Day 505 | Melrose: over in the "bush camp" area

38 km | zzOz total: 16,387 km

Birdsville, Lawn Hill, Chillagoe, Portland Roads suddenly seem incredibly distant.

That run from Alice up Cape York and now down to 32º south was the heart of this bike tour in my mind so when I’m biking down dusty roads with wheat field either side the whole complexion of my travels has changed.

I’ve docked with civilisation here in Melrose, finally relenting on the paid accommodation front at the local caravan park, there’s mega cleaning to get involved with, won’t take long for the clothes to dry now it’s back up to 35ºC, air dry as a crisp, I find it has been six days since I left Wilpena.

They bung me across the dry creek bed in the “bush camping” area, I’m on my lonesome over here, tent pitched in that bushcamp dust, looking over to the green watered grass where the caravans are parked, older guys in shorts are wandering around with beers in stubby holders, bit early for that, socialising, talking how the kids can have the house, they are spending their money without guilt, or which body parts are next to be removed, quite matter of fact, I’m appreciating my removed location.

The major change since I was here three years ago is a huge camp kitchen having been built on my side of the divide, massive benches, two sinks, cooktops and fridges.

Even six unencumbered power outlets.

But there’s a catch to their use.

There is a sign over one which reads:

“These power points are for the use of kettles, toasters, microwaves and cooking equipment only, NOT FOR CHARGING phones, cameras, IPods, radios, etc. Blah, blah. [Laptops are mentioned.] … Please give the real cooks the opportunity to enjoy this facility.”

So it’s acceptable to plug in a MixMaster or juicer but not to check your emails.

Officially the choice is simple: if I want to charge my iPod I can pay a nutty $20 extra a night for a powered site.

I kinda feel unwelcome, and frankly it’s bullying.

Of course it just shows the divide between lightweight power users, ie, maybe technologically heavy, (I have four camera batteries for three cameras, computer, phone, and a few rechargeable AAs and AAAs for my headlight and radio), and those who think electricity in terms of powering continual air conditioning and running their large format plasma TV screen.

In the end this power struggle, this joint isn’t alone in discriminating signs, is another unsubtle reinforcement of the status quo, big 4WDs rule, and ungenerous accommodation of the usual touch-the-earth-lightly bike tourist.

At least I know the reality is that I won’t be disturbed whatever I do on this side of snake gully.