As the last August I drove from Saunders Beach up to Bluewater Park and this time settled in for a few days, it was crowded but during the morning was easily able to find a site. Steve had gone direct whilst I had gone via the Supermarket so he had found a good spot on the fence of the oval.
Have decided to mount a carry box on the rear of the Coaster and it is a bit tricky because of the opening door flap but Steve had the idea of mounting an outwardly sliding arrangement and at 7am Monday morning I have a welder coming to discuss the finer points and arrange a time to do the job. I have looked at the aluminium boxes at Super Cheap and there is a choice of 300m X 980m or 400m X 1080m approx. and the latter seems to be the most suitable.
It is all about having a fire and being able to cook on it and be sociable around it. Once committed there seems to be a variety of items needed and of course some where to fit them in the bus. I was convinced about the value of having a fire at Boulder Creek when we all sat round it every night and now I am in a hotter area it is more enjoyable sitting out in the evening. So the jaffle iron will not be lonely once I have a box to put it in. The list goes on and on, a small chainsaw, a log splitter, axe, maybe a cut down 9kg gas bottle, barbeque tools, heatproof gloves and not to mention a supply of wood. John
Loki said
06:03 PM Jul 26, 2013
Hi John, Lovely photos, looks like a great place and happy to hear you are traveling well!
A converted gas bottle is a great idea! designing one to suit your needs is a challenge, one chap I met had designed his so that his camp oven fit into it and he used briquettes for heat: He had worked out various 'formulas' of how many to place beneath & on top for various meals. One chap had well thought out versatile one which included a hot plate, grill, fit his camp oven and he could adjust the air to control the heat. And, of course, just a nice firepot for warm evening chats!
Keep smiling,
Gerty Dancer said
07:41 PM Jul 26, 2013
Was this camp and the one before as busy as this when you were the last year yoeleven? Beautiful area, thanks for the photos.
yeoeleven said
10:15 PM Jul 26, 2013
They are busy camps and were last year but the photos were taken in the early morning before any moved out. Doesn't look like that later in the day but builds up late afternoon. John
dawa said
11:01 PM Jul 26, 2013
yeoeleven wrote:
They are busy camps and were last year but the photos were taken in the early morning before any moved out. Doesn't look like that later in the day but builds up late afternoon. John
Far too many people jammed into a small place for my liking.
lovely pics tho as usual
Dawa
sarg said
12:20 AM Jul 27, 2013
Im with you Dawa too many peoples in one place..
sarg said
12:37 AM Jul 27, 2013
Great photos John, It still looks the same as when I took my son for his first boys camp overnite (31 yrs ago) We swam in the creek and had a great time. There were no Grey Nomads there then, and we wouldn't be able to do what we did there, back then, now, if you know what I mean.
John you better be careful, cause ya gonna have people following you in your travels, as you will know all the best campsites....have the best setup for Happy Hour....have the best fireplace, and Jaffle Iron.....and all the firewood....Don't say you weren't warned.........Sarg.
Gerty Dancer said
01:23 AM Jul 27, 2013
Havent even seen that many people crowded together in a caravan park .
Dougwe said
02:03 AM Jul 27, 2013
Have fun John.
I don't think I will make it back that way but will ring you.
Happywanderer said
02:29 AM Jul 27, 2013
I have Gerty. I drove down to the Echuca boat ramp today for a relaxing afternoon. Have to drive around the edge of the caravan park to get there. The one right down the end of High Street. They were packed in like sardines, no room between them.
I said to myself as I drove past. That's why I free camp and don't go into caravan parks. It actually sent chills up my spine, thinking you wouldn't be able to f**t without next door saying "Excuse me!"
halfpint said
03:50 AM Jul 27, 2013
Hi John, the box the coaster sounds like a good idea, just love sitting around the fire. It looks like a good fishing hole, are you doing any fishing ?
herbie said
05:04 AM Jul 27, 2013
Some times I think all the free camps along the coast are busier than being in a van park.
So for people who say they hate being jammed in c/ van parks like sardines, it probably isn't as busy as some of these places.
Since more and more people are using the bible or some kind of App to find out where the free /low cost camps are the more and more pressure the van parks put onto local councils to close them down. As they do a head count and equate that to lost revenue to them.
yeoeleven said
12:03 AM Jul 28, 2013
halfpint wrote:
Hi John, the box the coaster sounds like a good idea, just love sitting around the fire. It looks like a good fishing hole, are you doing any fishing ?
Hi Patty,
haven't done any fishing here, the river looks to have many branches and snags ready to catch hooks and sinkers. A bit like Bowenville where I lost more tackle than had bites. Was told to fish the river at Balgal near the ramp where my informant's son caught a couple of fine flathead and he is only 5 years old, hope for me yet.
You would be pleased with my cooking and food preparation, haven't had noodles for days. Had omelette for lunch and yesterday had a wrap instead of the usual slices of bread, having vegetables tonight currently in the pressure cooker and last night had stir fry with sausages.
One of the advantages of posting where I am is the opportunity to meet other Grey Nomads from the forum. wild one (Jennifer) visited today and was parked just a little further along the oval when she read my post. Great to catch up with her and share a few tales about life on the road and have a look at her fine Hino Bus. John
yeoeleven said
03:16 PM Jul 29, 2013
Monday morning and will be leaving Bluewater soon, the welder came this morning and quoted me $180 to fit the box to the back of the coaster. Low enough to still see the number plate and will slide out to miss the hinging back door. The box will cost $300 so it will fit into my $500 budget and is booked in for next Thursday when I will leave Toomulla my next spot.
All good and my new regulator will be available at the East Garbutt Post Office by then, all planned out and ready to go. John
http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/bluewater-park.html
As the last August I drove from Saunders Beach up to Bluewater Park and this time settled in for a few days, it was crowded but during the morning was easily able to find a site. Steve had gone direct whilst I had gone via the Supermarket so he had found a good spot on the fence of the oval.
Have decided to mount a carry box on the rear of the Coaster and it is a bit tricky because of the opening door flap but Steve had the idea of mounting an outwardly sliding arrangement and at 7am Monday morning I have a welder coming to discuss the finer points and arrange a time to do the job. I have looked at the aluminium boxes at Super Cheap and there is a choice of 300m X 980m or 400m X 1080m approx. and the latter seems to be the most suitable.
It is all about having a fire and being able to cook on it and be sociable around it. Once committed there seems to be a variety of items needed and of course some where to fit them in the bus. I was convinced about the value of having a fire at Boulder Creek when we all sat round it every night and now I am in a hotter area it is more enjoyable sitting out in the evening. So the jaffle iron will not be lonely once I have a box to put it in. The list goes on and on, a small chainsaw, a log splitter, axe, maybe a cut down 9kg gas bottle, barbeque tools, heatproof gloves and not to mention a supply of wood. John
Hi John,
Lovely photos, looks like a great place and happy to hear you are traveling well!
A converted gas bottle is a great idea! designing one to suit your needs is a challenge, one chap I met had designed his so that his camp oven fit into it and he used briquettes for heat: He had worked out various 'formulas' of how many to place beneath & on top for various meals. One chap had well thought out versatile one which included a hot plate, grill, fit his camp oven and he could adjust the air to control the heat. And, of course, just a nice firepot for warm evening chats!
Keep smiling,
They are busy camps and were last year but the photos were taken in the early morning before any moved out. Doesn't look like that later in the day but builds up late afternoon. John
Far too many people jammed into a small place for my liking.
lovely pics tho as usual
Dawa
John you better be careful, cause ya gonna have people following you in your travels, as you will know all the best campsites....have the best setup for Happy Hour....have the best fireplace, and Jaffle Iron.....and all the firewood....Don't say you weren't warned.........Sarg.
Havent even seen that many people crowded together in a caravan park
.
I don't think I will make it back that way but will ring you.
I said to myself as I drove past. That's why I free camp and don't go into caravan parks. It actually sent chills up my spine, thinking you wouldn't be able to f**t without next door saying "Excuse me!"
Hi John, the box the coaster sounds like a good idea, just love sitting around the fire. It looks like a good fishing hole, are you doing any fishing ?
Some times I think all the free camps along the coast are busier than being in a van park.
So for people who say they hate being jammed in c/ van parks like sardines, it probably isn't as busy as some of these places.
Since more and more people are using the bible or some kind of App to find out where the free /low cost camps are the more and more pressure the van parks put onto local councils to close them down. As they do a head count and equate that to lost revenue to them.
Hi Patty,
haven't done any fishing here, the river looks to have many branches and snags ready to catch hooks and sinkers. A bit like Bowenville where I lost more tackle than had bites. Was told to fish the river at Balgal near the ramp where my informant's son caught a couple of fine flathead and he is only 5 years old, hope for me yet.
You would be pleased with my cooking and food preparation, haven't had noodles for days. Had omelette for lunch and yesterday had a wrap instead of the usual slices of bread, having vegetables tonight currently in the pressure cooker and last night had stir fry with sausages.
One of the advantages of posting where I am is the opportunity to meet other Grey Nomads from the forum. wild one (Jennifer) visited today and was parked just a little further along the oval when she read my post. Great to catch up with her and share a few tales about life on the road and have a look at her fine Hino Bus. John
Monday morning and will be leaving Bluewater soon, the welder came this morning and quoted me $180 to fit the box to the back of the coaster. Low enough to still see the number plate and will slide out to miss the hinging back door. The box will cost $300 so it will fit into my $500 budget and is booked in for next Thursday when I will leave Toomulla my next spot.
All good and my new regulator will be available at the East Garbutt Post Office by then, all planned out and ready to go. John