When I did my X Wales walks I intended to camp high to avoid the fields of lowland farming. I made better time on one day and overran my intended overnight spot.
This has given me some ideas I should have planned for. Nowadays walking mostly in farmland, I still, instinctively size up possible emergency overnight stays. This advice is strictly for the 'camp late/strike early' discipline.
Thanks vghikers. So I’m assuming when you are on someone land, like farmland, best not to set up. I was hoping to be very remote.
Definitely leave no trace. Why do people dump their rubbish everywhere?!??
Many farmers leave wide field margins, ostensibly for conservation, more for collecting additional value on Single Farm Supplement payments. These are usually fully subscribed to by the large estates and are plainly visible on google earth. A bit of pre-planning and good judgement of terrain should give you some ideal spots. Another tip is to seek local advice; indirectly questioning local householders can be a rich source of info. As a general rule large land owners are not overly popular nor are their game keepers.
Bear in mind that the majority of 'farm workers' are now more likely to be self employed, if not independent contractors. Walkers usually manage to 'get up their nose' more because they do not stop and take time to talk, but scuttle by avoiding eye contact. This is not a countryman's way, meet eye contact give a hand salute and be willing to talk and it is surprising what you may learn. I have been told of great places to walk that are off the righteous way, of hidden beauty spots and amazing places to explore, (often with advice on who to duck and dive away from)
If you are walking as a pair then you may have 4 walking poles, lots of reduntant electric fence wire lying around the countryside a few meters, enough for two strands, can make a psueudo electric fence around your tent, especially combines with GWM tips of using gates.Discreet use of sheep hurdles, borrowing if replaced 'as was', provided they are not in use will never be known, provided you are up and away before all others. I prefer to breakfast at least 2 miles from my wild camp. (fill a flask, last thing, with hot water or drink, pack - coffee - and away)
During an emergency hitch hike between the Lakes and Snowdonia, I did a quick hop over a wall on the N.Wales coast road in the early hours. Landed in some thick dark bushes, blundered around a bit and found a flat bit of grass, up with the mountain tent and into the pit, tout de suite. Morning light revealed Rhododendron bushes either side of a perfectly mown square of grass. I was in the middle of a rather up market Caravan site. In a flash my pack was packed, my immediate flight arrested by a call from one of the caravans, where a couple were sitting at a table enjoying an early al fresco breakfast. They pointed to a third chair. Whilst I was enjoying a full English, regaling my generous hosts with mountaineering exploits, the site factotum was scratching his head over a small depressed square of grass on one of his expensive lets, much to our combined amusement.