20180401 VIC Big Hill, East Otway, National Park

20180401 We found out about a camp spot in East Otway, National Park called Big Hill, and is an open grassy area surrounded by tall trees and has communal fireplaces, bonus you all know how much I love my fires so we head towards Lorne in search of the park.

Stopping at a little town to check out the market and tried on some spunky hats which took a lot of will power to walk away, but shopping with Des makes it easier.  We turned off into the National Park only to run into a group of young lads, I’m not staying here Des they like terrorist, but we drove into the camp area and spotted a great level camp close to the communal fire so stay we did.

Our first night was full of activity with a multicultural surrounding’s, first with fellow camper, Shawn and his girls and some backpackers, as the night progressed so did Shawn who slowly got louder with his girls given him a hard time, typical Aussie, time to stroll the camps.

The lads on the hill are living in Melbourne and are students from India. As we approached they all stood to great us with a big grin on there face, would you like a seats or a beer, we were welcomed with open arms. The only name I remember was Naveen next to Des only because he emailed me some photos, they cooked sausages all night and there’s always extra if you’re hungry.

As the night rolled on I introduced some of Grandma’s special herbs, check out their cheeky smiles, happy' happy' happy, as we sat around the fire chatting and giggling the night away while I tried not to fall in the fire with the help of the boys, well, we were on a sloping hill.

Spot the Aussie parting with his new mates 😅

Who said the India's were dull these boys certainly know how to party, Des and I still talk about the fabulous time we had with these boys, we miss there cheeky grins and bubbly personality's.

It’s going to be a very cosy sleep as all the boys cram into a four man tent, who forgot the tents??
How sweet, Naveen"s email to me: Thanks for shown us some love and sharing your valuable knowledge.

I asked Des, what knowledge did we share, I'm buggered if I know.😕

We head to another camp site full of activity and once again we were greeted with open arms, come in, take a seat, would you like a beer, the next think we were up learning there dance.
















This time we mixed with the Kurdish and Iranians and there’s no way we can remember their names but they were just lovely people, we learnt their dance but not the La,La,La sound they make when apparently having fun.

2-04-2018 We slept really well and woke to a chilly but nice morning with back packers dominating the grounds and the hill above coming in every afternoon from all over the world for the big surf contest at Bells Beach.

Mick Fanning the three time world champ finished runner-up lives’ up to his legend status for his last championship tour event.

But I remember him for the shark attack he escaped in South Africa.

The camp ground slowly clears ready for the next swam of campers but not before the Kurdish and Iranians compete with each other in a game of mixed soccer, come join us, no thanks one injury is enough for me.  Before leaving they asked for a group photo which we were happy to oblige.

 There were many delightful backpackers when this fellow decided to join us climbing down the tree and walking through our camp.

As the afternoon rolls on the backpackers start to turn up many joining us around our communal fire only this time we partied with backpackers from Brazil, the UK and Germany sharing our Aussie humor along with Grandma's herbs. 

Once again grandma brings out her special herbs this time cheering up Matt and his wife from Brazil. 

Another one of nature’s beauties show off his lovely colours to our curious backpackers as he happily accepts some seeds. 

The girls from Germany in there groovy Scooby Doo Van joined us around the fire 

 we had in fits of laughter telling them the do's and don’ts of travelling.

Lets not forget the couple from the UK, Ryan and his partner and Matt stepping in, funny how I remember the guys names but not the girls.

Now don't forget my instruction on storing herds and cook your vegies before crossing the borders.