Camping with company

SATURDAY 28th May 2011

So we've had a slack week blogging, but we're back to play catch-up.

Last week we had 3 nights over at North Stradbroke Island with the Bradshaws. We stayed at Cylinder Bay which was quite protected but we still had to deal with the rain whilst we were setting up, and even worse when we were packing up to leave. But the rest of the time the rain wasn't all that bad so we didn't let it hinder us and checked out 18 Mile Beach by 4wd.


At one point Chris was lucky enough to stop just before he ran over a turtle laying its eggs in the dunes.


We got take good views back to Brisbane from up on Tripod Lookout.




We checked out the Gorge and Blowhole but didn't really get to see it in action.




The boys had a mammoth afternoon building sandcastles and moats ( I'm not sure if it was the kids or the guys who were enjoying themselves the most).


We went to Brown Lake to test out the new paddleboard (nope it didn't take us long to convince ourselves of that purchase). And everyone had a go, the water was cold so no-one really wanted to take a spill.



Later that day Jace took his surfboard out and managed to find a reef within a few minutes, so now he is minus a fin, and of course was talking up the injuries.


We took the car-ferry back to the mainland on Saturday, in time to pay Nanny and Poppy a visit while they were on the Gold Coast. The kids scored a sleepover and a late night with room service. We then had our last night at the Bradshaws.


Monday we headed to Mooloolaba and scored a beachfront campspot, which was perfect to watch the storm rolling in. We were all set up before the rain started, not that it mattered as the tent still sprung its leaks.



We had some great sunrise views, but just too lazy a photographer to be able to focus at that time of the morning.


And the kids were still in the sandcastle building groove.



So far Mooloolaba is our pick to return to to live after the trip, but time will tell as there is still three quarters of the country left to experience.


Our trip out of Mooloolaba saw us passing the Big Pineapple at Nambour, which by all appearances is closed down, but we snuck in for a photo anyway.


We then took the Cooloola bush track to head north towards Rainbow Beach, which involved taking the trailer for a swim through a water crossing, and took us a while longer than expected so we stopped over a free campsite at Ross Creek for the evening. Our host was a 4yo who had his own little Jeep to drive around, and the kids sure enjoyed being chauffered around their property.


Next morning we made it to Hervey Bay, where we are currently enjoying another beachfront campground. I don't think the surfboard is going to see much action from here on up the coast, which is lucky since it still isn't fixed. But the paddleboard is sure to get a workout. You know you must be doing things right by the kids when they are both asking to go to bed at 6pm, this outdoor stuff sure is wearing them out.

xx Carlie.

Over the border

WEDNESDAY 18th May 2011

We left Yamba on Saturday, and went to Byron Bay where we wanted to go to the lighthouse in order to have a photo at the most easterly point of Australia. What we didn't take into consideration was that there is only parking for a few cars up at the lighthouse and certainly no parking for trailers, so with that scrapped off the list we instead went down to the beach to have some lunch and enjoy the beautiful day.


After that next stop was crossing the QLD border and heading to Currumbin. We have had a wonderful time staying with Chris & Katie, and the kids have enjoyed having Rhys join is as a third playmate.


It has been a relaxing few days just taking in the local sites.

Checking out the playground and beach at Palm Beach.




A short bushwalk at Mt Cougal, Currumbin Creek where we stumbled on some more waterfalls.




Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was awesome, we spent nearly a whole day out there and all the kids enjoyed it. Ella surprised us all by putting her hand up for the live snake show, where she managed to do a fine job of having the snake draped over her shoulders. (Eww!) And from then on she was th talk of the park, all the rangers knew her. We are now calling her Ella "Bindi" Garlinge.






Today we are off to do some more camping over at North Stradbroke Island, and the Bradshaws are joining us this time. I'm desperatly hoping that the rainclouds I can see out the window as I type this dissappear before we need to set up camp!
[...ok so I wrote this days ago and had computer issues getting it posted, we are back from Straddie and I'll update soon xx]
xx
Carlie.

Rolling in rockpools

FRIDAY 13th May 2011

On Thursday we spent some more time exploring Yamba. We wandered around the Angourie headland for a picnic lunch and the kids enjoyed checking out the rockpools.



Ash looked a little more closely than the rest of us and ended up in the rockpool!


Then the poor bugger ended up having to wear girls clothes for the rest of the day.

Jace dusted off the surfboard and managed to get his first surf for 2011 – he reckons he caught heaps of waves….just none while I was watching.

...

Today we ventured up to Iluka and spent majority of the day down on the beach near Woody Head. It was such a beautiful place and we'd definitly like to come back here for a camping holiday someday. It also put the paddleboard back on the wishlist as the ocean was perfect for it today.





All the rockpool playing resulted in no dry clothes again! This time for both kids.


[This is what happens when Jace dresses the kids, they end up as little mini-hims]



Jace has definitely settled into holiday mode…


…well just a few minutes at a time, when the kids have their backs turned.


Ash’s new trick – waving at waves – such a smarty pants.


We finished up the day with a 4wd along 10 mile beach, where Jace was in his element…couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.



Cya!!

xx Carlie

Bananas and Beaches

WEDNESDAY May 11th 2011


Our last night in Dorrigo on Monday saw the tent get its first trial in the rain, and a few seams sprang some leaks, but nothing that can't be fixed...and will be before the next rain. No damage done though.

Another hefty campsite move meant we headed off close to 11am and we took a quick stop off to check out the waterfall we were camped right next to.









We also managed to burn off some of the kids' energy at the park before the next drive.









Ella managed to give Jace the fright of his life when she picked up a baby snake, thankfully it was dead. But it seems that girl is set on heading in Bindi Irwin's footsteps, she kept trying to convince us that "gentle snakes don't bite".







We stopped in at Coffs Harbour, and did the obligitory Big Banana shot. Jace stocked up on his lolly supply at the candy making store. Then it was back on the road headed for Yamba. We are camped just between Maclean and Yamba.






Today we managed to tour the town and laze on the beaches for a while.



I think the kids faces tell it all when it comes to how happy they are having Jace around all the time.



We went up to see the lighthouse [Grandfather this one is for you]




Tonight we went to the Maclean Annual Show, so now Ella feels like she got to go the Easter Show after all. Much greasy food, rides and games later its time to hit the hay. See ya soon!