Regular readers will know that a rather strange Christmas tradition has grown up in our household. It is now traditional for Santa to bring me presents from Bob and Rose’s range of the weird and the wonderful over at backpackinglight.co.uk. Every now and then — as I go through the year — I stumble on something quite bizarre and try and remember what it is. It is always one of these things!
So — the excitement mounts I know — what landed this Christmas?
Well, there were two items this year. The first is actually rather impressive and useful.
This is a diminutive light from Petzl. I should have included something in the photo to give it scale but the lights you can see are three LEDs. This tiny torch packs a real punch and gives off some serious light. A tiny chord unwinds from the top section and this can be placed around the head or the neck. Great stuff.
But, then there is this!
This would appear to be a water container. It has the words Military Approved on the side. But what the hell do you do with it?
We played a game over the holidays. It was suggested that it would be useful for keeping water in camp until I pointed out that I can already do this with a bottle which has the useful addition of a top/closure to avoid spillage.
It seemed to me that this can only really be used as a dog bowl. I do not have a dog. I have no plans to get a dog.
Racking my mind I thought of Bob and his backpacking habits. Bob is well known for his fastidiousness and, well, cleanliness. When backpacking I like to forget about all of this stuff (apart from the basics) until I find a proper shower. But could it be that this water carrier is for morning ablutions? Even worse, could it be for washing up?
I have usually found hat a little stream will surface for all of my backpacking cleanliness needs. But have I missed something? What would you use this for?
Andy, I have thought of buying something like that for washing clothes on long distance trips, but it would just be something else to carry. I also thought it could be used for post walk ablutions.. I’m considering using my waterproof sack liner instead. Nothing beats a hot shower though.
Deary me!
You have photographed it upside down.
It is a waterproof hat.
I have used the little Petzl lite for about 4 yrs now. Apart from the odd winter night hike it covers everything else i need. It’s really good. I would say the light is adequate rather than spectacular. I have only changed the batteries once so i can’t grumble. It would be nice if they would make a similar model using a Cree led although the battery life would reduce.
The Petzl is great. What a long way we have come with headtorch design. I have found that battery life isn’t amazing. But the weight of spares is neglible. It is a masterpiece of design.
Snorrt! This Petzl is completely the business! Have used one for four years now witthout having to replace battery. Mind you, I tend to go to sleep once it grows dark. But, seriously, this is a mighty piece of kit, and whole-heartedly recomended.
The little Petzl ruleZ!
I naturally assumed that the other item is a portable loo. Obvious, innit? Just stow it in the porch and you’re sorted
… It military grade?
Not sure, but more effective than those little plastic devices, I reckon!