Tag: Humour

Why Caravanning5 Comments

Geographical Gymnasts

Itching for Hitching

Take one campfire, add a bunch of caravanners and a beer or two, toss in the odd glass of wine. What do you get? A Gaggle of Geographical Gymnasts. Sitting around any campfire anywhere at Happy Hour and the talk will nostalgically lead to places people have been and the good times they’ve had. It goes something like: “We were in Maryborough.” “Which one Queensland or Victoria?” “Queensland.” In that instant all minds have done a zig zag up a mental map of the country and they’re now all focussed on Maryborough, Queensland. You know, just north of Brisbane. Then … Continue reading Geographical Gymnasts

Freedom Camp, Vic3 Comments

Lake Tooliorook

Itching for Hitching

Nov 2018, Derrinallum, Vic I’ll bet you thought there was nothing to see in Derrinallum but drystone walls, yet there are 3 freedom camps for the weary traveller. In the heart of town and close to the pub one can camp at the reserve. There’s also Deep Lake where we chose to stay and a few minutes away in what is technically, Lismore there is the much larger Lake Tooliorook, another volcanic lake. Tooliorook is popular with boaties and there is a large campground and a toilet / shower block. Even though we’ve grizzled about the showers and BBQ’s not … Continue reading Lake Tooliorook

Taking Directions, VicLeave a comment

Taking the circuitous route

Itching for Hitching

Nov 2018, Western District, Vic It’s hard to leave Port Campbell, not because of the lovely treed caravan park beside the creek and the bracing ocean walks, nor the nearby pub with warming meals but because Toothless Johnno has lost his car keys. We walk about the park with heads down resembling a bunch of scraggly emus while Toothless empties the Landcruiser of camping necessities. Eventually he finds them in the van having put them down to safely stow the TV for travel. Our destination for tomorrow is Deep Lake near Derrinallum a mere 93 kms away and being low … Continue reading Taking the circuitous route

Caravan Clubs, Caravanning Hints17 Comments

We Joined a Caravan Club

Itching for Hitching

When we bought our first caravan Woody was heartily reluctant to join a club, declaring that he didn’t want to join some club run by ‘officious bastards’ (his words, not mine) who only want to have meetings. I persevered and we joined our local branch of the Australian Caravan Club. What a surprise, when at our very first muster I met two people that I went to school with (who I might add had married, each other) and a very distant cousin. Through contacts in the club we have found other distant relatives. How wrong could our initial concerns have … Continue reading We Joined a Caravan Club

The Characters You Meet8 Comments

The Tale of the Mongrel Dog

Itching for Hitching

One hears a lot of unusual stories on the road and this is one of them. They grow a lot of tomatoes in the warm dry heat of Central Victoria. The tomato grower down the road from our mate had a bunch of pickers in and one was living in a nearby shack. The picker had a dog that ran up and down the road constantly barking at all and sundry. All day, every day without a break. Talking to the picker our mate said “It’s a wonder no one has shot that bloody dog.” “I wish someone would.” Said … Continue reading The Tale of the Mongrel Dog

Caravanning Hints3 Comments

To bathroom or not to bathroom? That is the question

Itching for Hitching

For the caravanner with food intolerances the answer is easy. There is nothing better than towing your own bathroom about the countryside. And Australian highways are notorious for their lack of conveniences. So next time you see a car and van parked on the side of a highway in the middle of nowhere, just remember before you stick your head in the door to help that Mum’s probably on the loo and admiring the view. Time for a pit stop Mulligan Hwy near Cooktown, Qld Continue reading To bathroom or not to bathroom? That is the question