Past Events

around the campfire

NSW members weekend meet

Newnes

The weekend of Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 4th, 5th & 6th of September 2004

Eleven members camper trailers turned up for the weekend camp at Newnes, north of Lithgow NSW. We camped on land beside the Wolgan River owned by Thomas who also owns the old Newnes Hotel. Thomas also supplied the firewood for the weekend.

Barry & Margaret turned up early along with Carol & myself on the Thursday afternoon. We enjoyed a cuppa on the veranda of the old pub & chatted with Thomas. Thomas had built a new fire pit for the occasion so it was up to the four of us to christen it as custom would have it by dancing around the fire naked. It did drizzle a little on the Thursday night & what a sight it was with us sitting around the fire in our drizza-bones & bush hats.

The group started arriving by midday Friday & into the early afternoon. There was no need to brake the ice as we settled around the fire for happy hour.

Saturday morning seen us sitting around chatting & not much else & more members turning up. Ken, Renee & family along with Jeff, Carolyn & family headed up to the old oil shale works ruins for a bit of sight seeing, while Steve, Sandy & family went for a drive to the lost city. They said they didn't know why they called it the lost city because it was real easy to find.

This was the first time Jeff & Carolyn had set up their new camper & they had plenty of time to play with their new toy.

Ed had e-mailed me during the week to tell me he had received an early fathers day present from Donna, a dutch oven. We had to explain to him the difference between a dutch oven & a camp oven. He was keen to try out his new camping toy & we all chipped in & gave him a few pointers of how to cook his roast which turned out juuuuuust right.

After tea we all sat round the campfire with plenty of laughs. Everyone was throwing there bit of muse in & in no time we all had tears rolling down our cheeks. It was also Steve & Sandy's boy Matt birthday, so we all sang happy birthday to him. I think he will remember that bush birthday for some time to come.

Those who rose early had a chance to see the valley covered in frost as it had dropped to -1 overnight. Of course most chose to stay in their warm bed till the sun was well & truly up.

Sunday was the day to drive to the Glowworm Tunnel. It was a fair drive from camp & took around two hours. Barry (B2) walked from Newnes through the tunnel. We walked down the old rail line from the other end & through the tunnel, checking the glow worms as we went & gathered for lunch at the other end. By the time we had returned to our vehicles it was 3 o'clock. Some headed for a quick look of the lost city, while the rest decided it was time to get the fire ready for the camp oven tea. A few had to return home that afternoon for work on Monday morning. As they came down the mountain from the Blue Mountains they came across the reminates of a huge hail storm that had hit Sydney with what looked like snow on the side of the road.

Ed cooked another magnificent chook meal in the camp oven followed by 10 apples stuffed with sultanas by Greg & topped with custard. We assured Ed that the extra flavour of Bella, Thomas's dog, licking out the camp oven after the chook added to the bush treat. Another great night around the campfire with plenty of laughter. Barry & Margaret stayed up to late trying to catch the ones who were throwing empty bottles under their Ultimate. They had their suspicions as to who it was.

Brian & Terry with their Hilux twin cab & rooftop tent

Ed, Donna & family with their on-road camper trailer

Ken, Renee & family with their NL Pajero & Heavysew camper trailer

Barry (B1) & Margaret with their Prado & Ultimate camper trailer

Rob & Carol with their GQ Patrol & Track Eagle camper trailer

Alan & Marie with their Forester & Goldstream Wing2

Steve, Sandy & family with their Prado & All Terrain camper Trailer

Barry (B2), Janet & Thomas with their Land Rover & Kimberly Kamper

Barry (B3), Kerry & Vanessa with their Ford Explorer & Redback camper trailer

Greg & Marge with their Nissan Pathfinder & Cub Spacematic camper trailer

Jeff, Carolyn & family with their Prado & Challenge camper trailer

Thanks to those who attended. We all had a great time & hope to see you at the next get together.