El Presidente Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Had a cracker of a week as with youngest son Tom as we camped on the banks of Boondooma Dam 4 hours Northwest of Brisbane. Eldest Ben has University exams so pulled out. Daughter Becky (15) is still a concientious objector after we actually ate a fish that we caught last year. Apparently she is still traumatised So Tom and I hooked up the trailer and headed out through the picutresque South Burnett region. We had our 4 hour "Boondooma Road Trip selection" on the Iphone (thanks for some great suggestions ) and we know we are on holidays when we stop in for the best Steak and Kidney meat pies at Esk which is a family tradition. The country is parched currently coming out of a dry winter. No rain has been seen for close on six months but the dams are full after the past couple of years excellent wet seasons. We arrived at Boondooma in good spirits and given the fine weather decided to set up a "light" camp wthout the need of taps etal. It gave us a chance to try out the new Coleman 8 man tent (I assume Pygmies) which came with a promise of all poles attached and 1 minute construction. I was sceptical.....but it was flawless to put up (5 minutes) and take town (2 minutes)....a normal person could have managed it quicker Tent up we set to putting together the tables and pull out the cooking utensils. Eek...left the cooking pots, spoons, plates, glasses, etal at home. No problem...had some alfoil and some alfoil baking trays....we would cook off the coals. It was getting dark so we decided to set up a fire, and cast a line from the bank. I may have forgotten the meat for dinner so we were looking for a fish. I would like to introduce you to the luckiest turtle in the world who took the baited line. For a few seconds I contemplated what a great man God is for provding us dinner in a built in ready to bake container.In the end I couldn't do it.....although for anyone who has tried to take a hook out of a turtles mouth knows...they get narky and with his mouth clamping down on my finger I was sorely tempted to try out some Aboriginal cuisine. Sunset, Glass of Red, good conversation, catching up, laughing, Partagas 898 Varnished. The following morning we put together the fishing canoe and headed out for the day. We repeated the above each day. Fishing was tougher than expected but we did okay. In the end it is really just about talking and spending time on the water. The birdlife on the dam is remarkable. The Goanas, wallabies, snakes, turtles all making each bend of the the river a changing canvas. Outside of some scrapes there were no major injuries. Not to self...explain upfront how to use a wood axe. Tom has a predeliction to that great camping delicacy called "Spam". Thursday was "Spamathon"....cooking up Spam in every way imaginable. Spam and Eggs for Breakfast...Spam and roasted Capsicum sandwiches for lunch....Spagetti and Spam Cube Bolognaise for dinner. I never want to see a can of the stuff until the next trip Good to be back. Amazing how a few days away refreshes the soul. Will get to the couple of hundred e-mails and PM's during the course of the day
OZCUBAN Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Sounds like a really good time was had Rob,good to see you had some quality time with your kids as you know they grow up all to quick
Munts Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Looks like a good trip. Shame about the Spam. lol Reminds me of the Monty Python Skit.. "Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam; spam bacon sausage and spam; spam egg spam spam bacon and spam; spam sausage spam spam bacon spam tomato and spam;"
Rushman Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Reminds me of camping trips with my dad, minus the spam and the 5 minute tent! --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.630113,-87.069894
CaptainQuintero Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Tom's got good taste! Spam is the food of the gods!
Fuzz Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Looks like young Tom had a good time, despite you forgeting the cooking equipment and utensils. Then again, that's what camping is about, roughing it! You do realise that those Coleman tents are made in China? So they have more than enough room for 8 Chinese! And if Tom really likes Spam, he should head on over to Hawaii. I've never seen so many different recipes for Spam; Spam burgers, Spam fried rice, Spam onigiri... endless variety!
CaptainQuintero Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 On 10/8/2012 at 2:02 AM, Fuzz said: And if Tom really likes Spam, he should head on over to Hawaii. I've never seen so many different recipes for Spam; Spam burgers, Spam fried rice, Spam onigiri... endless variety! I read somewhere that Hawaii is the biggest consumer of spam in the world, they have something like 72 different flavours! Sounds like heaven!
AndrewNR Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Sounds and looks great Rob Can't wait to be doing the same!
Fuzz Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 On 10/8/2012 at 2:05 AM, CaptainQuintero said: I read somewhere that Hawaii is the biggest consumer of spam in the world, they have something like 72 different flavours! Sounds like heaven! Apparently Guam holds the title as the largest consumers of Spam per capita in the world, something like 16 cans per person per year. Now that's what I call Spam overload! Whilst 72 varieties does sound like Spam heaven, unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) there are only 14 different varieties Spam Varieties. Despite the popularity of Spam in Australia, thankfully there has yet to be anyone crazy enough to create a Vegemite flavoured version.
CaptainQuintero Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Maybe I am confusing Spam varities with virgins in heaven....I'm not really sure what's going on with the wiring inside my head here. Maybe it's something they put in Spam
Fuzz Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 On 10/8/2012 at 4:25 AM, CaptainQuintero said: Maybe I am confusing Spam varities with virgins in heaven....I'm not really sure what's going on with the wiring inside my head here. Maybe it's something they put in Spam Too much Hot & Spicy Spam has overheated your brain!
Dbone Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Welcome back, Boss. Don't scare this kid away from camping with Dad LOL
Nino Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Looks and sounds like a beautiful trip and experience - Congrats !
Loki Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Glad you had a good time. I was also away camping since past Wednesday trolling for Musky on the Saint Lawrence river , NY and Canadian border. Leaves starting to change, fall in the NE USA is always marvelous.
winelover Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 Lovely trip Rob. How far out of Brissy were you? Do you have to worry about crocs (or is that just in the Northern Territory?) anf what about snakes and spiders (were any precautions taken?). The environment / nature looks absolutely stunningly beautiful - you guys are lucky in OZ.
sabourin Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 Good looking trip Rob and nice looking fish for Tom. Please send some of the sunshine to the UK!
Hugomarink Posted October 10, 2012 Posted October 10, 2012 On 10/9/2012 at 7:24 AM, graham_uk said: Lovely trip Rob. How far out of Brissy were you? Do you have to worry about crocs (or is that just in the Northern Territory?) anf what about snakes and spiders (were any precautions taken?). The environment / nature looks absolutely stunningly beautiful - you guys are lucky in OZ. I was wondering the same thing with the spider/snake situation out there since we all know Australia is chock full of deadly creepy crawlies, both on the land and in the water.
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