OUTDOOR LIFE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20098, 3 May 1935, Page 12

OUTDOOR LIFE

LIVING UNDER CANVAS That a comfortable home can be made for long periods ill a camp, even under adverse conditions, has been proved by Mrs F. Vigers (Miss Lucretia Johnson) a English artist, well known to Aucklanders, who arrived here last week after an absence of about two years. It was about four years ago that Mrs Vigers and her husband started to make their home in a camp, and with the exception of one or two short breaks they have lived that way ever since, in different parts of New Zealand. “Our camp is well equipped,” said Mrs Vigers, “and of course we have a large ground sheet, covered with coconut matting, and a double fly which makes the tent waterproof in both winter and summer. If ever we want extra space we use the car cover, wheih makes an excellent ‘guest room.’ ” Mrs Vigers chose this way of living so that she could be free to go and come as she pleased, and be at complete liberty for her painting. By this means she has been able to see New Zealand thoroughly. She said that it was a particularly healthy life. No one ever had a cold in camp. One of the essentials in camp life w»as to keep warm, especially in winter. Hot water bottles were always used and the bed clothing was made into bags and not tucked in, as was usual in houses. One was apt to become “untucked” in the night and the bag system (which was a real camping secret) was infallible. Her bed was a mattress on the ground and this mattress, when rolled up during the day, made a smart humpty with its cretonne cover. Benzine boxes, bolted together and with screw-eyes for the cups made an efficient cabinet, which was collapsed for a journey and fitted neatly in the back seat of the car. “I cannot praise too highly the hospitality of the people in both the North and the South Islands,” said Mrs Vigers. “They were kindness itself and nothing was too much trouble for them. When we were near towns we were of course able to send our things to the laundry, but in the country we were not only permitted to camp on beautiful private grounds, but we were invited to make use of the bathrooms, and washhouses of the homesteads.” Mrs Vigers, who paints mostly gardens and landscapes, said that the gardens in the South were particularly beautiful, especially in Christchurch where the river added to the charm of the scene. On Thursday week Mrs Vigers is leaving for England where she hopes to have a caravan and continue the outdoor life she has enjoyed so much in New Zealand.