We have been planning this trip for a long time so we are well prepared in terms of equipment and have done a number of camping trips to test things out, but until you actually leave the suburban house for good and get on the road you really don't know. Our first week has thrown up some challenges in the form of wind, rain and mud. Our first camp at the Weddin National Park was a beautiful spot and we setup camp, lit a fire. Not long after a huge howling wind blew in and raged for the whole night, neither of us got an ounce of sleep and we had to get up a couple of times to check the trailer was still intact.
Lake Mungo has a reputation of being dry, let's face it 50,000 years ago it was a huge lake with now extinct animals and humans whose burial remains and footprints in the mud have reminded us just how long humans have been on this continent. Our first day was fantastic, the camping grounds are excellent and the visor centre has a hot shower:) We spent time alone on the edge of the old lake and gazed into the time machine that is Lake Mungo.
Then the rain started, slow gradual rain which turned urned the campsite into a quagmire, we were planning to stay until the camper dried out but but were told the road would be closed in an our so we packed up everything in a mad rush and headed out. it's times like this that you appreciate the investment in a good 4wd and off road tyres as we made it out without and incident. Wet and bedraggled we cleaned the car and camper in Mildura in the rain with a high pressure hose, took over an hour.
I am still settling into the head space of living closer to the elements, recreational camping is one thing but 5 months on the road exposed to all the nature can throw at you is quite another.
It's been a fantastic day today, warm sunny day fishing on the banks of the Katarapko creek and sitting around a warm fire with time to look up at the stars.