Picnic essentials?

I'm trying to assemble a "picnic basket" and was wondering if there are any vital ingredients - both utensil- and food/drinkwise?

Hi Willows21

I like robust food for a picnic that wont squash too much-some sort of pie or quiche-vegetarian sausages for myself -roast chicken for my husband-and a nice pasta salad-usually some nice fruit for pudding

A blanket or some sort of ground sheet- if picnic tables and benches are not available-a cool box or bag to keep everything fresh- Sunscreen-wet wipes/damp cloth

Hope this helps

Thanks islaygirl, that sounds like my kind of picnic - and sounds like you are a fellow vegetarian with a "carnivore" husband, too?

I just loved going on picnics. I didn't care how messy the food was I just took a big box of wet wipes. I used to own a beautiful, traditional wicker hamper, fully fitted with china and glass . . none of which ever got broken . . and linen napkins too. It was such a treat to use.

I loved quiche, sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad (all very booring, but it is the fresh air that makes it taste good) and no picnic is complete without sandwiches of some sort (I love tomato and cheese that have gone just ever so slightly soggy) and a packet of crisps. I also liked pasta salads, and three bean salads, bowls of cold roast Mediterranean vegetables also, to layer between slices of artisan made bread and butter . .

The food and drink might vary, but the essentials have to be wet wipes, sporks, a sharp knife, and a corkscrew, and a waterproof rug!!!

I think it's all been covered Willows21 so you should have a very lovely picnic to look forward to. Your so right about the slight soggy sandwich's Ysbryd - exactly how it should be.

Where do you plan to go for your picnic Willows21?

Well we got some sand dunes round here, and some sandy beaches, plus some lovely forests - the former having flying sand, the latter having ants, but some little things like that have never put us off yet

Hi again Willows-
Yes he is a carnivore but enjoys vegetarian food as well-my diet is almost vegetarian I do occasionally eat fish which makes me a pescatarian(I may have spelt that wrong)
Hope you enjoy your picnic

Ysbrd I feel quite hungry after reading your post

Hello Sparkles

I'm going with Ysbryd as she's saved me writing a post Exactly the same as she said PLUS a spare carrier bag for rubbish .I'd rather have day out than go away for a week ,I love picnics !
National Picnic Day would be a good idea

Yes LN it would
I know what you mean about a day out-it can sometimes be better than going away-with the added bonus you get to sleep in your own bed

Hey islaygirl! : )

You are so right about a day out. My mum and I took the kids to Collieston beach (Scotland) during the beautiful spell we had. The next day my husband was off so we went again - it was absolute bliss, with the added bonus of the comfort of my own home to return to. You should Google Collieston beach, it's stunning and only 15 minutes away from where I stay.

I imagine your still waiting for your picnic Willows21 since the weather has been a bit grim - Boo! to rainy days