Euremalla Scout Camp site, 330 hectare of natural bush, was
established since 1946 for the Scouts Australia. It is a beautiful site by the
sea with cliffs separating the camp site from the white Anglesea beach.
We arrived in the afternoon and set up camp at the Ferny
Bush Camp. It is a shady site amongst medium sized trees. Nearby are drop
toilet block and shower block with kitchen wash up facility.
Other campers were already there since Friday evening.
After
we set up, we drove to the beach to join the others. It was a very cold, windy
and sunny day. At low tide, we ran freely on the vast white sandy beach. From
here we saw the cliffs creating a motherly embrace to our camp site. There is a
walking trail from the camp site to the beach. The others who arrived to the
beach earlier reported that it took them about an hour to walk here.
The playground is designed with a sea theme of climbing nets
shaped like whale bones coupled with sea animals emerging from carved hardwood.
As the shower and toilet facilities were being built, there were portable
toilets standing in their place.
The waft of bbq surrounded our campsite. We gathered close
to the camp fire. The children had opportunities to chop/saw wood, climb trees
and run amok. After the bbq, they had a treat of toasted marshmallows. Kim and
I were grateful that the camp leaders were creating opportunities for the
children to free-range. The children are encouraged to try, if the worst thing
that could happen is a minor injury.
The sausages on offer were beef. I cooked lentils, split peas and cous cous for myself. These were served with tuna. As I was cooking, a mother grey kangaroo with a joey came and grazed by our tents. I watched them for a while before the children’s overwhelming enthusiasm shot them out of sight.
The air gradually became colder as the sun set. Like little
chicks, we huddled closer to warmth of the fire. The children were completely
content feeding the hungry fire.
The children slept well that evening. Our addition of tent
clips and glow-in-the-dark rope were not tested fully as the night was lit by
the full moon and the toilet block light was not too far away
.
I woke up much earlier than the others in the morning and
took a walk around the site. The absence of noise pollution enhanced the symphony
of sea and birds.
My appetite for the small details that were often missed when
driving was replenished. The Spring wild flowers were in bloom. I was very
lucky indeed to be able to appreciate them up close such as tall sundews, bent
gardenias, slender rice-flowers etc.
Kim cooked a delicious fry up. We had to be efficient as
much as possible as the children had their first surfing lesson later that
morning.
Two wonderful women from Go Ride a Wave taught our children
to surf. Wetsuits surfboards and instructions were provided. The children paired
up and carried two surfboards each. At the end, we had to assist our children
as they were a little too short to clear the stair upon decent.
After being briefed on how surf and how to keep safe, there
were all smiles. The children went out on this cold day. Their first surf was
exhilarating for them. They glided through the water and tried their best to
conquer the waves. Thomas managed to get onto his knees and took it like duck
to water. Ella Mae was happy until she swallowed a large mouthful of water.
We had well-deserved fish and chips lunch which we ate at
base camp with the rest of the mob. After, the children went exploring in the
bush in groups with their walkie-talkies while the adults finished packing.
We left the campsite and drove alongside the sea towards Moggs Creek
and enjoyed the never-ending canvas of blue sky against the blue sea with random
interruptions of white waves.
We went to the Chocolaterie on our way home and ate generous
size of the ice creams. I think Ella Mae was especially pleased as her serve of
ice-cream was as big as her face!
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