The second night was colder. The sounds of seventeen-year-old boys crunching around us woke me up as they attempted to feed the kangaroos. # facepalm.
21.3.2018
A non-chronological adventure. Some readers may find some content offensive.
It annoys me when I read a writer’s recount of their adventure. While we live our lives one thing after the other, it can drag a good short story out into a bland, flavourless, watered-down soup. There isn’t a need for it.
I know why people do it. It's easy. They’re just regurgitating what happened in their experience. It’s easy to recall an event and slap it down on a blog. But it is boring.
I continually try to push myself to create work that I want to read again to reflect on good times and tough times. I’ll admit it. I write for me first. Any reader that stumbles upon my work and decides it is worth an upvote, terrific. I’d like to think I share my work with people of a similar taste in writing and interests. Keep reading, friend. You’ll enjoy today’s offerings.
Why did we decide to go to Wombeyan Caves?
In a previous article, I trudged through the entire NSW National Parks and Wildlife list of campgrounds in search of accessible campsites that had access to amenities. I whittled the list down to a fewer number of sites that I thought on balance, would give us the most enjoyment – including water features, walking tracks and overall natural beauty.
Thanks to my trusty Samsung Galaxy S8, the photos came out very well and will create a terrific photo-journal of an amazing few days away. I enjoy the whole process of snapping photos but I try not to let it overwhelm just appreciating the moment.
Bees hovered over the water, settled then drank from a tap left trickling for the local wildlife.
Was it worth planning the whole trip around hot showers?
There are two amenities blocks at the Wombeyan Caves campground. The ones pictured above are located within the Upper Lachlan Shire, while those photographed below are in the Wingecarribee Shire. The division of Shires roughly splits the campground in two.
After making the quick trip up to the Upper Lachlan amenities, I spotted a fresh water tap mounted to a very clear embossed, wooden NPWS sign that read, “Pay camping fees”. It was a friendly reminder that hot water and toilets aren’t freebies. Good to know.
These weren’t super clean. It is exactly what you would expect when you come to a camp ground in Australia. I don’t remember the amenities in Yosemite NP being much better, although with the amount of tourist dollars there, you’d want golden toilet seats and diamond encrusted shower heads.
Maybe if "JAH" waz ere back in 1998, they wouldn't have had such a sucky time. Penny for your thoughts?
The block didn’t look like it had been given much attention since the 1990’s. There was scratched on graffiti dating back to 1998 according to one camper’s etchings. I was also graced with a door-sized cock and balls (complete with scrotum hair and ejaculate) on the back of the toilet door courtesy of the creative mind who owned a black Sharpie. It’s good to see that the NPWS preserve these kinds of artworks as educational opportunities for youngsters to bear witness when they visit the toilet for their morning poop.
The Wingecarribee amenities were my pick of the place.
The Wingecarribee amenities were far less offensive and could be found almost immediately in front of the entrance to the camp grounds. If you turn left, you head towards the visitors' centre. A right turn will take you North to the campgrounds and up into the Upper Lachlan Shire.
The shower cubicles had a shower door plus a curtain that separated the shower cubicle from the dry change space containing your clothing and belongings. The water pressure in the men’s showers was great. Instant gas heating keeps the water hot and showers are untimed. Hayley reported that one of the ladies shower’s pressure was pathetically underwhelming and from what she could hear of the cubicle next to hers, which was also occupied, it was no better.
The Hot Shower Verdict.
What I learned on this last three-day adventure was that I think I could do without hot showers. At least for a few days.
Having showers and toilets makes life feel a little more civilised while you’re away, although skipping a shower or two, bathing downstream in a nearby creek or using some wet wipes can freshen you up sufficiently while you’re away in the wilderness. The showers were comforting, but I didn’t feel a desperate need for a shower each night before bed.
I think I’m graduating from camping school!
Surely you didn't think I wouldn't put up a photo of the cock and balls, right? I gave fair warning you might be offended!
All the best,
Nick.
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