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NSW
callala
beach weekend
Saturday 30th to Sunday 31st October, 2010
Ten members of the Black Diamond Recreational 4WD Club, based
in North Wollongong, joined with 29 members of the CamperTrailers.org
community for an enjoyable few days at Callala Beach, on the northern
headland of Jervis Bay, on the NSW South Coast, over the October 30/31 weekend.
Despite doom laden forecasts of
constant heavy rain the weather remained fine and mostly sunny, with only
the early hours of Monday beginning to produce misty rain for those few who
had remained an extra day before packing up.
As with most weekend gatherings,
time was mostly given over to relaxation and individual activities, but the
4WD group were keen to test their mettle and many of the camper trailer
people took up the challenge of short cross country trips, one on Saturday
and one on Sunday. Saturday’s outing, especially, was a more exciting time,
if the amount of mud on cars and tales of bogged vehicles having to be
hauled out were anything to go by.
The camp location was in a
recreation area owned by the Callala Beach RSL Club & was arranged via the
club committee. The facilities of the club were availed on Saturday night
for a $15 a head three-course meal.
The beach was a 600-metre walk
down the road and the local wildlife, including an echidna on the beach and
a healthy black snake which at one time took up residence under Peter
Elliott’s camper, were minor distractions. Of course, some of the younger
(plus a few supposedly more mature!?) members made the most of Halloween
celebrations. The rest sat around Happy Hour and drank wine.
All in all it was a good
weekend’s enjoyment for the NSW members of the group and thanks went out to
Allan and Mary Anne Randahl.
The Majority of the group arrived on
Friday to pick the prime camping spots. Friday night most of the campers put
on their hiking boots to walk the 50 metres to the Callala Beach RSL Country
Club for tea and raffle, most were lucky and won trays of meat. Saturday a
blackboard was placed on display at the amenities block, showing the agenda
for the days activities. If you didn’t visit the amenities you missed out.
At 10am Trevor, Ian & Lee members of the Black Diamond 4wd & Recreation
Club, guided the 16 vehicle convoy on a trip through Currumbene State
Forest. The boys had done a recky trip the previous weekend, though during
the week it rained, making the track extremely wet. The smaller vehicles
made the going tough, especially for Narelle & Pat in their Suzuki on road
tyres getting bogged. The 4wd Club was there to assist, as everyone watched
the careful procedures of the recovery. Narelle seemed to be enjoying the
experience and couldn’t wait for the next adventure. Unfortunately it was
necessary to cut the trip short, due to the condition of the track. There
were many disappointed, as everyone seemed to be enjoying their new
experience at 4wdriving skills. Anyone thinking of venturing to Cape York
need to put in practice these driving techniques.
Saturday night an invitation was extended by the fishing club
for the group to join them at there presentation night. Forty lucky people
paid $15pp for a three course meal, which included fortified wines on
arrival, fresh prawns, cold meat & salads with a glass of wine and dessert.
Also raffle tickets were purchased, where a few of our members walked out
with fishing rods & reels and even an electric frypan won by Kevin. A little
more dancing, drinking & drinking, Mary Anne conned the club’s driver of the
Courtesy Bus to drive us the whole 50 metres back to camp. The night ending
around the campfire, with many tails of the days activities shared.
Sunday morning a scenic trip had
been organized of the surrounding area, including the Lighthouse at Cape
Perpendicular & Honeymoon Bay. On return the majority of the campers packed
camp then departed Sunday afternoon.
Each afternoon at 4:30 the campfire was ignited, where
everyone gathered for happy hour. The usual Randahl’s questionnaire sheet
was handed out on arrival, this time being on Aussie icons. The judging took
place at Sunday happy hour, 1st prize won by the Smidt children, Emma &
Kate, fortunate for them, their mum brought one book along which just
happened to be based on Aussie Icons. The adults prize won by the guy in the
red shirts wife, sorry couldn’t remember who won the 3rd prize.
The weekend was enjoyed by all. The
weather was perfect, I’m sure the Gods were really looking after us. The
fishing club enjoyed our presence and extended an invitation to return next
year, Oct 2011.
I am pleased to announce that we collected $300 in camping
fees, which was donated to Legacy.
from Allan Randahl
photos
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