Easter Camping 2011

Following our camp last year at our friends ray and Kylie's Dad farm, we were invited to go again this year.

We were a little more prepared than last year, as last year we had begged and borrowed the majority of our camping equipment.

We loaded up the trailer and set off for the farm with  a little "pewee 50" motorbike on the front.
We quickly set up camp and waited for the others to arrive having a well earned beer to celebrate.

Three other couples were with us and we set up not far away from a huge camp fire, kindly made from Bruce the owners felled dead trees.

We had a wonderful time at the farm again this year. The kids swam and played in the creek, they we driven around the 600 acres in the 4x4 Ute and ray and myself rode the pewee and a 200cc dirtbike with the kids on board.

We had a comunial cook up for Easter Sunday Lunch. The adults cooked Beef and Pork in the camp ovens placed in the hot coals of the campfire and the kids made Damper bread which came out beautifully.

I went for a Kayak trip from Bellbrook abot 18 kilometers downstream through rapids and some wonderful countryside. It was absolutley fantastic, the river was really wide and fast flowing and I only wish I could have phographed how amazing the vista was.

We went for a two hour 4x4 drive through the local fire trails and picniced half way where the kids climed and streched their legs.

We hope we are invited again next year to enjoy another wonderful Easter get away.

Holiday at Darlington Beach

We took a holidayb at Darlington Beach. It is a Big 4 campsite located at Arrawarra, just North of Coffs Harbour.
The area is lovely, sandy beaches and wonderful headlands. Woogoolga is just a few kilometers away and both Arrawarra and Woolgoolga are great surf regions.

The campsite is very flat and the sites are nestled between tall trees. Kangaroos possums and ducks roam the campsite unphased by the visitors.

The sites are large and have a hard standing for cars and caravans and nylon bases for the tents or annexes to sit on.

There are two large heated swimming pools, one with two slides in it. there is also a large heated spa to relax in.

There are two jumping pillows located within the sandpits to entertain the kids and adults if they wish!!

There were games and activities everyday for the children for example Boomerang and kite making.

We hired a couple of go karts and toured the site which was fun too.

The beach was a 5 minute walk from our pitch to the end of the site and I managed a couple of hours surfing while Rach and the kids played on the beach and in the water.

 

We met a lovely couple of Pomms from Coffs harbour and the kids got on really well. We hope to see them again fairly soon.

Jacob's Sixth Birthday

One of Jacob's friends from school Bella, turned five the same day as Jacob turned Six.
We got together and had a joint party for the children at McInherney park.

The weather unfortunatley turned a little damp that day. luckily, the park has a large undercover area with barbecues and lots of seats.

The rain did stop and the kids went swimming and played on a jumping castle while we cooked sausages and prepared the food for the party.

                                                              Pass the parcel

Jacob opening his remote control car

 The children enjoyed Karaoke which then turned into Jacob reciting prayers he has learned from school

Rachel made a Spongebob cake which took a mear three days to complete.

Christmas 2010

Our friends Gill and Dave Hall from Cutnall Green came over for Christmas.
They spent a few weeks in Queensland before heading down the coast to New South Wales arriving at Port Macquarie Christmas Eve.
Unfortunatley this Summer hasn't been terrific so far and the weather has been less than perfect for our guests.
They arrived to an overcast sky which continued into Christmas day.
This didn't deter any of us and Christmas morning, we ventured down to Flynns beach for a Champagne drink on the beach and a early morning surf.

We had a lovely Christmas lunch with turkey and a lovely baked ham that Rachel cooked and obviously a sprinkling of prawns from the barbie.

Boxing day we had breakfast at Cawarra Dam and then we went to North Haven for a swim

Lake cathie

 We went to Middle Brother lookout and they we very impressed with the view

We also went to Crescent Head and South West Rocks

 We entertained the children or rather they entertained us

We had a street party in our garage New Years Eve

Various

 We took the car up to the top of Jolly Nose.
It is a great vantage point to see all the way from Crescent Head down to Laurieton. It is only accessible by 4 Wheel drives or motorbikes.

 Jacob is looking through one of the wooden sculptures at Shelly Beach

 Jessie struts her stuff down at Flynns Beach

 Our turn for a spin on the bikes!!

 Jacob and Jessie ready for Charlie Penns fancy dress birthday party

Camping trip

The forecast for the last weekend in October looked good so we decided to go camping with Mel and Will and their Kids. We didn't want to venture too far so decided that we would go to Diamond Head.

The weather was great and hot enough for us to go to the beach and take a swim and a little surf.

It was a very relaxing weekend, we all enjoyed each others company and had a good old yarn sitting round the campfire at night. 

Jessie decided to do a little pole dancing for us!!!!!!

The water was still slightly too cold to go in without rashies on!

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The Kangaroos are really tame and roam around the campsite unphased by the human presence surrounding them.

  

The Kids had a great time both down at the beach and around the campground

Time for bed!!