Glamping weekend at Mt Franklin - interested?

[sim1oz]

Following on from a memorable snowcamping experience at Moondog Village last winter, I thought it might be fun to meet some more forum members. MD and I have discussed a relaxed glamping weekend at Mt Franklin http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/hepburn-r.p/things-to-do/mt-franklin-reserve. There are a range of day-walks in the area of varying difficulty which people could do together or go off and do their own thing. The camp area is large enough that those who prefer some solitude can sleep away from everyone else.

[Moondog55]

Well I'm interested for a start LOL
I also suggest we take this opportunity to display all of our old PaddyMade japara tents

[Cecile]

Following on from a memorable snowcamping experience at Moondog Village last winter, I thought it might be fun to meet some more forum members. MD and I have discussed a relaxed glamping weekend at Mt Franklin http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/hepburn-r.p/things-to-do/mt-franklin-reserve. There are a range of day-walks in the area of varying difficulty which people could do together or go off and do their own thing. The camp area is large enough that those who prefer some solitude can sleep away from everyone else.

Okay, should I be concerned about you and Moondog having private conversations?

I know that this is just an excuse to get me into a tent!

[Moondog55]

I've talked to Tez the manager of the Melbourne PaddyPallin store/ If we hold a PaddyMade tent display he is happy to provide a gift card for the tent voted "Best or worst/oldest/grungiest/most repaired etc" One gift card only and an unknown value at this stage
Copy of his email in italics

Hi Ted
Thanks for your email and it was nice talking to you yesterday. It’s great to hear that some of you still own PaddyMade Japara tents..
We would certainly like to donate a gift card for a prize judged to be the best.
Please let me know once your dates decided.
Kind regards,
Tej Gurung
Store Manager
Paddy Pallin
360 Little Bourke St
Melbourne VIC 3000
T 03 9670 4845
F 03 9670 4622
www.paddypallin.com.au

[sim1oz]

@Cecile - No need for concern, you will thank us for getting you into a tent! And I think you were there when we had the conversation??? But perhaps you were concentrating on other conversations around the table...

@Moondog - Go PaddyPallin! Next time I am in a outdoor gear store I'll see if they want to do some marketing as well

BTW, this could be a good opportunity for people to check out gear that they are interested in... We can bring some of our not normally carried in the big stores, eg. TarpTents, Roger Caffin stove, etc. MD, you should bring some of your MYOG. I am keen to see some cuben and pyramid tents

[Moondog55]

Yeah I'd love to see Franco and that new LW TarpTent

[Franco]

Hi
I am waiting for a couple of the new models to get here . (Pro Trail and Double Moment)
If they do and all other things permitting I will be interested in being there for the w/e
No sales BTW, I would have just samples .
Thanks for the invite !

BTW, I know Tej very well, say hello.

[gayet]

Well, as I am about to depart Tas ( ) for Melbourne, this would be a great opportunity to meet some other members. Afraid I can't contribute to the Paddy Pallin exhibition though. Planning underway.

[stry]

Thanks for the effort Sim1.

I'm a tentative starter, but won't know for sure until closer to the dates.

[Moondog55]

Is the Sell and Swap table on the cards for anybody?
Franco; I think a few of us are interested in the new Pro Trail, I am at least
Maybe the Paddy Pallin prize could be widened to include old rucksacks??

[stry]

I'd be pretty keen to see that Pro Trail.

[gayet]

I am also keen for a look at the Pro Trail

[sim1oz]

Since there is no need to book campsites (or pay!) people can make their mind up at the last minute. The more the merrier (on this occasion, anyway).

Will be great to check out other people's gear and get their insights. Franco, always happy to see more TarpTent products Hope you can make it.

I'll bring a trestle table for the Sell and Swap.

[ErichFromm]

I might be able to do an over nighter - any objections to bringing a little one? I have my son Sat nights....

[Moondog55]

I'm hoping there will be lots of tadpoles there
We may have our whole extended family. How old is your tadpole Eric?

[ErichFromm]

He just turned 2.

I guess i can always camp a little further away to avoid disturbing anyone if he decides to do his crying thing...

So I guess the question becomes: do I bring the Nemo Losi, the TT Double rainbow, or maybe even the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock to compete with Franco?

I'm very keen to see the other Tarp tents....

[walkon]

Aawt or this swap meet. Tough call but sorry guys I will have to do this one later on,. If another one was in late spring, no snow, I'm there. Good idea md and simoz

[ErichFromm]

Not sure if anyone coming is a knife-person, but i was thinking I could bring some of my Barkies, Spydercos and Fallknivens if anyone was interested...

Got the full set of Japanese waterstones, Spyderco Sharpmaker, strops etc too.

[Moondog55]

Vewry much a knife man, cook and chef after all
Eric; bring the Warbonnet
If Evil-Step-Daughter comes she will have a 2YO as well, they can wear themselves out together
Might havta bring some of my collection then Eric
@ Walkon It's more a "Meet and Greet" I just thought a swap table would be a good idea
EDIT
AAWT you can do any time Walkon; this may well be a "once in a blue moon' event if not the only.

[sim1oz]

@Erich, we will be bringing our 9yo and 11yo girls. The 9yo is brilliant with babies and toddlers - especially since I said 'No' to having any more babies - so you can look forward to a 'camp-in' babysitter. I can't tell you the number of people I have met through her because she befriends and entertains their kids at the park, in the street, at school, everywhere - she's a real kid networker and baby whisperer. She even taught my parent's neighbours' granddaughter how to ride her bike. So don't stress about bringing him, you might even manage a rest-filled holiday

I'll bring our TarpTent Hogback so people can check it out. Very spacious even with four full size Exped mattresses. Love to see some more knives. We've got a Spyderco and some Leathermans. Love to check out a hammock as well.

@walkon, no reason we can't do another get together in spring. It's nice to meet people with a common interest in bushwalking. Might be a good way to find some new walking partners.

[Travis22]

Very keen to catchup. Not sure re: dates, if im free ill be there.

Travis.

[ErichFromm]

@Erich, we will be bringing our 9yo and 11yo girls. The 9yo is brilliant with babies and toddlers - especially since I said 'No' to having any more babies - so you can look forward to a 'camp-in' babysitter. I can't tell you the number of people I have met through her because she befriends and entertains their kids at the park, in the street, at school, everywhere - she's a real kid networker and baby whisperer. She even taught my parent's neighbours' granddaughter how to ride her bike. So don't stress about bringing him, you might even manage a rest-filled holiday

Sounds great to me. As long as someone brings him back sometime before I leave....

I'll bring a full array of bubble makers (which always seems to work) to add to the mix.

[walkon]

@walkon, no reason we can't do another get together in spring. It's nice to meet people with a common interest in bushwalking. Might be a good way to find some new walking partners.

I was sorry that I didn't get to meet you all at pv last year since I was all set to go up. I prefer your optimism to MD's about this happening again. From little things big things grow I reckon.

MD it wasn't so much the gear as the social side of meeting faces. Though the gear might attract my attention for more than a little while.

[Empty]

I can see mount franklin from my house (albeit from the roof) so, depending on the dates and pressure of work I may be a contender. If not overnight then at least to pop in and say g'day.

Good idea and thanks for the open invite.

[Moondog55]

As some of you know I'm a cook and chef
If there was enough interest and people were willing to kick in a gold coin donation to pay for the ingredients I'd be delighted to do a big pot of soup or even 2 or 3 soups for mutual enjoyment [ I really enjoy cooking in large quantities]
If any-one is interested in that just post here
My lamb shank and barley is excellent and I can do tomato in either vegetarian [ Vegan friendly] or traditional with bacon and ham hock or a decent rich Borscht. I'd need to know approximate numbers tho to buy the paper cups and enough soup ingredients.
I also suggest a communal BBQ

[ErichFromm]

If there was enough interest and people were willing to kick in a gold coin donation to pay for the ingredients I'd be delighted to do a big pot of soup or even 2 or 3 soups for mutual enjoyment [ I really enjoy cooking in large quantities]
If any-one is interested in that just post here
I also suggest a communal BBQ

Great idea - I'd be more than happy to chip in whatever you need. I'm still chasing a couple people to join me but can confirm numbers shortly.

I'm not a cook (I once, seriously, burned water by putting on a pot to boil and forgetting. Came back from the shops with the pot dry and glowing red), but like the idea of a communal BBQ. Just let me know what to bring. The local Butcher has some seriously nice Honey and Soy sausages if that is to anyone's taste. I can also do pretty good vegetable chips....

[sim1oz]

Soup and sausages sounds fun. Can we round out the menu with some damper? I haven't made that since primary school and I'm sure the kids will enjoy it.

I've got some insulated paper cups leftover from a party, so I'll bring those.

[Cecile]

My lamb shank and barley is excellent and I can do tomato in either vegetarian [ Vegan friendly] or traditional with bacon and ham hock or a decent rich Borscht.

I can vouch for these, especially the barley broth. He can also burn a mean sausage, make bread, bolognese sauce to feed an army. Very spoilt having my own chef at home!

[stry]

Ahh - Lamb Shank Soup !!! Forget the barby just add good bread !!!!

[icefest]

I can probably come to the first date, but will have to leave the second up to the very last moment - when I get my roster.

If I come I'll bring my cuben trailstar.