'Happy Hours'

Wirroff · Senior Member

'Happy Hours'

Landfall · Guru

Wirrof,

Our findings exactly the same.

In caravan parks, you usually find the bowlers stick together, the golfers stick together and those travelling with another couple/s stick together, etc.

Some caravan parks out on a breakfast or meal once a week to get people together.

At the Parks Beach C/P in Coffs, they put on a breakfast on Fridays, we have actually watched people come over to the camp kitchen, get their bacon and egg roll then walk back with their friends to their own caravan. Or reserve a table for themselves only.

Ken

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We've been parked near a large gathering of people having their happy hour Wirroff, and were pointedly ignored. Checked our deodorant, no that's not the problem. I think mostly its convoys or people who know each other, as at Greens Lake, where everybody met on this forum.

If you stay at the same place for longer than a couple of days, you often have opportunity to chat with those around you, have met some great people, had lotsa cuppas and chat together.

C/P's no different to free camps, sometimes a C/P will have a central fire-ring and encourage people to come and sit round it. If you are planning to light a campfire, invite others to come and share it.

freehazzas · Senior Member

We have generally found that as well. But more so if you stay short term. If you stay a couple of weeks somewhere with the same people there is more chance to get to know them.
At one camp site we said hello to some new arrivals and offered our fire to them as we had wood. They wernt interested. Oh well, we must be scary.
We can take or leave hapy hour. They are great fun, but we also enjoy doing our own thing and our own company. A mix of both is ideal, but dont rely on them for your travel plans, you will be dissapointed.

At the moment we are at Beechworth for the Caravan and Motor home on tour magazine 200th issue happy hour. Lots of people and activities going on. We will all be in the mag and on the DVD. About 50 here plus mag and film crew.

Just enjoy your own travels and dont feel put out if no happy hour happens.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

So far on this thread each of us has experienced the same thing. However, just wait, there will be a flurry of posters soon telling you it is us that is the reason.

I have been travelling full-time for five years now - all over the place - covering about 80,000km. I camp away from caravan parks about 90% of the time.

Except for a "happy hour" organised by the van park owners, I have yet to see a 'spontaneous' "happy hour" at a van park. I always say Gday to all I meet while walking around the park, and those who enter 'my space'. People seem willing to exchange small talk for a few minutes but anything further seems to not eventuate. I can only think of one exception. At a van park at Charters Towers a traveller was setting up beside me. I said Gday and over the space of the three days we were there together the initial small talk developed. I found they were travelling "newbies" and had never free camped in their four months of travel. I invited them to come with me to Fletchers Creek camp for a night (I was going to stay there for a week) to see if they liked it. They decided to do that. After the first night they stayed for three nights. I still keep in touch via email.

"Happy hours" at "free" camps? Same as above - I always say Gday and exchange small talk with folk but it is rare they gather in a 'happy hour group'. They normally sit under their awning and disappear inside as soon as it is dusk. Don't see them until the morning. I have found that if I have a campfire, then sometimes one or two may wander over and sit and yarn for a while but even the campfire doesn't work every time.

In those instances where a 'gathering/happy hour' begins, usually it is a group travelling together, have met at previous camps recently, or a 'common interest' group. I have tried to join but they usually talk "shop" (their own interests or experiences) and are not very 'inclusive'.

Thankfully there have been some exceptions. Great group of 80+ year-olds at Aramac were very inclusive and they were captivating and interesting people. I stayed three nights at Wyandra camp - first night a good 'happy hour' way into the night (including guitar) but, even though it was the same group the following night only a few of us got back together - the others stayed in their vans.

I have found that almost all travellers are OK with small talk beside their van (or beside mine) but they are not 'joiners'.

I have always thought it was me. I travel alone, don't drink, have long hair (ponytail), have been known to talk too much and I guess I do look a bit scruffy. Perhaps it is. However, observations of other travellers show, in the majority, they do not want to mix other than "chatting" during the day.

Despite all that, I have met many interesting, knowledgeable people who have had some great experiences - but have not learned that from sitting for hours around a fire, talking, drinking for hours.

If I were completely honest with myself it must be just me. Even at Greens Lake last year, despite my visiting and talking every day with every other GN from the forum who were there, for the three nights I was there, no-one actually came to my camp for a chat - even during the day. To meet the other GNs I needed to go to the camp of the 'main camper' for 'happy hour' where everyone gravitated each night.

From anecdotes on this forum it certainly appears I am the "odd one out". Lucky I enjoy my own company

Cheers - John

Kiwi-as · Guru

Re Greens Lake, I know Jules goes out of her way to be welcoming to new people. She has had several newbies at Happy Hours and Happy Cups of Tea. Some of them have then joined the Mob.
While we were stuck in Port Augusta for 7weeks with vehicle problems, the section of camp we were in virtually emptied out every day.
But did get to know a couple that had been working in PA for the yr. and often socialised together, scones ,picklets ,happy hours.
You just try to make the effort and if no response, oh well, at least I made the effort.

billeeeeeee · Guru

Happy hour a Myth,,??????? Yea right.........................................Billeeeeeee

billeeeeeee · Guru

If I were completely honest with myself it must be just me. Even at Greens Lake last year, despite my visiting and talking every day with every other GN from the forum who were there, for the three nights I was there, no-one actually came to my camp for a chat - even during the day. To meet the other GNs I needed to go to the camp of the 'main camper' for 'happy hour' where everyone gravitated each night.

From anecdotes on this forum it certainly appears I am the "odd one out". Lucky I enjoy my own company

Cheers - PS, We were told !!You!! camped away from the main campers, and was not friendly at all ......Billeeeeee..........PS, only what we were told.....

-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Saturday 7th of December 2013 10:31:18 AM

-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Saturday 7th of December 2013 10:33:12 AM

scottynbulldog · Senior Member

We travelled for 4 months from SA to WA and back and only had 2 happy hours the whole time. One was at Fraser Range station and the other at Leigh Creek. Both because the manager lit a fire in the fire pit. We often think our deodorant isn't working! Often people will say hello in passing or stop to talk but usually to the dogs!!!! Even up at Lightning Ridge last year at an organised singsong there were hardly any people involved. On our first big trip to Broken Hill we actually met a couple whose husband lived 3 doors away from my husband when they were kids in England and that was nly from saying hello as Jacqui walked past the van. Have been in touch ever since and catch up with them on the road now and then.

Herb · Veteran Member

Well now the way I see it we all need to meet in a free camp and then we could have a good happy hour.

Anyway lifes too short to worry about that stuff. We just go to the local pub now and chat to the locals most are friendly and full of stories. We now have a few 'local s' that we return to if in area. If you ever see us on the road feel free to join us for a drink.

Wiroff sounds like your vans all good now, with the fridge working you be able to fill it with beer( speights i hope) just put bottle wine in as well to keep the missas happy. Time to enjoy without the worries.

Gerty we were like you in one place. Not only ignored but even abused once they got a little drunk. Only because we had to fix the caravan and couldn't sit around and chat in the afternoon. We got payback tho. They had a dog and We walked past it a few times so it barked most night. They had a few people complain in morning and they left.

Kiwi -as mmmm scones cream and jam......... i wanta go your place

freehazza how did you manage the caravan magazine thingy sounds like fun. We always seem to be heading the other direction. Be good to here some stories or is it one of those What happens on the road stays on the road things.

Rocklizard I think many of us look a little rough, I put it down to living on minimal and I guess expecting people to take us as we are. Some of the friendliest people we have not been models or premadonnas.

Happy camping, enjoy the journey

Evan and Andi

billeeeeeee · Guru

Boulder Creek,,,,,,,,, Queensland,,,,,, called in for one night, stayed 5 nights, happy hour every night...................Steve has ponytail, every one talked to him,,,, Ps,steve is a friendly guy............

Happywanderer · The Master

I find exactly the same at lots of spots I have camped. They might say hello, they may just even ignore you.

BUT I have never found it with other grey nomads from this forum. Greens Lake is one example of a very friendly happy hour every afternoon.
Not sure what you are on about John, RockyLizard. I was there at that time and remember you being there too. Yes you came to the happy hours but the rest of the time you kept to yourself. I understood you wanted it that way. If you spend all day in your van with the door shut no one is going to happen along for a chat.
Most often the happy hour is where the fire happens to be as is the case out at Greens Lake. I even missed one happy hour myself last week out there when after an afternoon rest I did not know they were havig happy hour at another van. Yep, so what, I missed it.
We have plenty of grey nomads who keep to themselves and only appear when the happy hour starts.
You see them all approaching carrying a chair and drinks, haven't seen them all day.
RockyLizard, nothing to do with long hair in a pony tail or looking a bit scruffy as you say. All types make up a happy group. You want to see Solo Steve, he is a real cutie.

oldbobsbus · Guru

It must be me or maybe Jenny, but when ever we pull up of an arvo (around 4.00pm) someone usually comes up and passes the time of the day and then I usually offer them a beer or a coke and before long there is a group of us sitting around exchanging stories. smile

If that doesn't happen we both grab a drink (me beer Jenny coke) and go for a walk and say G'Day and usually end up with someone to have a yarn to..

Yes and there are some travelers out there that don't want to know ya.. but they most likely would be boring to talk to anyway..

We have a big sign on the back of our MH advertizing the Grafton Country Music Roundup which always give other a chance to come and ask about it..

freehazzas · Senior Member

Herb, we were just lucky to be in the right place i guess. They sent out messages via facebook, email ect letting people know it was on.
Lots of stuff happening, been out all morning doing stuff they were filming for DVD, so we will pop up in it a bit.
You will have to watch the DVD too see what we were up to, but its in Beechworth, so taking in all yhe sites ect.
Have a couple of hours off then back to it again. Ill need a rest when its all done.

Greens Lake is def the exception to the rule when it comes to happy hours. We were there half hour setting up and we had a knock at the door from some GN telling us what was on and inviting us to their things.
Unfortunatly it doesnt happen very often.

gypsynolmate · Senior Member

I agree with wirroff. I do have a suggestion. Why don't we write up in the get together posting, where you're camping up tonight to see if there is anybody interested in having a happy hour with you. We too are very disappointed in the lack of them, and we have been on the road for 2 years, both free and paid camping. We are heading from NT to Vic in the coming weeks and we would love to have a happy hour with who-ever, it makes the day.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Have been to heaps of free camps where a "happy hour" either does not happen, or is a closed one for people who know each other and/or are travelling together - same thing happens in caravan parks I have found.

I find if you are staying more than a day or two, you will get included with others who are staying for a while as well.

Greens Lake is a bit of an exception, it started out three years ago as a "get together" place, and that is still what it is - the happy hours just happen - and anyone is welcome - have had a lot of non GN members at our happy hours - all are welcome!!!

Some people do park well away from others, we always say g'day if we are passing their camp, or they are passing ours, try and get a conversation happening - mention if we are having happy hour that they would be welcome. If some pull in, camp well away, and their door is closed - I feel they want to be left alone - so don't bother them. Some camp away, and come along for happy hour, or round the fire chats -
all good - even if we don't meet anyone to chat to, that's okay as well - just do our own thing.

WollyandPete · Veteran Member

I think we may have misconceptions on what a "happy hour" is. To me it is to meet someone new or old, either in a mob of campers or the couple next door. I don't think you always need a group of campers, a couple will do, and if it expands all well and good. Say g'day to your neighbours, and if they want to talk they will, if not say g'day each time you see them and maybe they will talk. We have found this in our travels but you can have some fantastic 'happy hours' that turn into several hours and can drain all the beer in your van at times.
Our best one was at Erldunda NT when a couple pulled in next to us for the night, after chatting we had similar interests (both Paramedics and I a vollie Firefighter) and away it went, for six hours! All beer in both vans cleaned up, and next morning parted our ways. So Happy Hours are what you make them with another couple or 10 couples!
Pete

spida · Guru

Other than Greens the next best place was Nyah Harness Club where one couple took a table and sat out under a tree in 'no-mans land'. I think this removes the feeling of intruding on other's territory and certainly encouraged people to join in. Rocky Lizard popped in to say hello which was a lovely surprise. He - like me - is quite self contained and doesn't constantly seek company but we certainly enjoy chatting to people.
If you do see me anywhere (Hukaroa on back of van and Kiwi logos) DO BANG on my door - I do not enjoy sitting outside fighting flies so tend to stay in the van but always welcome company and will deal with the flies if it means a good chat :)

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi Rocky, I'm sure I visited you one day as you did me. You were further down than me.

All that aside, I hope you are well and enjoying the playground mate. Hope we get to meet again one day.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

There were 12 other GNs there last year while I was there ... and I stand by the following comment ...

"....at Greens last year, despite my visiting and talking every day with every other GNs who were there, for the three nights I was there, no-one actually came to my camp for a chat - even during the day."

"PS, We were told !!You!! camped away from the main campers, and was not friendly at all..."

Yes, I was camped "away from the happy hour van" but, as the attached photo shows, that is because of the number of vans there, when I arrived the only space left was where I camped.

When not walking to other GNs to chat, I was under my awning in full view ... way down the end of the line - none visited me.

Isn't it such a shame that people need to completely justify their situation when others differ. I guess everyone's memory differs for things that have passed. Not to worry, I have met many good folk over the years and I am certain I will continue to do so.

Cheers - John

GaryKelly · Guru

It's all a bit of a storm in a middy glass, really. Like John, I'm happy with my own company but also happy to chat. I'm not on the road yet but I'll take it as it comes. I'm sure I'll meet interesting peeps with a great yarn to tell but also spend time gazing at the stars on my own (as John likes to do). For me it's not an issue either way. Whatever happens happens.

Kantiki · Senior Member

I get what you are saying and have experienced both inclusion and exclusion . I am by nature very shy and would not dream of just lobbying in to someones happy hour. However on one of our frequent visits to Dumaresqe dam this winter, I decided to be bold. I visited every camper and simply said there was going to be a happy hour "up the top" at 4 pm and they were invited. Every camper except 1 came up and we had a fabulous time. We had old couples, young singles and 2 families with little kids, doing the lap in camper trailers. They all stayed until it just got too cold and we had a great time. As I said, this was very much out of character for me, but I am so glad I did it. It only takes one person to start a chain reaction. Why not be the one and just see what happens.

jetj · Guru

I'm very shy too but friendly. Some personalities need a bit more encouragement than others to feel wanted. Well done Kantiki!

-- Edited by jetj on Saturday 7th of December 2013 03:56:44 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

John (Rocky), if !!You!! is you as in John, I found you to be a friendly person indeed. Whoever said you were "not friendly at all" they are wrong.

When we chatted I enjoyed the chat very much and was good to meet you.

If I didn't come to your van I am sorry but actually thought I did so I stand by my comment that it would be a pleasure to meet and chat with you again sometime.

GaryKelly · Guru

That was a very brave thing to do, Kantiki. Good onya! You're not gonna believe this, but Billeeeeeee is a very shy, withdrawn, introverted kinda bloke. However, with great courage, he regularly makes the effort to put aside his self-consciousness and come out of his shell. Long gone are the days when you couldn't get boo outta Billeeeeeee. I admire the man greatly. Hehe.

Hylda&Jon · Guru

Over our 2 years of traveling we had over 5 and under 10 happy hours but we're not the most sociable outgoing types that go out of our way looking for them but if we hear of an offer of a happy hour then we would jump at it but they were few and far between.

Our first happy hour.jpg

Our first happy hour.

justcruisin01 · Guru

I find that most are happy to have a conversation, whether it leads to happy hour or not.

IF some one does not wish to talk I just put it down to their lose.

If you ask the Mrs Then I talk too much, can't win. LOL

JC.

03_troopy · Guru

We usually tried to find out of the way camps well out of sight of the road when we travelled, mainly because we only overnighted and liked to get an early night and get away early the next day. On our last Trip up through NSW, SA, NT, QLD we had only one "happy hour" when we were a bit late on the road and had to use one of the more popular camps that was listed in the Camps Auswide. I wouldn't have really minded it, except for the fact that the visiting couple didn't bring any grog with them and were quite happy just drinking mine. And James Squire's at $55.00 a carton.. Ah well, the company wasn't bad I guess. LOL

Wirroff · Senior Member

Crikey, what a response! I understand that some people like to keep themselves to themselves and all that, but would just like to have a chat now and again, share a beer with and a yarn. I guess, judging from the majority of replies, that is not a reality....

If you ever see us on the road (Mercedes Sprinter 'Jabiru' - White and Blue with a small bear sat on the dashboard called 'Clint') then PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE knock and ask us out for a beer. We're very sociable and I love to play guitar and have a sing-song!

(Currently near Streaky Bay about to cross the Nullabor)

beiffe · Guru

Happy hour is entirely up to you the same as where you park.
I like to park in the sun as I use all the solar I can get, especially in Summer as I prefer to go to bed in a cool room so I run my aircon to cool the bus down at the end of the day. Also if I want a poppa nap I like to have the option to run my aircon during the afternoon as well.
I also don't like generators so another reason to be away a bit from large groups.
I go for walks to meet the people in a camp spot and if I want to partake in a happy hour then I go looking, I don't wait for someone to come and drag me to the communal area.
I am with the group at Greens and I am away from most of the others but I still have been to every happy hour except for the night it was raining cats and dogs and blowing a gale and I think everyone stayed indoors.
I often spend my days on my own in a spot so I am happy on my own , but I also enjoy company when it is available.
As someone said on another post, you can be lonely in a crowd and also happy on your own so it depends on you.
Most people that have come through life with many GOOD friends, find it easy to join or start happy hours as that is their nature. Good friends are people you can visit ofter years of separation and you can start talking etc as if you have never been apart at all. That's what many of the Greynomads are like as they create the friendship and it remains until they get together again.
Regards
Brian