Inexpensive recovery idea - camping

[white knight]

My wife and I wanted to attend a country dog show held last Sunday and located half way between Ballarat and Geelong...about 90 minutes drive from Melbourne.

We are lucky as we have a fully equipped camper trailer. But I do recall many years ago when single I camped in a tent.

Last Saturday night we used a free camping guide, a book that lists all free camping spots in Australia. We found a great spot in the hills, alone and free. The birds singing was so good we woke up early at 5am to hear them, cook our eggs and bacon and ....RELAX. There is something about camping more so than ever because social media has drowned many of us and taken us away from the basics of living. Some of us need to get back to nature even for a short time...even overnight.

So what is required for a basic camping adventure? Assuming you have a car although I've seen some people camp with motorcycles and push bikes or just a backpack if you are ultra fit.

Free camping spots book $50, two person tent $30, blow up mattress with pump $60, sleeping bag- no- take your doona, pillow- take your pillow, one burner stove with butane gas pressure packs $30 + $7 for 4 cans of gas, kettle, water container 20L, fry pan, cutlery, bucket for dishes etc.

In the scheme of things it is cheap entertainment. One of the best accessories has been a solar powered light on a baseball cap for $30, where ever you look there is light. Keep it on your cars rear parcel shelf to charge. Shower? Shower tents are fold up for $45. 12 volt shower pump $15- just boil your kettle and add to cold water in the bucket = great shower. You can get a porta potti for $100 and place it in the shower tent.

Want to move up to a camper trailer? Only have a 4 cylinder car?  Search for motorcycle campers. They are smaller and lighter to tow but most still have a queen size bed. Add a trunk on the drawbar and you can add a fridge. Mount a dry cell battery under the camper floor wired up to charge by your towing vehicle. Motorcycle campers start at around $7000.

Which ever way you do it - just do it funds permitting. It really is recharging your batteries. It can help you recover from a down period. It can contribute towards your relationships.

Dont forget to take a book. Something soulful, comforting and educational.  We have a book of Australian birds and we try to identify them. Take a telescope for the stars. Once I found Saturn in the night sky and I could just see its rings- amazing.

Your mind needs rest. Camping is good.

[randomxx]

Gday ER and thx for the thoughts and wishes.

l'm just outside of a town tonight l moved today, absolutely gorgeous spot right on the Murray has the beachy banks and all.

l haven't expected much of course just yet in the people ways but do hope to stumble over some at least minorly populated spots in the future as l go, ldk.

l haven't traveled alone like this since 20s, l wasn't really sure how l'd find it. With things going on back home though, l've really needed to move a few yrs now but also wanted some time out first. Dk how l feel about this brainstorm just yet though tbh.

Ex and l traveled Oz 8 or 9yrs lived 3 states.Earlier on l'd thought we'd done what we wanted and since l was content and settled in that way from there, she feels the same even now. We wanted to do it while we were young rather than wait 30 or 40yrs like most and we sure did sew some oats let me tell ya.

But so then now for me, l'm not sure how l'll feel just yet and it's alone so that's all new to especially at this age now .

But yeah caravan parks and like are great like that especially the kitchens and stuff like ya say for sure we'd often meet people. Back when ex and l used them a lot actually and they were cheap as, crazy now though. l actually wouldn't mind spending some time in one in the right spot alternatively but their prices now are just pure greed and insane.

rx

[Eagle Ray]

Hi rx,

That's wonderful to be exploring those beautiful spots on the Murray River. One of the trips I've imagined for myself has been travelling along the mighty Murray which is such an incredibly long river system and passes through so many towns. I'm a super keen photographer and imagine all the possibilities of scenic images I could take.

Good on you for at least setting out on the journey and seeing how it goes. You can just continue as long as you want. I've found sometimes things feel uncertain and the only way to find things out is to give them a go and see what happens.

It sounds like you had a great time in your early travels. I think it makes sense to do some of that when younger if possible and not leave it all until older and retired. I totally understand that it is different being on your own now. I think just stay open to experience and some good people and experiences may come your way. Whatever happens you will have seen some beautiful places and experienced the tranquility.

Yeah, caravan parks really are not inexpensive options these days. I feel for families wanting to have a holiday and it is getting harder and harder with the cost of living. I remember our family crossing from WA to SA and Vic when I was 17. We stayed in those cabins in caravan parks and paid as little as $30 a night for a family of four (and those cabins even had ensuites!). These days such cabins cost just as much as motels and sometimes more.

I really wish you the best on your journey,

ER

[randomxx]

Hi again er and thx again for the wishes muchly appreciated. l've just moved this morning and now kicken back checking my reception and with a red.

Thankfully l have reception although not far out of town it feels 100k away and there's a lot of bush between butttt, ph is out on the roof of van now but l got it ha ha.

30 bucks a night yeah Galmighty, they were the days. 200 or so now from what l hear most of them some  lot more it's mad.

l went walking this morning to survey the situation could see Murray beaches a k or 2 down seems l had just an over night temp spot took of with the lot and low and behold, l now have my very own personal and 100% free Murray beaach 5mtrs from van. There is a 5mtr walk down just encase the Gods get angry with these storms said to my d for god sake if you hear of any Murray upstream flooding though let me know pronto. Bit edgy about that after last yr was it - in this spot, although it is a good 4-5mtrs lower than van.

Anyway thx again eh, we shall see l suppose hey. Can't go home no home sold me share of the property to the people l was in it with.

But l don't even wanna think about something else for a good while right now so this is it for now.

There are other people at least along this track 100mtrs or so apart sooooo, could get interesting in that way too. Some are living here l think, others just staying awhile like myself it looks anyway.

One guys got looks like a few 100k Mack truck with a monster goose neck van on the back , probly 300k of vehicles, holy smoke. looks like his been here awhile.

Funny isn't it really, the people out there doing whatever they're doing.

First couple at end of the first track had this dirty big boofy rottie it came out swinging l'm thinking jezuz , l ain't getting out here. They came out apologizing and towed him back inside thk God. l'm thinking hmm, think l might follow the track a bit further down.

All the best er

rx

[randomxx]

ps, lf anyone here hears of these storms and any Murray floody pls sing out .

l should have plenty of time if it does got about 4 or 5 mtrs of nice grassy sides beside van and then the track down to the water as l say 4 or 5mtrs lower than where l am butttttt.

[randomxx]

btw er, you'd enjoy it here then especially if you love bird as l do, such characters. Was thinking when l pulled in this morning this is enough to start me painting again honestly.

Earlier today this maggie was coming right to the door we had a little chat later one duck flew in landed on the water right in front then the other and then their kids, cutest thing. They're still out there floating about but whomever the last one in was was the boss l guess because the others immediately paddled straight over to them and they regrouped . So funny watching birds do there thing .

[Eagle Ray]

Hi rx,

Wow! I didn't realise you'd sold your share of your place. Well good on you for having the courage to start a new adventure!

Although I completely love dogs, Rotties are one of the few breeds I can get a bit scared of. I don't blame you wanting to go a bit further down. Growing up we had neighbours with a Rottie/Kelpie cross who had a go at my dad a few times. I did meet a very gentle one recently though that a local resident here got as a rescue dog.

I hope all is well for you weather-wise. I've read about some storms in Vic and NSW but hopefully they are away from you. None of the info said anything about the Murray. Hopefully you can keep track via your phone on weather updates but we can keep a lookout too if we hear of anything.

It's lovely to hear about the birds there. That would be wonderful to do some painting. I'm sure you are seeing some lovely places. It's like a chance to just really slow down in a way and take things in. We can go through life with so many distractions and sometimes just stopping and being with our surroundings is really good for the soul.

All the best,

ER

[randomxx]

Hi there er .

Yeah so true it's all so important these days now more than ever to remember and take in nature, let it work it's magic, even if just at the park or your own front yard, a tree on the nature strip whatever anyone can be near in whatever their situation.

Yep sold out and have moved , only in this form just for now.

l've wanted to a few yrs now l moved there while my d was growing up and if l liked it later l'd stay but if not maybe move. Well, the time was ok now , my relationship also hasn't worked out and l've also wanted to stop work, it's the whole box of rocks yaknow. But l just don't feel like all the complications either of starting over just yet either and l've just needed to minimize right down for awhile first, just chill yaknow, soooo thought l'd try this at least for awhile first.

Weather yeah looking like all the storm talks petered out anyway though now so. Sometimes they make a big fuss right. Although the water here has risen a good 1/2 mtr actually right now- it might've stormed up in the snowies but yaknow, after the floods last few yrs, just something to keep an eye on.My bloody weather app won't work here ha ha.