"the Dubbo"

There was much excitement when Erin received confirmation that her week-long work experience application for Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo) had been accepted.  (She had previously enjoyed a week at Taronga in 2008).

Nick and I both juggled leave  and Nissa was given permission to come too, even though it was school time.   We had the most brilliant holiday, out at “the Dubbo” in Vaughan-speak!

Although we briefly considered camping for the trip, it was decided given our novice status (and other factors), we were be far more comfortable in self-contained accommodation – so we had a well-deserved/highly recommended splurge.  Erin thoroughly enjoyed her zoo time: feeding otters, cheetahs (and others),  weighing meerkats and making Easter “enrichment” eggs  for  various animals! 

And yes, the rest of us thoroughly enjoyed playing tourist!

Snakes alive!

Later identified as a Black-bellied Swamp Snake

As Nick and I were sitting beside the campfire one night (happily drinking hot chocolate, after sampling a very fine camp oven bread and butter pudding), we were visited by this juvenile snake.

Over the years there has been lots of debate as to whether snakes are or are not nocturnal (try saying "not nocturnal" fast, three times!) - and it seemed this one definitely enjoyed the night-life!

The amateur snake-catcher!

Given the curiousity of our young boy, we decided to relocate the snake.  Nick was armed with long-handled tongs (and a rice bag). I had the torch.

Nick was not keen to clamp the tongs too tight and damage the snake - and the snake was not keen to stay still, so it was an interesting exercise!

As torch-bearer, I was a bit too skittish to be overly useful but eventually the snake was caught - and gently moved a considerable distance away from our camp.

Lovely leeches

Pines Camping Area, Watagan State Forest

This guy/gal had already stolen a loaf of bread!

Our first camping trips were short, making the best use of Nick's rostered days off. After the success of our January adventure, we returned to the forest for two nights in March (shortly before our Dubbo Zoo holiday).

It did rain a little while we were there but nothing major. There were a few leeches to keep Vaughan happy.

They were scooped up with mutterings of "come here my gorgeous" - and then kept in a (recycled!) 3-litre juice bottle!

Of course, the rest of us find it difficult to appreciate the beauty of the blood-suckers and Erin in particular generally wears her longest striped socks, hoping bright colours will deter any leeches (or she will spot them more easily when they attempt to assail her legs)!

(Vaughan's bottle of "lovely leeches" is resting on the seat in the second pic).

Hello from the Happy Hamby Campers!

Pines Camping Area, Watagan State Forest (October 2009)

Hello!  Come and join us around our (virtual) fire!  It all started when we hired a camper trailer for a week in October 2008.  As a result of that experience we decided a camper trailer wasn't for us - however we enjoyed the actual camping so much that we purchased our initial equipment in January 2009 (the day before heading off for 3 nights)!  We still have much to learn about camping but are enthusiastic amateurs, keen to broaden our horizons (figuratively and literally/physically).

Our camping efforts were confined to the Watagan State Forest in 2009, just 50km from home so a manageable distance for our two-car convoy to lug all our "necessary" gear!   Of course, the other benefit of being close to home was being able to nip back for a shower or to use a civilised loo when all seemed too rough - under the guise of "feeding the cats"!

Fortunately we won an eBay trailer auction in December 2009, which definitely broadened our camping horizons!

For a glimpse of our very first (3-night) trip, press "play" below:-