We arrived in Warrnambool mid afternoon and set ourselves up in the Big 4 Hopkins River. We had already decided to live it up for a few days and made sure that this park had a heated pool, spa, jumping pillow, mini golf and games room for the kids. The plan was that we would just take it easy for a few days and have some chill out time.
Thankfully the weather finally broke and we saw the first bit of sunshine that we had since we left Adelaide. Yeay!!
R took himself off to the "big smoke" to do some accessory shopping, namely a floor for our annexe and some new camp chairs for the kids as theirs had gone mouldy (un-treatably) from being wet on the roof of the car. The rest of the afternoon was spent having a swim and relaxing.
The next day we took ourselves to the information centre to check out the 'what to do' details. We then took a vote on whether we did the playground or Flagstaff Hill first and the vote went C's way as he is a bit fanatical about lighthouses at the moment and was desperate to go to the one in the village. So, lighthouse it was. C was sooooo excited about being able to climb into a real lighthouse. The kids had a ball racing around doing the Treasure Chest Trail. R and I just loved watching them so excited about their finds.
Next stop was down to the Lake Pertrobe Adventure Playground for a fish and chips lunch. While playing on the awesome flying fox (adult sized - yes R and I went on it!) we met another travelling family and stopped to chat for quite awhile about our adventures and plans and the places they have been and seen. It is so cool to meet a like-minded family and to know that we are not insane after all, and that we aren't the only ones out there doing this. :-)
The rest of our time in Warrnambool was spent relaxing, playing with the kids and just generally chilling out.
Sunday 23 June 2013
Too busy to blog......
I know, I know, I haven't updated everyone in ages, but well frankly, we have been having way too much fun and haven't had any time to stop and blog. I have been keeping a list of short points written down so I can do a mega update and remember to include everything. So...... here goes.
Portland, Vic.
We took a drive out to Cape Bridgewater, about 20 minutes away from Portland so that we could go and see the largest seal colony in Victoria - approximately 650 seals. When we got to Cape Bridgewater however, we discovered that to see those said seals we had to walk about 45 minutes up and down 45 degree tracks to reach them and as it was raining at the time the four to one vote was not to do it. Instead we drove a little further around the coast to have a look at the blowholes (which weren't blowing) and the petrified forest (which wasn't particularly amazing). Bit of a let down. On our return journey the rain had eased off somewhat so I decided that I would do the seal walk with E, as she was soooooo desperate to see the seals. R took T and C down to the beach for a hot chocolate to wait out the hour and a half that E and I would be gone. Oh my goodness, I really thought I was going to die this time. I was red in the face, puffing like a steam train, not able to talk and certainly not stopping half way up a hill for a drink, coz there is no way I would have gotten started again.
We finally made it to the highest point of the walk, which happened to also be the highest cliff on the Victorian coast at 130 meters above sea level. After about 55 minutes we finally made it to the viewing platform - and would you believe not one of the 650 seals could be seen!!!! None, nil, zero!!! I had just walked nearly an hour at heart attack level for NOTHING!!! Poor E was so disappointed, and to match the disappointment the rain started again on our way back meaning that I no longer had my walking stick as I had to actually use it as an umbrella. We eventually got back to the car exhausted, wet and very disappointed.
After that we headed a few km's further out to have a look at the Bridgewater lakes area and have a climb around in the limestone caves on the side of the road. Fortunately this placated E and the earlier disappointment was forgotten.
Later that afternoon we made a visit to the information centre and kindly asked them to let the local seals know of our disappointment. The staff were very surprised at our story of woe as they had never before heard of there being NO seals visable at any other time.
So, as Portland is an industrial town there wasn't much more to be seen, but we did do a drive around the port area so R could see how things worked there.
The next day saw us moving along towards Warrnambool. We had a couple of short stops along the way. The first being the giant slide at Yambuk. We started to think we had taken a wrong turn as we followed the signs towards the slide as the road was narrowing and getting rougher and bumpier. All of a sudden we found ourselves IN a caravan park as the road ended. Ummm?? We were then directed to drive straight through the park and around the corner to where the slide revealed itself. The kids were so excited. It was a huge slide, but unfortunately for them, it was wet and not so slippery. There was a magnificent view from the top platform though. While the boys played on the playground, E and I went for a walk along the beach, and found ourselves tracking emu prints. Can't say I have ever come across emu prints on a beach before!
Next stop was a brief stretch of the legs stop in Port Fairy as we had been advised that we just HAD to have a look around there. I'm so glad we did. It is such a gorgeous town. Reminds me of a fairy tale village. Cute little cottages, sail boats tied up on the pier. So much history. I would have loved to spend a bit longer there looking around.
To be continued.......
Portland, Vic.
We took a drive out to Cape Bridgewater, about 20 minutes away from Portland so that we could go and see the largest seal colony in Victoria - approximately 650 seals. When we got to Cape Bridgewater however, we discovered that to see those said seals we had to walk about 45 minutes up and down 45 degree tracks to reach them and as it was raining at the time the four to one vote was not to do it. Instead we drove a little further around the coast to have a look at the blowholes (which weren't blowing) and the petrified forest (which wasn't particularly amazing). Bit of a let down. On our return journey the rain had eased off somewhat so I decided that I would do the seal walk with E, as she was soooooo desperate to see the seals. R took T and C down to the beach for a hot chocolate to wait out the hour and a half that E and I would be gone. Oh my goodness, I really thought I was going to die this time. I was red in the face, puffing like a steam train, not able to talk and certainly not stopping half way up a hill for a drink, coz there is no way I would have gotten started again.
We finally made it to the highest point of the walk, which happened to also be the highest cliff on the Victorian coast at 130 meters above sea level. After about 55 minutes we finally made it to the viewing platform - and would you believe not one of the 650 seals could be seen!!!! None, nil, zero!!! I had just walked nearly an hour at heart attack level for NOTHING!!! Poor E was so disappointed, and to match the disappointment the rain started again on our way back meaning that I no longer had my walking stick as I had to actually use it as an umbrella. We eventually got back to the car exhausted, wet and very disappointed.
After that we headed a few km's further out to have a look at the Bridgewater lakes area and have a climb around in the limestone caves on the side of the road. Fortunately this placated E and the earlier disappointment was forgotten.
Later that afternoon we made a visit to the information centre and kindly asked them to let the local seals know of our disappointment. The staff were very surprised at our story of woe as they had never before heard of there being NO seals visable at any other time.
So, as Portland is an industrial town there wasn't much more to be seen, but we did do a drive around the port area so R could see how things worked there.
The next day saw us moving along towards Warrnambool. We had a couple of short stops along the way. The first being the giant slide at Yambuk. We started to think we had taken a wrong turn as we followed the signs towards the slide as the road was narrowing and getting rougher and bumpier. All of a sudden we found ourselves IN a caravan park as the road ended. Ummm?? We were then directed to drive straight through the park and around the corner to where the slide revealed itself. The kids were so excited. It was a huge slide, but unfortunately for them, it was wet and not so slippery. There was a magnificent view from the top platform though. While the boys played on the playground, E and I went for a walk along the beach, and found ourselves tracking emu prints. Can't say I have ever come across emu prints on a beach before!
Next stop was a brief stretch of the legs stop in Port Fairy as we had been advised that we just HAD to have a look around there. I'm so glad we did. It is such a gorgeous town. Reminds me of a fairy tale village. Cute little cottages, sail boats tied up on the pier. So much history. I would have loved to spend a bit longer there looking around.
To be continued.......
Friday 14 June 2013
And we have left the state.......
Tonights blog post comes to you from Portland, Victoria.
Yesterday we were still in Mt Gambier and found a whole lot more to do before we left this morning. In the morning we headed to Umpherston Sink Hole and were blown away by the fantastic garden that it is. Mr Umpherston decided back in 18 something that he would turn it into a public garden and did exactly that. It is magnificent and would make such a gorgeous wedding venue. We have been very impressed by the level of maintenance of the tourist attractions around Mt Gambier. As we had promised the kids we took a picnic lunch and returned to the Valley Lake Recreation Area. Erin and I had a great time feeding the ducks, geese and one lone black swan - they all were more than happy to come and take the bread directly from our hands. Two and a half loaves of bread later they had all had their fill and were not in the slightest bit interested in the offerings of the next person ten minutes later!!
After lunch we decided to take a short trip to the coastal town of Port Macdonnell. We did stop at the base of the walking track up Mt Schank, another volcano, but just as we arrived so did the rain and we decided not to do the trek. Thankfully the rain stopped when we arrived in Port Macdonnell, but the wind was icy cold. We agreed that the tourist drive was our best option and headed off. We made a quick stop at Shelly Beach but had to leave there in a big hurry when E was stung/bitten by a blue jellyfish. We weren't sure if it could have been a blue ring octopus so left in a big hurry to have it identified, with E under strict instructions to let us know immediately if she started to feel funny. A visit to the local fishing bait and tackle store, followed by the pharmacy assured us that it was a jelly fish and not an octopus and that the vinegar which they provided would be sufficient. The local chemist also provided some "special medicine" in the form of a Ferrero Rocher!!!
After having been assured that E wasn't going to go into anaphalactic shock we decided to finish the tourist drive. The next stop for us was at the site of the old Cape Northumberland Lighthouse. Brrr, not a place I would want to live. It was freezing. We also thought it was pretty cool that we had found the most southerly place in South Australia, and have the photo to prove it! Unfortunately, to E's disappointment we did not spot any fairy penguins at the local colony, and after a quick stop at the local playground we headed back to Mt Gambier.
Evening saw us heading out yet again to Umpherstons Sinkhole as we had been told by the Visitor Centre that it was worth a visit at night to feed all the possums that emerge from the limestone walls. We were somewhat concerned though when we met some people in the car park who had just been down who told us to make sure we had some food in reserve as the possums chased them up the stairs!! The kids thought the whole experience was fabulous. There were at least a dozen or more possums who were more than happy to take food from our hands. Even C got to pat and feed one! And yes, they did chase us up the stairs!!
This morning saw us packing up and heading out of town with our house in tow. We made a very interesting stop at the Princess Margaret Rose Caves between Mt Gambier and Nelson. It is another very beautiful spot, in the Lower Glenelg National Park. R even wanted to pull up stumps and camp there! We were lucky enough to be the only visitors at the time so got to have a private tour of the cave. It was awesome!! The kids were very interested and even asked lots of questions. They did think it was pretty cool when the guide turned all the lights out to show us how dark the cave is. After our tour of the cave we decided to do the short hike to see the lookout over the Glenelg River from the top of a cliff. Very beautiful. We were also lucky enough to see several kangaroos and emus as we drove out of the park.
The drive from Nelson to Portland is not particularly interesting as there is only so many pine plantations you can look at before they lose their novelty!! On arriving in Portland we headed for the caravan park that we thought we would stay at - NOT!! Just the gate was enough for us to decide we were absolutely not staying there. Thankfully there is more than one park in Portland and our next option looked much more promising. It is quite nice, we are one of only a few vans in the park and are conveniently placed right between the playground and the amenities block.
After setting up home and having a cuppa and a play we decided to go for a bit of a drive around the town to check it out. We found quite a big breakwater that you can actually drive on and managed to get our timing spot on. A large ship was being piloted with two tugs into the port and we got to stand at the end of the breakwater, all of about 30 meters from the ship coming into port and watch it being manouvered by the tugs. Quite amazing to watch, albeit icy, icy cold (a point obviously not noticed by the insane group of people surfing next to the breakwater!!). We then went for a bit of a drive around the fishing wharf and got to see some of the trawlers up close. After which we went for a little lookie around the industry section of the port area as this is of particular interest to R. Last stop was to collect some dinner before home for hot showers, PJ's and hot milk drinks. We have an action packed day planned for tomorrow so watch this space.......
Yesterday we were still in Mt Gambier and found a whole lot more to do before we left this morning. In the morning we headed to Umpherston Sink Hole and were blown away by the fantastic garden that it is. Mr Umpherston decided back in 18 something that he would turn it into a public garden and did exactly that. It is magnificent and would make such a gorgeous wedding venue. We have been very impressed by the level of maintenance of the tourist attractions around Mt Gambier. As we had promised the kids we took a picnic lunch and returned to the Valley Lake Recreation Area. Erin and I had a great time feeding the ducks, geese and one lone black swan - they all were more than happy to come and take the bread directly from our hands. Two and a half loaves of bread later they had all had their fill and were not in the slightest bit interested in the offerings of the next person ten minutes later!!
After lunch we decided to take a short trip to the coastal town of Port Macdonnell. We did stop at the base of the walking track up Mt Schank, another volcano, but just as we arrived so did the rain and we decided not to do the trek. Thankfully the rain stopped when we arrived in Port Macdonnell, but the wind was icy cold. We agreed that the tourist drive was our best option and headed off. We made a quick stop at Shelly Beach but had to leave there in a big hurry when E was stung/bitten by a blue jellyfish. We weren't sure if it could have been a blue ring octopus so left in a big hurry to have it identified, with E under strict instructions to let us know immediately if she started to feel funny. A visit to the local fishing bait and tackle store, followed by the pharmacy assured us that it was a jelly fish and not an octopus and that the vinegar which they provided would be sufficient. The local chemist also provided some "special medicine" in the form of a Ferrero Rocher!!!
After having been assured that E wasn't going to go into anaphalactic shock we decided to finish the tourist drive. The next stop for us was at the site of the old Cape Northumberland Lighthouse. Brrr, not a place I would want to live. It was freezing. We also thought it was pretty cool that we had found the most southerly place in South Australia, and have the photo to prove it! Unfortunately, to E's disappointment we did not spot any fairy penguins at the local colony, and after a quick stop at the local playground we headed back to Mt Gambier.
Evening saw us heading out yet again to Umpherstons Sinkhole as we had been told by the Visitor Centre that it was worth a visit at night to feed all the possums that emerge from the limestone walls. We were somewhat concerned though when we met some people in the car park who had just been down who told us to make sure we had some food in reserve as the possums chased them up the stairs!! The kids thought the whole experience was fabulous. There were at least a dozen or more possums who were more than happy to take food from our hands. Even C got to pat and feed one! And yes, they did chase us up the stairs!!
This morning saw us packing up and heading out of town with our house in tow. We made a very interesting stop at the Princess Margaret Rose Caves between Mt Gambier and Nelson. It is another very beautiful spot, in the Lower Glenelg National Park. R even wanted to pull up stumps and camp there! We were lucky enough to be the only visitors at the time so got to have a private tour of the cave. It was awesome!! The kids were very interested and even asked lots of questions. They did think it was pretty cool when the guide turned all the lights out to show us how dark the cave is. After our tour of the cave we decided to do the short hike to see the lookout over the Glenelg River from the top of a cliff. Very beautiful. We were also lucky enough to see several kangaroos and emus as we drove out of the park.
The drive from Nelson to Portland is not particularly interesting as there is only so many pine plantations you can look at before they lose their novelty!! On arriving in Portland we headed for the caravan park that we thought we would stay at - NOT!! Just the gate was enough for us to decide we were absolutely not staying there. Thankfully there is more than one park in Portland and our next option looked much more promising. It is quite nice, we are one of only a few vans in the park and are conveniently placed right between the playground and the amenities block.
After setting up home and having a cuppa and a play we decided to go for a bit of a drive around the town to check it out. We found quite a big breakwater that you can actually drive on and managed to get our timing spot on. A large ship was being piloted with two tugs into the port and we got to stand at the end of the breakwater, all of about 30 meters from the ship coming into port and watch it being manouvered by the tugs. Quite amazing to watch, albeit icy, icy cold (a point obviously not noticed by the insane group of people surfing next to the breakwater!!). We then went for a bit of a drive around the fishing wharf and got to see some of the trawlers up close. After which we went for a little lookie around the industry section of the port area as this is of particular interest to R. Last stop was to collect some dinner before home for hot showers, PJ's and hot milk drinks. We have an action packed day planned for tomorrow so watch this space.......
Wednesday 12 June 2013
Rain, rain go away.......
RAIN!! Lots of it!! Remind me again why we didn't turn north???
Despite the wet weather we did manage to get out and about on Wednesday to see as much as we could. We started with a visit to the Lady Nelson Visitor Information Centre to see what there is for us to see in Mt Gambier. The kids were very impressed with the replica boat out the front. After leaving the centre we took a drive up the crater to see the "not so blue" lake. Unfortunately, the lake is only blue between November and March. We stopped at the Rook wall and turret to have a look at the lake and could barely see the other side for all the rain and mist. The kids decided it was an absolute must that we climb the 176 steps up to the next lookout! OMGoodness, I nearly died!! After getting rather wet we clambered back into the car and went for a drive around the Valley Lakes area. We decided the rain was just too heavy to get out and explore the animal sanctuary but a little further down the road we did stop for the kids to have a play on the next best playground we have found. It was nearly as good as the one in Millicent. The kids were a bit put off by the green colour of all the equipment until we explained that it was so the playground blended in with the scenery. The Valley Lake area is just stunning. So, so green, beautiful lawn, lake for skiing or canoing, bbq's and benches galore. We even had the pleasure of seeing a black swan, and on thinking we could creep up on it for a photo we were surprised to have it come waddling right up to us waiting to be fed. We have told Erin that we will go back again on Thursday to feed the swan, geese and ducks. We were all a bit disappointed that we couldn't go up and climb the Centennial Tower as it wasn't open today.
After exploring the lakes area we headed for the central business district for some lunch and a coffee. I found a little cafe that I will most definitely have to go back to and try again. They have 24 flavours of hot chocolate!!!! R had an encounter with a very kind Coopers rep. He was standing with the boys under the pub drive through waiting for the rain to ease off before crossing the road when she offered him an umbrella to keep. There are still nice people in the world!! Next for the afternoon was a visit to the Cave Gardens behind the town hall. The kids thought this was pretty cool, especially since the waterfall was flowing (the one benefit we have had from all the rain). After the cave garden we headed to the "Main Corner" to explore the Kings Room exhibition all about Mt Gambier. The kids loved the floor area that was lit up with what looked like water, and had a great time "swimming". From there we moved into the theatre room to watch an hour movie on the big screen all about the volcanoes in the region. The kids managed to sit through 45 minutes before getting restless.
What a busy day, but it wasn't over yet. After going home for an early dinner, I spent some time doing washing, in my baby twin tub, in the dark, and while holding an umbrella over both of us!! I made use of the tumble driers in the park as there was no way I was going to get anything dry with all the rain about. T and I had a few games of ping pong and at 7.30 we headed off for the town centre again to go and watch the cave garden light and sound show. They play a film on the side of the building and then another on the wall of the cave garden, along with beautiful lighting of the plants. Needless to say it was the 45 minutes that we were standing in the garden that it absolutely bucketed down!!! In the end we gave up on the garden movie as the rain was getting heavier and we couldn't hear the movie over the sound of the waterfall which had started flowing again with all the rain!!! And of course the moment we got back in the car the rain stopped. Grrr.
Fingers crossed the rain will ease off a bit on Thursday, but listening to the weather reports and all the flood warnings for Victoria I'm not all that hopeful......
Despite the wet weather we did manage to get out and about on Wednesday to see as much as we could. We started with a visit to the Lady Nelson Visitor Information Centre to see what there is for us to see in Mt Gambier. The kids were very impressed with the replica boat out the front. After leaving the centre we took a drive up the crater to see the "not so blue" lake. Unfortunately, the lake is only blue between November and March. We stopped at the Rook wall and turret to have a look at the lake and could barely see the other side for all the rain and mist. The kids decided it was an absolute must that we climb the 176 steps up to the next lookout! OMGoodness, I nearly died!! After getting rather wet we clambered back into the car and went for a drive around the Valley Lakes area. We decided the rain was just too heavy to get out and explore the animal sanctuary but a little further down the road we did stop for the kids to have a play on the next best playground we have found. It was nearly as good as the one in Millicent. The kids were a bit put off by the green colour of all the equipment until we explained that it was so the playground blended in with the scenery. The Valley Lake area is just stunning. So, so green, beautiful lawn, lake for skiing or canoing, bbq's and benches galore. We even had the pleasure of seeing a black swan, and on thinking we could creep up on it for a photo we were surprised to have it come waddling right up to us waiting to be fed. We have told Erin that we will go back again on Thursday to feed the swan, geese and ducks. We were all a bit disappointed that we couldn't go up and climb the Centennial Tower as it wasn't open today.
After exploring the lakes area we headed for the central business district for some lunch and a coffee. I found a little cafe that I will most definitely have to go back to and try again. They have 24 flavours of hot chocolate!!!! R had an encounter with a very kind Coopers rep. He was standing with the boys under the pub drive through waiting for the rain to ease off before crossing the road when she offered him an umbrella to keep. There are still nice people in the world!! Next for the afternoon was a visit to the Cave Gardens behind the town hall. The kids thought this was pretty cool, especially since the waterfall was flowing (the one benefit we have had from all the rain). After the cave garden we headed to the "Main Corner" to explore the Kings Room exhibition all about Mt Gambier. The kids loved the floor area that was lit up with what looked like water, and had a great time "swimming". From there we moved into the theatre room to watch an hour movie on the big screen all about the volcanoes in the region. The kids managed to sit through 45 minutes before getting restless.
What a busy day, but it wasn't over yet. After going home for an early dinner, I spent some time doing washing, in my baby twin tub, in the dark, and while holding an umbrella over both of us!! I made use of the tumble driers in the park as there was no way I was going to get anything dry with all the rain about. T and I had a few games of ping pong and at 7.30 we headed off for the town centre again to go and watch the cave garden light and sound show. They play a film on the side of the building and then another on the wall of the cave garden, along with beautiful lighting of the plants. Needless to say it was the 45 minutes that we were standing in the garden that it absolutely bucketed down!!! In the end we gave up on the garden movie as the rain was getting heavier and we couldn't hear the movie over the sound of the waterfall which had started flowing again with all the rain!!! And of course the moment we got back in the car the rain stopped. Grrr.
Fingers crossed the rain will ease off a bit on Thursday, but listening to the weather reports and all the flood warnings for Victoria I'm not all that hopeful......
Tuesday 11 June 2013
Greetings from Mount Gambier!
Today has been a very mixed bag of things to do and see. We had a remarkably laid back morning - sooooo loving this caravan pack up business!! Didn't get up until 8.00 and still managed to get out of the caravan park by 10.00! R and I took turns taking the kids to the beach while the other did some packing up. E was very excited to come running back to tell me that her thong was on its way to Antartica as she had dropped it off the jetty!! I managed to control my tummy butterflies while C kept trying to look over the side of the jetty (the side with no railing of course!!). E and I then took up a collection and got a photo of 24 different types of seaweed from on the beach!!! There were some amazing colours amongst them.
After leaving Cape Jaffa we headed south and found ourselves in the lovely little town of Beachport. We stopped for a quick visit in the tourist centre to see what there was for us to see. We opted for a short tourist drive around the town to take in a few of the scenic views of the ocean and the second longest jetty in the southern hemisphere (772 meters). We also made a pitstop at Lake Siloam, a small lake which is the local swimming hole. Lake Siloam is nearly seven times saltier than the ocean, and our taste test proved this theory to be true - YUCK!!
Moving on from Beachport we made our way to Millicent, which we have deemed to be the home of the most awesome playground in the history of playgrounds ever. Their "Playground in the Domain" was fabulous. So fabulous that we stayed there for about an hour and a half! R even found his new truck there. A cool truck complete with springs on all wheels!! Playgrounds have an amazing ability to bring out the big kid in all of us. R had a wow of a time on the giant swing, trying to compete with T for who could swing the highest, and R and I had races on the flying fox.
We were all amazed with the sight of hundreds and hundreds of hectares of pine plantation between Mt Gambier and Millicent. The pine trees just seemed to go on forever. We were disappointed that the Tantanoola Caves are closed for the season now. On asking at our caravan park we were told that they are quite wet in winter and as they have less steps and handrails can become quite dangerous. Ho hum, guess we will have to go to some other caves instead.
The caravan park we are in now is quite small, but we have the luxury of our own ensuite on site. Niiiiice. No midnight walks to the toilets and we can leave all our bathroom bits in there until we leave. I likeeeee. Our neighbour came and introduced himself and gave us some assistance in the rather frustrating task of trying to figure out how to put the walls of our annexe up. Aaaggghhhh!! That could possibly be the source of more marital arguements than reversing the caravan!!! We got there in the end. =o)
So, tomorrow we will do some exploring of Mt Gambier and its surrounds. Perhaps a spot of shopping - for an annexe floor, and maybe even get in some relaxing down time.......
After leaving Cape Jaffa we headed south and found ourselves in the lovely little town of Beachport. We stopped for a quick visit in the tourist centre to see what there was for us to see. We opted for a short tourist drive around the town to take in a few of the scenic views of the ocean and the second longest jetty in the southern hemisphere (772 meters). We also made a pitstop at Lake Siloam, a small lake which is the local swimming hole. Lake Siloam is nearly seven times saltier than the ocean, and our taste test proved this theory to be true - YUCK!!
Moving on from Beachport we made our way to Millicent, which we have deemed to be the home of the most awesome playground in the history of playgrounds ever. Their "Playground in the Domain" was fabulous. So fabulous that we stayed there for about an hour and a half! R even found his new truck there. A cool truck complete with springs on all wheels!! Playgrounds have an amazing ability to bring out the big kid in all of us. R had a wow of a time on the giant swing, trying to compete with T for who could swing the highest, and R and I had races on the flying fox.
We were all amazed with the sight of hundreds and hundreds of hectares of pine plantation between Mt Gambier and Millicent. The pine trees just seemed to go on forever. We were disappointed that the Tantanoola Caves are closed for the season now. On asking at our caravan park we were told that they are quite wet in winter and as they have less steps and handrails can become quite dangerous. Ho hum, guess we will have to go to some other caves instead.
The caravan park we are in now is quite small, but we have the luxury of our own ensuite on site. Niiiiice. No midnight walks to the toilets and we can leave all our bathroom bits in there until we leave. I likeeeee. Our neighbour came and introduced himself and gave us some assistance in the rather frustrating task of trying to figure out how to put the walls of our annexe up. Aaaggghhhh!! That could possibly be the source of more marital arguements than reversing the caravan!!! We got there in the end. =o)
So, tomorrow we will do some exploring of Mt Gambier and its surrounds. Perhaps a spot of shopping - for an annexe floor, and maybe even get in some relaxing down time.......
Monday 10 June 2013
Drive away day!
Hello from Cape Jaffa!
It's day one of Bob and Bel and the mini B's Big Adventure and we have made it a whole 250kms from our old home!
We didn't get away quite as early as planned as we still had quite a few jobs to be finished off before we could drive out. There was grocery shopping, laundromat ting, car dropper off-ering, packing, cleaning and goodbye-ing. It was 12.00 before we hit the road, but what a relief it was to finally be underway. It seems like it has been such a long time getting to this point but I know that realistically it most definitely hasn't been long at all - about 14 weeks since the day we made the decision in fact!
So, day one involved a quick stop by our container to throw in the last few things that couldn't come with us and to pick up the BBQ. After that however we hit the open road. Our first stop was a late lunch on the shores of Lake Albert at Meningie. Being the last day of a long weekend it was a very busy place. Caravans, campers and 4x4's everywhere. Oh my goodness we were praising the simplicity of a caravan compared to our previous campers. Sure it's bigger and heavier, but we were able to pull up, hop in and make lunch and boil the kettle for coffee then shut the door and keep driving! Ahhhh, so easy and convenient.
Driving along the coorong was quite interesting. Observing the changes in flora and dreaming of getting the car across to go and play on the HUGE sand dunes!!! Our next point of interest was the encounter with a cow - on the wrong side of the fence! Thankfully he or she must have thought we were an even bigger black cow and promptly ran away.
The kids were starting to get pretty restless by now so we had to play eye spy until we finally could spy our first "big thing" of the trip - Larry the Lobster, standing proudly at Kingston SE! We of course took our obligatory photos then hit the road for the last half an hour of today's driving.
It was getting close to dark by the time we arrived at the caravan park in Cape Jaffa. When I went in to reception the manager asked where the kids were and could they be quiet? Oh dear, I'm thinking, this is not going to be good, my children don't know how to be quiet. It was ok though, he just wanted to show them the two kangaroos grazing just outside the reception building. Vey cool. We also have the pleasure of being the only guests in the park tonight so have spread out over two sites and have the amenities to ourselves! Nice!
Anyway, we have survived our first day on the road, our first meals cooked in the van and our first round of showers. Time for a cuppa and bed so we can be ready to take on tomorrow's adventures.
It's day one of Bob and Bel and the mini B's Big Adventure and we have made it a whole 250kms from our old home!
We didn't get away quite as early as planned as we still had quite a few jobs to be finished off before we could drive out. There was grocery shopping, laundromat ting, car dropper off-ering, packing, cleaning and goodbye-ing. It was 12.00 before we hit the road, but what a relief it was to finally be underway. It seems like it has been such a long time getting to this point but I know that realistically it most definitely hasn't been long at all - about 14 weeks since the day we made the decision in fact!
So, day one involved a quick stop by our container to throw in the last few things that couldn't come with us and to pick up the BBQ. After that however we hit the open road. Our first stop was a late lunch on the shores of Lake Albert at Meningie. Being the last day of a long weekend it was a very busy place. Caravans, campers and 4x4's everywhere. Oh my goodness we were praising the simplicity of a caravan compared to our previous campers. Sure it's bigger and heavier, but we were able to pull up, hop in and make lunch and boil the kettle for coffee then shut the door and keep driving! Ahhhh, so easy and convenient.
Driving along the coorong was quite interesting. Observing the changes in flora and dreaming of getting the car across to go and play on the HUGE sand dunes!!! Our next point of interest was the encounter with a cow - on the wrong side of the fence! Thankfully he or she must have thought we were an even bigger black cow and promptly ran away.
The kids were starting to get pretty restless by now so we had to play eye spy until we finally could spy our first "big thing" of the trip - Larry the Lobster, standing proudly at Kingston SE! We of course took our obligatory photos then hit the road for the last half an hour of today's driving.
It was getting close to dark by the time we arrived at the caravan park in Cape Jaffa. When I went in to reception the manager asked where the kids were and could they be quiet? Oh dear, I'm thinking, this is not going to be good, my children don't know how to be quiet. It was ok though, he just wanted to show them the two kangaroos grazing just outside the reception building. Vey cool. We also have the pleasure of being the only guests in the park tonight so have spread out over two sites and have the amenities to ourselves! Nice!
Anyway, we have survived our first day on the road, our first meals cooked in the van and our first round of showers. Time for a cuppa and bed so we can be ready to take on tomorrow's adventures.
Wednesday 5 June 2013
Tonight I pay homage......
Today was C's last day in daycare. It was a bit sad - for me. C was pretty excited about not having to go back again. Don't get me wrong, he loved going there, at least he did after the first 15 minutes of screaming!
I would like to take this opportunity to pay homage to the wonderful, fantastic, beautiful ladies at Littlehampton Child Care Centre. Many of whom have been there since the first day I dropped our eldest off, way back in 2007. They have watched all three of our kids grow and develop, move through the rooms of day care and then move on to kindy and school, and even now that the big kids have been gone for several years they still never fail to address them by name and ask after them. I felt so comfortable with LCCC from the first time I popped in un-announced to check the centre out. It always seemed so friendly, fun and happy.
The beautiful ladies there have spent time listening to me, talking to me and at times even providing me with a shoulder to lean on as I went through some pretty hard times. They have laughed with me and watched me grow and develop as a mother as I went from one, to two, and then to three children. They have, I'm sure, been amused as I moved from being a sooky-la-la dropping my first born off, to quite happily telling them that they can keep my last born!!
I have so much respect for the ladies at LCCC. They do a job that I am certain I could not do. They care for my, and other peoples children all day, every day and always with a smile on their faces. I have never been greeted by any of them with anything less than a smile, and they have always made me feel that I have never had to worry about the level of care my children have received while attending the centre.
I am so grateful for having found such a fantastic child care centre with such a wonderful bunch of carers.
Thank you Littlehampton Child Care Centre for your wonderful service over the last six years.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay homage to the wonderful, fantastic, beautiful ladies at Littlehampton Child Care Centre. Many of whom have been there since the first day I dropped our eldest off, way back in 2007. They have watched all three of our kids grow and develop, move through the rooms of day care and then move on to kindy and school, and even now that the big kids have been gone for several years they still never fail to address them by name and ask after them. I felt so comfortable with LCCC from the first time I popped in un-announced to check the centre out. It always seemed so friendly, fun and happy.
The beautiful ladies there have spent time listening to me, talking to me and at times even providing me with a shoulder to lean on as I went through some pretty hard times. They have laughed with me and watched me grow and develop as a mother as I went from one, to two, and then to three children. They have, I'm sure, been amused as I moved from being a sooky-la-la dropping my first born off, to quite happily telling them that they can keep my last born!!
I have so much respect for the ladies at LCCC. They do a job that I am certain I could not do. They care for my, and other peoples children all day, every day and always with a smile on their faces. I have never been greeted by any of them with anything less than a smile, and they have always made me feel that I have never had to worry about the level of care my children have received while attending the centre.
I am so grateful for having found such a fantastic child care centre with such a wonderful bunch of carers.
Thank you Littlehampton Child Care Centre for your wonderful service over the last six years.
Tuesday 4 June 2013
Busy, busy busy.
So very, very busy. There is so much to do and so little time in which to do it all.
We had a really lovely day at our housewarming / bon voyage / birthday for Erin party last Sunday. Thankfully the rain held off for most of the day, especially since we were about 60 seconds to late to secure the rotunda at the park. No one would say it was a sunny, warm day, but at least it wasn't bucketing another months worth of rainfall like the day before it. We had quite a few people come to wish us well on our travels, however they didn't eat anywhere near enough sausages, and I have over 2kg left!! Many we were expecting and some we weren't which made for a nice surprise. It was interesting to observe peoples reactions to seeing Cara. Most thought she was lovely, but a few shook their heads and told me I am mad!! Lol.
Others wondered how you can condense a house down to a caravan, and more importantly how was I going to survive with a wardrobe that only holds about 8 coat hangers of clothes??? That is one question I'm not entirely sure how I can answer - yet - as I am still coming to terms with the enormity of this part of the whole process. I think I must still be in denial, grief is yet to come..... My beautiful red winter coat, my lovely burnt orange coat, my black trench, my grey coat (I love my jackets), my dozen different scarves, all my tops and tee's in all the colours of the rainbow, all the lovely knitted cardigans, and shirts, and pants and shorts, and shoes, all my shoes, all my lovely, wonderful, beautiful shoes. Boooooooo hooooooooo hoooooooo!! How am I going to survive with a pair of Blundstones, a pair of hiking shoes, a pair of ugg boots and a pair of thongs (and maybe a sneaky pair of ballet flats)??? How is it possible to live with a winter waterproof coat, three jumpers, two pair of jeans, two trackies, one pair of shorts and about half a dozen assorted tees and long sleeves?? OH MY FRIGGING GOODNESS!!!! What have I done to myself?????
Ok, ok, ok, settle down Bel. Take a few deep breaths. Think about something else. Phew. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favourite things.....
So, with only 6 days until drive out day we have been packing, unpacking and repacking Cara. We have been culling anything else that we think we can do without (not much!). We have had the car serviced and have it booked in for some final electric works tomorrow. The kids are very excited that they only have three days left of school and C only one day left of daycare. E's teacher is even organising a shared lunch for her class to say goodbye. We have shopped for shoes, birthday presents, towing mirrors and toilets. Filing and paper work is in order, insurance organised and checked again. I'm making a list and I'm checking it twice. Thursday will see us make our final visit to our storage container to collect the last of the things that are coming with us, namely Wally the Washer Mark 2, Kevin the kayak and all necessary accessories like the obligatory lifejackets and paddle. We will also be returning to the container all items and objects that we just don't think can come along including, to the dismay of the children, the Soda Stream. We had been hoping to take it with us, but just can't fit it in without forgoing the allocated storage area for wine and scotch - pffft like THAT is going to happen!!!!
Well, must be time for a little tipple before I tipple myself into bed exhausted - again! Hmm, only 6 days until we can relax. Bubbles, must add bubbles to the list, must get bubbles, bubbles, pretty bubbles, colourful bubbles, big bubbles, little bubbles, lots of bubbles...... I like bubbles...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. =0)
We had a really lovely day at our housewarming / bon voyage / birthday for Erin party last Sunday. Thankfully the rain held off for most of the day, especially since we were about 60 seconds to late to secure the rotunda at the park. No one would say it was a sunny, warm day, but at least it wasn't bucketing another months worth of rainfall like the day before it. We had quite a few people come to wish us well on our travels, however they didn't eat anywhere near enough sausages, and I have over 2kg left!! Many we were expecting and some we weren't which made for a nice surprise. It was interesting to observe peoples reactions to seeing Cara. Most thought she was lovely, but a few shook their heads and told me I am mad!! Lol.
Others wondered how you can condense a house down to a caravan, and more importantly how was I going to survive with a wardrobe that only holds about 8 coat hangers of clothes??? That is one question I'm not entirely sure how I can answer - yet - as I am still coming to terms with the enormity of this part of the whole process. I think I must still be in denial, grief is yet to come..... My beautiful red winter coat, my lovely burnt orange coat, my black trench, my grey coat (I love my jackets), my dozen different scarves, all my tops and tee's in all the colours of the rainbow, all the lovely knitted cardigans, and shirts, and pants and shorts, and shoes, all my shoes, all my lovely, wonderful, beautiful shoes. Boooooooo hooooooooo hoooooooo!! How am I going to survive with a pair of Blundstones, a pair of hiking shoes, a pair of ugg boots and a pair of thongs (and maybe a sneaky pair of ballet flats)??? How is it possible to live with a winter waterproof coat, three jumpers, two pair of jeans, two trackies, one pair of shorts and about half a dozen assorted tees and long sleeves?? OH MY FRIGGING GOODNESS!!!! What have I done to myself?????
Ok, ok, ok, settle down Bel. Take a few deep breaths. Think about something else. Phew. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favourite things.....
So, with only 6 days until drive out day we have been packing, unpacking and repacking Cara. We have been culling anything else that we think we can do without (not much!). We have had the car serviced and have it booked in for some final electric works tomorrow. The kids are very excited that they only have three days left of school and C only one day left of daycare. E's teacher is even organising a shared lunch for her class to say goodbye. We have shopped for shoes, birthday presents, towing mirrors and toilets. Filing and paper work is in order, insurance organised and checked again. I'm making a list and I'm checking it twice. Thursday will see us make our final visit to our storage container to collect the last of the things that are coming with us, namely Wally the Washer Mark 2, Kevin the kayak and all necessary accessories like the obligatory lifejackets and paddle. We will also be returning to the container all items and objects that we just don't think can come along including, to the dismay of the children, the Soda Stream. We had been hoping to take it with us, but just can't fit it in without forgoing the allocated storage area for wine and scotch - pffft like THAT is going to happen!!!!
Well, must be time for a little tipple before I tipple myself into bed exhausted - again! Hmm, only 6 days until we can relax. Bubbles, must add bubbles to the list, must get bubbles, bubbles, pretty bubbles, colourful bubbles, big bubbles, little bubbles, lots of bubbles...... I like bubbles...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. =0)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)