Addie’s Random Ramblings

Hubby and I were once novices to the world of camping and caravaning. We bought our first caravan four months after we got married. And we have been camping ever since … something we never did as kids, mind you!!! We usually camp over weekends and sometimes for longer periods. We love camping. We get a whole lot of enjoyment out camping. Our kids are just as fond of camping - these days we do it for them most of the time.

We also get a kick out of the enjoyment curiosity of our fellow campers because of our presence in a campsite. Strange but true. People are ALWAYS amazed at our presence in a caravan park.

Since our first caravan trip up until now … our last being this past weekend … we always get the same reaction when we arrive at a campsite. Mind you, we have never been to the same caravan park twice. And we always get asked the same questions from our fellow campers around us … usually in Afrikaans!!

1. Is dit julle eerste kamp? (Is this your first camp?)
2. Julle mense kamp mos nie gereeld nie? (You poeple don’t camp often, do you?)
3. Hoe lyk dit vir my julle sukkel om daai tent op te slaan? (Seems like you guys are having a problem setting up your tent?)
4. Weet julle darem hoe daai ding werk? (Do you at least know how to use that thing?)
5. Haai, dit lyk of julle darem vorder? (Glad to see you guys have progressed.)

Other observations we have made over the years …

1. People stop and stare as we enter our chosen camp site …. ALWAYS!!!
2. Once we start setting up camp, people watch us (usually from a distance) as if they’re watching a local soap opera.
3. The first trip to the ablutions block is usually met with a stiff smile and at times a cold stare.
4. People secretly walk past our campsite to “check” on us.
5. By Sunday afternoon, when we get ready to leave we are heroes silently admired, all because we survived the weekend.

It is so much fun for hubby and I to compare “notes” from our last caravan trip. I must also add that we met very friendly and “helpfull” people on our journeys, too.

Some of the joys of living in South Africa camping!!!

Last Friday night hubby decided to take the BigBoy out for an overnight camp. Something like a boys night out. I was supportive of the idea, cos I believe that its very important that dads spend lots of time with their sons. It took them about an hour to pack the tent with supplies and off they went. Drama Queen and I made peace with the fact that we’d be home “alone” so we got some takeaway and a movie. Needless to say at 10h30 pm that night they were back home. Yup, with camping gear in tow!!! The tent is what messed it all up for them. It was too dark for hubby to really find his way around setting it up. And the chill in the air wasn’t much encouragement to persevere.  You see, we bought this tent many moons ago, but never used it. Nor did we ever “test” it. There wasn’t really a need to cos we always go camping with the caravan. At least they managed to have supper … chop on the braai.

The downside of all this … the BigBoy refuses to entertain ANY thoughts of camping in a tent!!!

This post has been inspired by a comment left by mac  on the previous post. He was facinated by the idea of preparing breakfast on what he calls a wok. See inserted picture:-

In South Africa we call it a Skottel Braai. Translated directly into mac’s language: skottel = dish; braai = barbeque. This item forms a very significant part of our camps, even that of any outdoor activity here in SA. Our family use it mainly for preparing breakfasts while camping. It is easy to use. You can prepare your whole breakfast menu in one go; no need for tons of pots and pans. It is used “outside” your tent/caravan enhancing your outdoor experience. With the Skottel Braai there is no need to make a fire cos it works with gas and it is easy to clean. When we are out camping we have two meals - breakfast and supper. Both these meals are prepared outdoors and best of all DADDIES ARE IN CHARGE of preparing them. Breakfast is prepared on the Skottel and supper is usually in the form of a braai (barbeque) of some sort. Here is a recipe  that you can prepare on a Skottel Braai - enjoy. You can go here for more information and recipes.

Everything about camping is fun - packing in, setting up camp, even COOKING especially if I don’t have to do it!!!

What can I say.The weekend was fabulous and best of all, my baby survived the trip. See the pictures

Ready,steady, go

She made it!!!

Well, maybe the weekend wasn’t THAT fabulous … and maybe it wasn’t that bad either, but I think it was a bit exhausting. We went camping with a group of friends. We were three families. There was  were 8 children in total not counting the 2mnth old baby. The kids were extremely intolerable intolerant of each other and that was very tiresome. Fighting over toys and constantly bickering about who is friends with who. Is this what normally what happens when camping in a group? This was only the second time we went camping with in a group and with the same people. Daddy & I thoroughly enjoyed the company, but I vowed that if kids’ rivalry persists with the children then maybe camping in a group is not such a good idea … any advise?

Besides the kids’ rivalry - the weather was good, the food was good and my children survived and enjoyed the weekend. I plan to post pictures of the weekend later on in our photo album - link availble on the left side of the blog.

We going camping. YIPPEE!!!! but mom’s a bit nervous. Why? Cos daddy want’s to tow the caravan with my “little” car. We always use his bakkie (Pickup 2WD). I don’t know if my MPV will manage the load, but I trust daddy knows what he is doing. And I”ll post some pictures on Monday. Well, I better leave it at this and finish the packing … why are mom’s always left to do all the packing - clothes, food, “warm” accessories in case its cold etc etc etc. And then mom still has to remind dad not to forget to get gas, fire wood, axe, firelighters. Once we have set up camp the questions start - mom, where is my ball? Ma, where is Sala’s (the cockatiel) food? Did you pack my takkies (sneakers) and so it goes on. I WILL NOT FREAK OUT cos I am supose suppose to relax!!!

The three musketeers from left to right … Aiden the nephew, Chloe aka CH and Caleb aka CJ. And on the next picture is daddy bouncing them on the trampoline
We had a visit from this nyala … everyday at 5pm sharp … I suspect he was being fed by our fellow caravaners

This is usually what use to happen after a game viewing drive … Aiden would simply pass out. A good way to enjoy a afternoon nap!
The one thing I love most about caravaning is that daddy gets to do the cooking and the washing up.