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Bushland
Park weekend
weekend of Saturday, Sunday,
Monday 10th, 11th & 12th of
June 2006
The Bushland Park meet in the Bunya
Mountains was one that was not for the faint hearted. Friday dawned grey and
overcast… a preview of what was to come with Kate (our host) already at the
campsite followed soon after by Helen, Peter and Jake then Linda and Jack.
Saturday morning was again grey with a light sprinkling of
rain. Attendees on Saturday were Kate and Paul (aka Grumpy) with the ‘girls’ Minky and Bella; Helen, Peter and Jake with ball mad Benji; Linda and Jack with
Terri the terrier; Gus and Jill, Erin, Clancy and Jayden with Bree the ever
friendly tail wagging staffy.
The weather was not wonderful and this was not helped by the
fact that certain NSW Drizabones elected to stay in the south for the weekend.
The official welcome and morning tea was rained out but all the attendees caught
up with one another and plans were laid to attend afternoon tea followed by an
early happy hour. Peter, Jane, Alec and Isobel then arrived around lunch time,
set up camp and joined us around the camp fire.
Afternoon tea was a treat with fresh scones made by Kate in
the good old camp oven, complete with jam and cream. During this time the last
of our last campers (and unexpected too) arrived, Ian and Michele with Nathan,
Jessica, Dylan and Brodie accompanied by Michele’s parents Jackie and Cec, who
soon had some one falling for them. Fortunately not too much damage was done
only a sore shoulder and some skinner (oops I meant some skinned) knees.
They set up camp and then joined in the jovial gathering
after dinner. The camp fire was blazing (Paul was the Fire Master for the
weekend) but unfortunately due to the rain, had to be enjoyed from a distance
and fortunately the shed was near enough to experience the warmth of the fire.
This however, did not dampen the spirits of the group.
Campers were a bit disturbed by rain and wind on Saturday
night with poor Jake coming off the worst, “it’s raining in here” were the
mutterings that stirred both Helen and Peter at some unearthly hour of the
morning. Sunday dawned fine at last but that wicked wind was still howling
although according to Jane, the wind was there but was not “Bitter”… spoken like
a true ex Tasmanian. Jake’s bedding was dried by the fire and Helen and Peter
did some redecorating to ensure there was not a repeat drowning if the rain came
back. Their spirits were not dampened, although they did briefly contemplate
pulling up stumps. Luckily Peter had a good supply of Panadol to see them
through.
On Sunday some campers took the rain forest walk within Bushland Park and others ventured further a field to Danabar to explore the
rainforest and experience the very ‘Top of the World’ feeling that lookouts
impart. Those who remained babysat the fire and checked out any changes or
innovations to each others trailers.
We experienced our first farewells on Sunday when Linda and
Jack left as they were feeling a trifle chilly and windswept. They had been at Bushland Park for Friday and Saturday nights and unfortunately could not see the
blue sky that was up ahead. Rick and Carol (potential CT owners) also dropped by
for a look see and chat after seeing the Bushland Park Meet details on the web.
Sunday afternoon was again very social with each and every
person coming to the camp fire for afternoon tea and happy hour. Laughter
abounded and there were many expectations as the cowboys came galloping into
camp. Kate again showed her skill and provided us with a sweet damper cooked in
the camp oven. This treat was well received by all the campers.
Peter, Jane, Alec and Isobel left to catch up with some
people they knew from out of town who were visiting. When dinner was finished we
returned to the fire once more for some good yarns and a few ales, as well as
some liqueur tasting Lavender wine and Blue Moon liqueur were very interesting
and helped to warm the heart if not the hands along with a very nice bottle of
Port which Ian had very kindly supplied. Some time in the wee small hours of the
morning the last of the camp fire revellers retired to their camps but only
after some very deep cycle and smart charged conversation.
Monday was pack up day and yes, you guessed it – Blue Sky in
abundance, really did not make us feel like going home. Packing up was complete
by lunch time and tired, happy and a great deal warmer than they had been all
weekend our happy campers left for home. Ian, Michele and company had a
leisurely pack up as they were closest to the site having only 40 minutes to
travel. Some went straight home some went via the mountain rainforest and some
went via MacDonald’s in Toowoomba. Goodbyes all included “will we see you at Amamoor??”
Isn’t it funny, each meet we attend seems to be the ‘Best One
Yet.’
Editorial: Jill Skinner (aka the Moth)
Photos by Kate
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