I thought the ancient Chinese were brilliant when they invented the wheelbarrow thousands of years ago. A two handled apparatus that can carry heavy loads on one wheel.
But now they have invented a battery what will never need charging for fifty years. So if I buy one it will see me out. They are going into full scale factory production and aim (hope) to have them in the shops for 2025. The only downside is they cost five hundred Pounds each.
I thought I had found the answer to my "roughing it" camping trips when I go to Blighty for my annual camping literary trips and Prog Rock festivals.
A lot of the music festivals don't have any mobile phone charging points (Cropredy does!) and I try to find a friendly pub that allows us to recharge while I have my full English breakfast. Normally don't mind you plugging your phone lead in if you buy a breakfast or a pint.
Other than that. Two or three times during the trip I will book a Travelodge room and have a shower, sleep in a bed and charge my mobile phone.
You would think in this day and age that there would be places to charge your mobile phone at airports, shopping centres, libraries and the like? Not everyone stays in houses, hotels or even travels in a car when they go on a "roughing it" trip. I never understand why libraries and even charity shops and banks are not open on a Sunday when most people are not working?
Or unless I win the National lottery and buy my own atomic battery? I suppose if I did that I could buy my own house in walking distance of the festival?
Now then young man, I recall last year's adventures upon this sceptred isle! You will be doing a lot of walking and I urge you to invest in some reliable, comfortable footwear that will not result in any pain or blisters. Get these boots or sturdy shoes worn in before you go.
ReplyDeleteP.S. As I do not possess a mobile phone, I never have to think about charging it or buying £500 batteries.
Yes I need to get some expensive hiking boots and double soled socks. I use my mobile phone for photos, texting, surfing tweb, emailing and listening to the likes of Michael Schenker when I'm tending the veg plot or walking. It's my Swiss Army Knife for communication YP.
ReplyDeleteI might recommend TECNICAMEN’S WATERPROOF BOOTS - VIBRAM - GTX - TECNICA STARCROSS GREY boots from Decathlon but every man's feet are different. Yours are probably similar to cloven hooves. I require wide-fitting boots. I never bother with thick socks and I haven't had a blister in many years.
ReplyDeleteThanks . I will Google them. I measured my feet a couple of years ago. One foot is bigger than the other and I now wear size 11 instead of 10 that I have been buying all my adult life. If I had cloven hooves I would be related to the Divel himself.
ReplyDeleteDave, look into solar phone chargers. They are very reasonably priced here, between $20 and $40 for the most part and some of them are not bigger than the phone itself. To be honest, I thought you already had purchased one.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried sock liners? They are tight fitting socks that you wear under your regular socks. They wick moisture away from your foot, and they also reduce friction because they are snug fitting stretchy socks.
I purchased a solar phone chargers from Lidl Debby but it didn't last long and it was disappointing. I think manufacturers think everybody owns a car to charge their mobile phones. You would think there would be recharging places in high streets and at places like rock festivals. I think it could be quite lucrative.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of sock liners I will check them out. Thanks!
All joking aside, you might want to look on line. Not all chargers are created equal and you can read the feedback on them. Good luck, Wandering Dave.
DeleteI will Debby. Thanks. I even find campsitesxwith no sockets to charge your phone. How did we ever cope without mobile phones?
DeleteThe battery that comes with a DIY radiotherapy app for your phone.
ReplyDeleteYes and it only cost 500 Pounds. " I'll have two please".
ReplyDeleteI was on a bus in Moldova or Ukraine and somebody lent me a battery pack bank thing to charge my phone. I had never seen one before. It worked very well and I was extremely grateful for it. Very kind people. My brother took a battery bank charger to jump start his car just in case when he went to Holland last year because he had an untraceable problem with his car battery going flat. It cost about £50.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel. I took a power bank with me last year. They only last a couple of days Especially if there are two people using them. I noticed public transport buses had charging points. They should be everywhere, especially at airports.
Delete500 pounds for a battery? I could get battered much more cheaply just by annoying the neighbours next door when they get stoned on paydays.
ReplyDeleteNot that I would ever do such a thing.
It does sound expensive River. It would be excellent not to ever have to charge your phone or camera or tablet again. We don't need the stress of wondering where we will recharge our phone.
ReplyDeletebuy a small portable power bank, they're about the same size as your phone. Charge them up before you leave home and take your phone charging usb cord with you. When the phone needs recharging, plug it into the power bank. Of course these things are useless if you will be staying at places where you can't recharge the power bank or the phone.
DeleteI have used power banks before River. They usually only last less than two days and a lot of places like campsites have nowhere to charge your phone or power bank.
DeleteI don't know about the rest of the country but there are installations in London that allow people to charge a range of things from USB type connections. Some of them are also charge points for electric cars. Some even have touch screens with internet access. I've seen homeless people camped around them charging phones. Could you be described as homeless when on tour? Trains and even some buses have charging facilities now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a refugee Tigger's Mum?😊 I need my phone mainly for WhatsApp to family and friends. I use planes and public transport and camp at campsites with a few hotel stays. It's very difficult to charge a phone when a music festival or campsite doesn't have plug sockets or charging facilities. Even spending cash can be difficult with some bars and all Travelodges insisting you pre book by card. You would think there would be charging points in public places. I don't mind paying for such a privilege either.
ReplyDeleteNot all trains have charging points. The East Midland Trains running between Norwich and Manchester and Liverpool via Sheffield do not have charging points.
ReplyDeleteBus Eireann have charging points on their routes and I have seen them on the buses in Kent Rachel. You would think that all trains and train stations and airports had places for people to fast charge their phones. Thanks.
ReplyDelete