MSR
Porepunkah Camp – 2007 Boxing Day to New Year 2008
Etched in my mind is my Italian mother’s response to a secondary school camp notice I presented her with: “Whatsa thisa camping thing?” … I translate the notice… her response: “Why you wanna go sleep on da ground, eata no-good food and getta dirty?” Coming from a background where “roughing-out” was a peasant activity and the whole idea of immigrating to Australia was to provide their children with a good education, good food, material comforts, and social status, embellished with the compulsory pre-requisite for “la bella figura” (looking good)... my parents naturally said - “NO”.
Over time, the association of dirt and discomfort with camping became embedded in my mind such that I had a “Pavlov’s Dog” negative response whenever the word “camping” was raised. When the Porepunkah Camp was mentioned it was no different, except this time I had many therapists on hand (various MSR members) to undo my negative association, and so I said “yes” to the first-ever camping experience in my life… and it was brilliant! Sleeping so close to the earth, breathing the fresh night air, hearing the sounds of nature (didn’t know that cows “mooed” at night) – all felt wonderful and new, a sensorial awakening.
Eating al fresco added a nice tasty
sensation to the food, especially after a long day’s ride and a refreshing dip
in the river. The freshly caught trout (thanks Craig) and beautifully prepared
by
Cravings for a sweet fix were attended to with swiftness; many thanks to Jean for his generosity of an orange madeira cake and special thanks to Darryn, a man of understanding, who responded promptly to a late-night desperate phone call for chocolate by despatching a tim-tam via a couple of ever-reliable couriers - Julie and Lynn – a great team effort – much appreciated.
And dirt? No problem…just wash it off, whenever…quite a relaxed state to be in not worrying about having to ‘look good’, main thing is that you ‘feel good’.
The rides to Mt Buffalo, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham were wonderfully challenging and like no other terrain I had ridden before. Each mountain had its own unique structural formation and complexity which dictated the rhythm of the ride. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking in its ancient and treacherous beauty… I kept having to remind myself of the fatalistic consequences when you are irresistibly drawn in by nature’s beauty and you lose your concentration.
The great advantage of pillioning for me is the fact that you can let yourself be drawn into the landscape while still being able to experience the exhilaration that bike riding provides. I shall never forget returning from Mt Buffalo in the dark, riding as pillion and feeling that I was completely alone on the earth, shrouded by mountain shadows, and my mind and body mesmerised with the sensation of being at one with a powerful force drawing me into a never-ending undulating descent while following the speed of light - it was truly a mind-altering experience.
I can still feel the wonderfully relaxing atmosphere and sense of fun which I enjoyed with all my fellow MSR riders, both on the campsite as well as on the rides. I particularly relish all the philosophical discussions on the “meaning of life” covering such various aspects of seeking love/lust, losing love/lust, re-discovering new love/lust and everything else that happens in-between these activities.
The Porepunkah camp had such a great mix of
people and riding adventures…I feel very blessed for having had the opportunity
to participate. My heartfelt thanks to
Pina
Garasi