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Posing with the big Wombat.... I had the most expensive
and yummy hot cross buns in hand... I look
happy.. before I got delirious!!
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Who would have thought I would change my mind on camping?? Certainly not me, thats for sure!
Yes I am one of those annoying people who couldn't think of anything worse than sleeping in a tent... and going rough!
I like my creature comforts, my idea of a weekend away involves a cabin by the beach, with a proper bed and my own toilet and shower. not roughing it in the bush.
But after this weekend I may have changed my mind ... just a little
My parents are complete opposites to me and love nothing more than getting down and dirty (well you know what I mean) .. and love camping... They go away a few times a year, they have a camper trailer... and every accessory you could have with a tent!
I always make fun of myself at how precious I am about camping!
I'm not saying I have never camped...
As part of my parents camping obsession I remember most of our holidays involving sleeping in a tent as a kid.. I also went on an around Australia trip when I was about 13 for 6 weeks... That involved our little family of four sleeping all cozied up in a two man tent! Very snug to say the least!
Then a few years later, I went on a Central Australian school camp for 2 weeks... with every night sleeping in a tent with my best friend! I think since then I have avoided camping trips altogether! I hate the set up, the pack up, and the uncomfortable mattresses.. oh and that eerie feeling of being out alone in the wilderness!! I think my camping days were over once I saw the Blair Witch Project! (undoubtedly the scariest movie I have ever seen!)
I would do it if I had too... but to be honest I always squirm when someone mentions the C word!
I always have my bad hips to fall back on... well it isn't good for me to sleep on a mattress with no support...
But after seeing my parents set up on the weekend ... I am thinking a night camping could be a relaxing trip away... (for one night at least!!!)
So on Saturday, my sister, Darby and I went on a road trip to visit mum and dad who were camping with their dog Millie, in the bush near Trentham - a small town about 15 mins from Woodend and from Daylesford..
The only problem was, we didn't really ask for directions of where they were staying.. and without any mobile range, we had to guess.. and yep you guessed it ... ended up doing a lot of travelling to find them!!
We left Melbourne around 12pm, the idea was to spend a few hours with them at their camp site.. we arrived in Trentham just after 1pm, and after numerous attempts to call them, we took ourselves off to the visitors centre to find out where the nearest camping grounds were.. the logical thing to do, right? So after being told the nearest camping grounds were 15 km away in a little town called Blackwood.. we decided that mum and dad must be there.. as we knew they were a little way out of Trentham... so with that.. we went and got some food as we were all starving ..We found an artisan bakery heaving with people.. it was almost like being back in Melbourne... I eyed off the hot cross buns and bought a six pack - $14... the most expensive hot cross buns i have bought.. but they were worth it.. they were still warm, just out of the oven and were delicious... I got into one straight away!
We then went to another bakery, picked up a few pasties and sausage rolls... and went on our way! It would have been nice to have a look around as there were many gorgeous shops.. it was very much like a smaller scaled back version of Daylesford and somewhere I will have to visit again... The highlight for Darby was the most interesting animal statues in an antique store... They looked soo real!!
We jumped back in the car... scoffed some food and headed off to this caravan park... when we got there, we looked around for the familiar white Ute, but we could not find them... with multiple calls to see if we could get on to them, we decided we would call it a day and go back to Melbourne, very grumpy and tired at this point!
We were on our way back, when we got into range, and our phones started beeping with multiple voice mails, and messages!! Arrgghhhhh... so we turned around again and headed back to Trentham.. met our dad and followed him into the wilderness... They were camping in the bush bush... no toilets or showers involved... eeekk!! I was freaking out!!
Even though we were only going to stay for an hour or so.. my bladder was telling me I needed to go to the toilet, and the thought of sitting over a hole was somehow making me need to go even more!!
We arrived at their campsite, where about 10 other campsites were set up.. mum and dad, had everything, their own kitchen, sink, stove, a sitting room in their tent, and a bed on a proper mattress, propped up on a camper trailer, tables, chairs, campfire...they had the lot!!
This was much more deluxe than the camping I remember as a kid... Maybe I could get used to this! After a cup of tea and some toasted marshmallows by the fire, I was sold... and said I would come next time.. maybe just for a night!! Even the toilet was ok! Although that may change when it comes to going in the middle of the night!
My main fears of the creepie crawlies are as not so bad when its winter...And Darby loved it!! He would have a ball!! I don't want to rob him of something that I was so very lucky to do as a kid!
Even after all that travel, we felt as if we had been away for quite awhile!! Getting out of the city and into peaceful bushland was what we all needed!
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I could get used to sitting by the camp fire!!
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My mum, dad, Millie dog and Darby!! Camping is fun!
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| Looking Right at home! |
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| My Little Batman - six pack and all |
The rest of our weekend involved, relaxing, mixed in with loads and loads of walking.. a weekend without a car, meant we didn't go far... Batman had a sleepover at his Aunty and Uncles.. We caught up with Darbys dad and went out for Breakfast on Sunday and Monday and just stayed around home!! Luckily the weather was gorgeous so we didn't mind being outside! My pedometer got a good workout too!! Although I cant wait for my car to be fixed and back in my garage!
Who loves camping??? What is your idea of a good weekend away?
I am linking up with the adorable and gorgeous Son at Life Love & Hiccups.... and read about her hilarious antics at learning how to master a SLR camera.... Fab read as always!
Until next time , life is too short to drink crappy coffee...
