One of the consequences of getting in early and picking a nice secluded spot away from the noise and bustle in the world of free camping is no matter how hard you try not to, you must share. And no matter how small and secluded and away from the the moving city your spot is, if the moving city likes the look of your spot then the moving city is coming over to join you. It’s an exercise in sharing.

… So, just when I’d thought I’d read the same line in my rather complicated book enough times, I decided I must share. I’d already had the pleasure of hearing all about his caravan, the mark he didn’t see in the showroom, his sullage pipe the extra batteries and stabilised awning .. one of those loud stupid big obnoxious type fellas, the free world type – hey, what the fuck, it’s a free world so we share! I share his TV – one of the disadvantages of not being able to remove my hearing aid – and I share his shadow .. and his sullage, his grandchildren and his generator .. and, perhaps I get to share his wife too. Mmm.

Here now, I get to share a conversation with you out there. The conversation?

” … We’re here, about .. near Dubbo, ” – actually about a thousand ks from it! – ” and the water just bubbles out of the ground everywhere. Hot water, as much as you like … Yeah, as much-as-you-like .. bubbling out of the ground .. it’s the, its the .. what do ya call it? The Australian artesian thing. … Yeah, as much as you like, hot water, bubbling out of the ground forever! “.

I’d say he’s oh, 65/70, a West Aussie with the biggest footprint he can drag about the country. And he’s proud of it. Worked hard for it. Has a Union Jack – biggest he could buy – flapping away from his pole – biggest you can get – and proud of it. Me? I dont do union jacks, I’m a small footprint .. but I’m sharing.

In the morning, while I’m sharing his shade he comes over and puts his arm around me .. !!! .. and he says, ” Bee-utiful ain’t it.”.
Me? I say, ” Shame about the Union Jack.”. ” You,” he says, ” YOU should be DE-port-ed! “.

Thank god its a free country!