Budds and Thomas Half Century Camping Trip
This trip began its planning early in 2017 when both Thomas and I realised that his birthday was the day before mine. So we set about planning a trip for us to relax and have a bit of a cook up around a fire. Well there were a couple of things that conspired against us, however we improvised, adapted and overcame. With the final destination being the Big Valley Camp Ground in Rosa Brook south of Margaret River.
The Trip actually commenced at 0900 Friday 27 Oct 2017, although there were a couple of eager beavers in BigCol, Lorraine and Catherine along with BillSTS and Lisa who arrived on the Thursday. Next to arrive was Kinang and Tiala in convoy with Iffy also Chris and Jill. Myself and Heidi, Thomas, Superjacs and Mrs Superjac all bet at the BP Southbound at about 1015. We set off in convoy for Bunbury were we picked up one of our long lost country members in DX Grunt and his wife Sybil. We moseyed on down to Big Valley with plenty of chatter on the UHF playing catch up with DX Grunt.
On arrival we all went to our select sites and began setting up. On completion we started to wander around and look at each other’s setups with BillSTS lighting the fire for the first night. Last to arrive on Friday was an old Navy friend of mine Mark his wife Sandi and their two girls. Fish sent a text saying he would be down Saturday morning as work had not been kind to him.
The weather gods had not been nice to us as it had been blowing pretty hard all the way down and the rain came in short squalls. However we did not let this dampen our spirits as we all gathered for some Thai Green Chicken Curry cooked in the Dream Pot.
DX Grunt took great pleasure in showing of his Ute setup as we all sat around talking and generally relaxing. Some retired early others stayed up late. The first day was awesome just getting there and catching up with people.
Saturday saw people wandering off to take in some of the regions delights and sights. Heidi and I headed off for a spot of Brekky with Chris and Jill before driving up to Yallingup to visit Heidi’s son. On our return we set about making preparations for the cook up when Fish arrived and setup. Later in the arvo AB arrived and got setup. Fires, OzPigs, Webers and Choofers were lit and the cooking began in earnest. There was Lamb Shoulder, Beef Butt, Chilli Con Carne, Chicken Skewers, Smoked Chicken, smoked and steamed Salmon. Lamb Roast and Veg, and all this after we had several rounds of horses doovers. We all sat around the fire stuffed to the gills, then Superjac brought out his Rice Pudding and my Apple Crumble and Custard along with Thomas’s Ice Cream. Again some retired early while a good deal more of us braved the showers and sat around the fire until late.
Sunday dawned and whilst the showers had left us the wind continued at a reduced force. This also saw Fish. AB and Chis and Jill pack up and leave. This coincidentally is when the sun came out and the wind died off, meaning that one of these three is the new WPC Rainmaker, noting that Chris and Jill are not members this mean that it is now either Fish or AB…..
The rest of Sunday saw us mostly sit around camp and relax knowing this was the last day before we headed back to the rat race. Once again fires were lit and cooking began as the awesome day turned into an equally awesome night. This saw all of us sat around the fire until late. Talking, catching up and discussing where we want to go next. Some discussion was had about longer distance trips as well as some closer to home.
Monday was a sad day as we all began the pack up and said our good byes. Kinang and Tiala were the first head off followed by DX Grunt and Sybil. Then BigCol, Lorraine and Catherine along with BillSTS and Lisa. All headed off. This left Thomas, Superjac and Mrs Superjacs, Iffy, Heidi and I. We went and thanked the owners for all that they had done for us and were informed that we were welcome back anytime.
Our convoy headed towards home, we passed BigCol and BillSTS as they had stopped at a servo for a bite, and they in turn passed us as we stopped for a bite. Our little convoy split up as we all got to our exits on the Freeway.
On behalf of Thomas and I, we would like to thank all that came along to enjoy the weekend and to celebrate with us. There were a couple of people that were missed, ET couldn’t be with us due to not being well and we all wish him a speedy recovery, Ozmerican was unable to attend due to work commitments.
Heidi and I had a great relaxing weekend and we just hope that you all did as well.
Thank you and see you at our 60th……HAHAHA
If anyone has any picture please add them to this thread.
