Glenn and I were both rather nervous about meeting so many people we had only chatted with online before. We needn't have been. They were just as friendly in person and we had a great time. One good opportunity to see new things and learn about how other people are camping
.
We arrived around 1630 and took quite awhile setting our camper up as people wandered into the camp and introduced themselves. One fellow checking out the 2" lift on Glenn's ute. Another lady dropping by to see if her husband was near our camp and chatting for awhile. Finally we were set up and ready to mingle ...
One thing I really wanted to learn about was solar panels. So I busied myself trundling from camp to camp asking what panels each camper had and how they felt they worked for them. What were they running with them? I learned quite a bit. Also had Shane from DynamicSolarSolutions.com.au visit our camper and point out a few things to us which was great! In the next 6 to 12 months we'll purchase 2 x 80watt panels in a suitcase style to charge our batteries.
Glenn spotted a camper with an OzPig.com.au and asked more than a few questions about it. Basically it's a portable contained fire place and outdoor heater. It has 2 cooking plates and a flue with a cover to stop sparks escaping. He was impressed with the small amount of timber used to cook a meal and keep things toasty beside the camper. I purchased one this weekend just gone and think it will be really useful where there are no set fireplaces available. Means we can set up anywhere and not have to burn another scar in the grass to suit us. We will also have to purchase a 'diffuser' for the top so I can cook using the camp oven without fear of burning the bottom of things and boil the kettle easily. We'd seen one of these at Flannagans Reserve, but didn't have much of an idea about them till now. It was interesting to see campers huddled around it through Friday night, keeping warm.
We spent our first evening around the somewhat large communal fire listening to old friends stir each other and new friends join in the conversation with there experiences. Wendie and Darrell showed up after dark having never put their new camper up before. It was wonderful to know that fellow members assisted them with lighting and encouragement. I wish I'd know they had arrived so early, but it wasn't until much later that I realised they were there.
Robyn & Lindsay (our hosts) had organised a morning tea for the Saturday morning so people could meet each other and enjoy a bite to eat and a cuppa. The highlight for me was warm chocolate cake with icing straight out of a Cobb cooker! Yummo ...
We could do as much or as little with the group as we liked. After morning tea, we wandered up Running Creek for a little while. Glenn lost his shoe in the creek and it was funny watching him run around with his sock on trying to retrieve it with a long stick.
I visited Wendie & Darrells camper and they visited our Swag. It was wonderful to finally meet the people you've been chatting with and finding them like old friends.
Roast Beef and potatoes in the camp oven for dinner. A relaxing night in front of our own fire.
The next day (Sunday) we decided to go for a drive up to the Border Loop lookout and also the Pinnacle lookout in the Border Ranges National Park. It was beautifully green everywhere we went. We will return to that area again and camp there somewhere so we may see the other lookouts in the area.
Mt Warning from Pinnacle Lookout
Border Loop lookout
Finally got a picture of the all noisey but illusive Bell Bird
As the day progressed, it was starting to cloud up and we feared that our camper would get wet again before we could pack it up, so we headed back to AD for the pack up ritual. It went rather smoothly and I was so proud that I got the shower cubicle down on the second try!
There was a thunder storm that night at home and I was rather glad we weren't still at Andrew Drynan like some others pictured here.
Our host Lindsay and CT.org fearless leader Rob.
Trip Duration: 72 hours
No comments:
Post a Comment