What is it about holidays that gets you thinking about the big issues like – is it time to get on top of your finances? Or, really, is your job making you happy? Or in my case, it was: I think it is time I was more outdoorsy.
It all started with a recent camping trip down at Wilson’s Prom. I hadn’t really camped much and was a bit terrified of the whole experience, but I loved it. So, maybe it was time to embrace my inner outdoors.
Working full time and studying part time hasn’t left much room for any research into camping, let alone actually doing any camping. But I have just spent the last 8 days on holiday with a friend in WA and whilst we weren’t particularly outdoorsy, I started thinking about (well, perhaps fantasizing might be a better word) the different things I could do.
1. I could buy one of those converted vans. They look super nifty, all cute and compact and really, how much could they cost. A couple of grand? Hmmm, as it turned out – not exactly.
Other than the fact that a converted van is significantly out of my reach I am also reminded of a summer where the friend I went to Wilson’s Prom with and I rented a van and drove around Queensland. Sounds fun and perfect for someone as outdoorsy as me – and it was, except for the fact that it rained the entire time (queensland flooded terribly) and we got a horrible case of cabin fever. Right, new plan.
2. I could buy a cover for the back of the rodeo, build a little ledge to sleep on … and embrace the outdoors!
This brain wave came to me with a vengeance whilst on my holiday and resulted in some frenzied searching online for cabins (or whatever they are called) to go on the back of the ute. Given the fact I not entirely sure what those things are called, I couldn’t find a single one online!
Also, I am not really sure how feasible sleeping in the tray of a double cab ute actually is – is there enough room to stretch ones legs? Should one really sleep on top of a gas bottle (note: the ute has been converted to gas with the gas tank sitting in the tray)?
3. I could buy a tent, throw it into the car and get into the outdoors.
The seems like the most realistic option, but no where near as exciting as a van or ute conversion.
Also, I am reminded of the fact that I don’t really enjoy cooking and the thought of cooking outside is actually a bit terrifying. I also don’t own a tent. But, I do know how to construct a shelter using a couple of tarps, some rope and some branches from my days as a camp counsellor at Sherwood Forrest Camp – so perhaps all is not lost?
So where does this leave me? There is no doubt that I have highlighted some tricky issues that I can mull over on my next holiday – which won’t be a camping trip as I don’t think I am quite ready to be outdoorsy. Maybe after the next holiday?
