When is the last time you packed up a picnic?
Day out at the zoo with grandchildren looming, and I’m not even sure if we own a picnic box these days!
I guess we’re all so used to takeaway sandwiches, tea and coffee etc, maybe the ancient art of picnicking has died?
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We had a picnic with our daughter and granddaughter at the beach a few weeks ago. We don’t have a picnic basket, we put everything in a large cool bag with ice blocks so it all keeps fresh. Sandwiches, cake, drinks, a little box of prepared cucumber, celery and tomatoes, hard boiled eggs. Oh and crisps, and coffee for the grown ups, of course, but not in the cool bag!
There is something rather lovely, I think, about packing up a picnic. It really wouldn’t be the same to go in somewhere and buy takeaway sandwiches and snacks. It has to be brought from home to be a ‘real’ picnic 
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I made up a picnic for our day at the beach with our wee granddaughter and friend a fortnight ago. After all, it just wouldnt be the same without sand in your sandwiches! Also took along mini sausage rolls, crisps and fresh fruit, juice, etc.
Took me back to my childhood when I visited the same beach and the highlight of the day was around 4.30 pm when the local chip bus came onto the sand. I can still recall the smell as we stood in the long queue for what would be that day’s dinner.
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Friends and i went up to an ancient site on sunday evening to watch the beautiful blue moon and we had a picnic of home made soup and fresh rolls , scones jam and cream , crisps , maltesers , and a bottle of red wine . We chatted wrapped in blankets as the golden ball rose up , it was a beautiful evening
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Oh I adore picnics! There is something so sweet about packing sarnies and a flask, getting the rug and trundling off to some bit of the countryside by the water. I would have a picnic every day if I could. I’d hate to buy food outside for a picnic…it just not right 
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That sounds absolutely wonderful! I love doing things like that.
On any countryside walk over 3 miles that I do with a group we always take variations on the packed lunch theme - mine is a something and salad sandwich, two boiled eggs, one small chocolate biscuit bar and a flask of coffee
My walking partner takes a meat sandwich, a bag of crisps, a pudding (something and custard) and an apple
Then, after the lunch break, we stop at the nearest cafe/pub for toilets and tea … 
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We haven’t since Covid mainly because the places we want to go to are also the places that others want to go to as well, and they can be very busy.
Even though we’re near a number of beaches and we usually picnick there at least a few times a year, since Covid it has been a no-no because as soon as the sun dares to suggest a nice day the beaches are mobbed.
Oh I’m with you there Zaphod. We too are near lots of beaches and we haven’t been able to enjoy them as we usually do since Covid. The beach we went to a few weeks ago is a favourite of ours, but it’s not one that people go to for a ‘beach day’, because it’s too dangerous to swim in as it banks very sharply. So not really so much fun for my 6yr old granddaughter, but better than nothing, and there was hardly anyone there. She really enjoyed it!
Two weeks ago! A friend and I drove up onto the Yorkshire Moors. We had each packed our own picnic - but happily shared it all.
I love picnics!
You’re lucky being able to find quiet beaches.
Lincolnshire is flat and even the out-of-the-way beaches which used to be reasonably visitor-free have been busy since Covid, presumably with many locals all having similar thoughts.
I’m hoping things return to something more like the old “normal” next year.
Here’s my granddaughter on the beach - you can see how empty it was. This was 1st June and it was warm but windy. However, the beach is very shingly and it’s dangerous to swim there, which keeps people away I think.
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Great replies, lots of ideas! 
I have a fridge/freezer in the back of my car as well as a butane stove, kettle , cutlery etc no need to pack anything just stop and cook or at least make fresh sandwiches and tea.
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I haven’t had a picnic for years.
Food in tourist places is usually well over priced, Ruthio, specially if you are a family, so go for it, you only need a back pack for the food, whatever you decide on to eat? Back pack because then you have hands free while you walk around. You could even give the kids some to carry?
Strangely enough I’m in charge of making a picnic for 4 of us (friends) for our day on the beach tomorrow.
I also use a cool box with ice packs. I’m planning a variety of filled rolls (Tesco’s baps are utterly delicious), pork pies and/or cocktail sausages (also vegetarian variety), crisps, fruit (probably grapes, honeydew melon and strawberries) sugar-free squash and pop (served in reusable plastic cups) and homemade cake or scones.
All this, and I haven’t even been shopping yet… never mind the baking!!!
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I love a picnic, haven’t been on one for a while, there’s a lovely place, overlooking the beach, the views are gorgeous, must try and go back there before the summer ends
Sounds delightful - may I join you??
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