A seemingly never ending stream of camper trailers packed to
the brim with families and equipment are descending on the park. I am not sure
if you have ever seen them, but these tardis like apparatus suddenly unfold
into three times their size. This is the Boating, Camping and Fishing equipment
of an outdoor palace attached to gleaming 4wd vehicles out for a long weekend
of fun. Most are clustered with 3 or 4 others containing family and/or friends
and some even dig out temporary gazebos that act as a central gathering point. Gathering,
by the speed of disembarkation, most do this on a regular basis.
Next to us emerging from one such gleaming carcass is the
epitomy of the alpha male and his entourage. A would be alpha clone emerges
from another albeit with only a traditional tent in his trailer. They slap each
other’s shoulders in an act of brotherhood and business begins. This is truly
an amazing event to watch as the tardis rises from its tin heart to disgorge
its contents. A seriousness descends on the camp and shirts are shed to reveal a
much loved hairy one pack to their fluttering mates. The alpha male and his would
be clone keep sneeking peeks at each other as if in competition to see who will
win. Family sleeping quarters appear
with a fully equipped gourmet outdoor kitchen and in next to no time Alpha male
is out cooking up a storm whilst his clone works silently, just a little crushed
at not being the one to finish first.
This scenario is
played out again and again across the now teeming park whilst kids on mountain
bikes, on foot, in nappies and with a multitude of play equipment run around
happily making new friends.
Alpha Male is loving it! He partly covers the hairy beast
with a small apron. From where I am sitting his Chippendale like stance is displayed
not only for the wives and any ‘lucky’ woman that should stumble past but as a
reminder to the competition that he is ‘The Man’. This is someone who looks in
the mirror every morning, likes what he sees and feels it his duty to share
with the world. The clone however is not defeated and comeback is imminent.
Shirt is shrugged aside as he makes his next volley. Smart clone begins to play
with the children, tossing balls and playing chase. Women’s’ eyes are
immediately drawn to him, expressions soften and reverent tones ensue as
squeals fill the air with glee. His posture expands – he knows he has this in
the bag. Round 2 belongs to him and him alone. This is the weekend of manly men
doing manly things interspersed with manly men doing womanly things much to the
wonder of all.
The park is shared with a range of other more exotic fauna –
the European backpacker (cators I call them) out to do 3 months of apple
picking so they can stay in Australia. They are young, tanned, fit, specimens
of both genders that inhabit small tents around the edge of the camp. The evening proves to be especially entertaining as the row
of Fauna cator tents become dens of sexual iniquity, hormones spilling freely with
unbridled lust. Girls wearing very little and boys shirtless with tanned torsos
dive in and out of tents sharing spoils in a way that could only be described
as liberal in its approach. It was especially
confronting as one male stepped out of his tent offering the vans nearby a
rather large silhouette for all to see whilst stretching and smoking in easy
turns. Wow they really don’t have an issue with body parts! The pool is another
area in which they prove that anything goes as young girls in micro bikinis becoming
very friendly not once looking at or caring who might be around. What a
contrast to the family friendly surrounds they make.
The area is beautiful and we visit wineries, cideries and
galleries. We even manage to visit the local markets for delectable produce and
treats for the kids. Just another weekend in paradise which unfortunately ends
with us hightailing it back to Perth to finish up our last few jobs before
taking off for the next two years.
This last week we have settled in at Glen Mervyn Dam near
Collie to rest and relax before continuing on our great adventure. It is
tranquil, isolated and free. The Marri trees hold a glut of gorgeous birds
including black cockatoos and other colourful parrots. Beguiling ducks beg for
food like small dogs pleading for treats. 
Today Michael is baking bread while I am writing this update
for you all. Yes, I know, it might seem odd to many but Michael always makes
bread when we caravan. He also cooks full meals on the barbie and generally becomes
an outdoors woods man whenever he is away from home. I think it is something to
do with survival instincts and concentrating on the now. It is hard to do that
when living in an urban environment. Hunting and gathering is the nom de plume
of the male species after all. 
