Friday, October 12, 2007

Catering, Camping and Kids...


Ever had one of those strange experiences where you wake up and don't remember what time or day it is? I experienced that earlier this evening! I have just got back from two nights out camping and catering for 20 people. Exhausted, I went to have a 15 minute powernap! Famous last thoughts! I woke up several hours later, in the dark. It was a bit disturbing and a little unreal as it was dark and I couldn't recall going to bed at night!

The last couple of years, I have done the catering for our churches youth group camps. We usually go to the local lake, Yarrie Lake, for these camps but due to the drought, sadly, the lake is dried up. So, they decided to go up to Lake Keepit and camp there. The picture is of the setup I had for cooking out of which was a camper trailer. I also had a bbq and used it for some meals as well. Normally we'd have a camp oven dinner but as we couldn't have a big pit fire, we didn't do this meal this time.

The last few days were peppered by storms and last nights one was pretty big. Some of the kids tents didn't prove to be waterproof but they all managed to go to sleep during the storm anyway! I guess they were tired too! This year was also different as two separate youth groups got together, which was good for the kids.

Usually, I'd have Mark to give me a hand and keep the campsite well looked after. He'd usually do all the mundane things like keeping fires going, washing up, rubbish disposal, setting up the tent and the like. There were plenty of willing helping hands but none as good as the one you share your life with! Still, it all came off well and everyone enjoyed the food and the amount that there was. No one could complain about going hungry!

It was a great time really. I did get to have some downtime, read a book, wrote in my journal, that sort of thing. Even had some great chats with another girlfriend who was on the camp with her family, they were there as the house parents. There are times when it is great to get outdoors and enjoy the view!

2 comments:

Snoskred said...

I've been to Lake Keepit, it's beautiful. Seems like you must live somewhere near my heart home. ;)

I'm sorry to read of the loss of your Mark. I've been interested in aviation since I can remember and over the years have lost some good friends myself to aviation accidents. Every single one of them loved each moment they were in a plane.

The drought is really terrible up there - my parents house in Tamworth has suffered some damage due to the ground drying up. While they lived there they experienced floods as well as the opposite but nothing as terrible as it is now.

Glad you had a great time camping. ;)

Snoskred
www.snoskred.org

Duchess said...

Hi there, Snoskred,

Sorry I haven't replied earlier.

Yes, I'm close to Tamworth, of course that is all relative! I'm about 40kms west of Narrabri.

We're seeing the same sort of thing around here, there are plenty of houses moving on the black soil because of it drying up! You have to watch your step too, you might fall down a crack and not get found for days!