They say smell is the sense most closely tied to memory. The right scent sends you hurtling back like an olfactory time-machine. But I think there is something about sound as well. Not just the memory-making music of youth — but noises.
During our recent camping trip I could tell the time of day by the light and by the sounds around me. I had no watch, no phone but I had the time within the half-hour.
The Set-Up
Hammers echo throughout the camp ground, answering each other in tinks and tings
Engines grumble and air mattresses slowly rise
Terse voices as couples put tents together for the first time — a true test of any relationship
Slight, satisfying crackles as beers are opened and clinked in celebration of a readied site and the first drink of many
Then the silence as the noises of industry subside
And the realisation of the bush
The low hum of insects and the creek rushing over rocks
The Dusk
Gas bottles hiss and heat dinner
Corks popping
Children scramble as they are called back to their camp sites
The sound of thunder rolling over the hills
Panicked campers battening down the hatches
The Night-time
Low voices and the occasional ring of laughter
Adults gather around camp fires and children snore gently
Guitars strum somewhere in the distance
Scratching possums, unafraid of the rain, raiding anything and everything
The rain, falling harder, magnified sound upon the tarp strung taught
Under the covers now and straining to differentiate the water sounds. The heavy rain, water pooling and the creek filling, gathering stream.
The Dawn
Kookaburras laughter denying sleep
The shushing of children who are up way too early
Crunch of gravel underfoot as the morning pilgrimage to the bathroom commences
Barbecues sizzling with promise
Children laughing and low murmurs becoming less concerned with waking those around them
And then we all leave. Bush returns to quiet. Other sounds are magnified.
The low hum of insects, the rush of lizards in the bushes, the creek bubbling prettily as the sounds of tyres on dirt fade away.
What are your favourite holiday sounds?
You do make camping sound like a wonderful experience, Robyna and that’s coming from someone who’s a non-camper 🙂 My favourite holiday sounds are the ocean crashing on the shore, lorikeets squawking in Norfolk pines on dusk, the sand squelching between my toes 🙂
Renee Wilson recently posted…Being three
Oh gorgeous sounds all. Makes me okay with the fact that summer doesn’t seem to want to leave Brisbane any time soon.
You make camping sound so lovely and musical (but I know the truth!)
My favourite holiday sound is waking up to hearing the ocean 🙂
Amy @ HandbagMafia recently posted…Can You Really “Do Your Research”?
Hahah – yes camping isn’t for everyone. And I love that sound too. From a hotel as well as a tent 😉
My favourite sound is my kids running off and having fun outdoors.
Natalie @ Our Parallel Connection recently posted…5 essential skills every child needs to succeed at school
The laughter of kids playing – it doesn’t get much better than that.
Ocean – it has to be falling asleep to waves.I might live very close to the beach but that doesn’t compare to falling asleep right next to it.
Vanessa recently posted…I finally understand “make your own luck”
Oh isn’t that a divine sound? I am right with you.
Ooooh, you had me at corks popping!! Nothing like a good glass of something nice when you’re on holidays…
Hugzilla recently posted…Four Vital Body Parts That Pregnancy Fucks Up Forever
I’ll convince you to camp yet 😉
I love camping! Though I am no longer a camper with 5 children in tow. I love the simple sounds of nature. Your description is perfect!
Nicole @ The Builder’s Wife recently posted…Feeling Inferior
5 kids would be a trick – until they get old enough to set everything up while you direct with a drink in hand!
Wonderful ?
Kez Unprepared recently posted…The Happy List #40
Thanks lovely.
Oh this is so lovely! I could *almost* be persuaded to consider camping based on such lovely reflections. Almost. 😛 I love that our senses help cement memories. My favourite holiday sounds are giggling cherubs and the chink of ice in my glass while I’m sipping on a nice drink. x
That IS a good sound 😉
Such a beautiful post and I could ‘hear’ some of those sounds from the beautiful way you wrote about them. Denyse #teamIBOT
Denyse recently posted…Tales Out Of School! 366/96.
Oh that’s a very high compliment indeed – I am so glad.
Ah this is such great description – show don’t tell done to perfection!
Thank you – just wanted to write something a bit nice just for me really – so very glad others enjoyed it.
You do make camping sound very relaxing Robyna! Like the other non-campers I know different though lol. I have camped and it is the early mornings that I just don’t cope with xoxo
It’s the camping through rose-tinted glasses blog 🙂
We didn’t camp as kids, we went to a bach at the beach, but as a teenager I went heaps and yes you’ve nailed! I do hope we can take our kids soon, just have to get more organised!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted…Breaking news rocks microphones of podcasters across globe
They would LOVE it.
I love the sound of your camping trip, literally. The only thing is you have to stay two nights to justify the set-up/pack-up. Anytime you get close to nature and really present in life it is like the sounds (and smells) are magnified. I think it must be gratitude that does it.
Kathy recently posted…Soft is not weak
I don’t mind the set-up so much but the pack-up is always just sad.
You have captured perfectly the sounds that all campers love and I think it’s why we do camp. To hear those sounds and feel at peace in our surrounds.
Melissa @ All Around Oz recently posted…Planning for the Future
I think that’s part of why it’s so relaxing – you do get to commune so closely with nature.