Day 2 - Xmas 5 Days

Canonleigh, only 30km west of Moss Vale, was the location for Day 2. The drive though took nearly an hour thanks to a learner driver and 10km of rough gravel road. After hilly and hot orienteering courses we made our way to Carrington Falls via a coffee shop at Moss Vale.

Located within Budderoo National Park, we found this area to be a popular spot especially on a warm day. Luckily for us, we arrived in the small carpark just as someone was leaving! Locals directed us to the ideal swimming area known as Nellies Glen. After a short walk, we discovered the spot! It was quiet crowded but we stashed our stuff on the rocks and were keen for a swim. A small waterfall cascaded into descent sized pool below. The water was chilly but refreshing and the pool turned out to be relatively shallow with a rock platform.

Fairly quickly, the kids were climbing the steep embankment to the explore the upper sections of Missingham Creek. We spent most of our time at this area with it's many steps and rock pools. The kids caught tadpoles, made dams and generally had an awesome time discovering what nature had to offer.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch before an exploration party set off up stream. The rest of us followed shortly after and were pleasantly surprised to come across Blue Pool. It was very much like a pool - about 60m long and 40m wide although the water was more brackish than blue but that probably had more to do with the overcast conditions. We all plunged in and swam to the other end. It was much colder than the waterfall pool at Nellie Glen.

It was great to be able to dip in and out of the water all afternoon. Eventually it was time to go but before departing we ventured a short distant past the cars to Carrington Falls. The Kangaroo River tumbles over the Budderoo plateau forming the spectacular 50+m waterfall. There were some brave souls who swam in the infinity rockpool at the edge. We were all too nervous and viewed this impressive waterfall downstream and a very safe distance from the edge.....well kinda of....

I'm keen to return to this area as there seems to be heaps of great places to explore and walk to. On the bucket list for 2018!

A 20 Year Break

Our entry to the Christmas 5 Day orienteering was really the result of wanting to camp at Morton National Park which has been on my bucket list for some time. In searching, I realised that the Christmas 5 Day orienteering carnival was based in the Southern Highlands and thought perhaps we could run a few days.

Unfortunately the camping at Morton National Park was full for most nights except for the 29th which we booked. As for the other two nights, we were based at a caravan park in Moss Vale.  Cath, Eoin and Aoife camped with us.

And so after a 20 year hiatus, we were back! Reminiscing on the drive to the first day at Chevalier College, Bowral we recalled, if our memory serves us correctly that our last Christmas 5 Days was in 1997 and based around Belangalo.

Both the girls entered with Ella running by herself, while we took turns shadowing Katy.

Merry Christmas

Santa once again thought the girls had been well behaved this year leaving their Santa sacks filled with very generous gifts. Each received a coding robot - Katy a mouse and Ella a Sphero Ball.

After the initial Santa sack excitement, we dragged the girls out on a family 'run'. Up to the horse paddock we trotted, where Andy peeled off for a real run. Katy and I remained chatting to a couple who were attending to their horses while Ella wandered back home. Katy was pretty impressed when she was asked if she wanted to brush the horse called Patrick! 

Back home a few more presents (from interstate) were opened before readying the house for the arrival of the rest of the Hogg family. Ella was in charge of table decorations and did a fantastic job with the rosemary, orange and jasmine floating candles as well as the fresh cut maple leaves.

Arrival of the 9 guests saw the Christmas tree nearly disappear under the presents! Food was gathered and initially prepped before we began the traditional gift giving.

With all the excitement over, our focus turned to cooking the roast dinner. We had the chicken and lamb roasting in the weber on the deck; the potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes in the oven plus an assortment of vegies on the stove top. Timing was the key and it all went smoothly to plan. By mid afternoon we were all enjoying a roast Christmas lunch on the deck.

To help digest the feast we had just devoured, we all headed down to the Cook oval for a match of cricket. Fun times.

Returning back home we enjoyed the desserts on offer - orange and chocolate cake; coconut, lime and mango semifreddo and fruit platter. Definitely no need for dinner! A very relaxing and enjoyable day just as Christmas should be.















Unfortunately for Katy, the end of the day spelt disaster. As she was being swung in the hammock, the rope broke resulting in her crashing to the ground with her cheekbone taking the brunt of the force. Luckily she escaped with only a graze and bruised cheek rather than a fracture.

Christmas Prep

This year, the lodge was booked before us by another family and so we were to remain in Canberra for Christmas. For the first time ever we offered to host Christmas so on Christmas Eve there were a few preparations to sort - cleaning the house, last minute food shopping as well as table decorations to be folded and dessert to be made. All was completed in ample time, in fact we even enjoyed  impromptu Christmas Eve drinks on our deck with a few friends. All extremely relaxing!

More Advent Happenings

We scored a lovely balmy evening for our annual outdoor cinema trip at the Botanical Gardens. Susie, Patrick, Joshua and Mia joined us for a picnic dinner while we waited for the sun to set and the film to begin. The movie, The Star, was a cartoon animation of the Nativity Story. Provided lots of questions afterwards especially from Katy.

It's Very Quiet Here...

And so we left Guthega mid afternoon on Monday to return for our final days of work for 2017. Ella and Katy both remained at Guthega along with the 4 cousins and the grandparents!

Our mornings were extremely quiet and efficient - I found myself arriving way too early at work! Despite both girls having reservations about the 3 days away, they coped just fine. During the day we received various photos updating the adventures the kids were having in the mountains. Meanwhile in the evenings Andy and I enjoyed a few dinners out!

Walk to Porcupine Rocks

On our way to the Porcupine Rock walk, we released a visitor that was captured overnight from the inside of the lodge. Everyone was excited to see the little fellow emerge from the trap and into the bin. Grandpa was keen to identify and after studying the ears and length of the tail he declared it to be a Broad-toothed Rat, a native rat of the alpine region.

Over the link road we continued and on to Perisher for the start of the Porcupine Track. This 5km walk, climbs through open snow gums to an outcrop of granite boulders, known as Porcupine Rocks that sit at an altitude of 1900m and overlook the Thredbo River Valley. 

The kids chatted and wandered along quite happily and before we knew it we were there. The views over Lake Crackenback were impressive. The kids took to summiting the highest rocks possible. Saving myself from cardiac arrest, I tried not to watch them do so! Eventually they all returned safely after exhausting the different climbing options.

The alpine flowers were still out. Dave showed and educated us on the White or Anemone Buttercup, a perennial flower that has a vulnerable status due to the grazing of domestic animals. This flower likes a south facing slope, often growing near mounting celery and is the first to bloom once the snow melts. A pretty little thing.