I have been reading about problems with mould in sleeping mats when you inflate them with your breath; especially in the Neo Xlite which I have.
I tried to find a 3V USB pump on the internet to inflate it with, but there isn’t such a thing, so I contacted Biolite to ask if they were interested in producing one to use in-conjunction with the USB port on the BioLite Campstove, but they were not.
So I have had to come up with an alternative idea……I have a dry liner dab in my rucksack, which has a valve in the bottom. I fill the bag with air and then close the top. Using a piece of tube, I connect the two valves from the bag to the mat

I then compress the bag and the air flows into the mat

The bag holds 50 litres so I only need a couple of bags full of air to inflate the mat.

Last weekend I also tried making a tent out of my new Aqua Sil Guide Tarp, and I was very pleased with the result.
The width is 2,5 metres so there is more than enough room for my Thermarest Cot.
We have a pair of Pine Grosbeaks visiting our bird table at the moment, and I managed to get a decent picture of the male.

Chaffinches, Yellowhammers, Greenfinches and Whooper Swans have also arrived for the summer.