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What to take for three day trip off grid

 kilo
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[#13535058]

I have booked a three day trip for Mrs Kilo's birthday to a slightly remote and largely uninhabited island and we need to take all our food with us. So far the packing list comprises of booze and milk.

We will be staying in a house, which will have running water and a rudimentary stove but no electricity. Any recommendations for ready pack / camping meals - veggie as well, etc.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 12:48 pm
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camper-Van-Cooking-family-recipes/dp/1787136841

 

Books ok, a bit Instagram, depends what you normally make really 

Apart from food I'd take something (else) to read 

 

(Edit) There's this too if you can have a fire and want something fancy/involved:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Food-Fire-Scandinavian-Flavours-Open-Fire/dp/1910904341

 


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 1:23 pm
 kilo
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...I'd take something (else) to read 

 

Yes I plan to take the kindle with me.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 2:22 pm
 DrJ
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Posted by: kilo

So far the packing list comprises of booze and milk.

Missing biscuits. Otherwise looks good.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 2:52 pm
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Water purifying stuff, and a bunch of pasta, spices and stuff. And coffee, or at least ground coffee and some sort of mocha thing you can put on a gas stove or in a fire.

And rum. Rum is perfect for island life.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 3:15 pm
 wbo
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Walkiing, driving , boat?


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 7:26 pm
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Yes what do you normally eat? You could take frozen meals with you or maybe you want to cook to fill the time? Will you have a fire/bbq? Is the stove an oven or just gas rings?

Hot lunch - soup, hot dogs, burgers, boiled eggs

If you have an oven, simple warm salad like precooked beetroot & green beans heated through, feta, crusty bread.

With a bbq - better quality packet 'smash', sweetcorn, aubergine, veg skewers (onion, peppers, mushrooms, tomato)

Ready cooked rice or grains and one pot something - curry, moroccan style tagine. If the hob is crap you can just sit and wait for it to boil. 

 


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 7:45 pm
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Spare food in case the weather keeps you on the island longer than expected.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 7:56 pm
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How are you getting there? Do you need to carry your food and stuff?


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 8:28 pm
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Tea and cakes need to be on that list.

Pitta bread is fairly long life if you like bread (will easily last a week). If you're likely to have time to kill take bread flour, yeast and salt and make bread there.

Take whatever you like to eat that doesn't need a fridge. Bacon is OK for a couple of days, eggs last ages if you don't smash them. Dried salami lasts months. With the bread above and some potatoes you'll be fine.

Edit: anything in a tin is also good and easy to prepare and eat.

 


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 8:48 pm
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Burfday Cake or a little Muffin and candle.

Frozen veggie curries, frozen toasty bread if you’ve a cool bag it’ll help keep stuff cool (beer/wine)during transit and be defrosted ready for use later on in the week.

I also like the Iceland frozen cream sponge for this type of thing.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 9:02 pm
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Edit: anything in a tin is also good and easy to prepare and eat.

Beans, then you can romantically recreate that Blazing Saddles scene 🙂


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 9:05 pm
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Massive powerbank and a starlink 🤔


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 9:37 pm
 kilo
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Driving to a harbour, smallish boat out to Great Blasket Island and then walking from quay to accomodation. Was hoping not to get into any particularly complex cooking if only to avoid carrying loads of ingredients.

Thinking rices, cous cous, maybe stuff for veggie chilli, rye bread, eggs and booze.

I'm probably overthinking it but I don't do camping or van living and I'd rather not end up having to eat puffins or other sea birds.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 9:38 pm
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You'll be fine. Is there a gas fridge or nothing? Milk / cheese might not last well, depends on the weather. +1 cake and snacks, and spirits if you want to keep weight down. Aunty's steam puddings work well for a treat. It'll be lovely. 


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 9:43 pm
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The precooked flavoured rices you can get from all the supermarkets are a pretty easy way to get your carbs. You can chuck it straight into whatever protein / veggie pot thing you've made and let that heat the rice through. Can be as simple as a tin of posh beans or the veggie chilli. 

Hard cheese should be good for a few days, just cut the mould off if it develops any (that what all the delis do 😉 ) 


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 9:57 pm
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Posted by: kilo

 So far the packing list comprises of booze and milk..

 

 


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 10:31 pm
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A pair of pliers and a blowtorch.


 
Posted : 08/04/2026 10:47 pm
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+1 on the pre-cooked rice packets.

Tinned fish.

We spend all our holidays with 3 day stretches away from shops and don't take a fridge.

An ice box will keep milk 3 days if you're bothered. 


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 12:15 am
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Night 1 thia green curry kit. Take a chicken breast and some green beans

 

Night 2 stuffed pasta, tinned tomatoes, chilli  and onion for sauce

Night 3 corned beef, onion, packet mash to made a hash

breakfast instant porridge

lunch

 

Saucisson sec or chorizo. Bread/pitta/oat cakes

 

biscuits for snacks 

 

 


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 6:13 am
 Bazz
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You could pre order and take with you a couple of days of meals ordered from a Gousto/Hello fresh etc. that way you get exactly what you need to make a meal and not have to carry any extras.


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 7:35 am
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Yes I plan to take the kindle with me.

And kindling?


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 10:55 am
thelawman reacted
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Was hoping not to get into any particularly complex cooking

No matter how long you think you'll last, you'll have ample free time to cook 😉


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 2:11 pm
 DrJ
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Posted by: kilo

Great Blasket Island

<Google> Looks fantastic. Room for one more?


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 6:01 pm
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Regular camper here, just take what you normally eat.  Easy to take a frozen pre made meal (e.g. curry, spag bol, stew).

Mokka pot for coffee is essential. If the stove isn't upto much, it will just take a bit longer.


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 6:54 pm
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Handline and feathers, see what you can catch from the rocks


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 7:17 pm
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A box from gousto is a great suggestion - everything in one box, pretty sure you can specify hob only meals if required and the recipes are easy to follow. Very little waste to carry back out too. 


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 8:06 pm
 kilo
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Thanks all!

 

Mokka pot for coffee is essential. 

 

This is West Kerry, we drink tea 😉


 
Posted : 09/04/2026 9:07 pm
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Posted by: DrJ

Posted by: kilo

Great Blasket Island

<Google> Looks fantastic. Room for one more?

Oh yeah - don't forget a gooseberry tart 

 


 
Posted : 10/04/2026 7:08 am
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Crucifixes, stakes and silver bullets.


 
Posted : 10/04/2026 7:33 am
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Blasket is lovely -  passed by a couple of years ago. It does look like a fabulous place for a few nights.

Candles. Probably four.

Head torch. Loo roll. 

I would take a couple of frozen meals that can slowly defrost, then a couple of prepare while you are there. You've lots of time but lack of kitchen resources by the sound of things, but I would still look to cook fresh.

Don't underestimate the power of a great breakfast while you're at a place like that. Porridge, eggs, or fry up - make it a big part of the routine IMO. 

 

Blasket islands from Dunquin harbour.

https://flic.kr/p/2q64KuU

https://flic.kr/p/2q62K1n


 
Posted : 10/04/2026 7:34 am