We can tick off another camping trip for the year.
South Coast or bust and yeah, I was that close to busting.
It’s a tumultuous love affair with the great outdoors. There’s a fine art in figuring out how to appreciate its majestic beauty in dry comfort and adequate warmth.
While there is no perfect balance, in zen-like fashion, I’m slowly accepting that only trial and error will get us close.
Firstly, camping stretchers suck.
Having a 5 year old insists crawling into already compromising sleeping space, it’s a race to see what will cave first – your back or your sanity.
For me, it was both.
Being the notorious bed hogger at home, Nunu was completely oblivious that his mother’s limbs were hanging out while her spine was painfully digging into the steel frame.
Possibly waking up half the camp site, I leapt out of the stretcher, cursing and swearing while scrambling in the dark for the spare sleeping bag.
“Here, I’ll swap! You sleep with K-Bear” Mr Surfer tried to reason with me.
“I don’t want to sleep with a child in my bed! Period!” I hissed back.
Out came the sleeping bag. Ironically, it was the best sleep I had and that hard ground managed to slip my back into place.
Check camping dates:
Having booked many months prior, we (read: Mr Surfer) got our dates mixed up.
Imagine my stress levels while shopping at the local Woolies with my friend who reads the text message from her husband:
“Park ranger is looking for Mr Surfer. Says that today is check out.”
No chance of negotiation as next campers were arriving later that day and had specifically booked our camp site.
Arriving at my folks’ that evening, the long hot shower and accessible Foxtel, I was secretly happy, happy, happy.
Keep camping and camping and camping till you get it (kinda) right:
I’m ain’t no quitter, damn it.
Despite the hiccups, I’m determined to conquer this camping caper.
Each trip will be better than the last.
Filled with so many great kiddie facilities and scheduled activities, I also anticipate Merimbula Beach Resort and Holiday Park will become a family favourite.
It is a trek for Sydney siders being a solid 7 hour drive.
(We stopped over at my folks’ in Canberra for one night before continuing on the next day).
Instead, it seems to be the idyllic holiday spot for Victorians.
There’s 2 swimming pools (one heated), a games room, massive jumping pillow. There’s the short walk to the beach.
Then the dozens of lorikeets eager to make friends.
For the grown ups? A fully licensed restaurant and café.
I may have publicly performed a happy dance in my PJs and uggs on Good Friday when not only discovering the café open but that its coffee was smooth and heavenly good.
We just need to fix the bedding situation.
Reservation for single room, please?
Joining Essentially Jess for #IBOT
I am not a happy camper either so I feel your pain! Glad you got some sleep 🙂
Amy recently posted..Who is to Blame?
We’ve stayed down there – the cabins are awesome, with actual beds and everything! Just a tip for next time…
Allison Tait recently posted..All the news that’s fit to blog
It’s all about the bed …. and a tent that doesn’t leak! Um … I’ve only ever camped once and it was a disaster! Blow up mattress deflated during the night. It poured with rain and the tent leaked. Everything, including me was sopping wet. Plus – it was a two man tent and I get claustrophobia! Haha! Love those photo’s Grace! Look how tame those lorikeets are – what fun! 🙂 x
Min@WriteoftheMiddle recently posted..And so that was Easter!
You are a braver woman than I! I like the idea of camping, and my family went camping for 2 weeks every year when I was a child, but I am well aware that it would be a disaster if Al and I tried it, even if not trying to keep Boodi safe from water or wandering.
Merimbula is so super busy, isn’t it! We passed through on the way to Al’s mum’s house in Kiama (we live outside Melbourne).
Dani @ sand has no home recently posted..Book Reviews: Tales in Two Shades
Gotta get the bed thing right and maybe that will help. What an introduction to the whole family camping thing. Glad to see that you got to be spoilt back at Mum’s. The pics are lovely!
Denyse recently posted..Learning To Be. 96/365.
I lived in Merimbula briefly when I was young, we left around my 5th birthday. My father’s family still live there but we don’t see much of them. I have fond memories of that time and the holidays that followed over the years.
The biggest tip I can give you for perfecting camping is…. stick close to home and go more often. The less time driving the more time you have to enjoy yourself. These days we tend to limit the drive to an hour. It also means if things go really pear shaped, home isn’t that far away.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..Worth Casing Blog Spotlight | Mummy, Wife, Me
I steadfastly refuse to go camping. Been there, done that. At a stretch I’ll settle for an ensuite cabin in a caravan park, but I prefer a full serviced 2 bedroom apartment;-) I’ve suggested to my husband that if he wants to go camping he could take the boys without me… or become a Scout leader! #TeamIBOT
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side recently posted..Breaking up with daylight savings
I love that part of the world Grace. We have camped heaps at Pambula Big4 and there is something for everyone
Natalie @ our parallel connection recently posted..Domestic violence in Australia – honour our women
I used to love going camping as a kid – getting filthy, running wild, no showers, no set bedtimes…. but the thought of it now feels with me dread – MY children getting dirty and wild… No showers!!! No set bed times!!! OMG!
We are a family who cabins 🙂
Hope your back is OK!
Mumma McD recently posted..Why mums returning to work make awesome employees
That would have been quite a shock – having to leave a day early – although it sounds like it might have been for the best. We’ll be waiting til our youngest is 5 before attempting it, eg with tents. I need to see more photos of the bedding set up, for a laugh. Glad the coffee was smooth!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..How I spoke up against rudeness at the supermarket.
Camping with kids is just hard. No way around it and decent sleep is generally off the menu. My friends (without kids) kept asking if I felt well rested when we returned from our weekend camping – HA!
We did actually have a good trip away and the kids loved it so as far as camping goes, we won, this time. You just never know what you’re going to get but!
PS – The first shower upon return – virtually NIRVANA!
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..Come At Me, Yo Easter Camping!
You will get there Grace. We don’t really have bed time visitors at all when camping any more, but they do lie all over each other. The never seem to mind though.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..As Frustrated as a Writing Student Forced to Use Similes #IBOT
What a gorgeous photo with those Lorikeets. Look, you’re a braver woman than I. I am not keen on this camping caper no siree. No siree, Bob. Unfortunately my husband keeps bringing that dreaded C word up and I just know I will be dragged kicking and screaming on a camping trip in the very near future.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..All of the things in my head
When I was in my teen my boy friends used to laugh at the idea of me going camping. They said I would be busy putting on make up instead of enjoying the trip. So untrue but well I have never been a fan of camping trip 😀
Rina recently posted..Indulging The Sumptuous Indian Cuisines in K99 Curry House Bandung
Merimbula is such a beautiful spot. Lol I’m impressed you went camping again! And yep, can totally understand your relief at getting to your parents… there is only so much camping one person can handle!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies
I have two children and have successfully avoided any form of holiday that did not include a hard sided accommodation since they came along! I just would never put myself there. Only did a caravan with one before the second arrived. Since then, any holiday park means bed, bunks, ensuite, even if only one room. What good fortune was the scheduling snafoo! xx
Twitchy Sharon recently posted..Employment, The Illusion of Part Time and Toxic Work Places
Oh Grace! It’s all an adventure, isn’t it? But you definitely feel better with a good sleep. xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..“Juicy” on Pinterest
I’ve never been camping and – quite frankly – plan to never go!!! Although I did stay in a caravan once when I was 15. Does that count? 🙂
Deb
Deborah recently posted..Book review: The Liar by Nora Roberts
Oh, what an adventure! 😉
Glad you still had a great time making memories. The boys look so cute with the lorikeets! I’m so keen to become a camper. ha ha. Just need to invest in the gear and control my 4 :-O Maybe a few years off yet…
Well that was an adventure!
Merimbula is a gorgeous part of the world. So much better if you have a solid bed … and a booking.
L
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2010 – When the writing stops
The bed situation and the early exit notwithstanding, what amazing moments you captured of the twinions. Just beautiful. xx
Aleney @ BoyEatsWorld recently posted..Raffles reviews… Tim Ho Wan Chatswood, Sydney