Mr S was inspired by Fiona’s posts and photos on camping at Cockatoo Island that he said we have to start camping again.
So many people have commented that they didn’t think camping was me. Even a cousin responded to Facebook photos that it looked I was having a change of life. We actually have done camping in different forms before. I’ve even done a four day hike into the wilderness. In our pre-kid life we camped for weeks, sleeping in the back of Mr S’s panel van. (No stickers of the crass kind, before you ask.)
Anyway we only went an hour or so north from home. A National Park by the sea. And we only camped out for two nights. Not really roughing it when you can walk to a town with gourmet food stores and coffee shops and a bottle shop.
Still, it was peaceful. Away from Sydney traffic and pollution. Away from household tasks demanding attention or skilful ignoring and procrastination. The sound of waves. The glorious sun set. The full moon rising.
The moon was so bright and the sky clear, that I didn’t need a torch to visit the loo
Mr S bought a new tent. His criteria is you must be able to stand up in a tent. Which is great for getting dressed, stretching, sitting comfortably, especially in the rain. And you can stay in longer in the morning. In tents you have to crawl into, as soon as the sun is up, it is hot and stuffy inside.
The new tent is a six man tent. For two. But see we take camp stretchers. So there is really only room for us two. The tent has two verandahs built into the fly. We kept one up and put the gas stove there. There are also two side rooms in the fly. We stashed our esky and stuff. On the second morning, when it was raining, Mr S set up the dining room there. (I ate breakfast in bed.)
Yes, we camp in style of which Poirot would be proud. No bodies or mysteries to solve. And no one to turn down our sheets. 😦
Without electric light and television, I got sleepy quite early and fell asleep instantly.
We did a six kilometre walk along the coast. The walk is a mixture of board walk along cliffs, sand, steps and bush track. Sweeping vistas of the sea, boiling waves, amazing rock formations, and unexpectedly for this time of year, a variety of wild flowers. It rained on our return trip which brought different sounds alive – the birds definitely enjoyed the rain.
(Confession: following photos are taken from the Internet. Some from the Narional Parks Service website on Bouddi National Park and some from blogs. I didn’t take my camera on the walk but knew there’d be plenty of shots on the web. If perchance one of these is yours and you want it cited or removed, let me know.)
lucinda sans 
I am absolutely thrilled that you went out and did this! I hope it was relaxing and took you out of the everyday a bit. Have just realised the number of amazing coastal walks available in northern NSW…picked up lots of maps and guide-books while we were away so now I have a List! Love your tent set-up. I think I need to move towards a standing-up tent too, to keep Mr D keen.
Stand up tents are the go. But much heavier. You become limited to staying at places you can park near. For the ultimate, Google canvas bell tent. One family had one. We want one. Bigger, gorgeous and romantic looking. Best of all it erects in minutes with only one pole. (Downside: expensive & heavy. Possibly hot in summer.)
Looks like the style of camping I could possibly adapt to. If someone set it all up for me, that is. Location looks perfect for a quick getaway.
It is a perfect location. The lack of light and the surrounding bush makes it feel miles away but it deceptively close.
As to set up, yes, it can be a bit of work. There’s checking out gear is all right, loading the car, unloading, pitching tent and setting up site, de-assembling site, loading car, emptying car, as it rained airing and drying everything, packing away. Booking a hotel room is much easier.
Ooer, Lucinda gets back to nature:) That is very brave of you. I rather like nature hypothetically, but than it gets cold and wet or sandy and hot. And there are bugs. Mmm, nature.. gosh you are brave:)
I know. It is brave. Especially given the first time we camped here, a decade ago, a bush rat ate a hole in our tent to get to my hot cross buns which he then ate under my stretcher bed while I was a sleep, dreaming of the buns. (I must have smelt the spicy fruit when then rat was eating the buns.)
That is exactly why I love the suburbs!
That sounds like my kind of camping. I am up for making coffee in the morning over a propane burner, but only enough to last me until my first real cuppa in town! Dunno about the big bell tents, though. Sooo heavy. We have a double air mattress rather than cots, though. Still debating whether to try camping ever again. Like Jo says, all that nature, hmm. But if it were the only way to access the kind of hikes you did, I would go for it.
Well you’re safe. It’s not the only way to access the bushwalk I did. You can drive an hour from my place. Park and do the walk and then drive 5 min to the town with cafes and bar. We are getting a blow up mattress for me. Cot killed my back.
There is something sweet waking up to the air and outside so close. And having a cuppa breathing the fresh morning air. And having a beer outside in such absolute darkness without being surrounded by electric light and amplified noises.
We often comment at home how lucky we are not to have light pollution. The stars and constellations are just glorious right from our doorstep. And the birdsong is lovely too! But I agree, it has been ages since I woke up outdoors in fresh air, and I miss sitting around a campfire.
Sorry. Can’t have campfires at National Parks. Fire danger. Waste of wood. People control. Pick your reason.
So really, you’d probably be happier at the B’n’B up the road. Which has a verandah that backs onto the bush and has a fireplace. Lol.
Haha, that sounds good!