great with fish.)
▶ Trinity Hill Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2018
▶ Shangri-La Pinot Noir 2018 (↑ Iwasu's top pick: a New Zealand red wine to take on a camping trip. Its mild flavor makes it perfect with meat or fish.)
▶ Osawa Wines Flying Sheep Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
▶ Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018
The white wine has a bursting aroma of passion fruit that makes you feel like you're in an orchard in the forest, which is amazing!
The gentle berry and oak aromas of red wine match perfectly with the savory aroma of charcoal-grilled meat and the smoky aroma of the bonfire!
Once again, I confirmed once again my belief that "New Zealand wine and the outdoors are the perfect pairing."
By the way, here is an article that talks in detail about camping and wine. Please feel free to use it as reference for your next camping trip.
▶ A sommelier's guide! How to casually enjoy wine at camp
I thought I hadn't forgotten anything...
Thus the duo camp ended successfully.
Well, if I put my mind to it, I could have gone camping without forgetting anything.
The next day, when I got home, I suddenly realized something.
Oh no, I forgot...
When I'm outdoors, if I don't consciously take in plenty of vegetables, yogurt, and water, I'll end up in big trouble...
yes.
I have a constitution that is bad for me when I get constipated. What's bad is when I have to release the solidified stuff inside my body.
More than 10 years ago, the "angry alternate self" living in the lower half of my body snapped spectacularly, causing a huge incident.
With the hospitalization, surgery, and donut cushion, it was pure hell.
However, this time at camp I was so focused on being a good instructor that I completely neglected taking care of myself.
Especially when you eat a lot of meat. This is not good. I had completely forgotten that I need to be extremely careful.
ah!!!
I don't want to be hospitalized!!
I want to release it safely somehow!
Bang!
(close the door)
(The following agony is omitted.)
(From the other side of the door)
"Vegetables, yogurt, and fluids - never forget them!!!"
