26th December 2013

Why does food always taste better when you are camping? A simple meal of lamb chops, buttered new potatoes and tomato tasted like fine dining. Accompany it with a couple of CC and drys and I was very satisfied. As expected, my little $13 single burner worked a treat.

It is a wonderful evening and having eaten at what I describe as ‘old peoples time’ I had plenty of time to watch the fading sun light up the sky in beautiful shades of pinks, oranges and mauves. As I have many times in the past I lament the fact that my artistic talent leans more toward the descriptive word than the use of a pencil or paints. I would love just once to be able to capture the glory of a sunset or sunrise….oh well, I will just keep putting it out there!

I receive a message from the caretakers saying they will be back tomorrow afternoon and will I still be here then. I very quickly responded “Yes, for sure.” I am in no rush to part company with ‘my’ tree! As usual I discovered that my sense of direction was all wrong and the sun has not set where I expected it to, however, this is no real problem as I have chosen the prime spot in the park, where I am shaded almost every moment.

Eventually my bed calls to me. Fortunately I still have the air mattress from my camping days with my family back in Qld, let’s just hope that it has not sprung a leak since then! Armed with my book and my little reading light I snuggle down in bed. A predicted 13 degrees overnight has me under my blanket feeling safe and sound and content. I drift off to sleep to the night sounds of the bush.

I awake suddenly to the most unholy noise, for a split second totally confused as to what it could be. Then I realise that it is the wind hammering at my tent. I had not zipped up the entry door on the fly as I wanted the air to circulate. Believe me it was circulating! I wondered how it was possible that the tent was still in one piece. I climbed out of my cocoon and stood back and observed my little haven being bent into more shapes than a contortionist on show night. A fleeting thought along the lines of “I should have spent more than $50 on my tent” went through my mind.

It was then I looked around me and noticed the beautiful night sky above me. The stars were shining brightly, twinkling down at me like mischievous angels from above. I could feel my Dad up there having a chuckle but proud and punch of his girl. As I gazed up into the sky I felt the connection to everyone on earth, not only in my beautiful Australia but all countries across the world. There is something about a starry night that does that to me and it is a wonderful feeling.

It was rather cool outside so I climbed back into my cocoon, after securing the door in the fly. Sleep was a little difficult to come by after that as I lay there wondering just how strong a wind it would take to lift me up and deposit me in some distant place……

To be continued…..