Tathra Summer Camp 2013
Sunday 24 - Thursday 28 November 2013
Led by Kay and Charles
Words by Karen M
Photos by Lesley, Donna, Karen M, Bob M
Charles and Kay have 62 bushwalkers bunked down in the Tathra Family Caravan Park, all fired up and ready to get out and do some exploring. It pours with rain all night and the first day dawns cold, grey and wet. Not a great start to this highly anticipated Summer Camp, but you can't keep a good bushwalker down. After a morning of playing cards and games in the huge camp kitchen and eating cakes from the bakery across the road, the day cleared sufficiently to strap on the boots and head out for a 5km local walk around the Tathra Forest Wildlife Reserve led by Jill. And the well-trained wildlife turned out on cue.
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| Tathra Forest Wildlife Reserve Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Wildlife Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
More wildlife Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
The day got even better when camp staff lit their wood fired oven and cooked pizza to order for dinner. Then there was entertainment when bushwalkers-by-day/performers-by-night glammed up to put on an hilarious after-dinner concert. Look at the photos and you'll see what I mean.
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| Cool, highstepping Black and White Dolls Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Waltz of the Flowers Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Don't ask......... Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
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| Singing colo-rectal surgeons Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Fairground Floozies make an entrance Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Santa struts his stuff Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
On Tuesday we finally got down to some serious bushwalking and headed for Tathra's gorgeous coast, admiring the beaches, lakes, lagoons, views and discovering some local history along the way.
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| 2 groups meet on the track Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Group with a view Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Sharon, Len, Karen and Betty Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Wednesday began with a talk by National Parks Ranger David Costello on what's happening in local National Parks. Followed by car pool mayhem as leaders organised their walking groups off to the Tathra Headland, Kangarutha Track and Merimbula.
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| Kangarutha views Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Lesley, Jill and Carol Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Kangarutha hills Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Does the fun never stop?? Another concert that night, but this time with professional performers in the shape of Frankie J. Holden and versatile guitarist from Bega, Gary Jones. Frankie is part owner of the Tathra Family Caravan Park and he and Gary soon had us all up on the floor bopping along to rock n roll hits of yesteryear.
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| Gary and Frankie Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Backup vocals by Bob and Jan Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Boppin' bushwalkers Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
The last day of bushwalking centred on that little gem of the Far South Coast which is Bournda National Park. These photos tell the story.
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| View from the lookout Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Varied and interesting walking track Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Lagoon reflections Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
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| Bournda Lagoon Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Storm damaged melaleuca forest Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Bournda island Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
And still, there's more! After the last happy hour, and a heartfelt thanks to Charles and Kay for 5 days of fun, frivolity and good cheer, it was off to the Tathra Beach Cafe, just up the road, and the Final Night Dinner for our happy campers.
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| Susan and Alex Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Betty Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Stan and Mary Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
END