Beware the thought Police

I enjoy both of those too and have no problem with it UNLESS it impacts on me or others. No problems with someone drinking themselves silly but I don't want to be woken at 3am cause some idiot cant handle his drink without turning into a #@$#.

Now the firewood, Also like chopping up DEAD wood for a good fire but I'm hearing what they're saying. Takes a while for all that wood to fall down and die and if we all chopped it up and burnt it where are the furry little critters going to live.

Yes I read that post as well but didn't give a hoot. People still have the right to express their opinion about some things just as I have the right to ignore it.
I'll be in the bush this Sunday night with a roaring fire to keep me warm, warmth, shelter and food are basic necessities and anyone who tells me otherwise will be ignored.

sorry youl have to speak up - cant hear you over the roar of the fire!!! plus Im to drunk for you too make any sense anyway!!!

lets see who is going to go camping in the middle of winter and sit around the little fan heater running of the inverter.....definitely not me

Well............... Each to their own isn't it?? I read the previous post, and I read this one (errr.... obviously!) and basically both writers are entitled to their opinion. But you'll notice that I am contributing to THIS post... :-))

That's because I have been known to "have-a-tipple" around a blazing fire before!

In my situation, we go with clubs etc, and it's a social thing. Some people spend Saturday night at the pub/club/restaurant/concert/opera whatever... not us.... give me a camp fire, camp oven roast and a few coldies anytime!

Give me beer,red wine,white wine,bundy rum........oh who cares just give be alcohol....and a big mother of a fire. I'm in heaven. And i may even do a damper or have toasted sangas.

the bigger the fire the toastier one gets...as for the alcohol i dont drink

I'm not sure I should contribute to this, in fear I may incriminate myself...hahhaah.. ;)

Lyn

There's a big difference between having a fire for warmth as compared to having an over the top bonfire!

As you guys are well aware, signman was not against sensible use of a fire nor alcohol, he was condemning the yobo's.

Which leaves me (and no doubt others) wondering why have you guys have got so defensive and upset!

G'day Jimbo,

Now I'm not a real drinker still don't mind the odd wine or 2 BUT I also like my fires and think this is a major ingredient to having a fabulous camp. So I'm with you on that one and the overall sentiment of your message.

For various reasons I also like to run my genie (its a Honda and not too loud) and would normally turn it off at some reasonable hour. I've not had any problems with fellow campers on this issue but there have been a lot of people on this forum equally offended by the use of genies. IMO it is impossible to for anyone to have a blanket view on say fires or genies when clearly at times these things may be innapropriate and we can all agree that, for example, when there is a fire ban we wouldn't light a fire etc.

I am also tired of people telling me what is right and wrong, I like to think that I can differentiate much like you guys and don't need the assistance of the thought police. However, it is good to read what some people are thinking so as to help me become a better camper.

Great post and maybe one day we can sit around the camp fire and have a wine or 2.

Kind regards

Good Morning Jim
Obviously you may not have taken the time to read my previous post as is was meant. I have no objection to camp fires- and I definately will have camp fires when I'm on the Ann Beadell & Connie Sue Roads next month, (and having a cleansing ale also). I am offended at your suggestion as to me trying to change peoples rights and preferences- however if you wish to take the time to read the post, the comment was that in this instance the fire (read inferno) was a bit over the top. You are fortunate that the places you venture has adequate firewood available, but that is not the case in a lot of areas.
I am very surprised at the number of 'views' my previous post had, and more surprised at the number of people like yourself who took exception to it, and I can only assume either a) they did not read the context or b) they are boofheads- with no predjudice to you.
Have a great day
Signman

As per usual Jimbo you got the wrong end of the stick

Hi Jimbo,

I believe the post you are referring too is probably one I have started or been involved in. Like you, I thoroughly enjoy a fire and drink(s) - particurlarly with good friends. They seem to go hand in hand. My complaint is mainly about other campers we have come accross who don't seem to show consideration for the fact there are other campers near by - I also know that campers that wreak havock on a site (and thus the experiences of other campers) are few and far between in the big scheme of things.

So like you, I will be enjoying a fire and drinks on our next trip, however as per usual I will feel wary about other campers arriving and can really only relax after I know that they're not about to tear the bush down and keep us awake until all hours with car stereo blaring (they may as well have stayed home and annoyed their neighbours).

I was not trying to make any rules, simply express my opinion and frustration.

To be fair; the originator of the other thread mentioned a fire you couldn't get "within 30 feet of" which does seem ridiculously large to me.

I considered this fire thing a while ago and wondered if I was damaging the bush so I did some (very) rough calculations and reckon that the sum total of the wood I will burn on camp fires, throughout my lifetime, is around 4 or 5 average size gum trees. I did this calculation when I was camping in the High Country and then I looked at the number of trees around me and decided the bush would barely notice my passing. However, for me, a large fire would be about 1m diameter but I usually keep them burning (more ticking over really) for much of the day for hot water.

As for booze: I drink more than is good for me but (almost) never get drunk (last New Year's Eve being a notable exception :( but as I would never dream of camping near anyone else it's not an issue. I fail to understand why people go bush and then use camp sites near others!? I go bush to _get away_ from others.

Live and let live, I reckon - you leave me alone and I'll leave you alone.

Mike Harding

Jimbo,

The unfortunate truth is there are plenty (usually travel in groups) that do create havock and have no regard for nearby campers. These types are generally looking for that type camping experience and probably wouldn't bother going bush if the bon-fire and inebriation were not part of it. Why not it's great fun. If you want to go ballistic by all means go for it, but not near other campers and please clean up before you go.

Where do you find somewhere that others aren't. Look hard - If I'm gunna have a wild camp I make the effort and find one, spread out and make it obvious to any one who thinks they can share my spot that they might not like the noise. If I can't find an empty site than I'm out of luck. (I'm not talking Nat Park or medium density camping grounds here by the way)

Others have said that common sense is required. Nice in theory!!!
It's also common sense not to smoke, take drugs, spend more than you can afford on pokies or to covet thy neighbours wife. Doesn't stop people doing the "wrong" thing.

Some of my thoughts on the subject.

Another thought - Recently went to the beautiful Sandon River Nth NSW. Had a look at the camp grounds and the park at Brooms Head. The patrons were crammed in like sardines. I being not from the city thought it quite odd that folks would camp like that. It was like a shanty town. My idea of camping is to go where others aren't and I can make as much noise or be as quite as I want.

spade newsom

Unfortunately it seems too many have been enjoying a" decent fire" & in some places it's led to the banning of fires altogether. Next place undoubtably will be the Murray River where too many campers have stripped all available dead wood (fallen or standing) & are now even cutting down green trees. The up coming "River Red Gum Forrest Investigation" will no doubt have banning fires on the top of the adjenda as they already have been on the NSW side.
In the High Country (especially after the Great Alpine fire) there is an abundence of dead wood & a large camp fire on a cold night would not be out of place, but head out to the desert or down the Murray & big fire could be seen as irrisponsible.
A good example can be seen at Pedirka where campers would grab an old Gahn sleeper & a few branches for their fires at Dalhousie Springs. In 1984 you could get a sleeper at the Railway siding, now you have to drive a KM up the track & most of the the dead trees are stripped. I'm not sure of the answer Jim, do you keep letting people strip all the wood until it is all gone or should we have smaller fires or cook on gas???
Cheers Craig............
Guilty big fire builder;-)

Hi all. After all that i Know one thing OPINIONS VARY. me give me a nice size fire and that BEAR that hangs around camps any day cheer's GREENDOG

Like this Jimbo???????!MPG:8!

Bloody Hell!!!
What a strange debate. For my 2 bits worth - There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite filled with rubbish, noisy yobbos and devoid of any wood. Please everyone out there. By all means, have your fire and enjoy each others company. Just think of others to follow or are nearby.
How bloody simple is that?
Too simple for some and not simple enough for others.

I think I'll just do what I think is reasonable and hope others will do the same. I've been doing it for years now.
Dougie

Doug, I know this is getting complicated for those of limited grey matter, but if you follow the debate you'll see I was agreeing with you. Dipstick.