we're new 'vanners ..... Two "Safari's" to date ... learning the ropes.
read a lot about "Happy Hours" ... but are yet to spot a happy hour to join ..... Are they restricted to Caravan Club safari's ??
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[spoiler] May the Road rise up to meet you, May the Sun always shine upon your back, The Wind blow gently upon your face, And the Rain fall gently upon your fields.
Although CV Clubs do have happy hours the rest of us have them as well.
Having said that, happy hours are not all the time or everywhere. I have had the pleasure of being at and enjoying many happy hours. I find the larger "Free/Alternative" camps usually produce the big HH though but have also enjoyed a few with just a couple of other happy campers.
No matter where I set up camp for the night, even for longer stays, I always, well mostly always after I have set up I wonder around to see who is around and familiarise myself with the location. On many occassions I am held up with chatter and that chatter sometimes ends up in a invite to a HH. There are times where I have just been sitting outside my van and someone has walked past doing like I do and I have offered them to return for a drink or three. Then there are the times for whatever reason I really don't feel like company so just keep my myself. Not rude, just say hi back if I am walking and keep going.
Happy Hours are out there for sure and I tell you that for free.
Just enjoy the playground but keep safe.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I'm with Doug ... I reckon Happy Hours are a bit like colourful sunsets ... there is one nearly every night, but not necessarily where you might be at the time.
And like colourful sunsets, some are really enjoyable and some are just good to see for a little while
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Our experience in Caravan Parks, they're a figment of peoples imagination for the most part. The only free camping we've done we had the place to ourselves. )
What Doug says is spot on, if all the free camping you have done is on your own, you haven't done a lot or you are doing it wrong.
Most free camps, even at overnight spots, you will find other vans motorhomes etc. Do as Doug said and wander around and say G'day to others.
Camp fires, when permitted and safe, are great social attractions and usually encourage happy hours. We usually carry some firewood for such occasions.
You will also find some people travelling with friends (say one or two other vans) who prefer to keep to themselves and not mix with others (or want them at their campfire) so be aware of that also.
Usually you can tell by the response you get when you say hello whether they are friendly or not, some just don't reply at all so you ignore them.
What Doug says is spot on, if all the free camping you have done is on your own, you haven't done a lot or you are doing it wrong. Most free camps, even at overnight spots, you will find other vans motorhomes etc. Do as Doug said and wander around and say G'day to others. Camp fires, when permitted and safe, are great social attractions and usually encourage happy hours. We usually carry some firewood for such occasions.
Gday...
I have been on the road for six years now ... I camp (away from van parks or showgrounds) for about 12 out of every 14 nights.
I really hate to quote dumb percentages, but I feel confident saying that 80% of the time, I am alone at my camps ... and if not completely alone, there would only be two or three others. This is because I tend to travel to, and through, small inland towns and camp in actual camping spots - not at rest areas/wayside stops in or near towns or on highways.
At times when there are large numbers of 'campers', I have found that "happy hours" are still the exception rather than the norm.
I am a 'bush' walker who is loves to take photos and I always traipse around the camp areas and beyond looking for stuff to record.
I am usually camped for a couple of nights at a spot and I always chat with other campers usually as they arrive. I have found that people are quite willing to talk and socialise for even up to half a hour - standing near or sitting around their van etc. Just like "neighbours over the fence".
However, it is rare that all those camping at the campspot, grab a chair and all head to either a central spot, or a particular van, and share a can/glass/nibblies - I rarely hear anyone say "OH! Let's all have a happy hour - let's all meet at (insert place) at (insert time)." (which would be like inviting neighbours over to your house for a can/glass/nibblies when at home)
The majority of happy hours I have encountered (and sometimes been invited to) are where two or more vans are travelling together and they have a "group get together" each night. I have usually found such gatherings not necessarily that inclusive..
A classic example of Happy Hours are particularly the "meet-ups" of the mob on this site ... people gravitate easily and enjoy the company and conviviality.
Cheers - and keep enjoying the journey it is all that really matters - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
I agree with all the slightly varying comments above. Sometimes people in CP's are friendly and want to sit down for a chat and a glass. The best way is to wander round looking at the features of the CP (I like to see what people have modified on their 'vans - some clever people out there - and whether or not I will do the same). If I see someone, I'll always smile and say hello - they will either grunt and turn their back on you or smile back and start chatting - this often leads to a HH.
Free camping is a bit hit and miss - we've often found in a large off site rest or free camp area that people like to park well away from each other (cant figure out why) and I don't feel keen to approach them when they do that.
Small CPs and low cost parks/raceways etc are usually good for HH, especially if fire facilities have been provided. We are staying at the Berwick showgrounds (SE Melbourne) which is an 18 site camp. They provide a huge fire and plenty of dry wood. If it doesn't rain or too windy and cold (yes, we're in Melbourne in May) we kick off about 4.30pm by someone lighting the fire. As soon as people smell the smoke - we have up to 12 people sitting round and yapping for up to 3 hours - lots of fun
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Stayed at a small caravan park at Gulargambone where the owner of the park runs a happy hour with damper and you are invited to be there at 4 30 pm and they are the host and make everyone welcome , The only other one was in Lightning Ridge where we were told they have happy hour in the camp kitchen every afternoon when I went to the happy hour it felt like I was intruding stay for a little while went back to the caravan meet a fellow camper sitting at a table in an undercover area having a drink after a little while ask why he didn't go to the happy hour in the camp kitchen , He said the group have been in the park for long time and it there happy hour and don't make other welcome , The 6 weeks on the road this have only seen 2 happy hours 1 great and one bad , I think happy hour is for people traveling together who know one and other , Lucky we enjoy our own company maybe more important for solos
I'm a solo traveller and yes I enjoy meeting people and enjoy happy hours with them but don't need to. I enjoy my own company and enjoy being on my own and enjoy my own happy hour. I usually have one or two drinks most nights, one for happy hour and one with my meal. Some days I like to go alcohol free as well.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Doug...........alcohol free?????????????? You???????????????? That would happen on the 32nd day of the month on a Leap Year, surely LOL
Guess we've been reasonably lucky with HH's, but some places, people stick strictly to themselves and disappear to watch the Box and dink by themselves - or like Terry - just as happy to drink and socialize with just the two of them.
If you walk past a camp fire (accidently or deliberately) I've found it best to stop, say hello and that's a great fire and see what reaction you get. It will either be friendly or not.
Its easier when youre in the same spot for a while (a week or more) as you cant help but come face to face with your neighbours and others and talk to them
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Its not that you pair hadn't taken a tub for the days prior to arriving at your next stop. LOL.
You will find in time, if you and your mate go out of your way to start with a Hullo and hows your day been............ My names jim and my wife Lambie....Reply........ We are Jack & Jill. and keep rolling out general chit chat.( Never critersise ) or make those feel uncumfatable. How long are you one the road for...... We came from ....... Where ever......What was I like....... We are going that way...... did you like it.
Some are tied after a long day on the road ...............They may well just want to set up and shut up.
If they have rubber lips........they will go on. Best bloke on bloke first or the Girls will hit it off.
My Lambie can talk TO A DEAD TREE IN A PARK.
Ask, if They would like to join YOU BOTH for a drink of Choice BYO + Chairs. Some are total soft drink addicts, Tea ,Coffee. And if you are in luck. Full BLOWEN WINE O's ,NT STUBBIE drinkers , Everyone to their own.
If theirs others around ask if they would like to join you. Tell them Jack & Jill are joining you as well. That goes down well and it starts up. Important to keep HH to an hour 4 till 5pm as some do like to cook a meal and hit the sack 7-8pm
Does not allways work.Lambie's a night Owl.
We spent time in Yardie Creek CP Exmouth WA Where is its warm in winter. We could have a group of six to twenty six, on any given night. Depending on wether they were staying one night or three.
If you don't start one, ask if you can join them in another. some have lots to say, others very little.
To lighten the talk we put the red bucket = one gallon. in the middle of the circle. when one finishes a can, the object is to land the can in the bucket from a seated position 3mtrs away. Some get it in the first go, others have to get up. pick up, sit down and try again.
If nibbles are on, get up and do the rounds. Don't sit back and just let the ladies do it all.
We have a BALL and you will TOO. We have made many long time friendships
PS: A roll of sticky lables to put names on helps after an HOUR
Regards Jim & Lambie
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Sunday 31st of May 2015 03:33:48 PM
Bruce you are right about gauging reaction you soon get the vibe , Some people don't respond to good day , I was in a shower block in Griffith and washing my hand at the hand basin and said good day to the bloke next to me no response , I think I may have been invisible , The big thing when you are on the road is to gauge when to leave the party
cant leave this post alone - sorry folks lol.................but bear in mind that some of us mature people might have a hearing problem. I had a similar thing as brickies outlined above where the guy ignored me. Meanwhile the two wives were chewing the bark off the trees with each other and knew about their great gandmothers 3rd cousin by the time I got back (no, I don't take hours to wash my hands).
The upshot was the hubbie who ignored me was deaf in one ear (the side I was on) and had taken his hearing aid out, so he didn't realize I was talking to him.
Meantime wives had arranged drinkies and all 4 of us got on fine (with his hearing aid back in haha). We had another couple join us and we yapped and had a few bevvies over a couple of hours and repeated it until we all went our separate days later in the week. The hearing aid hubbie got told off by his BOSS and is not allowed to go public (even to the toilets, the poor bugger) without the aid in his lug.
And Jim - did you pinch the ironing board or understand why it is there when you were at Yardie Creek - have they fixed all the terrible washouts n the main road in yet?
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Great time of the year to visit Yardie CP. Yes The road is good. Ask Marie & Les for a site as our bunch do ( We all call it Yardie Hights ) up on the small rise towards the main water tanks.
Most say for up to 12 weeks Cheapest CP at Exmouth.35km out of town, and 4km to Tantabbie boat ramp onto Niggaloo .
Not much grass but what a ball. We got a plaque made for our digs called Yardie Novotle.( The Big Cabin Tent 7m X 4m ). Cause We took the boat over x 4.
In free camps I always seem to find happy hours, if I want to. In CP's I rarely find them... My observation is folk in CP's seem to be more serious, less chilled out!!!
Our observations are that Happy Hours in CP's are accompanied by much bragging about vans & tugs. BORING! Happy Hours in Rest Areas & bush camps are much more interesting being more about destinations & travel plans. We mostly enjoy Happy Hour by ourselves but we have enjoyed the company of others on occasions.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
Have to agree with one of the comments on here .. what I have found over the years is that happy hours are usually frequented by groups of people that are travelling togeather .. myself I prefer to keep to myself on occasions but sometimes I may be asked to attend one of these chin wags .. each to his own ! stay a little while then nick off when it starts to get a bit boisterous !! and yes arguments do start !!
Light a fire and they will come, a good fire in a beer barrel, if the barrel is glowing red, the people will come and its too hot for the mozzies. Works for me.
... but are yet to spot a happy hour to join ..... Are they restricted to Caravan Club safari's ??
)
I feel confident saying that 80% of the time, I am alone at my camps ... and if not completely alone, there would only be two or three others. This is because I tend to travel to, and through, small inland towns and camp in actual camping spots - not at rest areas/wayside stops in or near towns or on highways.
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