Fradam

Last Friday evening, I had my first real camping experience. Competition to that title could include ye olde camps that placed me in cabins, and warm nights spent out in my backyard as a child. In all honesty, I hardly think there’s any competition: this was by far and large the winner.

We headed out past Kurrajong, to a place far far away from civilization - no phone reception, no power, no lights. Or so we thought. A number of other camping groups also decided that it was a good place to camp out, and I counted no less than 12 4WDs out there. I really don’t mind sharing space - nature is free to enjoy for all.. but was surprised with how much light and noise some of the other campers generated. If they wanted a portable toilet with flood lights so much, did they really want to escape the city? At one point, I lay back and closed my eyes, contemplating that perhaps wherever I went, the world would follow, dragging the oft-onerous rigours of life and technology with it. Maybe there really was no escape. Maybe this was as far as I could get.

It was about that point that I opened my eyes, and gazed forth into one of the brightest night skies I’d ever witnessed. It’d even give the experience down in Bairnsdale a challenge.

Stars.

Stars everywhere.

More stars that I could conveniently count. Believe me; I tried. Once I ran out of fingers on one hand, I realised I had best stop otherwise my head would hurt. My standard night sky is an inky darkness; cloud cover mixed with pollution, glowing from the bright city lights. In drinking in the sight before my eyes, I realised just how sheltered some aspects of my life had been. A born city-slicker, I’ve never known anything different. I so wish I had though.

That night was my first actually under the stars. It was only a short hour or so till some vagrant clouds decided to churlishly interrupt my view of them - I know; the nerve! Part of me felt it was the cue for sleep and the end to a long and exhausting week. Part of me wondered how easily I’d actually get to sleep, without all the standard creature comforts. Part of me reminded the other part that I had slept in odd situations before. Another part of me told all the other parts to shutup and all this thinking would make it harder. So, I attempted to empty my thoughts, and found myself imbued by the soothing calmness of the nearby dying fire. Whilst the tendrils of smoke barely escaped arm reach (which admittedly, is no small margin), it’s unwavering aroma had by now richly infused my clothes and provided me with a comforting warmth. Sleep it seemed was but a short step away, its yearning voice called me quickly and drew me in. My dreams were peaceful; unsurprising considering I was surrounded by relatively serene environment and intoxicated with the fire’s tantalizing magic. Camp fires are definitely one of my favourite smells; if I could bottle it, I would. The jacket I wore with me still has a lingering scent that I am reluctant to do anything hygienic about… perhaps there’s a way to use it.

The morning was refreshingly chilled. We were up early and made a highly healthy breakfast over the fire; french toast, meat patties and bacon.. it actually all turned out really well, credit to all the guys involved really. Unfortunately, attempts at being Aussie in making billy tea failed dismally; after a patient half hour of tending the tin, gently nurturing the water till it finally began to bubble with excitement, the following exchange was witnessed between one who wanted tea, and one who watched one who wanted tea.
“I can’t wait to have a cuppa..”
“I just want to see what cup you’re going to put it in…”
Yes: we only had the foresight to bring plastic cups with us. Ooooops.

After lamenting the unused water, we cleaned up our gear and deassembled everything, attempting to return the site to the exact state it was in when we found it, ala leave no trace. The rest of the morning was spent following a mighty river - the  Little Wheeny River - okay, it is really about as mighty as it sounds. The trekking involved multiple crossings and many random spots which had unexpected depth. Although I didn’t wade through the water as most of the others did, I did enjoy getting wet as I attempted all river crossings in the form of a running jump. No actual successes, but I was close a few times! The water was pleasant and reasonably clean - very much unlike what I had seen in the past. Later on, I discovered my experiences in the water had encouraged a new friend of the leech variety to make a home in one of my socks - thankfully no blood was donated in this new relationship of ours. With a little bit of coaxing, the leech decided that the ground was a more preferable location to spend its time. Too quickly though, we were in our cars and on the way back home with a head full of thoughts to ponder. Hopefully Josh enjoyed his bucks’ night

So, camping - I very much enjoyed even though it was really only one night, and there are plenty of aspects of it I know I didn’t get to experience… so am now looking forward to the next time. Any takers?