Ramblers and toilet breaks

Toilet provision in this country is terrible.

I bought a Shewee and I just got in a terrible mess with it. It did come with some pee bols, though, which I found much better to use ( little plastic bags with crystals in). I can’t crouch down these days because of my knees so crouching behind bushes is no longer possible for me. I find that wearing Tena pads seems to give me confidence to go much longer without needing a wee. And leggings are much easier to pull down quickly; no messing about with zips and buttons.I had a terrible problem with needing a wee all the time several years ago and for some reason at that time we kept being stuck in traffic jams on motorways but it turned out to be due to atrophy and when that was treated I was much better. I also drink decaffeinated tea and coffee if I’m travelling. I did see a special bottle type thing advertised in the Easylife catalogue but when I tried to order one to keep in the car they were out of stock. I still have nightmares about one traffic jam were were in in which we were diverted into the middle lane of the motorway so I couldn’t even get out onto the hard shoulder ( it had been the clearest run ever; I’d just said that, too; we turned a corner and there it was). The worst traffic jam I ‘ve ever been in.

You're lucky if it's only a wee you might need in a hurry

I also recommend a Shewee. You can wee discretely, standing as a man would behind a tree or whatever.

This is why I don’t go with dh on his London City walks any more - they’re usually on interesting but off the beaten track routes - you certainly can’t bank on a handy pub or cafe to nip into, and certainly none of the sort of bushes or hedges you can hide behind.

If you can't go behind a tree or whatever, go online and find Portable Female Urinals. Mostly quite cheep, different designs and sizes.

Shein have Emergency Shrinkable Urinals, mens and women's for £4.75.

I hate having to go behind a tree/bush then have the trouble of getting one of my shoes off and dropping my trousers to get a trouser leg off then having to reverse everything when I've finished and as a female I'm nervous of being caught, especially by men so I put a portable in my backpack and just have to unzip my trousers!

For years, I lead walks for Ramblers and another independent walking club. All walks should have a leader and a back marker who knows the route.

Even a relatively short walk of 4-5 miles should have short stop built in for a drink and a breather, If possible, it should be in a place where people can duck behind a bush or a tree and pee.

If you can't wait, drop to the back of the group, ask the back marker to wait and duck behind whatever’s convenient.

Don’t be embarrassed about it. We all have to go and, whatever you do, don’t not drink so you don’t have to pee. Hydration is very important when walking.

There’s is a bit of mental barrier to get over for women about dropping our pants in a public place but you do get used to free-peeing.

I often find I need a wee when out walking. I carry some loo paper and a plastic bag to put the used stuff in for proper disposal later. Then a quick wee behind a hedge is more manageable.

I also have an app on my phone to show where the nearest public loos are - helpful at times but not much use when you're in the middle of a field, of course.

I went on a walk yesterday and realised when we got to the meeting point, that there were no public toilets or no other business places around for me to use.
I regretted having my morning coffee before setting off!
I told everyone that I hadn't peed behind a tree since I was six and wasn't going to start again!
Luckily it was a hot day and I walked my bladder empty!
We drove to a local cafe for lunch so only then did I relieve myself. Two and a half hours later!
It was a lovely walk though and gorgeous weather...

Buy a Shewee.

Well, the nearest hedge is my go to usually, with DH keeping watch. But I don’t walk with a group and not sure how I’d manage that!!