Grandad's School Holiday Program

We had a lovely surprise visit from Grandad last week who we can thank for bringing along the HOT Perth weather - six days of 37ªC plus. The boys spent much of Sunday afternoon in the garage building a storage box for the deck (Andy's 2013 summer project). They made great progress completing the main section. The evening was spent at the Summer Sounds concert in the Botanical Gardens where we picnicked while listening to Shiraz Jazz.

Monday was Grandad's first session of holiday care...looking after both girls for half of the day. Pippa was taken on a walk via the local playground which conveniently was located next to the IGA shop that sold ice creams! No need to say more! Lunch was followed by some quiet TV time before I arrived back home at 3pm. We decided to get out of the warm house (30ªC inside) and headed down to Ricardo's for coffee and cake.

Tuesday Andy was off to work so we all went to the National Zoo and Aquarium. Our plan was to walk around the zoo until we got too hot then cool off in the aquarium section. Unfortunately the aquarium was closed due to renovations (that were meant to finish in September!) On entering we were introduced to and encouraged touch to Nigel, a small corn snake with pretty orange and yellow patterns. Later as we were leaving we met Frank, Nigel's brother!

As we wandered around the zoo, it was difficult to spot many of the animals who were hiding from the sun. We did manage to see - the white lions pacing, as was the cheetah; the otters happily playing in and out of the river; Berani the Sumatran tiger and the cougar were lying in their dens; lemurs and tamarins swinging and playing; the giraffe was busy eating while the zebras were trying to find some shade in their temporary enclosure; we watched the zookeepers clean and feed the meerkats; the snow leopard was nowhere in sight and the brown bears looked to have been swimming; both the tasmanian devil and dingo were snoozing in their respective dens.

We could not walk along all of the paths as some were closed because the aquarium was not the only thing having work done. Currently the eland/zebra enclosure is a busy building site with construction of 3 luxury villas! It will join the ever growing list of up close animal encounter experiences on offer at the zoo. By 1pm we'd exhausted the exhibits and ourselves and it was time to go home.

Wednesday a mostly job day with a few treats thrown in for good measure. The girls spotted the trampolines while we were in the mall and were soon jumping high and doing backflips! Big smiles all round. Completed the coles and markets shops spending the rest of the afternoon cooling off in the paddling pool.

A morning of well deserved rest was on the cards for Grandad on Thursday as the girls went off to Nana's. Pippa was happy as she finally got some attention and a walk! Grandad then picked up the girls, followed by Andy and were off to the cool off at the cinema. The girls were excited to see their first movie - Frozen - the latest disney movie based loosely on Hans Christian Anderson's story the Snow Queen. From all accounts everyone enjoyed themselves although it was very intense for both girls. Katy retreated to the safety of Andy's lap early on and remained there for the rest of the movie while Ella was sobbing when it looked liked the princess had died. Post movie both girls chatted about the movie and characters all afternoon.

Friday morning saw Grandad going solo again. Equipped with painting stuff, the girls showed off their artistic abilities taking up most of the morning. As the day heated up, the paddling pool came out with everyone seeking relief in the chilly water before retreating to watch the cricket. We decided to go out for dinner trying to avoid heating up the house anymore - it was already 32ªC inside! Bella Vista, an italian restaurant overlooking Lake Ginnindera was a fantastic spot. Great food and service.

Grandad's last day began with Little A's. The meet was combined with Ginnindera so a few more girls joined our group of under 7's. The program included turbo jav, 70m, shot put, 100m and discus. Thankfully we moved through each discipline quickly, finishing much earlier than expected and thus avoiding the heat. Highlights included a massive discus PB by 3m and losing a tooth before the start of the 70m!

Rest of the day was cruisy. Grandad's flight was scheduled earlier than normal so the girls came to the airport. On approach to the airport we could see the cool change coming through. Unfortunately this meant the incoming flight spent 15mins circling above the airport in a holding pattern due to the weather. Then soon after landing, the ground staff were pulled off the tarmac. Eventually Grandad boarded his plane an hour late. We were sad to see him go.

Free Time

Oh it's so nice to have a few days of free time to do whatever.....I was treated one night to home made ravioli thanks to Andy with the girls help! Apparently the girls really enjoyed making and eating the pasta insisting that we do it again soon. Only problem is finding that bit of time to do so!

Next on the list related to the advantage of working the early shift (home just after 3pm) was to venture to the local park before dinner to test out Katy's christmas present - a kite! We all had several goes flying, with the patchy strong wind dictating when it was the next persons turn. Pippa enjoyed the outing too!

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Camping at Berlang

Post Christmas we were to head from Guthega through Thredbo to Geehi Flats meeting up with Al, Rob and family for a few nights of camping. However Al, Rob and co had to bail and head home early due to food poisoning from their extended family christmas lunch!  Andy and I discussed our options and also decided to return back to Canberra to recover from Christmas.

However after a few days of hanging around at home we were keen to do something before I returned back to work. Rob suggested a campground in Deua National Park where he'd been a few time as a child.

Located about 30mins from Braidwood, Berlang Campground nestled in Deua National Park adjacent to the Shoalhaven River turned out be to a fantastic spot. After meeting in Braidwood for coffee, we arrived at the campground early in the afternoon.

The warm weather sent us straight down to the river where we spent the rest of the afternoon. A perfect spot - small sandy beach with some shade, a fairly shallow section of slow flowing river. The children were straight on to their boogie boards playing numerous games - boat rescues, being dolphins,  collecting stuff, stone skipping and playing in the sand...

With signs of tiredness and hunger emerging we returned to the set up camp and cook dinner. The girls were excited to be using their christmas presents - camping mats and head torches (even though it wasn't dark yet!) After dinner, we failed at using the fire sticks to strike up a blaze, instead resorting to matches and soon enough the fire was crackling away. The sun set, the possums came out and eventually the children were asleep.

The proposed agenda for the next day included girls run, boys run, girls pack up and take children on bush walk meeting boys somewhere along the way. And this pretty much happened!

Our bush walk involved a 4km return trip to the Big Hole. Our first hurdle was to cross the river and thankfully no one fell in!ax the children along. Al and I had run the track that morning, so we knew if was fairly challenging - small, quite rough, rocky and with a descent climb. We had come prepared though with a variety of treats to coax the children along. They were beginning to fade when the boys came into sight which momentarily boosted their spirits as did a few chocolate biscuits and some lollies! With the added extra adult support we continued on playing the new 'Hungry Alphabet game' as a distraction.

As we crested the top of the ridge, the track gently sloped down through the trees and the big hole platform came into view creating a wave of excitement along with boost of energy. The Big Hole is a large limestone roofless cave, approximately 100m deep and 50m wide. Rumour has it that a lyre bird lives at the bottom but we saw no evidence of it.

After a brief stop to refuel with food and take numerous photos, it was time to head back down the track returning to the campsite for lunch. Post lunch activities included packing the cars before cooling off in the river once again. This time games included water pistols, swimming shows, boat rescues, stone skipping and of course some very funning attempts at surfing....

Both families thought that the overnight camping excursion was so much fun and vowed we'd do something similar again soon. We had a quiet drive back through Captains Flat with both girls falling asleep (second time this year!)

Trigs and Lakes

Last day at Guthega began with a girls run up Guthega Trig. Crisp morning air was lovely as we descended from the lodge across Guthega Dam. As soon as we were in the sunshine it warmed up nicely and so did we as we climbed up and up. There is small indistinct track which we managed to follow until the snow gums petered out. From here the ground was covered with clumps of spongy alpine grass.

There is debate as to whether the trig is at the highest point or not, either way we missed the actual trig point which is slightly off to the left of the track while we were deciding on which of the next rocky outcrops to run to! The 360º views of the Great Dividing Range, Consett Stephens Pass and Mt Tate were spectacular.

We carefully picked out way back down, stopping at the actual trig (which had fallen over the edge) for a photo. Everyone was up by the time we returned to the lodge - 90 mins later having gone 9km with a 400m climb. A good morning workout.

We spent the rest of the morning packing and cleaning up the lodge ready for the next visitors due to arrive that afternoon. Our original plans for the next two days involved meeting up with the Jones/Walter clan for a few days of camping around the Geehi area, however we'd received word that they had to bail due to food poisoning from christmas day! Thus we decided to abort camping too but would join the rest of the family on a short walk to Rainbow Lake before driving home to Canberra that afternoon.

Rainbow Lake located off the Perisher Road, was formed when Diggings Creek was dammed to supply water for the Hotel Kosciusko (now known as Sponars Chalet) in the early 1900's. This easy 3km return walk meanders through the alpine snow gums and grasslands was perfect for expending some energy as well as a great spot for a picnic lunch!

Early in the piece while walking along a relatively flat grassy section, Susie took a tumble - twisting her ankle. Luckily with a physio on hand (thanks Cathy!) Susie had her ankle strapped and was up and walking again in no time. The children took turns complaining one minute then sprinting off to catch up whoever was in front the next and finally Rainbow Lake came into view which distracted them again.

We paddled our feet while eating lunch. Although our stop was fairly brief thanks to the persistent march flies, we did get a few good family shots.

Our return walk was timed well as the clouds were beginning to gather. We bid our goodbyes to Cathy, Susie and families who were continuing on for more holidaying in Thredbo and to Nana and Grandpa who were driving back home like us.