BOBBY FLAY COOKING

Rons Camp
Located in the Little Gums Campground you will locate an abandoned camp site on the banks of Chowilla Creek. This is no normal abandoned campsite, but the hallowed site of the late Ron Gilbertson of Adelaide.

Ron Gilbertson lived and worked in Adelaide and every now and then when he wanted to get away from it all, he would head for his special little camp on the banks of Chowilla Creek. Over the years, Ron built up his special camp, with bits and pieces that he either brought up from Adelaide, or things that he picked up along the way.

Ron built a chimney from local stone, fashioned a crude tin flue, added an old wood fired stove, a couple of Kero fridges, a wire framed bed ,small esky, basic cooking utensils, fishing gear and this was his home away from home. When ever Ron's made those special trips, he would return to his camp and would always find it the way that he left it. Over the years, locals, station people, friends and fellow fisherman would make it a habit of calling on him for a simple chat and to say g’day. If they called and Ron was not there, they would leave a short note for him to read.

On one of his visits in 1980, Ron planted a small tree at his camp. The tree that he planted was not a local to the area, but was a small humble Cedar Tree. Because of the areas very low rainfall, no one thought that the tree would survive. A special bond between this small cedar tee and the camp developed and passing people would water the tree if Ron was not there and slowly this small tree began to grow.

Ron passed away on the 11th June 1987 and after he was cremated his wife brought his ashes back to the place that he loved so much and sprinkled them around the small cedar tree and his much loved camp. Returning in 1988 to pay her respects, Vera found Ron's camp still in tact, the way that it was left 12 months previously and the small cedar tree still thriving. Not having any paper on her, Vera wrote a small note on a tissue and placed it in a biscuit tin in the fridge with the humble words “This is Ron's resting place – please water the tree"

Vera did not make it back until 3 years later and to her amazement, the camp was still intact and had not been vandalized, the cedar tree still thriving and over 300 notes and letter left inside the fridges. The notes were simple, but the most touching reads, “Ron Gilbertson was my father. This is a very special place. Thank you to everyone who has written, and especially watered the tree. Ashes scatted here – died 11.6.87. Husband of Vera, father of Craig”

Over the years the cedar tree slowly suffered and died. Today a new tree has been planted, but this time a local native to the area and is growing well. So when you drop in and see this very special camp, leave a note in the fridge and please water the tree.

Abbottabad, NWFP, Pakistan , height above sea level, 4100 feet was founded in 1853 AD by Major ( later, General, Sir) James Abbott of Blackheath London, who became first deputy commissioner of Hazara,.. and Hazara gazetteer of 1883 AD declared Abbottabad as the most beautiful hilly town of sub continent..trees from UK and Kashmir were brought to this unmatchable town and avenues and landscapes of Abbottabad had trees of horse chestnuts, Elms, Ash, Pistacia, Chinar (Kashmir maple), himalayan pine, Cedars of Lebanon, fragrant camphors of England, etc...and shrubs and flowers of all kinds including fragrant gardenias etc..were present

Major James Abbott fell in love with the rolling hills and awe inspiring views of Himalayan peaks of this thickly forested little England of East and he wrote following mystical lyrical Love poem in the praise of nature and Abbottabad

Poem "Town Abbottabad" by Major (later General, Sir) James Abbott

I remember the day when I first came here
And smelt the sweet Abbottabad air
The trees and ground covered with snow
Gave us indeed a brilliant white glow
To me place seemed like a dream
And far ran a lonesome stream
The wind hissed as if welcoming us
The pine swayed creating a lot of fuss
And the tiny cuckoo sang it away
A song very melodious and gay
I adored the place from the first sight
And was happy that my coming here was right
And eight good years here passed very soon
And we leave our perhaps on a sunny day
Oh! Abbottabad we are leaving you now
To your natural beauty do I bow
Perhaps your wind's sound will never reach my ear
My gift for you is a tear
I bid you farewell with a heavy heart
Never from my mind will you memories thwart