Is that a Coolibah tree beside the abandoned house? Every Australian knows about Coolibah trees because the bush ballad Waltzing Matilda is nigh on our unoffical national anthem but most of us live nowhere near the inland where they grow. Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a Coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me. Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.
"To muse, to creep, to halt at will, to gaze ... such sweet wayfaring"
William Wordsworth
I find it an oxymoron (is that the right word). People go camping to get away from it all but end up living closer to their neighbours than if they stayed at home.
ReplyDeleteThis comment had me thinking most of the day. So what is the attraction? Here are some thoughts.
Delete* you might be closer to the neighbours but you don't have to get on with them beyond a day or two.
* you meet new neighbours every day and that is part of the fun
* campers are a generally courteous lot so beyond initial greetings on setting up camp and more conversations if you find you enjoy each others company people pretty much keep to themselves.
* the get away is about having a different view from the kitchen window .. even if that view is a host of caravans.
When we visited Adels Grove in NW QLD last year I was also surprised by how many grey nomads made it out there. Some of their set ups were quite complex. Is this really 'downsizing'?
ReplyDeleteLots of them a living in their vans for months on end so I can understand their desire for some comforts ... but I would hate to have to tow it.
DeleteWhat Diane said. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy travels...
The travel is actually over ... I am taking weeks to report it though. Will be going until nearly Christmas.
Delete