Camping for beginners!

Barb and John take their new camper trailer on its maiden voyage to Yarraman (QLD) 6th July 2013

With much excitement we launched into our first camping trip with the newly purchased Campertrailer ... bought in a fit of profligacy at the recent Caravan and Camping show in Brisbane.

After buying said trailer the last two weeks have been a frenzy of activity, getting a towbar fitted to Barb's Corolla; making lists upon lists of all the "necessities" required for a comfortable camping experience; running out to various camping and hardware stores to get rope, lights batteries etc.
We worriedly watched the weather forecasts, hoping against hope for a fine weekend before we go away on holidays (NOT camping) to Adelaide.

Yahoo! Hooray! The forecast was for fine weather, and it mostly was except for a light shower of rain as we tried to take down the campsite on Sunday. The fact that we had my sister's dog Lily with us, a very nervous little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, did not deter us. We rang ahead to the Yarraman Caravan Park and Lee, the proprietor, assured us that animals were allowed provided they were kept under control and didn't bark or run amok and spoil the serenity for other guests.

Hmmm ... not barking is a problem for our Lil. Everything disturbs her. The sound of a tent zip being unzipped, the harsh sound of velcro being ripped apart, anyone passing by that she could see (even if some distance away), any sound (especially other dogs barking; cocks crowing, cows mooing) would set Lily off on a barking spree and the only way to stop her was to hold her in your arms. At night she had to be in the bunk with us. Otherwise she would BARK!!!!!!

Our next camping trip will be sans Lily.

That being said ... we had a lot of fun! Barb had been tiggering, jumping up and down with excitement, all week and was in heaven to finally be camping. John did a wonderful job of towing the laiden trailer, and manouvering it into the campsite and then assembling the tent almost unassisted (see above comment about Lily - Barb was pre-occupied with keeping her quiet).

It all worked! We were blessed with a campsite that was beautifully grassy and only a little bit sloping. It also had a private ensuite. The luxury! We picked Yarraman as it was pet friendly, within two hours drive of Maleny, is a jump off point to explore the Bunya Mountains (we'll need more time next time to do this) and likely to be less busy. It was the last weekend of the school holidays and we didn't really want to provide the entertainment for a crowded campground of experienced campers as they watched us struggle to put up and take down our campsite.

I'm proud to say ... WE DID IT!!! The trailer cover even fitted back on properly at the end, so we must've packed it up right. We ate well, cooking on our new two burner gas stove. We slept well on the queen size mattress with two doonas (without Lil sprawled between us it would've been downright cosy!). We learned a lot ... and remarkably didn't forget anything major.
Yay! Bring on the next camping trip I say ...

John with Lily after we drove to the Gold Coast to pick up the Campertrailer

John manouvres the trailer into place and remembers to put down the back stabiliser leg



Barb busy supervising Lily who is only partially distracted with a bone

With the first stage assembled, John connects the hose to the sink and unpacks the car and trailer

John enjoys a welcome cuppa and break while Lily looks exhausted from the effort of not barking

The caravan park is surrounded by a stand of hoop pines

Perfect weather for camping at Yarraman

Lily reluctantly tries out her own bed in the tent....and finds it wanting. She needs a Barb to snuggle



John finishes the annexe walls assembly. Note our private ensuite in the background. Came in handy at night in the cold!

John with a well earned rum and coke

Barb happily enjoying her first camp meal made on the gas stove

Now THIS is more like it! Says Lily who has commandeered our queen size bed

Who's a happy camper? John has survived his first night camping and is busy cooking us breakfast

Barb makes a token cooking effort with the toast

Did someone mention happy campers? Barb can't get the smile off her face!

Will definitely be back to explore Yarraman and surrounds. Now that we're experienced campers it shouldn't take so long to set up camp. There might even be time to actually do something....like go on a bushwalk. Woo Hoo! I LOVE camping!