Carry on Camping

On the way back to the campsite we formulated our plans. We had discarded the idea of eating al fresco on stove-prepared nibbles and decided already, subvocally, to eat out.

So Nicole and Eloise went off to shower and put our clothes into the tumble dryer. "Where are the other nappy liners" asked Nicole. "Um" I replied.

I stayed behind to inflate the new mattress using the car-powered pump. Brilliant! The new mattress was much more like it. I am getting to be quite a dab hand at this bed making business.

Now, did I remember to mention that mossies had shown their ugly faces? By this time, I recall my tally was up to fourteen. Another nail in the coffin of the alfresco eating experience option.

We drove down to the restaurant, all of a hundred yards, and the dogs relaxed in the car while we ate a really nice meal. We were gorged by the time we'd finished. The staff were very accomodating and loved Eloise who, not having actually slept yet all day, and having eaten really well for her supper on garlic bread, pasta and seafood, was now entering the hyperactivity phase and I was having to chase her around the restaurant while she chatted up young boys and fellow diners, and tried to get to the stereo with its pretty flashing lights.

We were done around half past eight and got back to the tent. Just as we were about to get back to the tent the heavens opened. Big time. We stayed in the car, the rain hammering down on the roof like a thousand dwarves with little hammers hammering away on a tin roof. "It'll be over soon" I said. "It always has been so far today."

After half and hour I suggested we drive over to the toilet block to break the monotony. I also needed to make use of the facilities, increasingly.

I switched on the headlights and the vista before us was a lot more watery than it had been. It looked as though the pools of water, which hadn't been there previously, were about to merge together into one big one. The tent was surrounded by water.

We looked at each other with a look that said "Bugger this."

"Bugger this," we said together.

We formulated our plan on the way over to the toilet block.

To cut a short story shorted, we temporarily parked under a large wooden shelter in the woods, leapt out of the car, I fed the dogs while Nicole rearranged the boot. Where are the dog bowls? Good grief. The dogs ate out of plastic bags on the beack seat of the car. Even under the shelter we were getting wet. We moved the contents of the boot into the footwells so we could sling the tent in. Eloise was strapped into her car seat and soon, miraculously, fell asleep.

We drove over to the tent. Nicole took care of the table and chairs etc whilst I deflated the mattress and took care of the bedding. We were soaked to the skin within thirty seconds of leaving the car.

Then the tent came down. Got folded. Put in the boot.

Then we drove over to the laundry and got changed into dry clothes. And away.

Back in Brisbane for 12.30am or so.

Six hours driving for ten minutes on the beach and a nice meal. Oh how we laughed.