Grey Rookies

Our experienced, outback-camping grandsons, Matthew and Amos, refer to their nemesis – the grey no-mans. They are the travellers who have always left their campsite before they get up – and when they arrive at their destination the next night the blessed grey no-mans have the best position and are already enjoying afternoon drinks and nibblies. We would not presume to number amongst their ranks. We are old and grey enough. However, compared to real grey no-mans we might better be described as grey rookies.

Having turned south our original plan was to motor from Coral Bay to Geraldton. Real grey no-mans, who are retired, might take two weeks to do that distance, but as work beckons in a few days we are short of time. After some consideration we decide to break the 700kms into two sections, so we search for somewhere to stay overnight. No towns. A couple of roadhouses – no thanks. And then we discover Gladstone Bay, a campground on a large rural station only 6 kms off the highway.

This is freedom. No militant caravan park aficionado telling you what numbered site to occupy – this is find your own available and almost level spot (which was actually challenging) and set up. No power, no water, no utilities block, but still a crowd of fifty or so vans including one family travelling with a pet goose!?!

Somehow the rookies survive and thrive. Our trusty A-van, Morrie, switches to the gas fridge and gas hot water. All our lights are 12 volt and run off the battery. Morrie stores 120 litres of water and the pump works off 12 volt as well. A $75 shower tent is erected with the precision of a failed apprentice – actually it went up fine - it was just that Richard somehow found himself on the inside of the erected tent rather than being on the outside. And don’t ask about getting it down, that was really challenging. Morrie’s external hot shower (well more like a warm hose) cleaned us up and we settled down to bacon and eggs, baked beans and fried bread for dinner, with two fruits and cream for dessert.

Off grid, almost off the beaten track and the most amazingly beautiful starry night light show.

Not official grey no-mans yet, but maybe a promotion from rookie to novice.