The 2011 MySwag National Meet held at Wilmington in the Flinders Ranges, SA was 18 months in the planning and started with a simple post of someone suggesting the idea.
18 months later and the October long weekend was among us and all up there were 30 camper trailers and about 70 people in attendance over the weekend. We had MySwag members from Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas, and SA. Upon arrival people were given a Participants Information Booklet which had details of all the events, attractions, 4wd trips, and maps that people were able to do over the weekend so there were plenty of options depending on whether you wanted to sit around camp and relax or get out there and fit in as much as you could. For those that had ordered them the polo tops were also given out too.
The first people started arriving at the Beautiful Valley CP in the early week and by Thursday afternoon the numbers were certainly building up. Unfortunately so was the wind and the clouds as the weather was not looking all that favourable. After a evening spent alternating between the campfire and under Gronk's awning so we could avoid the rain, we were all hoping for a weather improvement.
Unfortuately it didn't happen with Friday morning being atrocious with strong winds, and heavy showers. During the course of the day the majority of the MySwaggers had arrived, some setting up over the creek in the bush camping area, and the powered people contending with the almost rock solid surface and many bent tent pegs! That evening a Welcoming BBQ was held with lots of chops, suasages, and meat skewers courtesy of the local butcher at Jamestown. Fresh salads were also provided along with fruit salad for dessert. There were many chefs that were cooking on the two provided bbq's plus Brett brought out his Baby Weber Q to help cope with the large volume of meat to be cooked. The weather was intermittent, but regardless the bbq gave everyone the opportunity to officially meet and greet eachother and was a great success overall.
Saturday morning saw the majority of the group drive on down to Melrose and head to the Bartagunyah Winery for their 4wd track followed by wine tasting morning. Although not overly challenging, the 4wd track provided some stunning scenery as we meandered around the property, and afterward we were treated to the taste of some fine whites, reds, and a popular tawny port. Once the tasting had finished it was then up to people to decide what they wanted to do next.
Some headed to the Melrose Country Show, others visiting Alligator Gorge, taking in the sights around Wilmington, or doing the Horrock's Pass drive. Some even wathced the AFL Grand Final back at the CP. A few headed over to Brian's property and loaded up his twin axle trailer full of firewood to keep the fire roaring for the evening. That evening saw the first of the camp cooking competitions being the open category where anything could be cooked. After some mighty fine tastings, and long deliberations, it was Parry that took it out with his apple and pear dessert.
Sunday morning saw a big improvement in the weather and the majority of the group departed at around 10am and headed out of the caravan park, turned left at the main road and followed Brian for today's drive which was to over the Bridle Track and finishing at Hancock's lookout. Again the scenery along the track was stunning and the views over the gulf were magnificent. We headed down the other side and over the UHF heard that a few of the group had turned right at the main road out of the CP and had got themselves geographically disorientated. The main group stopped and waited for them to catch up so we were once again all together. We continued on before stopping at Hancook's Lookout to again admire the gulf views. Once there it was again up to people to choose what they wanted to do, getting ideas from the provided Participants Information Booklet.
Sunday evening saw the second edition of the Camp Cookoff - this time the category being damper. It was a hotly contested segment with the judges taking ages to make the decision (which was split), but on this occasion it was Ketsi and Julie taking out the top honours. A big thankyou goes out to Mandrake's Solar for providing the winners on both evenings with large LED lights as well as every participant receiving a Mandrakes stubby cooler and a keyring solar LED light.
Monday saw many pack up and head off either making their way home or continuing their adventures elsewhere. However there four of us that headed over to the Bendleby Ranges to do the 4wd track over there. The weather was perfect offering awesome views from the lookouts and high points along the ridges and the driving was entertaning and engaging. After the lunch stop we headed up Billy Goats Track which was quite rocky with some slight rock ledges to contend with which made it all the more fun. Once back at the homestead we headed over to their training track which saw some interesting aerial maneouvres from Brett in his 76series ute. We stopped in Orroroo for lunch before making our way back to Wilmington to see that the CP had been basically deserted apart from a reminaing few. The evening was spent around the campfire spinning yarns and the kids cooking marshmallows.
Overall the inaugural 2011 MySwag National Meet was a tremendous success with so many swaggers in attendence and we all look forward to the next one.
