As we planned to travel from Killareney Beach (Warnabool) to near Portland we planned on staying at a a free camp ground called the 'Sawpit Campground' which the name alone doesn't sound very appealing but after a few looks online at other people's experience it looks like fun!
When we arrive there we were all excited and as we drove in we look for the best spot to camp… we drove around a bit further then…… "OMG, is that guy naked!?" a guy in his 50-60's we completely comfortable walking around this camp ground naked. Now, don't get me wrong , I fully support 'naturalists' but when it's in a public place where it is classed a illegal it made me wonder. I was concerned about my kids safety… then something else happened…
As we drove around further wondering how we felt about the nudist… knowing that we 'accept' it but the 'what ifs' flooded our thoughts, we came across a lady that was camping by herself (not many people do that!) and there was a funny feel about it. She stopped us and told us about how her tent had a rip in it from the high winds… and everything in me was thinking NOT to help her (which is un-like me) but I knew Sam would feel that he HAD to.
We found a spot which we thought we would camp… I got a head ache instantly which is usually a cause of fear, so I knew something was up. We plodded around a bit and everything lead to us not being comfortable there so we both agreed that we felt 'weird' and that we should find somewhere else to camp.
Sam offered to help the lady fix her tent. I chatted to her while he did that and got some history form her… in a nut shell she is sad, lonely and un-sure of what life really means for her. We left soon after with a sigh of relief and an inner peace.
Our little Piece of Paradise
The other camping option (besides a caravan park) near Portland, Vic was
Fitzroy River' Camp grounds. Not entirely free ($5per night or $20/week) but worth the $$$ for great spot we had.
When we arrive there we were all excited and as we drove in we look for the best spot to camp… we drove around a bit further then…… "OMG, is that guy naked!?" a guy in his 50-60's we completely comfortable walking around this camp ground naked. Now, don't get me wrong , I fully support 'naturalists' but when it's in a public place where it is classed a illegal it made me wonder. I was concerned about my kids safety… then something else happened…
As we drove around further wondering how we felt about the nudist… knowing that we 'accept' it but the 'what ifs' flooded our thoughts, we came across a lady that was camping by herself (not many people do that!) and there was a funny feel about it. She stopped us and told us about how her tent had a rip in it from the high winds… and everything in me was thinking NOT to help her (which is un-like me) but I knew Sam would feel that he HAD to.
We found a spot which we thought we would camp… I got a head ache instantly which is usually a cause of fear, so I knew something was up. We plodded around a bit and everything lead to us not being comfortable there so we both agreed that we felt 'weird' and that we should find somewhere else to camp.
Sam offered to help the lady fix her tent. I chatted to her while he did that and got some history form her… in a nut shell she is sad, lonely and un-sure of what life really means for her. We left soon after with a sigh of relief and an inner peace.
Our little Piece of Paradise
The other camping option (besides a caravan park) near Portland, Vic was
Fitzroy River' Camp grounds. Not entirely free ($5per night or $20/week) but worth the $$$ for great spot we had.
Our Little Piece Of Paradise right on the River
We were thrilled that we listened to our 'gut feeling' and went with this place instead. And interestingly enough we met a couple there that know of the lady that we helped at the sawpit and she is known for her drunken outrages all through the south side of Australia! How interesting HUH!
GREAT Fishing!
Fisherman thrive on Fitzroy river and the beach that it leads into. It wasn't long after we arrive that we wet the line (Sam did) while I dipped into the (shallow) river. Sam dropped the line in then a bite… one fish…. dropped the line in again… another bite 2 fish…. all within 2 minutes! Fun!
GREAT Fishing!
Fisherman thrive on Fitzroy river and the beach that it leads into. It wasn't long after we arrive that we wet the line (Sam did) while I dipped into the (shallow) river. Sam dropped the line in then a bite… one fish…. dropped the line in again… another bite 2 fish…. all within 2 minutes! Fun!
Abundant with Fish!
The next few days consisted of fishing, walking through the shallow river to the golden beach and just BE-ing happy, running Zeus on the beach, playing in muddy puddles and experiencing a pink sunset.
The truth is…
We were warned about the high winds that Fitzroy River can get, but we thought that it really could't be that bad. The winds were pretty full on, we found it hard to sleep some nights due to the tent lifting and swaying…. there was un-certainly… The following day it was suggested that if we move the trailer around so the wind in behind us that would be better so we attempted to do that and while we were doing this (in the high winds) the wind uplifted the tent and reefed it over and it got caught on our boat rack (on the trailer) and….. RIIIIIPPPPPPP………… GASP!!!! OUr hearts sank…. we 'thought' that it was the end of our home for a bit…. I asked Sam to run for help while the was using my body weight to hold the tent down - which amazingly lifted my body and I flew for a few seconds!
Helped arrive! 3 men come to help us in the tradition of moving around to a better spot. They assured us that it's totally fixable
We were warned about the high winds that Fitzroy River can get, but we thought that it really could't be that bad. The winds were pretty full on, we found it hard to sleep some nights due to the tent lifting and swaying…. there was un-certainly… The following day it was suggested that if we move the trailer around so the wind in behind us that would be better so we attempted to do that and while we were doing this (in the high winds) the wind uplifted the tent and reefed it over and it got caught on our boat rack (on the trailer) and….. RIIIIIPPPPPPP………… GASP!!!! OUr hearts sank…. we 'thought' that it was the end of our home for a bit…. I asked Sam to run for help while the was using my body weight to hold the tent down - which amazingly lifted my body and I flew for a few seconds!
Helped arrive! 3 men come to help us in the tradition of moving around to a better spot. They assured us that it's totally fixable
the hole in the side of our house
We did a temp fix until we could find a canvas repairer to fix it properly. The small moved we did was well worth it, we were much more sheltered and we had better sleep at night!
Campfire Goodi-ness
I must admit I'm just love playing with fire…. I mean I love to light them, cook with it and keep it flaming away!
My first recipe actually didn't require any cooking at all, they are called APPLE NACHOS- an all raw, fun, easy snack. Everybody loved this!
Campfire Goodi-ness
I must admit I'm just love playing with fire…. I mean I love to light them, cook with it and keep it flaming away!
My first recipe actually didn't require any cooking at all, they are called APPLE NACHOS- an all raw, fun, easy snack. Everybody loved this!
Apple Nacho's a Yummy Snack (or meal)
Of course with every fire there just has be be some traditional damper made. The past few times that we have done it we have done it in foil but then we got reminded by some fellow campers that you can do it on a stick - in fact this is the ONLY way I used to cook this when I was a kid camping with my family. After it's cooked we drizzled honey down the center..... YUM!
There is something very satisfying about building a fire, lighting it and using its natural energy to cook and keep you warm as well as add a fun atmosphere to camping!
Sam preparing the fire
Backed potatoes are a favourite of ours. I bake the potatoes in foil and place them in hot coals for about 45mins. After they are cooked I cut a hole in the top and scoop out all the potato into a bowl cook up some bacon with mushroom, peas & onion, mash it all in the potato (add some butter or milk if needed) and then put the mash back into the potato skin…. YUM!!!
For something different I tried sweet potato which was outstandingly yummy!
Sweet Potato Stuffed.. YUM!
While we were cursing around one of the local towns we found something unique (to us) and we just HAD to try it!
The can itself looks so cartoon like LOL… the taste was quite nice!
Have you ever tried this famous Duff beer?
Tara
Have you ever tried this famous Duff beer?
Tara
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