Skipworth reserve -Jamieson (Mar 14)

We ventured out this weekend by ourselves to Skipworth reserve 7Km from Jameison access via sealed road and campground on the left from Jamieson (1 of many along this stretch of road). Only took just on 2 hrs set up this time as we had a plan, executed the plan and did not argue at all!!. The learnings from out last outing payed dividends. Set up camp ready for a night under the stars and a nice little fire to suite. During the night to my horror realised that I did not pack enough beer for the 2 days (Linda took enough for a week) off to Jamieson pub to restock.

Woke to a beautiful crisp morning (Sat) stoked the fire ready for a day of doing nothing (Linda did go walkabouts for more fire wood) went down to the river for a stroll nice peaceful setting. Diner was a quick BBQ and we sat around the fire for hours watching a squirrel (or something running up the tree near our trailer) did have 4 legs. Linda spent some time feeding the birdlife that were around our camp

By this time Linda was getting anxious as there was no mobile phone coverage and getting the DTs as she could not text or snap-chat the kids.

Woke Sunday morning and placed the last couple of logs on the fire, sat and had coffee and toast ready to pack up and head home after about 10mins of packing the camper Linda was determined that the camper was to be sold, as the pack up was not going to her plans  (taking too much time) learnings from this trip

·         A new mattress for next outing, the foam mattress is cr*p

·         Pack beer first and more just in case

·         Defrost bacon early, could not defrost, did not have the bacon, eggs and tomatoes breakfast as planned
·         Must fix the 12v lights

·         Bring garbage bags for the rubbish  

A nice get a way only around 2.5 hrs from home a place we will certainly revisit and explore other camp grounds along the Jamieson River

 

Our friends for the weekend

The "gather" collecting more wood

the river

more of the river

 

 a big day collecting wood

 

 

breakfast time with a view  

 

The Island - Lake Eildon (Feb 14)

Our first camp in our new ezytrail camper was with a Myswag group at "The Island" - lake Eildon our virgin trip. Certainly learned a lot with a great bunch of people the first of many more trips will be had with the Myswag group

The day started with checking our recently purchased gas BBQ and 2 burner stove when I opened them the morning of the trip realized I did not have the right connection or a 9kg bottle, quick trip to BBQ galore and adaptor in hand. Pulled trailer out of garage ready for the weekend, filled up water tank and checked only to have tap fall apart in my hand fortunately we had to 20litre containers for water. Turned up at camp spot to be greeted by helpful and friendly people who gave advice on our first full set up only took just over 5 hrs from start to beer. During the night the jockey wheel gave way (did not engage fully in the first place) as well as a number of other learning's

•   Make sure you put down the stabiliser legs at the back
•   Get rid of the 33 extra poles you don’t need before you go away and spend hours looking for the right pole
•   Bring a claw hammer not a rubber mallet
•   Buy good pegs
•   Bring a phone charger that works if you have reception
•   Put up the annex up from the middle out, not from the outside in
•   Bring a broom
•   Don’t need to bring 4 towels
•   Don’t buy a fold out en-suite and attempt to put it back in the bag

All in all a great couple of days relaxing by the water, camp fire by night and company for our first trip out in our new camper trailer. A long list of things to buy before our next trip and a lot of learning's to take home  

View from our camper

 

Leaving the camp

View from lake back to campsite

 



From our camp

Our first set-up

 

Water's edge -The Island -Eildon