After what seemed like a never-ending and especially bleak winter, spring had come back and it was time to dust off the camper and camping gear again. We were joined by a bunch of friends for a two quiet and low-key nights at Araluen. Due to illness, the couple that originally suggested the idea weren’t able to join us for this trip which was a huge shame. They were missed, but we kept in touch throughout the trip.
After Ollie came home from school on Friday afternoon we finished packing up and hitched the camper to the van for its first run out since April. We’d opened it up in the driveway a few times over the months as an extra spare room, so it was still clean and mold-free after being stored for so long. The trip down through Braidwood was uneventful, and we arrived at the campgrounds around 5pm. We set up the camper while there was still daylight, and our friends did the same with their tent near us. We had managed to get one of the better sites close to the creek – someone must have just packed up and left as this position is usually taken. It started raining and blowing a bit of wind just as we had both finished setting up. After a quick toilet stop, we piled into their car to head back up the winding 23km to Braidwood for dinner at the Smokey Horse, a funky Nepalese fusion restaurant in Braidwood.
At dinner we caught up with the other members of our small camping expedition. I think we were the loudest and largest table there. Dinner was really good, with Ollie surprising us by trying and liking the battered chicken pieces. It’s surprising because usually he only likes uniform mass-produced nuggets. After dinner we hopped into our respective vehicles and drove back down the mountain to the campsite. We found almost everything in one piece, but the wind had gusted while we were away and snapped a part of the fibreglass support holders for the rear small canopy. We have extras on the camper though for awning configurations we don’t use, so hopefully I’ll be able to transfer one with some epoxy and rivets.
That night we mostly sat around the fire talking nonsense. When the rain picked up, we spent some time squeezed underneath the Ultimate cantilevered overhang. That only happened once though, and the rest of the night was pretty good for weather. We stayed up for a good amount of time and even had time to record a couple of voice notes of a particular book that was originally read out loud in the exact same spot 8 months ago.
The next day a few of us stayed in bed for a bit longer than usual due to tiny, not-worth-mentioning hangovers. The weather warmed up quickly, but it was still a bit chilly in the shade. Ollie optimistically changed into his swimmers and went down to the creek by himself to have a bit of a paddle at around 9.30am. You may question why we allowed our 6-year-old son to go to the creek himself without supervision, to which we’ll respond: a) it was 14 degrees Celsius outside at the time, b) the creek was maximum 30cm deep and c) there was no one else at the creek that early to peer pressure him into staying. So Ollie went down, put his foot in the water, and came back to the camper immediately. Predictive parenting at its best.
We decided as a group that drinking in the morning after the long session last night probably wasn’t the best idea. Unfortunately we also collectively decided that drinking mimosas in the morning was part of breakfast/brunch, and thus was not bound by the previous decision. Mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice were passed around, followed by meat, cheese and pickles for a delicious camping charcuterie.
It’s probably good time to mention now that Rosie had sprained her foot the previous weekend. With her foot in a cumbersome boot, and a good 150m of uneven ground to the toilet block, I was roped into chauffeuring Rosie to the loos as required. I’m not sure how much petrol we used heading to the toilet block and back multiple times a day, but it was worth it. The word seemed to have gotten out about the Araluen campsite though, as it got busier and busier on the Saturday as more people came in and set up throughout the day.
In the early afternoon, we all independently decided that an afternoon nap was necessary. Everyone retired to their respective sleeping bags for a couple of hours. Ollie even let Rosie and I have a bit of a sleep as well while he played with his Nintendo.
In the late afternoon we all awoke refreshed and ready for evening. The fire was built, but sadly we had to use sad wet Bunnings wood that took ages to light up and just wanted to smoulder rather than catch. Fortunately I’d brought a small battery powered dust blower that I originally brought to clear crumbs and debris from my keyboards. It worked fantastically as a small, but powerful alternative to a big workshop air blower. I’m definitely adding it to the must have list for camping, as it was fantastic for blowing away sand and dirt, as well as helping the fire get white hot.
That night was very similar to the night before, if a little more subdued. The last chapters of the book we’d been reading for 8 months was finished up and distributed as voice notes to friends who couldn’t make it. A lot of people went to bed pretty early, and even Ollie put aside his tablet and headphones himself to got to sleep when he was tired rather than needing us to tell him it was time for bed. A few of us chatted and talked until at least 11pm, and then it was time for bed. This night was much colder than the last, dropping down to 4 degrees which was a huge change from the 13 degrees the night before. We all survived the night though.
The next morning we slowly began packing up and were on the road by 10am. Just a quick stop for a great pie in Bungendore, otherwise it was an uneventful trip.
A big thank you to all our friends that took a chance with the weather and decided to still go camping. We had a great time and it was a good trial for a big trip for Ollie and I that’s coming up soon.
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