blisters, holes and no real coffee.

Ok, so I haven't written a post in a long time, it's partly because I've been been house sitting and therefore very busy so I'm sorry but that's a post for another time.

Today I want to tell you about year 9 camp, although it happened almost 2 weeks ago.

So year 9 camp...

...ok so Friday, week 9, term 3, I was given a really big back pack, I'm talking the size of a small child. In this back pack I was to pack our tent, my half of the food and my clothes, two words came to mind good-E. Ok that only one word but you get my point.

So back at home I'm packing the Jumbo back pack, sleeping bag, spare clothes, blow up pillow, food etc. but I was lucky enough to keep the weight of my pack to about 20kg (that was considered light).

Day one.

The next morning I get up early and bump my pack into the car. Dad drove me to the school and the bus was there ready to take me away from civilisation for 4 days. We made a detour through Macca's drive through no the way there for my last cup of real coffee. And for those of you who know me, mornings without coffee do NOT equal a happy Steph.

On the bus... I waved good bye to Dad, drank the rest of the coffee and went back to sleep...

3 hours later and our last flushing toilet we made it to our starting point. this is where we learned the two words we would grow to hate 'packs up'.

We hiked maybe 15 minutes down the path before we got to Alligator Gorge were we drop our packs with a sigh of relief (that was far enough for me I was ready to go home). Then we went for a walk through the gorge. It was beautiful and we even saw a lizard which I just had to touch 'I had a Steve Irwin moment'. No, actually I had to touch it to make sure it was real. It just looked so fake like someone put it there to trick us or something??.

It was pouring with rain for majority of the 7km that we walked to the first campsite. I was completely soaked along with all my belongings. But I am happy to say that I was the 5th person to arrive at the campsite. An enthusiasm that would die very quickly on this camp. I put up the tent and just chilled.

Day two. .

I put my feet in my shoes to find that they were so extremely sore, blisters, huge blisters had appeared on my feet. And I assure you that they only got worse as the camp went on.

The hike up to the battery and back was excruciating. It was like too many ks to even count and it was all up hill, and steep. My feet were throbbing and my asthma was playing up. (as you can tell nature and I are one. or not you make the judgment). But in all honesty the view when we got up there was breathtaking. And so worth it. And the bonus... on the way back we took the short cut so much quicker.

Unfortunately I felt sick after that delightful 'stroll in the park' and had to sleep the exherstion off, with the help of a few pannadol.

Day three...

The next morning I cracked I had to go to the toilet, so I went to a secluded spot dug a little hole and reluctantly went. I can tell you now it was worth holding on and I'll never, ever do that again.

[Sorry to those of you who have already read this it seems as though only half my post has posted and I am now finishing it off. Grrr]

So after my intimate experience with nature I got my much needed coffee hit. See my Mum had this brilliant idea that I could take coffee beans on camp, this eliminated the need to boil water. This task in a normal setting not so hard, but when on camp and with no coffee in the system this could prove quiet difficult or even dangerous, so the coffee beans were a good idea and they worked. Thanks Mum.

Today was the most relaxing day of camp. All we had to do was pack up our tents and walk to the second campsite. (ok the morning was kind of relaxing).

So were down at the river (it wasn't much of a river really but it had some water) cleaning all our cooking stuff when one of the girls found a frog. I love frogs, they're my favourite animal so I was over there in a shot. we managed to catch the frog and place him in a container along with rocks and a few tadpoles. I named him Franky Junior, Franky J for short.

The hike to the other campsite was long and hot which was a contrast to the first day but I can't say it was any better. I was the 5th to last person to the second campsite (clearly no enthusiasm was left). But it was good I shared a tent with some friends so I didn't have to pitch my own tent this was a nice change. I think knowing it was the last night made it so much easier.
And this campsite had ...... flushing toilets.

P.S. Franky J was safe and sound so there's no need to call the RSPCA

Day four....

We were up feed, coffeed and packed ready to leave but the bus wouldn't start. The bus driver had come the night before and slept in the bus, but he left something on and the battery went dead. We couldn't jump start the bus, (not the worlds easiest things to do) so we called the RAA. They rock up 45mins later and finally we can go home.

On the way home we stopped in a little town for lunch and I must admit I went a little crazy. It must have been the lack of junk food on camp. So we went to the bakery where I had a sprinkle donut (so good) and a juice, then across the road at the fish and chip shop I had a hamburger with the lot - minus egg, some of my friends chips and gravy and a chocolate milk. and after that I had a stomach ache.

Finally at home, well almost, at the school which is almost home. Anyway Dad picks me up and when I excitedly told him about my new pet Franky J he did his usual tut and roll. That's where he tuts and then rolls his eyes, you know hes not mad but hes just thinking here we go again.

So actually at home...

I get home and tell Mum about the frog and shes more excited about it then Dad was. So we go out and buy a tank and some crickets for Franky J to eat. We set it all up and he seems to like his new home. Then.....
I had to pone my Grandma and tell her I got a frog. See Grandmas frog-a-phobic and I new she wouldn't like it, but she took it surprisingly well and she said as long as he stays in his cage in my room that she was ok with it.

And then I slept and voled never to go on Flinders camp again.

Things I learned on camp:

• bring enough pairs of sock you'll need them
• pack ALL of your clothes in heavy duty garbage bags to avoid getting wet clothes and everything else
• pannadol and coffee are musts
• sleeping on the floor is NOT comfortable
• everyone ends up smelling so it doesn't matter if you smell as well
• flushing toilets should never be taken for granted
• the shoes you plan on wearing the entire camp should fit you properly
• it's illegal to take things out of a national park. whoops
• the idea of lugging everything you may need around in a giant back pack is absurd