FOOTAGE : KANGAROO vs WALLABY

CAMPSITE # 36 - Warri Reserve, NSW

With just one more sleep to go, we were almost at our temporary Christmas abode. Just one more night in the Troopie before we were to return to NORMAL life. A life of having electricity just a powerpoint away, a life where getting hot water was just a tap turn away, a life where not having a daily shower was considered unhygienic and completely uncalled for. We were about to hang our travellers hats up for a week and reinvent our old lives. I looked forward to returning to those homely comforts but also felt sad that The Adventures of Charlie The Troopcarrier would have to be put on hold while we sang Christmas carols, wined and dined like it was going out of fashion, wore stupid hats and laughed like it's the happiest time of the year.

Our last night in Charlie was spent just 1.5 hours drive out of Canberra at Warri Reserve Rest Area, just 14kms north of Bungendore. It was one of the nicer Rest Areas as it was right on the river and quite spread out so we didn't feel like we were right ontop of our neighbours and just metres from a 100km/hr highway. We spent the night so ridiculously thankful that we weren't in a tent. After taking into account all of the terribly windy and stormy nights we've endured over the last 10 weeks, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I absolutely, definitely, certainly would have cracked it by now if we were in a tent. Our night at Warri Reserve was so cold and windy.. thankfully we had 3 tonnes of steel to separate us in our warmth and homely comfort from the cold harsh conditions on ground level.

Just before the rains came, we spent about 35minutes patrolling the area in search for dry wood to make a camp fire. I was determined to actually light myself a decent fire for once, in some pathetic attempt to prove to Tom that I actually could. Tom strummed away on his guitar while I was busy negotiating my way around the kindling and attempting to delicately navigate a lit match through the abundance of twigs... pretty unsuccessfully I'm afraid to add! As I continued to get rather frustrated with the fire, I heard a whining voice from behind me, blurt something out and I instantly knew I loathed its tone. A sour elderly woman strutting by proceeded to bellow out to Tom and I ...

"I hate to say it, but you're not allowed fires here 'ya know".

YOU hate to say it? Come on love, admit it.. you walked all of the way over here, circled around our campsite JUST to say it. I replied, in a very unimpressed tone "Oh really, we must have read the sign incorrectly, the one at the entrance that said you could". She proceeded to incorrectly advise us that apparently during summer in NSW there are "absolutely no fires allowed" she even did that "No deal" gesture with her arms... I guess she thought just incase we weren't able to comprehend what was coming out of her mouth she thought it might emphasise her disapproval by gesticulating.
Gees I really am getting a gutful of these very selected few Grey Nomads who see us as young travellers who don't know any better. Well, sour puss... just incase you were too narrowminded on the way out to read the sign... I've supplied it for you below.

I hate how you always think of things you woulda / shoulda / coulda said to fools like that at the time but they only ever come to you after the fact. But at the end of the day, Tom and I lay in bed that night chuckling to ourselves at how pathetic some people can be and how they wind themselves up about the smallest of things. All I can keep thinking now when I look back and think of that woman is... I feel sorry for her husband.

It was time to move on from our life on the road and transform ourselves back into 'normal'. We're both really looking forward to spending time under a roof and in a home. And if we're too ridiculously busy celebrating and enjoying the festivities, we would really like to wish all of our beautiful friends, family & readers out there a truly lovely Christmas. May you all enjoy yourselves thoroughly with those you love. To one and all, a very lovely & Merry Christmas.

CAMPSITE # 35 - Durras Lake North Holiday Park, NSW

As we were just a few days off heading to Canberra to begin the festivities, we had to improvise a little on where to stay. As we drove down the access road towards our Pebbly Beach campsite over four weeks ago, we realised we had officially back peddled. 

We considered returning to Pebbly Beach to experience it properly in the Troopie and not in Hope the Hire Car. But we both agreed that we held very fond memories of Pebbly Beach to date and wouldn't want to risk ruining them in anyway. Depot Beach was the next beach down so we made route there. The National Park campsite looked lovely except there was a big sign at the entrance advising us that if we setup camp without a booking, we would be instantly asked to leave the camp. The ranger was not in the office and nowhere to be found and neither of us had mobile reception to make contact. Pretty pathetic really considering the park looked empty and we were amongst three others scratching their heads searching for the ranger at 1pm the Saturday before Christmas.

Thankfully, during the 30minutes that we waited, the ranger never turned up because it left us enough time to realise that there was a lingering sewerage smell in the air that was rather off-putting. So we made tracks in search of another campsite and we stumbled across Durras Lake North Holiday Park. This park was on the opposite side of the road from the water and backed onto the National Park. We were delighted to find the park was very well laid out and nestled amongst natural greenery infact, it was very similar to staying at a National Park with all of the wilderness perks but better facilities and $2 cheaper - oh and of course, no sewerage stench!!

We liked just about all aspects of this park with the exception of one thing and this is one thing that we unfortunately find is quite common throughout a number of Caravan Parks. Any parks that fall under this category, we have appropriately named a "NO PARK"...

- NO NOISE AFTER 10PM
- NO RUNNING
- NO UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN
- NO FISH CLEANING
- NO DISHWASHING
- NO BREATHING OF FRESH AIR
- NO ENJOYING YOURSELF AT ALL WHATSOEVER


It's as though all of the NO PARKS sat down together and singled out every tiny little thing that annoyed them about what people do when they're enjoying their holiday. Come on! We're not in primary school, we don't need to be disciplined everywhere we turn. I know, it's because there are fools out there that ruin it for the rest of us but... not my problem! I thought people go on holidays to escape constantly being told what to do.

And to prove to you we're not exaggerating... 

THE NEXT PAGE WOULD HAVE READ
- Four sheets of single ply paper per visit.
- No DUMPING!!!
- Small secretions only.

FOOTAGE : BOWERBIRD AND ITS BOWER

CAMPSITE # 34 - Congo Camping Ground - Eurobodalla National Park

Congo was a site that had been circled in our CAMPS 5 book by another camper we met. I'm sorry John, but I won't be circling this one in anyone else's book. It's funny how weather and/or your neighbours can really make or break a campsite. Congo certainly passed our friend John's test. For me though, the toilet block has totally tarnished any memory of Congo that I'll ever have.

These were the WORST drop dunnies to date. They had poison baits hanging above your head as you sat on the loo, foul smelling urinal candles and thousands of flies. Considering this, I think $20 is a bit steep to charge for a campsite with "facilities". A shovel and a patch of dirt is a much more pleasant and hygienic facility if you ask me.

As soon as we pulled up at Congo, Tommy raced off to fish in the inlet. Within ten minutes, he returned with that big "I just caught a flathead and dinner is on me" smile on his face. This time, rather than filleting the fish and crumbing it, Tom chopped the head off, gutted it and he seasoned it with salt, pepper, coconut cream and lime juice. He then wrapped it up in al-foil and cooked it in a frying pan for about 5minutes each side. How's that for freshness? Straight from the water and on our plates within the hour!

We decided our night at Congo wasn't going to be spent at the campsite. Instead, we were heading into town for a big night out! So, we booked the courtesy bus and headed to the local Moruya Bowling Club for a night of cheap booze and to hopefully score ourselves some freebies in their Friday night raffle.

We bought $10 worth of raffle tickets each and sat there eagerly waiting for the draw to commence. As more and more numbers were being called out, it looked less and less to work in our favour. And just as we were about to hang our heads in shame, the very last draw was called and it was lucky number 890. My number!! I went up there not even knowing what prize I would be collecting.

Would it be one of those huge hams for us to enjoy on Christmas Day?

Would I get to spin the wheel for my chance to win $100 cash?

Nope... more appropriately, we won ourselves $50 on the bar!! Move over cheapest tap beer, watch out top shelf!! It was so nice to feel normal and as though we got something for nothing, finally we could let our hair down without worrying about how much it would cost. A leg of ham would have been a more sensible option but who were we to argue?

CAMPSITE # 33 - Dalmeny NSW

Don't you just love when you stumble across something absolutely beautiful? This is exactly how we found Dalmeny Camping Ground, we weren't looking for somewhere to stay that night but once we saw the gently sloping hill with perfectly manicured lawns directly overlooking the ocean... we both instantly knew where we were staying for the next few nights.

We're starting to feel the brunt of being away from home and being on the road over Christmas. Obviously with Tom being English & me Australian, one of us will always be spending Christmas away from our family but when you're out on the road and you're away from all of your friends and family enjoying the party season over Christmas, it can take it's toll.

At the top of our "To Do List" was posting Christmas presents. Cleverly, Tom's family made a pact of not exchanging any gifts this year so we were just posting our Christmas presents back to my family in QLD. We've been building up a rather bulky supply of presents over the last few weeks and when you live out of such a confined space, less is more! And because that they were being sent interstate, we had to leave plenty of time to make sure they all arrived. One thing we stupidly didn't factor in when getting the presents - was postage $$$ thanks to the ridiculous weight in each parcel. Next time we're on the road over Christmas, the entire family are getting pillows for Christmas and if they're lucky, we might splurge and get the cases to go with it :)

Busy wrapping the pressies...

 with quite the view!!

We're really glad that we have familiar faces to look forward to over the festive season - Christmas with my Uncle & Aunty and New Years with our friends in Melbourne. Without them, I think Tom and I would be having a rather lonely time. Don't get me wrong, obviously we love each other's company but Christmas just has to be spent with loved ones... damned if I was going to sit around a 20cm tall plastic Christmas tree with just Tom & I giving each other our designated presents. That's right, as we don't treat ourselves very often, we thought rather than surprising each other with a present, we would both establish what we would truly love to have as a treat over Christmas. I chose getting my hair done. No hairdresser in three months results in my greys taking over my world. I feel like my hair is made of straw and I'm turning into a ginger... much to Tom's disappointment. Tom, the five star fisherman, has chosen to get fishing tackle for Christmas... which I'm very happy to support considering all of the free fish meals he's brought to the table.

Even though we're two unemployed travellers with no fixed abode, slugging it on the open road, we both had that burning desire to soak in and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
- Plan and purchase presents. CHECK.
- Hang tinsel and fairy lights in the Troopie cabin - CHECK.
- Stay up late at night listening to our favourite Christmas Carols - CHEESY BUT CHECK.

It's hard to not spoil yourself all of the time just by using the use "Oh, but it's Christmas". And what a good excuse it is!! Lately, we've had to continue to remind ourselves - yes, it may be Christmas but if we spend $$$ like it's Christmas, we'll be going home by Easter!!

We are finding it difficult to have enough willpower to stick to our guns 100% of the time, particularly during one of the many rainy days where you're a drowned rat strolling down an avenue crowded with people enjoying coffee and lunch in the many restaurants and cafes. All of the aromas from the freshly cooked meals just wafting past our noses. Only to return to camp for a peanut butter squashed bread sandwich. And if you feel like warming yourself up - it'll just take a slow 14 or 15 minutes for the water to boil or a cup of tea, that is if it's worth tackling the rain while waiting for it to boil. I once waited 2.5 hours for a shower after making Tom sift through wet wood to make a fire, waiting for the fire to get hot enough and then waiting for the water to boil. Only to then get into the ignition powered bilge pump shower and have it conk out on me within the first two minutes - hair lathered with shampoo. Camping certainly isn't for those who enjoy a fast paced lifestyle. I think how good you are at camping will often be determined by how good you are at improvising...

Dilemma #1 - What's that, only got wet wood and the fire won't start?

Thomas Attenborough to the rescue - Melt a tea light candle over your kindling.

Dilemma #2 - Oops, forgot to bring a fishing net?

Tom Grylls to the rescue - Tie some mozzie netting around a hose pipe. 

Dilemma #3 - Love to drink copious amounts of alcohol but don't want to fund it?

Who said you can't buy happiness? - $12 for 5 litres of not-so-fine wine. 

 

Dalmeny stands amongst our more preferred Tourist Parks to date. A major plus, rare to most sites like this, is that they allow campfires. Although, you do have to hire an old washing machine drum for $5 a day and pay $8 for a small bag of firewood that even a 5 year old boy could carry in one go. Luckily, we were given some fire wood by some departing neighbours. They gave us the equivalent to about $32 worth if we bought it from the caretaker. Don't you just love holiday seasons and how much they'll try to milk you for every last cent!!!

Tom got some great lightning shots...

FOOTAGE : WHAT ARE WE DOING?

CAMPSITE # 32 - Mystery Bay

We left Aragunnu Beach rather early (and that had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that we were trying to leave early just in case the ranger did decide to turn up). Next town up the coast from Mimosa Rocks National Park was Bermagui.

As we were driving along the road just outside of Bermagui, we passed two cyclists peddling their little hearts out. Their bikes were packed to the nines and, considering it was only 7:30am, they looked like they'd be going at it quite a while. Tom and I had a little chuckle to ourselves and realised that we weren't doing it anywhere near as tough as what we thought we were. Afterall, these two crazy people had their lives strapped to their bikes and really were feeling every kilometre of their journey - while I sat with my feet hanging out of the window in the passenger seat. Seeing them certainly made me appreciate the Troopie a whole lot more.

We hadn't heard anything about Bermagui so held very little expectations about the town. If that means that there are very little people preaching the word of Bermagui then it really is quite an untouched little town. The town itself isn't exactly pretty but it's location is absolutely unbeatable... Even the Fruit & Vegie shop had oceanviews.

We decided to stick around for a little, just to get a feel for this beachside town. So, Tom through a line into the water at the marina. Within less than a minute, "Simpson strikes again"... Tommy Boy was reeling in yet another Flathead. And quite a friendly sized one to!! He had all of the attention from the patrons in the overlooking cafe, he appeared to them as a real expect. Now, looking back, he really should have quit while he was ahead because he then proceeded to stand there helplessly for another hour with not even a bite.

After Tom filleted our dinner and we packed it away, we set about heading out of Bermagui and onto our next camp. As we were leaving, we passed our cyclist friends just arriving into Bermagui. Once again, we thought it was rather amusing that these people had been peddling away while we were busy doing.. well nothing really.

We had been told about this quaint little town called Tilba Tilba just south of Narooma on the NSW coastline. It was a lovely little stopover and had some cute little shops for us to browse .. we're getting exceptionally good at browsing!!!

Beautiful gardens at Tilba Tilba... 

After we had exited the bakery to stock up for the day's lunch we drove off in search of our next campsite at Mystery Bay. As we were driving up the 45 degree hill that the Troopie struggled to exceed 40kms/hr, we once again passed our cyclist friends. Poor buggers would have wanted to throttle me when I stuck my head out the window to ask them "Would you like  rope?". I instantly felt very guilty for being such a lazy smart arse perched on my lambswool seat with my feet hanging out the window like I owned the town.

Mystery Bay was absolutely divine. I was intrigued by how it got it's name because as far as we were concerned, there was no mystery... we were simply in a beautiful setting with turquoise blue water and white sand. After further investigation, I've since learnt that the bay was named after three men that left in a canoe from Bega heading north to the open ocean and were never seen again. Several months later, their boat was found, no bodies but very heavily blood stained timber. Hence the name of Mystery Bay.

Once we had perched ourselves on our very strategically chosen campsite, we could see on the horizon two figures approaching at a very slow and steady pace. As they came closer, we realised that our cyclist friends had followed us (to come and smash me over the head for being such a smart arse). As we had crossed paths so many times throughout the day, we just had to stop and have a chat. Turns out, they couldn't actually understand me when I said my rope comment so I could have gotten away scott free!!

Lachie & Rebecca were really friendly. They had driven down to Merimbula and were riding their way back to Sydney before Christmas. We invited them over to our place for a couple of cold ones (as we figured they probably didn't have room to refrigerate beers). After they had revealed that the night prior, they were forced to eat raw hokkien noddles because SOMEONE forgot to bring the matches... we were delighted that they accepted our invitation for a very fine dining experience in our dining room. The four of us enjoyed a roast chook (British Translation : CHICKEN!!!) cooked on the camp fire and shared lots of laughs and later discovered that they too had actually stayed at Aragunnu Beach the night beforehand also and somehow - still managed to arrive at Mystery Bay at practically the same time as us! We must drive slowly!!

CAMPSITE # 31 - Aragunnu Beach

Oh god, it's such a drag having to write another blog about how much of a beautiful destination we just stayed at. Same old, same old... once again gorgeous crystal clear blue waters on secluded beaches under glorious sunshine. Ha! Yeah right, it's been divine and I have absolutely no qualms in boasting about it.

Aragunnu Beach... the place with the aboriginal name that Tom the Pom still struggles to pronounce... was lovely. The South East coastline of NSW just continues to amaze us with it's beauty and we are so thankful that, for a change, the weather has been so kind to us.

We waited with baited breath for the ranger to (not) turn up on the first day. As we were still in the same national park, Mimosa Rocks, we figured that it would be the same ranger looking after this campsite as at our last. But, we forgot to factor in the fact that it was a Saturday night so, for the first time in four days damn it! we actually had to pay. $20 for four nights accommodation isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things. We only ever tell the ranger that we'll be there one night in hope that he won't return the next. Giddee up! Free night on the Sunday night so make that $20 for FIVE nights accommodation... we're getting good at this. We're just glad they don't have an honesty box system cause we both agreed neither of us could sleep at night if we weren't doing the right thing by the honesty box but when then ranger can't be bothered to rock up and take our cash... we're the winners!!

Now, if you please excuse me ... the sunshine is calling.

CAMPSITE # 30 - PICNIC POINT PARADISE

I know it must seem like we absolutely love every single beach campsite but this one really was... paradise. Apparently there are disaster flood warnings throughout a majority of NSW at the moment, just 1.5 hours from Picnic Point - Queanbeyan just outside of Canberra was listed as a disaster flood area where their major shopping centre was closed off and underwater. You would never have known. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and for the majority of our stay, we were the only campers there so we scored the best site with our very own private access to the beach and a perfectly sloping freshly mowed grassy hill designed just for sunbaking. 

For as long as I can remember, I used to never know how to be completely relaxed. Even when we would go away for the weekend, camping at the beach or overnighters to Byron - I've only recently realised that I was never completely relaxed. My brain was constantly thinking about things I hadn't done at work or worrying about where I was going and what I was doing next.
Do we really need to quit our jobs and go travelling to feel free and relax?
Can we actually learn to completely switch off in between working 9-5?
Does it really take getting to the point of swaying in the hammock in the sea breeze under the gorgeous beaming sunshine, while wiggling our toes to the Gypsy Kings, just metres from the beach to feel truly relaxed?
At Picnic Point, that's all we did, all day. And it was freaking amazing!!! I'm now in the frame of mind that I'm petrified of someday going back to 'real life'. I suppose as we nearer the end of our journey, we'll begin to look forward to going back to our "old life". I just hope that I take away with me this incredible feeling of being so free and I don't once again get trapped into that horrible daily grind cause, it's not worth it.

There's no such thing as too hard and the only person we can blame for unhappiness is ourselves. If feel drunk with happiness and it's bloody awesome. (Gees, I should write bumper stickers!!).

Bega is famous for Bega...

We stood at the cheese tasting for about 30minutes. After receiving some strange looks, we figured we should probably buy our favourite "Strong and Bitey"...

Choccie pudding in the camp over... just like at home :)

Simpson Special - toastie Strong & Bitey sandwiches

Message in a Tabassco Bottle. Sent off 9am 10th Dec 2010... requested finder to post comment on blog, we shall see :)

CAMPSITE # 29 - Gillards Beach Mimosa National Park NSW

One of the advantages of living a nomadic life is how out of the loop you are from the going's on back in 'real life'. Tom and I realised when went went into a pub the other day - we were instantly attracted to the TV. We then realised it had been over six weeks since we last watched any TV. We quickly updated ourselves with all of the vital information a) Oprah bought an Acubra b) Prince William & Whats-her-name are getting married c) Brangelina are going for baby # 98. I think it's safe to say that we're coping quite well without TV of the real world. 

And there I was thinking that by becoming a hippie/nomad I would no longer have to be reminded of our embarrassment of a PM to then go and stay at a campsite sharing the same name. Contrary to the name -Gillard's Beach was actually quite pleasant. The beach itself was roughly 300 metres of practically untouched shoreline. And we shared it with just a few other campers at the site.
When Tom went to introduce himself to our neighbours, Jess and Justin, they were trying to get away from him cause they thought he was the ranger. The whole time Tom & I and Jess & Justin stayed at Gillard's Beach the ranger never turned up. It's normally $10 per person per night so ontop of having a gorgeous beach practically to ourselves, we had all of the national park perks without the $$$.
What else can you do in a time like this but celebrate? So Tom and I tucked into the Spag Bowl Jess and Justin had generously cooked for us and the four of us enjoyed loads of cheap and nasty red wine and a very competitive game of cards (that I still can't remember the rules to but the main thing is the girls are, once again, reigning champions).
We must have knocked Jess right out cause the next day I think she was struggling to put two words together and was in bed the next day by 6:30pm :) Once again, Jess and Justin have been added to the list of lovely people we have met along the way and hopefully we can meet up once again somewhere down the track. 

Since our stay in Blackwater NSW about 6 weeks ago, we have been noticing a concerning number of dead birds washed up along the beach. All from the same species, these Short-tailed Shearwaters, have been sweeping up along NSW shorelines, sometimes in their thousands per shoreline. Initially, we were really sad for the birds and concerned that it was due to heavy storms or poisoning (somehow). Then, as our visits to the beaches grew, our concern for these birds lowered and they became more of a pain in the butt to have to navigate around. 

Turns out, these birds migrate from the Artic in their millions as they head towards the south for summer. As the flight is so long and they fly in such strong numbers, the ones we stumble over on the beaches are the weak that couldn't quite make the final leg. And they're everywhere!! 

When we first got to the beaches they looked rather fresh now they're just festie old feathers and rib cages.Very eerie but apparently completely normal. You just have to be very strategic about where you lay your towel down to sunbake.

Obviously need to put down that lethal glass of goon..

Essential man tools...

Charlie working on his tan...

Eggie bread on the camp oven...

Disclaima : I hearby take zero responsibilitee for any spelling or grammer erras thruout every and all blog posts. After all, I am an unimployed traveler I wood like to pass the blame on to my father who loves to constantlee remind me of every and all erras thruout my posts. :)

CAMPSITE # 28 - Scrubby Creek

Scrubby Creek Picnic Area was a mere 20kms from Eden. Slowly, we plan to make our way back up to where we were living in & out of Hope three weeks ago - Bateman's Bay. From there, head inland to spend Christmas day with my Uncle Bruce & Aunty Cheryl in Canberra.
If you look at our route over the last few weeks, you'll notice it simply doesn't make much sense at all. That's mainly thanks to having to back peddle to Yass to collect Charlie. As we both can't stand the idea of having to travel backwards - we had to improvise along the way.
After Christmas and hopefully after a stinking hot Boxing Day drinking in the pool and watching the Aussies redeem themselves in the Ashes - we'll then skyrocket our way down to be at  Melbourne International Airport by 7am on the 30th of December. Tom's good mate, who he hasn't seen in over three years, Christian is flying in from Germany to see how the real Aussie's do it for two weeks.
When we designed the shelving unit, we figured out a way for the front box directly behind the two front seats to unbuckle from the floor and buckle on the unit behind. So, we can then roll out the back bench seats for anyone to come and join us and jump in the back. Christian - if you're out there- brace yourself as it's gonna be a bumpy ride both metaphorically and physically :) As you're "fresh meat" joining us on our travels, a lot of the conversations leading up to your arrival are bound to begin with "And when Christian's here..." Let's just say someone's very excited to see you :)
New Years Eve will be spent somewhere in between Melbourne and Apollo Bay. More friends of ours are travelling down from Queensland to meet up with us and we're off to a NYE Party at a farm on the beach with a DJ and a marquet held by some friend of a friend. It will be very interesting and could very easily swing one way or another but at the end of the day, we'll have great company and loads of entertainment. We're really looking forward to seeing everyone again :)

Scrubby Creek Picnic Area was nothing fancy but it was free and one step up from a roadside Rest Area. As it was pissing down with rain - neither of us felt game enough to jump out to take a campsite pic.
Instead, we decorated the Troopie cabin with 20c tinsel from the OP Shop and solar powered fairy lights that automatically turn on/off at dusk and dawn. So, we are now colourfully Christmasy - who said that just cause you're living out of a truck you can't put up Xmas decorations? Well, probably no one but if they did - we defied the odds and every night that we fall asleep amongst the lights - we're one night closer to the happiest day of the year. 

One thing Scrubby Creek DIDN'T have, like many other free campsites, is flush dunnies. Drop Dunnies (or Long Drops whatever you want to call them) and I are still not very good friends. Infact, my entire visit to every drop dunnies is limited to how long I can hold my breath. It doesn't help that a woman at our very first campsite proceeded to tell me that she found a 4foot python hiding behind the sanitary bins - really hasn't helped my situation. I'm so paranoid of a) what lurks  behind the door when I close it b) what might fly up my bum when I'm sitting on it and c) what might slither it's way through the many gaps and nibble away at my toes.
Once again though, I ask - How hard is it to put the toilet seat down? And no, I'm not just being some paranoid domestic demon who whinges about men who don't do the gentlemenly thing by lowering the lid after use, this is more aimed at the naive camper using a drop dunnie and is too lazy to drop the seat so the next camper that comes along (me) enters to find 70 flies squatting on her seat ... ew!!!

Nothing stops Charlie (except a rusty head gasket)

Green Cape Lighthouse. The Lighthouse has closed down and since been replaced by some ugly steel thing with solar panels on top. The Lightkeeper's cottages are now holiday accommodation with some serious views.

Just a little older than Charlie...