Camping with Jac on the way to Sydney

So the house was sold, we had the final inspection and I got to meet the new owners, a delightful young family. It was good to talk with them about the climbability of the fig tree, see their delight in the bloke's leadlight windows and imagine the backyard being used to it's full extent again.

Then I headed off to Sydney.  Found that my little Prius C was just a little tight with all the camping equipment so hired an SUV.  Thinking I might do a few camping trips over the next few years so might even invest in a bigger car so we can travel comfortably.

I was inspired to camp after the trip to the Kimberley I did last year with a group called Adventurous Women.   They promised tents that could be put up in 2 minutes and stretchers, so that made camping a desirable experience for me.  I bought a tent and a stretcher.  The tent I bought is called Dark Room from Anaconda and it is a bit like an inverted umbrella.  So easy to put up and take down and you can stand up in it.

First stop was Yackandandah Camping Ground, I didn't want too much of a wilderness experience for my first try and the main point of the trip was to visit Em in Sydney and friends in Canberra.  The camping ground was a peaceful little oasis right next to town.  Tent up, stretcher in place, table and chair out and wine opened.

I was the only camper, everyone else was in caravans or camper vans.  But my spot was right next to a creek that had the sweetest little swimming hole.

Rules generally in camping grounds are dogs on lead at all times, which Jac was not so excited about.  I let her off at the tent, but had her on the lead when we walked around. She just stays around, never runs away, did enjoy saying hello to a few other dogs.  5 minute walk to town and dinner at the pub, it was bloody hot, 41C, the saving grace was the water mister around the outside tables at the pub.  

Took Jac's bed so she didn't try to sleep on the stretcher, thought that might just be a little too crowded, and it all worked fine.  Had my little canister burner to make coffee in the morning and we headed off for another swim and the trip to Canberra where we stayed with Ol and family.  Jac remembered their place, went straight into the bedroom and lay down.  It was still around 40 so not a lot of movement though I did take her for a short walk around the track near their place.

Next day was just a bit cooler so headed straight to Sydney where it was a bearable 30 degrees.  The dogs are all used to each other now so it was fairly peaceful.  Took them for a swim at Tamarama beach then after a few nights headed back to Canberra where I stayed with Val this time in her newly bought house.  Jac and her little Charlie got on okay, mostly ignoring each other and circling around a very meaty bone.

On the way home stopped at the Beechworth Camping Ground.  Bit more out of town which was good.  Again next to a little creek.

Interesting being a woman travelling solo, albeit with dog.  Seems to attract the blokes who want to help.  Yackandandah I got the bloke who thought he would explain how much better a caravan, particularly one with a shower and a toilet, is than a tent.  Now I hate the idea of sleeping in the sae room as a toilet that relies on chemicals and having to empty the sludge.  I know its all remote, I know the chemicals don't smell all that much, but somehow the whole idea seems distasteful.  But no I was there to be convinced.  When he offered to show me his shower and toilet I though tit was time for a swim.  Then in Beechworth as I was laying my tent out, a bloke sauntered over and asked if I needed a hand.  By that time the tent was almost up anyway so I politely declined.  Well-meaning I suppose, but wonder if he would have done the same and I been another bloke?  Decided to cook in the camp kitchen and then I had a bloke actually step in front of me as I went to the barbecue saying that it was okay he would light it for me.  As it turned out he had problems lighting it so I ended up showing him how to do it.

I feel like having a t short made saying 'I am competent' or 'I can ask for help if I need it'.  despite all that I do love the camping.  Made easier by the easy to erect tent and the stretcher.  I sleep with all the 'windows' unzipped and open so when I wake up I see the bush around me.  Amazingly I sleep incredibly well in the tent.  Jac I think, is not quite so enamoured of the whole camping idea.  She is a bit too used her city comforts.  I gave her a bone to chew on and she left it.  When she came back it was covered in ants and she was so horrified she had to go and hide in the tent under the stretcher.

In between our camping we stayed in the far from camping experience at Ems.  I love Paddington, the windy streets, the beautiful old houses, the random street gardens., the street art

And so another trip under the belt.  Who knows where next but for the moment back to my now home on the Mornington Peninsula.