SwagsSwags in Australia today, are a little different from what Henry Lawson described in his 1907 poem The Romance of the Swag . In Henry's days, and before motorised transport it contained the whole kit-and-kaboodle, clothes, bedding and belongings.
The roll on top of the fuel drums on the back of the old Bedford truck has just been rolled up after a few hours sleep on the road. Yes that is right, it was rolled out on the road. In 1979 in remote areas of Australia there were very few vehicles and you could literally camp anywhere, even on the road. It would not be a sensible thing to do now of course!
When I think back on my bedrolls, they were pretty modest affairs. A piece of canvas sourced from an old tent or truck tarp, with two blankets and that was it. No soft mattresses in those days! Buying a swag wasn't really an option, you could buy a sheet of canvas, but made-up commercial products just simply weren't around.
Above you can see my father sitting on his swag while eating breakfast, a softer seat by far than sitting on the ground. This one did have a small foam mattress, not the frugal roll he carried on horseback when he built the temporary cattle yards you see to the right, in the 1950s.
Many years of my early life were spent sleeping under the stars, on a bedroll, or a cyclone bed as a shearer . Your bedding should be rolled up as soon as you climb out of it. Left unrolled any manner of biting animals are likely to find it comfortable too. Not so bad if they are lizards, but scorpions and snakes are generally not welcome bedfellows. My unkempt bundle on the cyclone bed is off the ground, and although untidy, it is unlikely to become filled with 'nasties'. One should at least pull the canvas over the blankets to keep some of the dust and crap out of it.
The current crop of camp bedding has become a real fashion statement, and the variety of style is simply amazing. These days many of are good quality, with a high density foam mattress inside, and a water proof canvas cover enclosing both bedding and the sleeper. Some also have headflaps, and zipped sand-fly proof fine mesh for those hot nights in insect infested locations. My wife's new canvas hotel has fibre rods to keep the top open, can be pitched, and is more like a small tent. Years ago blankets were used inside, but most people now use sleeping-bags which are more practical, especially when it's very cold. When the swag is rolled up it is fastened with straps. Overall this form of bedding is much heavier and bulkier than a bivvy bag, but they are more comfortable and durable. They are perfect for car camping, can be thrown on the back of a ute, for either the quick or long trip out bush. There is no doubt that in Australia's harsh outback conditions the durability of this bit of kit comes into its own.
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