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Qld members weekend meet
Spring Gully Stays
held on the weekend of Saturday 23rd to Sunday 24th of August 2008
The first Queensland meet of the 2008 year was held at Springully, a
return visit just over 12 months from the first visit in 2007
although this time we bushed camped away from the showers and
toilets on the opposite side of the flowing creek. Being a bush
camp we had to be self sufficient with toilet and shower
facilities. This started the preparation early for a number of
members who needed to buy porta potties for the weekend. After much
discussion on the forum and on the chat line on sizes and what to
buy, Helen and Peter started the ball rolling by bidding on ebay for
one. This started a few more Queensland members looking on ebay with
Robyn and Lindsay , Turtle and Rod Luhrs who was unlucky to have a
conference on the meet also purchasing one. Paul the owner of
Springully then at the last minute decided to put a brand new porta
loo on the site but it wasn’t till we had all christened our brand
new toys.
The only members to arrive on the Thursday was Helen and Peter who
came and set up on the best spot of the camp, right next to the
water which was running over the rocks. Great relaxing night time
music. They left Jake, Helen’s father at home due to the cold. Well
that was their excuse, they really just wanted to have the place to
themselves for the night. From what I heard, out in the open shower
for Peter and Helen has the picture to prove it but she did not
share. Peter trying to get back across from the other side of the
creek via rocks in the water carrying blocks of timber under both
arms and trying not to fall in which was a great feat as he had
already had a port or two or three. Who knows what else happened
while they were all on their lonesome.
With Friday came the arrival of Turtle, (Graham) Helena and
Amelia, Lauren and Elanore plus mother in law, Teresa. Turtle tells
me he had a mental health day from work to enable him to come at
this time. Must take my hat off to them to camp with 3 children
under 4 years of age.
Other members to come along were Chris and Diane, Rick and Carol,
Rob and Dianne and Granddaughter Jordan, Mary and Michael plus
Rachel and David, Damian and Tricia plus Aidan and Jordan who last
camped with the group three years ago and in his words he might not
be welcome back till another three years. Not true, you were a
great help to Turtle putting the tree root onto the fire. We, Robyn
and Lindsay also arrived before dark but this was because I did have
a day off work because I was ill. Even then it took us nearly all
day to pack as Lindsay had been sick most of the week as well. Another
member to arrive on the Friday night was Kate and Paul.
It was a busy time for the members catching up on what everyone had
been doing since the last meet and working out where we would have a
communal fire and organising our own teas etc that we ended up
having a couple of fires around camps and kept the spot for the
communal one for the Saturday night when everyone was there.
Saturday saw the arrival of our day guests of Alan and Kathy, Rex
and Ann on their motorbike just in time for the meet and greet
morning tea which we had late to enable them to join in. Food was
in abundance with Mary making a chocolate cake in her Dream Pot and
myself making fresh scones in the Cobb. Diane also made scones in
her Cobb but had to beg heat beads from other members as Rob forgot
to pack quite a few things in his rush to get away. Next meet we
need timber he has the bag already to go as well as a new bag of
heat beads. Much discussion was held with Alan and Kathy about
selling his hard sided caravan and his new hard sided camper trailer
that should have been ready for the weekend but had been delayed as
often happens with the purchase of new toys. Especially when you
alter them from the original one available. We look forward to
seeing it at the next meet at Andrew Drynan but of course people at
Peak Hill will see it before us.
Just after the late morning tea and all the food was gone, Gus and
Jill, Clancy and Jayden arrived. They circulated around talking to
one and all and late in the afternoon after Les and Sue arrived and
had set up camp, Jill used the whip and told Gus to hurry up and set
up camp before dark. Just on dusk Noel and Cathi arrived but were
on the wrong side of the creek and after much waving and calling out
were told to go back to the road and come in on the correct side.
Cathi said they had fun finding it as they were not reading the
directions correctly thinking it was 4 kilometers when it was 4
creek crossings. Think they were set up before Gus and Jill as
well.
Saturday
nights fire was great with a big gathering around the fire made
possible by Turtle and Damian putting one huge tree stump on the
fire. With lots of timber around it the fire went all night and the
next morning all that was needed was a little bit of thin timber on
the fire and away it went again. There was enough coals that I
managed to make the cake that everyone demanded in the icebreakers
that I must do even if it was a bit late and a quite a few had
headed off to bed. There is method in my madness for that. Less
people to share the cake and I don’t have to make two. As per usual
last standing around the fire were Jill, Lindsay and myself but I
had to wake Lindsay up and tell him to go to bed as I couldn’t hear
Jill talking over his gentle snoring.
Sunday saw
people having a leisurely breakfast. John and Penny arrived for a
day visit and talked to people moving on the next camp when people
were packing around them. We were the last to leave arriving home
just on dark as we joined Gus and Jill for late afternoon nibbles
and a drink for me as I wasn’t driving and a coffee for Lindsay.
Some of the highlights of the weekend were..........
* Peter and Helen
both thinking that the rest of their roast chicken from tea had been
put in the frig when in fact Benji decided he should have a treat.
* The kids all
enjoying themselves up and down the hill behind us and playing in
the creek. The look on David's face when he fell in the creek was
classic.
* Rob sitting in
the sun on the opposite side of the creek with his friends.
* Jill walking
around with her wine in a special wine cooler.
* Diane and Chris
trying to cross the creek without falling in.
* Noel and Cathi
and John and Penny in their cars on the wrong side of the creek.
* Rob saying he
had to be home around 4 to have time to unpack and being told that
there was nothing to unpack as he had left most of it at home.
* Cathi and Noel
bringing a powerpoint show of their recent trip to the cape.
I hope everyone had a good time and I look forward too the next
time.
Robyn and Lindsay
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turtle's view
Well what can I say... What a great weekend, blue skies, cool
mornings, hot fires, cold drinks aplenty and good
friends. The orange poppy seed cake was a big hit
(thanks Robyn... You lived up to your praise) as was the
barrage of day visitors... All a pleasure to see again.
Peters fireside antics of wearing next to no clothes and
bare feet was a little brave for most of us.
Damian was a asset by the fireside for his humour and
pyromaniac tendencies. Between Damian and Gus there
would have to be a competition as to who will be the
next Idol. Gus was doing a good job of playing Gus (very
successfully too) and Jill with her 'bloody oath'
shampoo bottle cooler was a sight to behold, let alone
listen to. I think she laid an egg at one stage but that
hasn't actually been confirmed as yet... We are still
tracking down the
evidence.
Noel the Guinness King, ripped his ball out for us all
to have a quick look at by the fireside to a huge cheer
from the watchful appreciative audience amid wild
applause. Not a bad effort for a Hilux driver really.
Rob was there, Rob the rugby playing, globe trotting,
holidaying superstar. The master of relaxation and
semi-serious fireside drinking. I would have loved it if
you could have stayed up later and had a real session
with me cobber. What more can I say... A Playdo driver.
Rick and Carol made a seemingly impressive sight by the
fire with Carols weird but wonderful dangly bit she
referred to as a hat. I'm sure they were warm, but we
would probably have to ask Rick. Rick? The M&M show
(Mary and Michael and billy lids) were in full swing by
day but very quiet under the cover of darkness. Its good
to see we have some members who can contain themselves
and wake up fresh in the mornings. Les and Sue made an
appearance and staked out an early fireside spot ready
for a serious session. The fireside frivolity was
outstanding I must say.
Anyway this is not the official write up for the
weekend, its just the lucid rambling of another crazed
camperhead who was lucky enough to share in the Spring
Gully experience with some great people. Thanks to
everyone for your friendship and hospitality over the
weekend. My little ones loved the experience.
Warm Regards
Turtle
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