Glamping vs Real Camping

I would like to say that this is how we roll when we go out bush, but that would be a lie. This is what is known as Glamping (5 star camping). Reality is a slight variation on this theme.

I don't believe that may people would give much consideration to the question of how basic can one really go when one goes camping? Well, on a recent trip to the middle of the Goldfields in the middle of Winter we came up with a number of culinary solutions to reduce the need to pack superfluous culinary items.

When camping in the middle of nowhere in the middle of winter who wants to be bent over a small two burner gas cooker trying to cobble together a meal? Nobody does, and this is especially the case when there is a gorgeous log fire burning that can char your T-bone whilst charming your chilly bits.

To cook over an open fire one needs a hot plate of sorts, but who has room to pack a dirty great, fat smeared lump of steel to cook on? Try a shovel instead! It is even self-cleaning: After you dig you next hole it will sparkle like brand new.

What do you do if you want to evolve beyond the neolithic BBQ: Perhaps you want to make a stew. Well, in the goldfields of Western Australia you don't need to look terribly far to find some old culinary items laying to waste in the dirt. We found this enamel baking tray which was ideal for a tuna mornay. It too was self cleaning as the photos suggest.

So this school holidays don't dampen the mood by fighting with your wife/husband about what are the must haves vs. what will actually fit in the family wagon. Take a leaf out of my book and simplify your leisure time by reducing the unnecessary clutter associated with Glamping and go camping instead.