Author Archives

Jools

UK backpacker, striving for lightweight while body gets increasingly heavyweight. Completed all of the UK national trails while fitting in local day hikes and other multi-day trails both in the UK and overseas. Walked across mainland UK on five month 2500 mile 'Three Points of the Compass' hike in 2018

National Trail

England Coast Path: Isle of Sheppey- day two

Despite the route of the England Coast Path on Kent's Isle of Sheppey not quite being signed off, Three Points of the Compass continues to knock off the coastline of the 'isle of sheep' on the second of two very different days.

National Trail

England Coast Path: Isle of Sheppey- day one

Despite the route of the England Coast Path on Kent's Isle of Sheppey not quite being signed off, Three Points of the Compass takes a best guess and knocks off the coastline of the 'isle of sheep' over two very different days.

Cooking

Gear talk: the Alpine BOMB, or Moulder Strip

Three Points of the Compass looks at a hack that might enable an upright gas stove to continue working in cold conditions. The Moulder Strip is only for 'extreme cold use' though and requires great care and is not recommended.

Gear

Gear talk: the Coleman F1 Lite- was this the lightest gas lantern ever made?

For those wanting both a stove and light that will operate off a small gas canister, Coleman once produced what was probably the lightest lantern option. Does the F1 Lite still have a place for the modern backpacker and camper?

Trail talk

Trail talk: a London to Birmingham leg stretch, but things don’t go to plan…

Three Points of the Compass sets out on a winter wander from London to Birmingham along the Grand Union Canal. However this 147 mile training hike soon unravels.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Sakurai two-sided curvimeter

This Japanese made curvimeter provides greater capability than their simpler one-sided instrument. The 'kilby-meter' demonstrates good design, coupled with immaculate manufacture.

Trail talk

Trail talk: the ‘Nigerian’ post box

Easily identified but not so easily found. The Nigerian is an oddity amongst UK pillar boxes. Three Points of the Compass dives into the history of a post box originally destined for overseas but instead found its way on to British streets.

Gear

Gear talk: five favourite pieces of gear in 2023

As 2023 comes to an end, Three Points of the Compass takes a glance at a handful of items of gear that accompanied me on trail. One was a new purchase while another has rarely been outside any gear list I have compiled over the past decade. Another is pure luxury while a fourth was perfect for specific trail conditions this year. As to the remainder- possibly on its last legs with little hope of replacement.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Frederick Post model 1368

"It is of particular value to motorists, cyclists, hikers, etc. and also useful to architects, surveyors, schools and offices" Frederick Post Company

Cooking

Gear talk: brew kit #3 Toaks Titanium Siphon alcohol burner

If choosing an alcohol brew kit for day walks, Three Points of the Compass is usually carrying a Toaks burner. Their titanium Siphon has its faults, but these are mostly balanced out by simplicity, small size, light weight, robustness and performance.

Gear

Gear talk: an oil burner insert for the UCO candle lantern

Three Points of the Compass fits a lamp oil burning replacement to one of his UCO candle lanterns

Gear

Gear talk: adding extra guys to my shelter

The Ground Control Guy Cords from Sea to Summit are carefully designed accessories that might add a little more stability to my tent when conditions get rough.

Cooking

Gear talk: brew kit #2- smallest possible gas stove options

Three Points of the Compass looks at using a tiny canister repurposed from a gas candle lantern, to make what is probably the smallest possible gas-powered brew-kit for day walks.

Gear

Gear talk: the Cool Camp gas-powered candle lantern

The Cool Camp gas-powered candle lantern is a simple little light to keep around the house for either ambiance or emergencies. It also has a particular feature that might, just might, lend itself to outdoors duty.

map measurer

Map Measure of the Month: The Action Line key tag #199

This month's measure is an advertising or promotional keychain with additional functionally, supplied by The Action Line. It is a cheaply made item printed with a company name who would have handed one out as a 'thank you' for custom, or as an inexpensive advertisement gifted by salesmen to clients.

Cooking

Three Points of the Compass

Long Distance Trails, lightweight backpacking and gear, map measures and anything outdoorsy

Author Archives

Jools

England Coast Path: Isle of Sheppey- day two

England Coast Path: Isle of Sheppey- day one

Gear talk: the Alpine BOMB, or Moulder Strip

Gear talk: the Coleman F1 Lite- was this the lightest gas lantern ever made?

Trail talk: a London to Birmingham leg stretch, but things don’t go to plan…

Map measure of the month: Sakurai two-sided curvimeter

Trail talk: the ‘Nigerian’ post box

Gear talk: five favourite pieces of gear in 2023

Map measure of the month: Frederick Post model 1368

Gear talk: brew kit #3 Toaks Titanium Siphon alcohol burner

Gear talk: an oil burner insert for the UCO candle lantern

Gear talk: adding extra guys to my shelter

Gear talk: brew kit #2- smallest possible gas stove options

Gear talk: the Cool Camp gas-powered candle lantern

Map Measure of the Month: The Action Line key tag #199

Gear talk: brew kit #1 the Ration de Combat Individuelle Rechauffable heating kit

Trail talk: a forgotten anomaly, the 1930s Airmail pillar boxes

Gear talk: the Trangia Triangle

Gear talk: Breaking down Trangia’s Mini and Micro stoves

Gear talk: Evernew Titanium Alcohol Stove