Two grownups
and a twenty-kilo
Australian Shepherd
all tucked up cosy
like in an 11 x 7 foot
tiny caravan. It
was awesome!
with an abundance of birds during the
day and native nocturnal animals whilst
we slept. Two grownups (one 6’4” tall)
and a twenty-kilo Australian Shepherd all
tucked up cosy like in an 11 x 7 foot tiny
caravan. It was awesome!
We were one of maybe six occupied
caravans in the park and possibly the
youngest van as well. The other vans
were onsite owned or onsite holiday
rentals. It looked like a vintage caravan
retirement home.
It was peaceful and serene for the first
four days of our stay until Friday morning.
We were having a late breakfast when
Shane looked up and said: “We’ve got
company, Skip” (Shane calls me Skip after
the song and 60’s TV show Skippy the
Bush Kangaroo – “Skippy a friend ever
true”) It was a huge modern fifth-wheeler
making its way down the narrow winding
mountain road. It eventually set up camp
at the opposite end of the park, maybe
one hundred metres away. As the day wore
on another thirty vans took up residence
in the same area. A few of the campers
wandered slowly past and around us until
eventually two young women introduced
themselves and asked if they could “have
a look”. We gave them the fifteen-second
tour and they told us they were part of
the Becky Cole (Australian country and
western performer) Travelling Road Crew.
A group of diehard fans that take to the
road each year for two weeks and follow
Becky on her tour whist she performs in
country towns all over Australia. Word
quickly spread about “the little caravan”
and more and more folks popped on by
for a visit. Total adoration and admiration.
I was in my element! That night we were
treated to an impromptu performance by
Becky and her sidekick Libby O’Donovan
around the group campfire. Now Shane
was in his element! He loves country
music.
Since our maiden voyage we have taken
three more trips away. We relish our
peace and quiet and have chosen beach
or mountain locations away from the
weekend and holiday crowds. I don’t
think people we meet whilst away quite
know what to make of her. They usually
stand and stare for a while or drive past
a couples of times before stopping and
coming over for a chat, but once they do
they have lots of questions like: “Do you
actually like live in there? Do you travel
with all those ‘things? I wish my wife/
husband/kids could see this. Can I take
a photo?” It all adds to the fun, carefree
atmosphere I think we have created in
such a small space and setting.
Our second trip to Bonnievale in The
Royal National Park south of Sydney, was
my lesson in towing a caravan. I agreed
that being thrown in the deep end was
the best idea (NOT). I sat in the driver’s
seat and adjusted the side mirrors and the
rear vision mirror. “Nothing to see there,
Skip” was Shanes response accompanied
by a lot of head shaking. Things started
out well along the expressway. She towed
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