Campfire Legend

I normally wake up to The Husband reading the morning news items. Covid statistics abound, his thoughts on overseas travellers, a potential impending war with China and as many bright and happy subjects as you can think of to start your day. I often don’t respond with the interest he feels I should have on all the subjects he’s an expert in at that hour of the day hence, there is nothing like a good caravan park with others to talk to other than me that brings out the part politician, philosopher and car expert, add a campfire and he reaches caravan and camping politically incorrect legend status.

Travelling is where he has come into his own. Add a group of strangers you’ve never met before, a campfire and a wine. He toddles himself over at the end of the day wine in hand either settling into his portable chair or standing with a bunch of unsuspecting tourists and grey nomads. Sometimes I wander over with him but recently I’ve held back knowing that within minutes he will be dispersing the wisdom of the world according the The Husband in every non politically correct way he possibly can. The men all seem to join in dispersing every opinion on everything from farming to Ferrari’s and with more beers, more wine they become a veritable chorus of caravanning crooners.

Not only is he able to hold court in a group setting you can often find him chatting on his way to the showers about the uselessness of the Landcruiser to some poor bugger that owns one. I find showers and set up are normally reserved for car chat, which can leave the unsuspecting other traveller feeling a little disgruntled after The Husband has rattled off the statics as to why their car is not that good. I cringe when he relays the details and pour another wine.

Finally though, we’ve met people to share his opinions on life, government, China, covid and long discussions about who’s car tows better. People come and go and yet on he goes, happy in the knowledge that even just for a few minutes by firelight or on his way to wash of the day, he has a captive audience and funnily enough there are people out there just like him …who knew.

I have a wine in honour of the partners that are held captive by early morning newspaper readers or sitting beside their other halves for long hours captive in the front seat whilst they solve the worlds problems. Cheers