CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

When we camp up, especially at a site we are unfamiliar with, night time sounds are sometimes carried and seem louder and closer than they actually are.

This is experienced for example at Kekerungu on the east coast, north of Kaikōura as it is close to the sea and to train tracks as well.

If this is not a regular situation for you then the sea can sound extremely rough and the reaction is to pop out to check awnings, guy ropes, chairs and so forth in case they may be blown away in the wind, when in fact it’s just normal. The train may sound as if it’s going to come right through your van at night, but if it happens during the daytime its just fine.

Being near or under pine trees gives a sound and a feeling of a lot of wind as well.

Two instances of things that go bump that we experienced, was a strong wind that just sprang up and went a bit like a whirlwind and lifted a simple awning in a slide rail with typical awning poles and guy ropes. The whole awning just lifted up, pulling the poles and ropes and leaving it a little worse for wear and a small project to reinstate.

A more comical situation was hearing a grating noise outside, several times briefly, but on checking finding nothing. Then the 3rd or 4th time, with a careful watch in place, a moving bump under the ground floor sheet was noted, coming from under the van heading to the outside and finally a hedgehog emerged satisfying our natural curiosity as to what it was.

Another camper recently told of a rat that was sitting on the towbar staring at them thru the front window, and of course wekas will pop into awnings, as will a feral cat or a stray dog.

What has been your night-time camping experience? Do you have a story to share ? 

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Doctored image; original photo by Tony Knights, Weka Pass Railway, 2018.