My name is Gavin and I am an alcoholic. This was my 3rd Deal campout and here is how the story goes:

It was a fine early fall morning and Malcolm picked David and I up enroute to pick up the trailer from Graham’s house. As we arrived Malcolm realised that he had left all the campout money at his place. While David and I started getting the trailer ready, Malcolm dashed home to pick up the loot.

Within half hour Malcolm had returned with the loot and we were on our way. Picking up Benny J and Chris at Richmond station we headed to the good ole as Aussies call it Mackers for some healthy breakfast, the Five of us were on the road.

Malcolm missed the turnoff to Echuca but luckily the Canadian navigator pointed us all in the right direction and finally with a bit of hiccup we were on our way. It was a beautiful drive thru the country towns and before we knew it we had arrived. All that driving with 5 crazy alcoholics demanded a pitstop for lunch at a cafe.

Arriving at the Campsite, and after some searching and after a GROUP CONSCIENCE we parked and staked out the suitable site. Shane arrived shortly after and the set up of all the cooking area and the tents began. It was great to be involved in my 1st Campout set up. This made me realise how much work is involved behind the scenes to make such an event possible.

The rest of the group arrived through out the afternoon into late evening and it consists of Warren, Benny L, Cable, Justin, Dimitry, Jamie, Adam, Matt, Steve & Paul. We had our traditional Friday feast of sausages and bread for dinner. As we were clearing the fine china after dinner, Malcolm was called to rescue Peter and Mark who happened to be stuck in mud bog.

After almost losing his vehicle to the mud bog he made it back to chair a great meeting around the camp fire.

After a not so great night’s sleep on my airless self inflating mattress (should have listened to my wife) we all started the morning with breakfast and much needed coffee.

Before even the brekky was digested, we were off to our World Cup Deal Soccer Match. We were kicked off the farmers field before even we scored a goal. Heading to another location the match resumed. Intense battle with some very questionable refeering including some rudicrous penalty calls the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Murray river was our next excursion where we took 2 boats and did some cruising and sightseeing. We stopped for lunch and it was gourmet burgers and sodas. It was almost 4 and we decided to return back to our humble abode, escaping the golf ball which was a close call for some of us.

Dinner and meeting was fantastic by the campfire on Saturday nite. The night was not over by any means as the Deal invaded the Euhuca Bowling Alley. Some of the team members showed what talent they had but Warren took us all by surprise with his game.

Sunday morning was rush as usual, breakfast, packing, meeting and everyone experience of the weekend concluded the Campout. It was a fantastic weekend and I am sure everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. I arrived home totally filthy, exhausted and I can’t wait till the next Deal campout with my new airbed!!!!!

– Gavin