Ariat has rapidly become my go-to for riding wear, and as someone whos perpetually cold, finding an oversized, snuggly and hardwearing hoodie has been high on my agenda for some time. The Ariat Rebar Hoodie is warm, cosy and ideal for autumn yard chores and riding. Read on for my full review.What is it?Ariat Womens Rebar Graphic Hoodie Purple Thistle 60StockistsGS EquestrianAmazonAriatFeaturesGreater Arm Mobility helps extend arm and shoulder range-of-motion so you can move freely Stain-repellent finish helps keep fabric looking clean and easy to maintain through repeated wear Ribbed cuffs and hem Embroidered logos Kangaroo pocketInternal phone pocketLets face it, although I only returned to riding at the start of this year, Ive done it in my signature all-or-nothing style, and I needed to invest in a few key pieces of equestrian wear. Aside from the obvious, like boots, hat and breeches, Ive also found myself in need of clothing thats comfortable for riding in, but equally practical for knocking around the yard as I take on basic stable management tasks.As a certified member of the Always Cold Club, hoodies with a thick lining, room for thermal layers underneath and a fleece or waterproof on top, are a must, particularly as we head into winter.Of course any jumper is technically suitable to ride or do chores in, but with horse drool, poo, feed and cheeky nibbles to think about, decent quality and hard-wearing are characteristics worth their weight in Stud Muffins.Step forward Ariat Workwear, the gold standard, incorporating things like climate-control fabrics, and specialised seams designed for maximum mobility and durability. The verdictThe fit is slightly oversized, Im a 12 and the medium is pretty roomy, so if you prefer a more fitted look, you might want to size down. The fleece lining adds just enough warmth that youll stay warm, but not so much that youll overheat when the pace picks up on hacks or in lessons, and it washes brilliantly too.The half-zip front is a practical addition which makes temperature control a doddle and I really like the phone pocket inside the main front kangaroo pocket. The thing I love most though, is just how ridiculously practical and easy to wear this hoodie is.The Ariat Rebar Graphic Hoodie comes in a variety of different colours, but I absolutely adore the lilac colour I chose, which is easy to pair with any of my breeches and leggings. Its a highly practical and versatile hoodie, and Im likely to be investing in another in a different colour just as soon as I can justify it!DISCLOSURE | The featured product was a self-funded purchase and this review is not part of a brand collaboration.The post Ariat Womens Rebar Graphic Hoodie Review appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.

The Dragons Hut is one of a handful of stays at The Quirky Barn, tucked away on the Welsh and Shropshire border. Park up beside the farmhouse and follow a mown path down through the grass to reach Dragons Hut. Theres nothing in front of it but rolling countryside, making it the perfect place for some much-needed relaxation and nature therapy. Read on for my full review.I hate it when people call things a hidden gem, but for The Quirky Barn, it feels like a label that genuinely fits. The Dragons Hut is rustic in all the right ways, but with a proper bed, an en suite and a wood burner, its warm, cosy and comfortable too.Im trying really hard to spot the signs of burnout before its too late to do anything about them. This year has thrown one thing after another at me, and its been relentless. Getting to this point in the year without entirely losing my shit is a minor miracle, so when I felt the telltale signs of a dysregulated nervous system making themselves known, I decided to take some time out.My criteria were simple: no long drive, no faffing around pitching a tent, plenty of peace and quiet, and somewhere close to the stables where Ive spent most of my weekends lately.A 1am Google search led me to The Dragons Hut at The Quirky Barn. It ticked every box and was exceptional value too, so I booked it, and a few days later my car was loaded with outdoor and riding gear, my Kindle and iPad, and I was on my way across the border to Wrexham. Inside the shepherds hutThe hut is rustic and relatively basic, and whilst its not the most aesthetically perfect shepherds hut Ive stayed in, it does have heaps of personality, from dragons here, there and everywhere to the irreverent humour running through everything from the signage to the guest information folder.Youll find a kitchen area with a microwave and fridge, a little en suite (with a sparkly loo seat), a super comfy double bed and, of course, the all-important log burner. Do be sure to bring kiln-dried logs with you, or contact your host, John, ahead of your stay to arrange some for a small additional cost.Outside, the hut has its own little garden with seating and a barbecue, and you can wander the mown paths through the meadows up to a pond with its own tiny island. Guests have the run of several acres, and its lovely land to potter around. The views stretch for miles over rolling border countryside, and with no other guests in sight, it felt like having the whole valley to myself.I managed to catch the sunrise on both mornings of my stay, which is rare for me as a night owl. There can surely be no more grounding way to start the day than watching mist rise from the valley as the sky gently lightens to the soundtrack of the dawn chorus.I usually talk about whats out and about in the local area, but on this occasion, Im proud to say I did very little, which was exactly what Id intended! Living fairly close by in Cheshire, I know this part of Wales well, so I didnt feel my usual urge to fill every minute with things to do. The one exception was horse riding, the only thing that could tempt me out of my peaceful cocoon.On Saturday afternoon, I had another hack booked with Penycoed Riding Stables, a half-hour drive from where I was staying. This time I was paired with Delilah, a giant mare with a few quirks! Im used to riding big horses, but at a whopping 18hh, shes definitely the biggest horse Ive ever ridden, leading one friend to ask if I needed a trampoline to mount her. That said, she was absolutely lovely and a pleasure to ride.The relaxed hack and glorious weather only added to the sense of joyful relaxation I took from the weekend, and sitting outside in the sunshine after my ride was a wonderful way to end a perfect Saturday.Post-ride and tummy rumbling, the small kitchen meant I could rustle up a bowl of soup with some crusty bread, and after a hot shower, I snuggled up with a podcast and some evening snacky-snacks. Before bed, I wrapped up in my heated blanket and sat outside, making the most of the clear sky and lack of light pollution for some quiet, contemplative stargazing.Like most glamping accommodations, check-out is 10am, which usually means no lazy late start to your last day. For a small extra fee, though, I was offered a late check-out, and of course I jumped at it. It meant I had a slow, relaxed final morning, and it made such a difference!You might spot a hot tub in some of my photos, which is an optional extra, at an additional cost and subject to availability. It wasnt in use during my stay, so if a soak under the stars is high on your list, check with John when you book. The same goes for the sauna, and the heated pool thats open between June and August.I cant really do the peace and tranquillity of this place justice. Some places are lovely because of the views, others are wonderful thanks to their amenities, but at The Dragons Hut, it felt like the land itself was magical. Theres a special energy here, and if youre attuned to that sort of thing, you wont fail to pick up on it. This is one glamping hut that Ill absolutely be returning to next time I need to switch off and spend some quality time with myself.About my stayI stayed for 2 nights, which cost me 136 at the time of booking, via Booking.com. Electricity in the hut runs on a coin meter that takes 1 and 2 coins, so make sure you bring a few with you. I popped in 3, which was more than enough for my stay. You can find out more at thequirkybarn.co.uk. The post Solo Stay at the Dragons Hut Glamping in Wales Review appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.

We spent a week in the Algarve with a 3 year old recently. By this stage, weve more or less settled on the type of family holiday that suits us. Firstly, we want somewhere with a separate bedroom and living area. Having that extra bit of space makes a big difference. Its great to have []The post A Week in the Algarve with a 3 Year Old appeared first on Wild Irish Walks.

Planning a Northern Lights trip in Iceland means thinking harder about your vehicle than you might for a summer road trip. Youre driving in the dark, parking up for hours at a time, and often moving on short notice when the sky clears. The right camper can make that whole process far less stressful.This article breaks down the different types of 44 camper worth considering for an aurora-focused trip, plus the practical factors that matter more than horsepower or badge. By the end, you should have a clearer idea of what to look for before you book.AI-generated imageA Compact 44 Camper for Solo Travellers and CouplesA compact 44 camper is the simplest option for one or two people chasing clear skies. Smaller dimensions make it easier to manoeuvre on narrow rural roads at night, and theres less vehicle to heat when youre setting off at 2am because the forecast has suddenly turned.Reykjavk typically has only four to five hours of daylight in late December, according to Visit Reykjavk, so a lot of your trip happens after dark regardless of plans. A smaller camper that warms up quickly is a genuine practical advantage here, not just a comfort detail.Before booking, its worth browsing a range of 44 campers for winter in Iceland to compare which compact models include insulated builds or auxiliary heating as standard, rather than assuming every 44-badged van is equipped the same way. Also check that the vehicle has genuine four-wheel drive rather than marketing language borrowed from an all-wheel-drive passenger car.A Mid-Size 44 Camper for Small GroupsIf youre travelling with friends or a partner and want more than a two-berth layout, a mid-size 44 camper with a raised or fixed high-top roof gives standing room without the bulk of a full motorhome.These vehicles typically sit higher off the ground than a standard campervan, which is useful when you need to pull off a gravel verge to watch the sky without worrying about the underside of the vehicle. Its a small detail, but it matters more than people expect on rural Icelandic roads in winter.As with the compact option, dont assume size equals capability. Confirm directly with the rental company which models in their fleet are genuinely built for winter driving conditions, rather than guessing from the exterior.A 44 Camper With Auxiliary HeatingAurora season in Iceland runs roughly from late August through to mid-April, with October to March generally considered the strongest window. Reykjavks winter temperatures typically sit between 0C and 4C from December to February, though wind chill can make it feel considerably colder.That combination of cold and long, dark evenings means heating is arguably more important than the drivetrain itself. A diesel-fired heating system, often built into the cab separately from the engine, lets you keep the camper warm for hours while parked up watching the sky, without needing to leave the engine running.This matters more for aurora hunting than for a standard summer trip, since youre often stationary for long stretches rather than driving between stops. Electric heating that relies on an external hook-up is less useful here, since you wont always be parked at a site with power access.A 44 Camper With a Rooftop TentA rooftop tent configuration suits photographers and anyone who wants to move quickly between locations in one evening. Setup and pack-down are faster than with a low-profile build, and the elevated position can occasionally offer a slightly better outlook, depending on the parking spot.This set-up is popular with the kind of traveller who might check the forecast, drive to one viewpoint, find it clouded over, and relocate within the hour. Aurora activity itself is unpredictable, and cloud cover, moonlight and nearby lighting can all affect visibility, so flexibility has real value.The trade-off is that a rooftop tent is generally colder than a fully enclosed camper body. A good sleeping bag rating is worth packing for, rather than relying on the tents insulation alone.Why 44 Access Makes a Difference for Aurora HuntingThis isnt about a specific vehicle type, but about why four-wheel drive earns its place on this list at all. Getting away from Reykjavks lighting noticeably improves your chances of a clear view, and Visit Reykjavk recommends heading to darker spots outside the city where practical.Reaching those quieter spots, places like ingvellir National Park or parts of the Snfellsnes Peninsula, often means rural roads that arent always gritted or ploughed as quickly as the Ring Road. Four-wheel drive and decent ground clearance give you more margin on packed snow or ice than a standard two-wheel-drive van.Its not a free pass, though. Weather in Iceland can change quickly and roads can close with little notice, so four-wheel drive doesnt remove the need to check current conditions before setting out.One Mistake to Avoid: Expecting Winter F-Road AccessA common misunderstanding is assuming that because a camper is 44, it can be driven on Icelands F-roads year-round. In practice, F-roads into the Highlands close for the winter season and typically dont reopen until summer conditions allow safe passage.For a Northern Lights trip, this isnt actually a drawback. The aurora-viewing spots worth reaching in winter are generally on paved or maintained gravel roads, not Highland tracks. The value of a 44 camper here comes from traction, stability in wind, and heating, not from Highland access that isnt available at this time of year anyway.Before booking, its worth checking which roads and conditions the rental company expects you to plan around during winter, rather than assuming 44 capability extends further than it does.Bringing It TogetherNo single feature makes a camper the right choice for an aurora trip on its own. What matters is the combination: a drivetrain suited to winter roads, heating that works through long, stationary evenings, and a realistic understanding of where you can and cant drive at this time of year.Since aurora viewing depends so heavily on weather and cloud cover, flexibility is often more valuable than any individual spec. A camper that lets you relocate, stay warm, and wait out a cloudy patch gives you a better shot than chasing a single fixed viewpoint.FAQsDo all 44 campers in Iceland include winter tyres? Winter-appropriate tyres are standard practice for vehicles used during the colder months in Iceland, but its worth confirming directly with the rental company rather than assuming, since specifications can vary between models.Can I see the Northern Lights without a 44 camper? Yes, plenty of viewing spots are reachable on main roads. A 44 simply gives you more margin on rural routes affected by snow or ice, and more flexibility if you need to relocate.When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Aurora season generally runs from late August to mid-April, with October through March considered the strongest stretch for darkness. On clear evenings, activity can become visible from around 4pm during the darkest months.DISCLOSURE | This post has been placed by a third party as part of an agreed brand collaboration.The post The Best 44 Camper for a Northern Lights Trip in Iceland appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.

The 10 Best Road Trips in Europe and North America by RV

The iconic Rab Microlight pushed further the Microlight X is a limited-edition evolution of Rabs bestselling Microlight down jacket, developed for alpinism and fast moving ascents and is available exclusively from Ellis Brigham.Ultralight, low-bulk and highly packable, the Microlight X combines a lightweight 10D Pertex Quantum ripstop outer with premium 800 fill-power goose down, treated with Grangers hydrophobic finish to help retain loft and improve drying times in damp conditions.Zoned micro and nano baffle construction increases down loft and heat retention, delivering an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. The jacket also features fully articulated sleeves, an adjustable insulated hood with an integrated peak, zipped hand and chest pockets, and an internal packaway pocket with a clip-in loop.Jacopo Bufacchi, Global Innovation Lead at Rab, said:The real challenge was how to evolve an icon without overcomplicating it. The Microlight has such a strong identity within Rab, so every change needed to have a clear purpose. We looked beyond simply refreshing the design and focused on how we could elevate the materials, construction and overall experience of the product. Finding the right fabric and combining it with a higher-specification 800-fill-power down gave us the opportunity to create something that felt genuinely new while still being unmistakably Microlight.Thats also what sets the X apart from the Microlight Alpine. The Alpine is the versatile, everyday mountain workhorse; the X takes the same core DNA and pushes it towards a more premium, lightweight and performance-focused proposition. For us, its about evolution rather than reinvention.Both Mens & Womens are priced at 320 and available exclusively from Ellis Brigham

We enjoyed a really great family holiday in Dingle last May. We stayed in Dingle town and used this lively location as our base for exploring the wider Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is a fantastic part of Ireland for anyone who enjoys getting outdoors. We were also lucky with the weather, which really helped us enjoy []The post Best Walks in Dingle and the Surrounding Area appeared first on Wild Irish Walks.

I love walking near the sea. The salty air, the waves crashing on the shoreline, feeling the sea breeze against my face, gazing out into the open ocean