Kit: Hydration

We're travelling in the summer months, so we will have to keep good and hydrated. The children have Thermos flasks which they have had for a year or so, and which keep water cold for hours. Harry has a 500ml flask and Maisie has the 750ml. Obviously they can be a little heavy for the kids, especially if they are carrying packs, and Harry usually complains bitterly if he has to carry his for any more than 90 seconds.

I bought a drinkSafe 'explorer' water filter bottle from Amazon for us. (www.drinksafe-systems.co.uk/) I haven't tried it yet, but I did a fair bit of research and these bottles can sort you out for 1600 litres from one filter. The bottle holds 1 litre and comes in a neoprene carrier, so it is not going to keep water cool for too long. Their website shows some Bear Grylls nutcase filtering water out of some sludgy swamp and then drinking it down as if it was a refreshing pint of cider. Being easily impressed impressed with 'hard nuts' I bought one instantly. We'll see what it's like...