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With the climate crisis at the forefront of all of our minds, it is becoming ever more apparent that making environmentally conscious choices is a necessity for us all. Many businesses are turning to ‘green washing’, focusing on eco-centric marketing, to appear environmentally friendly, whilst still racking up an immense carbon footprint by mass importing goods from overseas. Many of these goods are also produced cheaply and in bulk therefore generating a lot of waste. At PACMAT, our mats are printed, cut and sewn in Britain on fabrics from Oeko-Tex certified suppliers. Not only does this help to keep our...

We often get asked what made us think of doing PACMAT? We've always been into outdoor activities and sports. After our kids were born we carried on with our outdoor pursuits, taking them with us. Living within a budget, picnics were most practical for a family of four out and about (especially with two ants in pants toddlers). Our youngest, who has since been diagnosed as ASD, was always fussy about textures. He particularly didn't like snow. Everywhere we went, we had to take a picnic mat. Picnic mats then were bulky and with two small kids we had enough...

When did it all begin? Well, I think the importance of size and weight really came home when we were motorcycle touring around Europe. Often away for several weeks, with one trip only having two small panniers between us to carry our tent, sleeping bags and clothes. Mainly living in leathers with shorts underneath just incase we stopped and had a chance to cool down. Don’t think about what you can do with, only pack what you can’t do without. (Thank you Alastair Humphreys).    Once I got my own bike there was more room to spread out into but...

We have never been a family to stay at home. Any opportunity to travel, get out out of london, squeeze in a holiday or visit friends has been readily snatched. And any time that we have spent at home has been full of homework, chores, karate, swimming, sailing clubs, packing, unpacking or sat at a desk. With teens in the house, the rare moments we have had a family meal together, at home, without guests the conversation has revolved around "no".. "maybe" in response to constant requests to go to parties, festivals and friends houses. The constant worry of having a teenager out and...

Now, with both children at secondary school, gone are the days of never ending love, home made cards, decorated shoe boxes and soggy toast in bed. It's embarrassing. My eldest got out of bed by the crack of 11 to cycle to get a beautiful bunch of flowers and some deliciously fattening cake. My son plugged into the computer claiming he'd been very thoughtful and left me to sleep. We did manage to leave the house for a walk in the glorious sunshine. Bickering all the way. With a brief PACMAT picnic.  But the Laundry was quite a treat. One of my favourite local bars...