Strap yourselves in for I’m about to tell a tail of one of my favorite camping Adventures. This story includes myself and my good mates Dave, Josh, Naz, Nick, Liam, Lewis, Max and Sean. The year was 2013 it was uni holidays, and we were keen for our first boys’ trip of the year. We’d decided on Double Island, living in Brisbane it’s a great holiday oasis that’s still quite close for a short trip.

On our previous trip Nick father was kind enough to let us borrow his Adventure Kings MT1 camper trailer. This thing is an absolute beauty, it comes with a fully dedicated pantry compartment and with a camping crew of eight young men, food storage is a high priority. The kitchen area also boasts a pull out table featuring a 12 volt fridge and freezer plus a kitchen sink and due to the imbedded water tank has a functional tap.  Now again with a camping crew of eight young men I’m not sure how much use the kitchen camper trailer’s sink got used, I think it was more of a we’ll clean it when we get home type situation. I can confirm however the 12 volt fridge and freezer got a solid work out keeping our drinks super crispy and storing our abundances of food particularly meat.

The trip started bright and early at 7 am or at least for us uni students it was bright and early. Josh our designated Dad of the group was once again the organizing committee. We’d planned on bringing two cars, Josh’s was one and due to the fact, we were taking his Dad’s camper trailer Nick was the second vehicle. Josh had picked up his half of the group and we were impartially waiting at a designated meeting point at 7am sharp. After 15mintutes went by Josh had already called Nick three times with no answer. He called the other boys and they claimed they hadn’t been picked up yet. A look of dred ran across Josh’s face as he thought to himself not again. On our last trip with the camper trailer Nicks car battery was faulty and kept dying on us. Low and behold a phone call from Nick comes through and you guessed it, his car battery was dead. So, he was stuck at home with the camper trailer. As we headed to Nicks place to jump start his car Josh was furious because Nick had months to replace his battery. After jump starting Nicks car, we hitched on the camper trailer, and we were good to go.

After a few hours of driving, we’d reached the ferry to double island, unfortunately it’d started to pour with rain. I jumped on the UHF radio and instructed Nick due to his dodgy battery to leave his car on and to make sure he doesn’t stall on the ferry. As jump starting his car with a camper trailer in the pouring rain on a ferry was possible the complete combo of the worst case scenario. We get about half way across the water, when a quivering message comes over our UHF “guys….. I think I stalled it”. Josh’s face went as red as a tomatoes, he was furious but the rest of us couldn’t stop laughing. Jumper starting Nicks car was going to be a nightmare as his car and the camper trailer   was parked behind Josh, so Josh would have to drive off the ferry and nose back in for the Jumper leads to reach. If we had a portable lithium jump starter our life would have been so much easier. As Nicks car was a manual, I had the thought that instead we try, and push start it. Luckily, we had the man power so myself, Dave, Naz, Liam, Lewis, Max and Sean all jump out in the pouring rain and positioned ourself at the back of the camper trailer. As we heaved and push in beautiful synchronization we resembled a bob sled team. So naturally to boost our spirts as we pushed the camper trailer I started singing “we are the Jamaican bobsled team” a song from one of our favorite movies Cool Runnings.  Of course, the rest of the boys joined in singing at the top their lungs, the ferry captain sitting in his tower was almost falling over with laughter as he shouted words of engouement over the PA system. As we got enough momentum Nick dropped the clutch and boom she was good to go. His car and camper trailer were ready to roll well hopefully not roll I should say drive. Jumping back in the car soaking wet Josh or should I say “Dad” had final calmed down and was also having a good laugh about the situation.

As we cruised along the beach with the camper trailer behind although less than ideal weather it was still beautiful. There wasn’t a sole in sight, the best thing about camping on uni holidays is most people are back at work and school so it felt like we had the Island to ourselves. We had the pick of the bunch, as we cruised passed a vast array of empty campsite. As Josh wasn’t towing the camper trailer he was driving up the beach on the soft sand. This was so as we cruised past, we could inspect which campsite we’ll be best to call our home for the next few days. Finally, as we reached nearly the last spot we had found the one. As Nick and the camper trailer waited down the beach Josh pulled in for a look. It was perfect, large enough to fit all eight of us but most importantly had a small sand dune in front allowing for a stunning view. One slight issue was the sand was mighty soft, so we all stood nervously as Nick towing the camper trailer started to come up the beach.

To find out what happens next, tune in tomorrow for part two. Trust me you won’t be disappointed and I’m sure its not what you’re expecting.