The
Wharton's Weekend
an
invite to camp with Ian, Jayne & family at Flanagans Reserve
held on the weekend of Saturday
5th to Sunday 6th May 2007
Friday afternoon
arrived, after a busy day working, the kids came home from school, the car was
packed, the dog was loaded, and off the Whartons left for a weekend at Flanagan
Reserve.
After battling some
traffic through Park Ridge, I appreciated the brakes I had fitted to the camper
trailer since our last trip. Arriving at Flanagans at about 7pm, we were greeted
with a smile by the staff at the office and then proceeded to drive around in
the dark looking for a suitable spot for us and the two other families who were
arriving tomorrow.
After being told off by the ranger for driving around the
park with high beam on (it was only 7pm, I didn't really see the problem) we set
up camp. We were all pooped from the day at work/school and setting up the
camper, so dinner was a couple of tins heated on the stove.
Next morning saw the Pye family arrive with their Jayco
poptop. We had never met them before and were amazed to find they live in the
next suburb to us and their kids go to the school up the road from us. Small
world. Phil & Jenny Pye brought two of their children, Chris & Noah, as well as
their Chinese exchange student, Peter, who was in for an education to say the
least.!
Noon saw the Brayshers arrive after a late start, who then
entertained us by setting up their first time out, brand new 12ft Customline
Camper with little help from the beer swilling spectators (us).
Luckily we had all brought the kids bikes, so after everyone
was set up, the kids took off to explore the area. Monty the dog made some new
friends, and those of you who met him at Copeton will remember his timid
tendencies. He is getting much better and made many new friends over the
weekend, both human and canine.
The kids had fun in the creek, swimming etc. The adults
chatted, had a drink or two. The Pye family went off exploring the local real
estate market, while the Whartons and Brayshers chatted and compared camper
trailers etc.
Saturday night was the compulsory chatting around the
campfire until bedtime. Good conversation, good company, and a good drink or
two.
Sunday morning and we held a scavenger hunt for the kids. We
split them up into teams, to help them get to know each other. After about an
hour of collecting, the results were in. It was a close finish.
First place was Tara Wharton & Tegan Braysher. 18 points
Second was Kristofer Braysher, Chris Pye and Peter the exchange student. 17 1/2
points
Third place was Sean Wharton & Noah Pye. 17 points.
The fire was started early in the afternoon to prepare some
hot coals for Sunday nights cooking. The Wharton's fool proof camp oven stew was
first in the coals, and after an hour was done to perfection. Next on the coals
was the Pye family's damper. Lets just say, the coals were maybe too hot, or a
little too close to the main fire, or the damper was left in a little
long......after the black crusty outside was peeled away, the insides were tasty
with some butter and syrup anyway! The was only to be capped off by me leaving
my camp oven upturned on the fire to burn it out perhaps a little too long. When
the cast iron was glowing red, I was told it was probably time to remove it from
the fire!
After a few wines and assorted drinks, more good
conversation, it was off to bed.
Next morning was a leisurely pack up, the Pye family getting
an early start and farewelling everyone mid morning, the Brayshers and the
Whartons started to pack up while the kids were still having fun in the creek.
The Brayshers did well, having their new camper all packed up almost the same
time precisely as the Whartons. After farewelling the Flanagans staff and
thanking them for a great weekend, we all headed of to Maccas at Beaudesert for
lunch on the way home. Judging by the number of people there, and the number of
camper trailers on the roadside, many from Flanagans, Bigriggen and other
assorted places had the same idea!.
After lunch we said goodbye to the Brayshers and we headed
for home, ready to plan and prepare for our next trip.
To all those who can't always make it to the big get
togethers, I can highly recommend organizing a small get together just as we
did. It's amazing to see how well the kids got on together and how much we
adults had to chat about over the weekend.
Ian & Jayne Wharton
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