Many times camping was not the sole objective and in the case of our many trips to a place in south western Victoria called Boikerbert Swamp or Newlands Swamp as we called it, catching yabbies was the object.

I remember the first time we decided to camp there. We arrived late in the afternoon and set up the tents, lit the fire and got the kids organised. The guys clambered into the small boat and rowed out to set the yabby pots while we girls cooked up a meal while the kids helped by collecting branches and twigs to keep the fire going. 

The night was very clear and because we were away from town the night sky looked brilliant and we all marvelled at the vast amount of stars visible. The children were also intrigued with the sounds of the bush at night.

Everyone slept soundly only to be awakened by the sound of thousands of white cockatoo that seemed to be in every tree in the area. Thankfully the shouts from our side made them scarper with no harm done. It was a very different start to the day but by mid morning we had some yabbies in the pot.

We stayed for another night and really enjoyed “roughing it” and enjoying nature and had no further visits from our noisy characters. The kids learnt some good bush camping lessons and we vowed to return to this area again which we did.

N.B. I must add here that it was not bush fire season, our fires were set in an open area and never left unattended. Before our departure fires were doused with large amount of water and checks made to be sure they were fully extinguished. Everything that came in with us, left with us, rubbish included.

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