The Camping Princess

March 12, 2013 by Zena 48 Comments

I am very excited.

I am going camping. Really. This is a first for me. Sammy over at One Spoiled Cat (don’t you just love that title?) is doing all the hard work and arranging things. I’m looking forward to hanging out with my pals on the blogosphere and doing cool stuff.

I know I’ll have fun when I get there but right now all I can think about is the packing.

Number One Son likes to camp so I thought he might be able to give me some tips but he likes to travel light. A sleeping bag, a tent and a backpack. That is all. A backpack!

Not happy!

Can you see my problem? That backpack is fine for my toothbrush (yes, I have one), and one of my coat brushes, my bowl and perhaps my lead but I couldn’t get anything else in it. So I am a bit worried.

Fortunately I have Auntie Shelfie from France staying with me at the moment.

PS: Boodle and Dunthorne, I am looking after her well, giving her lots of attention and taking her for a walk to the dog park every day. She did slip up once using your nickname of Dunny but we explained to her what that meant in Australia (an outdoor loo) which she had forgotten. Now she uses Dunthorne. You can thank me by sending me some French treats c/o The Help.

As Auntie Shelfie has done lots of travelling and likes pink I respect her opinions.

After all, she travelled light coming to OZ for two weeks as you can see below.

Shelfie travels light

Auntie has been all over the world and knows the art of packing everything so I have taken advice from her on how much luggage we should take for this camping trip. I think the motto is be prepared for anything and everything.

Then Clowie from Clowie’s Corner gave me a wonderful idea (she is a very clever Pyrenean Mountain who I listen to a lot). She suggested that Raffles is big enough to carry the luggage so I don’t have to.

Brilliant! That means the Pup gets to go but only because he’s useful and I get to pack everything I need for the time away. We are dividing our trip between the woods and the beach so that means packing for both. With Raffles pulling the luggage I don’t need to worry about weight.

Sammy mentioned that he’s packing his binoculars for bird watching (?watching….. really Sammy?).

I have to plan some leisure items to pack. Raffles is easy, throw in some squeaky toys and he’s happy. I am more discerning. I usually lay back and enjoy television at night so I think I’m going to have to take a mini iPad along. Anyone have one to give away? The Help hasn’t got one of those yet.

Getting in the holiday mood

So after taking lessons from Auntie Shelfie I have decided that I need lots of stuff with me ‘just in case’. My second best collar in case my best collar breaks. My third bag of treats in case I finish my first two and my second best bowl in case someone forgets their bowl. You get the idea? Even an extra bag in case I bring stuff home with me. I wouldn’t have thought of that one without Shelfie.

Auntie Shelfie has been enjoying the hot weather we have here in Melbourne and has been to the beach a few times so she advised me on what I needed to get a good tan.

Auntie Shelfie on the beach

As well as the things I have I will need to buy some new stuff. I need a hat for the beach, a hat for the woods. A parasol for the sun, an umbrella for the rain. I may even need a new outfit or two although Auntie Shelfie tells me it’s more fun to buy those when you get to your destination.

I know beaches but when it comes to the woods I am a little unsure what to expect.

What should I pack? I have thought of insect repellent. I am hoping there are no snakes or bears because as you know I do not like snakes or bears and I don’t think you can buy snake or bear repellent (there’s a niche in the market there for somebody).

I think I might have to get night vision goggles for the wood part of the camping trip.

As the pup has agreed to pull me we decided we should put in some practice. So if you happen to live just outside Melbourne and see us rushing by don’t worry – it isn’t Father Christmas.

I’m not sure I’ve got everything yet. I’ll check with Aunt Shelfie when she returns from the village where she is off – you guessed it – shopping.

They are putting out the red carpet and plying her with champagne as we speak. There has not been such an upturn in the economy for years. She has made a lot of boutiques very, very happy this week 🙂

I have a new hero 😀

Have fun everyone and hope to see at Sammy’s for the camping.

Love, Zena the adventurous Princess