Kangaroo Valley
winter woolies weekend meet
NSW
members meet at Glenmack Park NSW
held on the weekend of
Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th August 2007
The weekend began with the
hosts, Jason & Sue, and their daughters Jess & Sherri heading down to the
valley on the Thursday afternoon with their friends and group guests Glenn,
Mary-Jane, Jessika & Tom to set up camp and take delivery of the firewood.
Camps were set up with a
minimum of fuss, and a casual sit around a small fire followed. Well – the
firewood needed to be tested to make sure that it was up to scratch for the
remainder of the impending campers.
Friday morning saw a real
Kangaroo Valley morning, with a thick fog that you could barely see 10m
though. As the fog lifted, the majority of the campers began to arrive, with
Kerrie & David Jamieson and Hailey & Lachlan arriving first from Canberra,
arriving much earlier than Kerrie’s guest family – Brian and Tina from Nowra,
something Brian and Tina will find hard to live down for some time.
Throughout the day saw Richard & Leonie, Kevin, Mike (or was that Elton) &
Christine, Geoff & Barb, and lastly Elaine & Richard, arrive in about that
order, and they took about their set-ups in a timely manner. Elaine and
Richard surprised us all, leaving their Complete Campsite at home, and
arriving with their new Rooftop Camper to give it its first run. We all
worried for them, and hoped they wouldn’t emerge the next morning with
nosebleeds from the altitude they had to descend from.
It seemed that most of us
chose the powered sites, and the only ones who seemed prepared to brave the
winter chill were the Tvan-ers. Must be something in the Tvan that keeps
them warmer than the rest of the CT’s J. Either that, or as they would say –
we were all softies!
Whilst all of the set-up was
going on, a hearty fire was being prepared for the evening, the weather
behaved itself, with the sunshine on the nearby escarpment providing a
brilliant backdrop for a relaxing afternoon by the fire. At this point we
wondered what the poor people were doing …… then we remembered – we were
camping in KV!!!
Some quick “what have they
got that is new” checks were done, and before anyone knew it, dinner time
was upon us. Friday’s dinner saw everyone scamper back to their camper to
prepare their meal & then we all re-convened at the campfire that had been
kept nicely burning by Glenn & Jason.
Friday night saw some old
friendships re-kindled, whilst new ones were formed, and common interests
were shared, whilst others told us of their recent ventures across this
great country of ours. They just served to whet the appetite for the rest of
us……… Oh the envy!!!!
The fire was roaring & at
some point was described as being “the best ever seen at a CT meet” by a
bloke who should know what a decent fire is, and who has been to quite a few
meets as well!!!! Now that must have been some fire!!!! At this point I will
give my thanks to the Macca, the local firewood chappy – we will certainly
be keeping his number for future events!
Before long it was time to
call it a night and gradually we all wandered off to our CT’s to snore the
night’s imbibing off…….. or at least that’s what I’m told happened!
Saturday morning saw a bit
more of an overcast day greet us, so the fire was quickly re-kindled from
the night before, and some gathered around the fire, more for the atmosphere
than anything. More importantly than anything though – Elaine & Richard
emerged safely from their Rooftop, declaring that they had a great night’s
sleep and that they were more than happy with their new purchase – well done
guys!
Throughout the morning saw
our day visitors - Brenda & Terry – some new members – and Greg and Marge
arriving to cast an eye the events and to swap some stories with the rest of
us. Over the next few hours, the Saturday arrivals moseyed on in and began
their setups. These included Grant, Sol and their now somewhat grown-up
offspring – Don, Stephanie, Kimberly & Michelle. Then there was Graeme &
Vicki with Matt & Daniel – not to mention Graeme’s trailer load of gadgets &
wonderful things, including his proudly home-built Camper Kitchen. Well done
Graeme! Also in for the night was Alf & Vicki with their granddaughter
Brittany and also Helen, Kim, Hannah & Daniel who battled all sorts of
battles just to join us.
During all of this, some of
the Friday nighters took themselves off to see the local sights, including
the not-so far away Fitzroy and Belmore Falls, as well as the café scene in
KV itself. After everyone was set up, those who felt like a small drive
tagged along with the hosts to have a quick look at the local falls between
the misty cloud cover. Some, who knew what to do, found a cache whilst
others were introduced to Geocaching, finding the cache at Belmore Falls.
Those who chose not to join the Falls Adventure made themselves at home back
around the camp & kept the campfire burning
Sue & Jason thought dinner
would be nice up in the outdoor BBQ area together, and everyone joined in
for the Campertrailer Group Meet Meal (well – everyone that was told – we
are very sorry to those who missed out – we had thought everyone knew what
was happening). Anyway, the fire was lit in the BBQ area, and all sorts of
meals were produced, with lots of yummy smells emanating from all corners of
the undercover area. Lots of laugher was heard, and Elton almost burst into
song!!!! Even the young English couple camping in their little Dome Tent
came up to join in and get some warmth from the fire and began chatting all
things camping with the resident experts – they even joined us at the main
fire after dinner to continue to swap their adventure stories.
Grant also tested out his
Satellite TV set up to make sure that he has the configuration correct for
the National Meet at Copeton in a few weeks time. All should be well for all
3 major Footy Events that occur during the National meet, so well done to
Grant!
Once dinner was over, the
group migrated back to the main camp fire out in the open.
Stories were told, lessons were learnt and some forms of music were played.
Generally a nice pleasant time amongst like minded friends was had, and all
sorts of fluids were consumed – be they coffee, tea or some other fluid.
Around midnight saw the last of the revellers leave the campfire, and about
5 minutes after that saw the rain settle in for the night, just ensure that
those of us leaving on the Sunday had just that little bit of extra camping
to do when they got home – the obligatory dry-out setup!
Sunday morning saw most
groups leave & head wearily off back home to contemplate when they could dry
their campers out. It seemed that no-one was in any real hurry, and the
hosts seemed intent on demonstrating how relaxed they could be during a long
pack-up, and to show the others just how long it can take to do the
inevitable, if you really put your mind to it. Some of the T-Vanners were
bemused by all of this, but they just don’t know what they are missing out
on. Elton thought that we were creating some sort of award for ourselves,
whilst constantly reminding us of the need to have an award for the tidiest
T-Van or neatest new gadget.
The hosts eventually dragged
themselves away from the lovely spot that is Glenmack Park in Kangaroo
Valley, and left it in the safe hands of the lucky last 3 campers.
Unfortunately though, the weather didn’t clear up as we hoped for them, and
they probably had an even wetter camper to dry out than the rest of us did
when they got home. I even heard a whisper that one of the T-Vans was going
to turn up at Copeton with a Snorkel and a set of fins. I believe they’ll
also be playing Crocodile Rock as they drive into town!
Many thanks to all who came
along and shared the weekend with us – we had a great time, and we certainly
hope that you did too. The weather overall wasn’t as cold as we expected,
and the friendships just continue to grow. Also many thanks to the true
hosts for the weekend – Dion & Tara from Glenmack Park – the location &
facilities were perfect.
The feeling is that we will
meet there again – probably around the same time next year, so all those
that couldn’t make it this year can come and join us, and those who did, can
come back and enjoy more of the sights and the atmosphere. Also – apologies
are made for any names spelt incorrectly & and defamation that may have
occurred!
written by Jason & Sue
attendees
Sue, Jason,
Jessica & Sheridan with Bonnie |
Ace Oodnadatta |
Toyota Prado 2000 |
Glenn, Mary-Jane,
Jessika & Tom with Roxy |
Hard Floor/Hard
Walled/Hard Top CT |
Landcruiser 100 |
Alf & Vicki with
Granddaughter Brittany |
Camplet |
Kia Rio |
Graeme, Vickie, Matt
& Daniel |
Simon Heard
Adventurer |
1998 GU Patrol |
Brian & Tina |
Hard Floor/Hard
Walled/Hard Top CT |
Commodore |
David, Kerrie,
Hailey & Lachlan |
All Terrain |
Nissan Patrol |
Richard & Leonie |
Aussie Swag |
Landcruiser 100 |
Kevin |
Aussie Swag Rover LX
- 2005 |
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Laredo |
Elaine & Richard |
Rooftop Tent |
2003 NP Pajero |
Geoff & Barb |
Tvan |
Landcruiser 80 |
Mike & Christine |
Tvan |
Defender |
Grant, Sol, Don
Stephanie, Kimberly & Michelle |
Freedom |
GQ Patrol |
Kim, Helen, Hannah &
Daniel |
Central Coast |
Challenger |
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Day Visitors |
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Brenda & Terry |
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Greg & Marge |
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