3 March 2012 - Washed out at the Prom

After a sleepless night in gale force winds, it was time to abandon Wilsons Prom and head for drier, and less windy ground. While this is a very beautiful part of the world, one can only take so much gale force wind against the tent and when the rain finally set in it was time to pack the bags. Disappointing, but we are off to drier ground for tonight. So we packed the tent in the peeing down rain, and I finally got to use the $2 bright yellow poncho that came with our camper trailer. Not a lot of fun, but we kept the kids quiet on dinasaur jellies and got the job done.

We stopped off in Foster in the hope of picking up a tacky Foster sticker for the trailer, but no such luck. Instead we settled for the local bakery. And hearing that the rain is pretty much widespread across the region, we decided to skip SeaSpray on 90 Mile Beach – which only had camping facilities – and push on to Lakes Entrance. It rained pretty much the whole way, and with a soaking tent, bed etc, have checked into a cabin for tonight at least to see what happens to the weather.

We tried Lachie in a bed for the first time – disaster – he was back in his cot within half an hour.

With widespread flooding across Eastern NSW and North/East Victoria, it may be a few days before we move on. Definitely time to head north!

2 March 2012 - Southward to Wilsons Promontory

We finally took the plunge and after a week in luxury at Phillip Island decided to push on to Wilsons Prom (the most Southerly point in mainland Australia) The car stereo was replaced this morning, but disaster, they couldn’t remove the CDs stuck in the stacker, so Em and Lachies favourite “kiddie music” is gone. Needless to say we had the usual kiddie arguments en route as to what constituted good kiddie music.

We checked in at Tidal River and couldn’t wait to check the place out, so having pitched the tent in a “sheltered spot” on the advice of the Visitor Centre we headed for Normans Beach. It was only then I think we noticed the wind, and Lachie certainly did as he was soaked within about 2 minutes. Em of course was thrilled with finding a few dead birds on the beach (as always).

Before dinner we decided to head out for a quick sneak preview of Squeaky Beach – where the sand is like quartz and squeaks as you walk. This place was BEAUTIFUL. Em managed to get into the swing of the “squeak walk” and while it took Lachie a bit longer he was finally walking with a squeak in his stride too. We played on the little dunes and then headed to the granite boulders to look for remnants of shipwrecks and scout for Monsters! Much fun was had and Em and myself vied to return tomorrow to terrify Daddy.

Before dinner we went for a quick wombat spot only to find one not far from the tent – the kids were ecstatic. We said “No touching” and they obeyed….for a while. I came out of the tent a little later to find them patting it!! Man was I shocked, and lucky for them this guy was friendly. You sure wouldn’t find that behavior from Rodney at the farm.

Can wait to check out the Prom tomorrow!!

1 March 2012 - Rain, rain go away

The first day of autumn, and what is supposedly our last day on Phillip Island. Rain has set in – again – and we have decided it is time to leave as we are getting too settled.

I took Em to the beach to search for crabs in the rain in the afternoon as cabin fever was setting in, and when we returned Uncle Mick was back and it was time for a vino in “The Shed”. Moya treated us to another fabulous meal, and after another night of eating and drinking it is back to reality tomorrow as we hit the road, rain, hail or shine!

29 February 2012 - No Proposal at Nobbies!

In the early hours of the morning I heard I am an aunty again!!! Yay, Anne has had a little boy, all doing well, and beating the “Leap Year” by 11 hours in Ireland. Had he been born here he would only get a birthday every 4 years. No name yet, and I am still awaiting a photo.

After a trip to Nobbies Head to spot the penquins again, we headed back to watch the Pelican feeding at San Remo – all very interesting.

We headed towards Melbourne in the afternoon to meet the cousins. Joanne had organized dinner at theirs, and we got to meet Neil, kids – Jayden, Caleb, Tara and Hannah – Rory and kids – Tadgh, Emmerson and Caol. It was a wonderful evening and our only regret was not to be more organized and stay the night so a few more beers and wines could have been enjoyed!

To top the day off, Nick is relieved to have survived the day without a proposal. He can now relax for another 4 years before I get my next opportunity:-)

29 February 2012 - No Proposal

In the early hours of the morning I heard I am an aunty again!!! Yay, Anne has had a little boy, all doing well, and beating the “Leap Year” by 11 hours in Ireland. Had he been born here he would only get a birthday every 4 years. No name yet, and I am still awaiting a photo.

After a trip to Nobbies Head to spot the penquins again, we headed back to watch the Pelican feeding at San Remo – all very interesting.

We headed towards Melbourne in the afternoon to meet the cousins. Joanne had organized dinner at theirs, and we got to meet Neil, kids – Jayden, Caleb, Tara and Hannah – Rory and kids – Tadgh, Emmerson and Caol. It was a wonderful evening and our only regret was not to be more organized and stay the night so a few more beers and wines could have been enjoyed!

To top the day off, Nick is relieved to have survived the day without a proposal. He can now relax for another 4 years before I get my next opportunity:-)

28 February 2012 - Nearly a Leap Year Bub

Wonderful day with the sun showing its face again. We headed to the Wildlife Park on Phillip Island for the morning and the kids (and ourselves) had an absolute ball.  On entry you get a bag of food to “feed the animals” and while this was great it was also poor em’s downfall. They advised we hold the food, and with good reason we realized as Em got a horrible scratch from a wallaby, all about 2 mins after she had a bad fall. Poor girl, hopefully she is not mentally scared for too long, but with promises of an afternoon icecream, she soon recovered.

We had icecreams by the beach at Rhyll, but at this stage the wind was up again and it was freezing. Kids had a ball, enjoyed the beach and played at the park – we sat in the car rugged up supervising through the window!

Beautiful sunset, and found our early in the morning that I am an aunt again, but have to mention here as he is officially "Nearly a Leap Year Bub". Congrats Anne, DJ, big Sis Siofra, big brothers Daniel and Charlie. Can't wait to mee the nameless bub, but looks like being a way off yet:-(

28 February 2012 - Nearly a Leap Year Bub

Wonderful day with the sun showing its face again. We headed to the Wildlife Park on Phillip Island for the morning and the kids (and ourselves) had an absolute ball.  On entry you get a bag of food to “feed the animals” and while this was great it was also poor em’s downfall. They advised we hold the food, and with good reason we realized as Em got a horrible scratch from a wallaby, all about 2 mins after she had a bad fall. Poor girl, hopefully she is not mentally scared for too long, but with promises of an afternoon icecream, she soon recovered.

We had icecreams by the beach at Rhyll, but at this stage the wind was up again and it was freezing. Kids had a ball, enjoyed the beach and played at the park – we sat in the car rugged up supervising through the window!

Beautiful sunset, and found our early in the morning that I am an aunt again, but have to mention here as he is officially "Nearly a Leap Year Bub". Congrats Anne, DJ, big Sis Siofra, big brothers Daniel and Charlie. Can't wait to mee the nameless bub, but looks like being a way off yet:-(