Film Star

Over 6 months ago, Dad sent me a email to watch a show that he was going to be in. Unfortunately I wasn't able to view it when it aired and subsequently the email was buried only to be rediscovered tonight. I had time so decided to watch. However a quick look at SBS on demand revealed the show was no longer available. Thanks to YouTube I managed to find the episode.

The show Great Australian Railway Journeys - Adelaide to Perth : The Indian Pacific (Series 1 Episode 3) is hosted by Michael Portillo a British journalist, broadcaster and former politician. An hour long, this part of the six series documentary touches on the history of various places from Adelaide to Freo. It just so happened to touch on the British Child migrant schemes like the one Dad grew up in - Fairbridge Farm in Pinjarra. As the current President of the Old Fairbridge Dad was asked to be involved. 

A 3 hour film session at Fairbridge, ended in a 8 min segment on the show! I showed the rest of my family Dad's segment which led to many questions raised by the girls. I know times were different back then but it is still hard to fathom Dad's solo journey halfway around the world as a young child and his subsequent upbringing at Fairbridge. I'm glad that in the past decade Dad has reconnected with many old Fairbridgians and helped many discover and find their way back to their families and relatives in the UK.

Below are a few stills I've taken from the clip as unfortunately I'm not able to copy the video of Dad's interview with Micheal but if you're interested click here and fast forward to around the 44 min mark.

Skipping School for Snow

With recent snow falling at Perisher, Andy and the girls skipped school and went up for the day. They were joined by Al and kids. Although the resort was not fully covered, they enjoyed the sunshine and runs covering most of Perisher. I meanwhile had to stay back to work.

Mondays...

....are one of Indi's favourite days - she gets to pick up Katy from school in the car. She loves to look at all the coming and going at this busy time.

Indi's Views

I like stealing shoes, socks or really anything that is left on the floor. I like to do excited wees when my human family members return from school and work. I don't like the vacuum - I usually run away and hide....

Ice Cream Anyone?

A belated birthday present from the cousins has Katy developing a new passion - making ice cream! Using her kitchen aid ice cream attachment, she whipped up her first batch of ice cream- mint choc chip. It was delicious and we are looking forward to the next batch!

Cousins Stacks On!

 The cousins having fun at a recent family dinner...

Sparkler Fun

 Winter is a fantastic time for sparklers...

Any Excuse to Escape to the Snow

Taking advantage of lovely weather conditions, Rob and Andy ventured to the snow for a back country trip to christen Rob new ski gear! They headed straight for Perisher and chose a route that went up and down numerous hills allowing skins to be put on and taken off. By the top of the first hill out of Perisher Mt Wheatley, they had a complete stranger ask to join their excursion. A man of little words, he hung mostly off the back. The boys explored the hills located between Betts Camp and the Paralyser before ascending Mt Perisher where their friend disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. From the top of Mt P, it was an easy run back to the car. As all the gear performed up to expectations, it was a great day away from the office!

A Day in the Life of Indi

 

Kitted Up

Despite the freezing water, we enjoyed our time at the beach so much so that we decided on looking for beginner surf boards and wetsuits. It didn't take us long to secure these two boards - the longer one for the adults and shorter one for the kids. I also found a bargain long wetsuit too so only need to kit out Andy with a wetsuit and we'll be ready for the next school holidays! Better start planning.

Morning beach run

The weather gods were not listening to our requests and as a result a huge storm front was forecast to come through the south coast tonight and tomorrow morning. Thus we made the not too hard decision to return home a day early to avoid soaking wet camping gear. Firstly though Cath, Navid and I went for a beach run to Pebbly Beach. An interesting journey with sand, pebbles and rock platforms and amazing colours.

 

Depot Rock Platform Walk and Surf Beach Surfing

The Depot Beach rock platform walk is one to do at low tide but it's amazing. We headed off at 10am to wander along this rock shelf around the base of the headland. The rock formations were amazing! We played numerous murder games on the way around which kept the kids slightly distracted while gazing into the rock pools :) 

 

And an hour later we arrived at North Durras where a couple of dolphins could be seen in the distance. Luckily the track home was shorter but steeper climbing up and over the headland through the bush.

Later in the afternoon we packed up our surfboards and drove south to Surf Beach in search for beginner waves. It started raining as we arrived but we all trudged out into the ocean. Funnily enough, there weren't many people in the water and I managed only to dive in once before returning to warmth of my towel and clothes!

We had planned to have fish and chips for dinner on the way home. However there was a fish n chip shop at the beach so thanks to the cool weather dinner turned out to be at 4.30pm!! Marshmallows, cheese and wine for dessert around the campfire finished off a wonderful day.

Coastal Camping!

It was soooo nice to drive down to the south coast for a few days of camping during the school holidays. We returned to Depot Beach - an area we'd explored before and enjoyed. Cath and Aoife decided to join us as did Navid (one of Andy's work colleagues) who drove up from Merimbula.

We arrived Friday afternoon and quickly set up camp. We booked two sites - with sleeping tents on one site and Patrick's huge new shelter and fire on the other site. 

Then it was beach time! Just enough time before the sun set for a splash. The water was cold for those with wetsuits (Katy, Ella, Aoife and Cath and icy for those without wetsuits (Andy and myself!)