I should first mention for those that don’t know, “bunk” (as in bunking off) is also a verb meaning to leave, most notable in The Shawshank Redemption when Andy Dufresne is noted to have “done a bunk, sir”. It is appropriate in circumstances where some naughtiness may be involved such as truancy or evading the law. While you might think of it as an unplanned mental health day, there’s an element of willful disobedience about it so it can’t logically be part of preventative care.
So.
We decided (more or less on the spur of the moment) that bunking off and taking a drive along the Great Ocean Road to revisit the 12 Apostles was a good idea. We visited on our honeymoon, and as a BIG number anniversary is coming up, it seemed a good time to revisit. Not to mention doing our bit for the bushfire recovery. It’s changed a lot (as you would expect) and of course, a nice trip to the seaside always makes you think about what life might be like living so far from your ordinary life.
Hopefully somewhere a bit better than the self-contained cottage we used…
It was nice to get away for a few days, but bunking off turns out to be something you are better to plan in advance, at least a little bit. For example, you might find that you need your mobile phone charger, beach towels, dog towels, band-aids, insect repellent, a bottle opener and shampoo. Spare toilet paper. Among other things.
My friend Katy loves to go camping. She has a box in the cupboard packed with everything she needs, so she is ready to go away at a moment’s notice. And when she gets home, she washes the contents and repacks it with a note on the top telling her what else needs to go in before she leaves the house next time. In retrospect, it’s really clever.
And something I really am going to do. Here are my first thoughts
What to Take When You Bunk Off for a Few Days
Utilities
|
Food |
Dogs |
torch candles matches or lighter bottle opener a sharp knife tongs fish slice a coffee plunger rubbish bags kitchen towel scissors | tea coffee hot chocolate sugar milk water bread cooking oil wine/beer/cider | towels water bowl food bowls leads pooper scooper poo bags brush bedding map of dog beaches map of off-leash areas |
Personal |
First Aid |
Other |
your reading glasses shampoo conditioner soap bubble bath toothbrushes and paste dental floss razor and shaving cream body lotion deodorant comb/brush tissues | headache tablets band-aids antiseptic personal medications | beach towels bath towels face washer sunscreen after sun lotion insect repellent spare batteries notepad and pen phone charger safety pins hand wipes toilet paper |
Is there anything you think I’ve missed?
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