Take a seat, Christmas is coming

“See you at beer-o-clock and BYO chair” was the cheery call from our new-found buddies on the northern New South Wales coast.

And yes, we’ve just had a very short campervan holiday, maximising the Melbourne Cup extended weekend as many do.

Camping anywhere by the sea is always spectacular and we are spoilt for choice in Australia with our stunning coastlines.

The “camping chair as a status symbol” theory had been bouncing around in my mind for a few days. I found myself categorising the various styles, the position they are given in front of the caravan, under the wind-out annexe – aha, this is an example of top of the scale.

Two high-backed matching beauties, with arm rests featuring a space to bury a stubbie or coffee cup. Very impressive. While over there, the faded canvas on the deck chairs displayed the patina of many hours spent basking in the sun, with or without someone enthroned.

Unusually we were staying in a “proper” caravan park, as we prefer the solitude of national parks, the unpopulated places where we can commune quietly with the bush, enjoy our books, a leisurely walk.

It’s not all rough camping – we have our music, good wine (or an icy beer in chilled glasses), yummy meals mostly cooked on the open fire.

The table is always clothed, sometimes a simple sprig of flowering gum will add a further touch of gemütlich.

Many years ago in the caravan park in Broome, we were introduced to the notion of gemütlich.

Our temporary neighbours were from Germany. He, a former chief executive of a world bank, strutted about the park in his speedos as if he owned the complex. Maybe he did! She was more demure, and in broken English pointed to my beloved’s well-used camping chair and pronounced the word gemütlich.

Our puzzled expressions resulted in an explanation that because I had draped the chair with a sheepskin – this was gemütlich – meaning I had made the chair special, more welcoming, unique. We soon got the idea. Isn’t it funny how once you come across something entirely new it seems to become a constant? The following week while reading a book I came across the same word!

I couldn’t believe having never heard of this notion, it was now part of my regular vocabulary. The word derives from gemütlich meaning a situation that induces a cheerful mood, of belonging and social acceptance.

From the explanation given by Ursula, I understand it is to take extra care to make the setting special in some way by adding your own personal touch. I read that in 1973 an English holidaymaker sued for not receiving the gemütlich as promised in the promotional literature for a holiday location in the Swiss Alps!

A chair can be confining or liberating; a means of transport or joy – think of the exhilaration of a swing or Ferris wheel ride. It can represent power in a courtroom or royalty. It can be a comfort zone when snuggling into an oversized chair with a good book and a rug.

The chair matches our journey in life, from high-chair bub to the particular seat reserved for us in the aged care dining room. It can be makeshift, a wood block cut to size to perch on while staring into the camp fire.

Ooops! Is that the time already – beer o’clock – must take my vacation camping chair to happy hour!

Oh, and here’s’ a little something to take along to nibble on while enjoying that tipple. These make a perfect little gourmet gift to give at Christmas time, or to share with friends as nibbles. Christmas here we come!