Part of our reason for coming back to Canberra rather than going for another swim in Nowra was to allow Katy a little bit of recovery time before she headed off on school camp the next morning. Luckily Aranda PS managed to reschedule all of their school camps that had been postponed due to Covid. The only change to the camp was that the Yr 5 and Yr 6 student would go separately - splitting the week between them. The house will be quiet for the next few days....
The final morning down the coast was to be spent in the tree tops - we'd booked tickets to Trees Adventure in Nowra. We were all looking forward with excitement and trepidation!
No one really had a great night sleep. It was hot with a minimum temperature of 21°C and no breeze. Our morning began waking up and discovering there was no power in the cottage! The cows meandered around the house bringing some smiles and a photo opportunity for Ella. It was a quick pack up before heading into Nowra to find a cafe for breakfast. The temperature was once again on its way up helped nicely along by a hot wind.
Here are a selection of Ella's shot including a few from the previous night.
The weather forecast looked hot, so hot that they brought the start time forward twice! We woke up super early, as the sun was penetrating through the mist that had descended around us.
The 200+m climb up Mt Scanzi was brutal and after running down the other side, I was worried about how I felt which was terrible and we had only run 4km to of the 23km!!
The race was an out and back along Mt Scanzi Rd, a gravel single lane road. The escarpment views were interesting, the cicadas insanely loud and the wind hot. We descended into the cool gully and rock hopped across the Bugong Creek.
As the 13km turn around point loomed in the distance, I told Cath I was struggling and was doubting that I'd be able to make another 10km. Cath didn't need much convincing, and so after a loo stop, we talked to the volunteer and let them know we were dropping down to the 13km run.
We recovered with water, coke and coffee at the end watching runners finish while the temperature continued to climb. A ute drove into the finish arena and unloaded an unconscious runner into the first aid tent. The poor guy was lifted out of the car and flopped down onto the stretcher like a rag doll - he looked in serious trouble and a short time later an ambulance arrived. Fingers crossed he recovered ok.
From the run, we drove through Berry to the coast where Andy, Ella, Katy and Aoife were at the beach. The day was a scorcher - with the beach sand burning everyone's feet! The water was cool but the waves no good for surfing.
The sun was intense and finally drove us from the beach. It was a short drive to Berry where we had lunch, ice cream and did a spot of shopping. All of which was uncomfortable in the now 40°C heat! Back at the cottage, it was time for a cool shower and a quiet afternoon trying to keep cool!
By late afternoon, we decided that another swim was necessary. This time, we drove to Culburra Beach in search of waves. After catching three waves in a row, Aoife declared this to be the best beach ever! Not sure anyone else agreed with this statement. It was great though to cool down once again.In a moment of weakness, a work colleague convinced me to join her on the Summit Shoalhaven - a trail run in the Kangaroo Valley area. Since the Bouddi Coastal Run that Cath and I had entered to run in November has been postponed due to covid, we considered to participate in the Summit Shoalhaven instead.
Summit Shoalhaven course followed much of the King of the Mountain route - a race that was organised by the Nowra Athletics Club for decades. With 4 distances to choose from, we signed up for the 23km (and 650m climb). Of course, we decided also to make a weekend of this taking surfboards and booking tickets to the Tree Top Adventure course at Nowra.
Leaving Canberra after school, we arrived at our airbnb cottage nestled amongst the dairy farms in Numbaa, just south of Nowra.
in the garden...
...apples!
...omg our first ever lime despite having this lime tree for years
and a few nectarines...
and the cherries are ripening nicely!
Katy enjoyed the four weeks of Spring Score. Due to Covid restrictions, the event which traditionally was held at various schools was required to move to two local parklands. Also to abide by the multitude of restrictions, the competition was split into two events that run concurrently. Logistically this required another level of organisation including two start / finish areas and a heap more volunteers. Despite lawn moving in progress on the first morning, and the third event being postponed due to rain, all the events ran smoothly. Aranda Primary School impressively took out the top three places with Katy and her team mates - Mira, Hayden and Ethan coming 2nd.
Thanks to the great photos taken by Tom de Jong.
... her new friend Bekele
... destroying stuffed animals or anything with stuffing
... the wind in her hair!!
Dug in some compost, planted a variety of seedlings and seeds - basil, parsley, corn, tomatoes, chard, snow peas, peas and beans - and then netted the whole lot plus the fruit trees to keep the birds, possums and Indi out.
All puppies goes through this phase when they suddenly discover their tail! Hours of entertainment!!
