A Gypsy Caravan Holiday in 1992

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In 1992, after attending a conference in Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia, we caught a bus to Foster in the Strzelecki Ranges. The next morning, after a brief teaching period, we took charge of a pair of Clydesdales and a gypsy wagon and set off on a three-day tour along quiet, country, gravel roads. It was my first experience of driving a pair. The scenery was stunning with occasional sheer rock walls rising up one side and dropping away on the other. This was rainforest country with tree ferns and lush undergrowth. We weren't able to light a fire as we couldn't find any wood that wasn't wet and half rotten. We mostly reached a camp spot by 3 or 4 o'clock. Although the nights were freezing, we had a little gas heater and once the wagon warmed up we were very snug. From the driver's seat you could climb back through the opening into the body of the wagon. This was very handy. We left the top half of the back door open to watch for cars although we saw very few. Looking out the back, the opening framed the view like a picture frame. On the last day, we had to harness up in the rain. One drove while the other changed out of wet clothes and we went on our way. We found a nip of whisky was a great way to warm up from the inside out! Although the trip was a fantastic experience, the company would never pass safety standards now. Sending totally inexperienced people out in such country with a pair of horses was a disaster waiting to happen.