- 5.5 Star -
Down Under Swags
from the jolly Swagman

Slept in a swag lately? No way!!

That was my first comment - now I've returned from Central Australia, guess what will be the first purchase in the camping gear line? When I left, a friend loaned me a swag, a basic one with a mattress and I was assured I would be warm every night.

I had doubts as I stood by the fire on the first night out of Mildura, dressed in woollen jumper, japara and hat. Gingerly I laid out the swag on the ground and doubted whether I would be alive the next day, and if not dead, then stiff and sore and sorry for sleeping on this tiny thin mattress on the bare ground. "A top night coming up" I thought.

My sleeping bag nestled beneath the canvas, protected by a single blanket, I stripped to jocks, thought the world would end, and crawled in. What a pleasant surprise, I was warm in a short time and very comfortable. The canvas over the head took a little adjustment, but was O.K. I survived the night and to my amazement, slept like a log. Next morning it was a quick roll of the swag, throw it on the packrack and we're mobile again. Simple, easy and comfortable. Only one hassle. At Alice Springs when

I woke in the camping park I was confronted by some 40 odd 18 year old ladies packing their tents right beside our site. How to extricate oneself from a swag in jocks without early morning male embarrassment was a small problem. One other morning I awoke thinking "I'm a little cold" to discover that I had overslept to 8 a.m. and the swag was covered with frost! For camping out and travelling each day - try a swag, they are simple, easy and save on space in the vehicle. I reckon they're great!

Borrow or buy one and try for yourself - to watch the stars as you fall asleep is an experience in itself.

PETER GREENHAM, TRACKWATCH.