A change of plans

Today we packed a picnic lunch and headed to Jamberoo Action Park. Unfortunately by the time we arrive just after 10.30am the carpark was already very full and we knew it would be very crowded in the park. So much to Christy’s horror we drove back out of the carpark. We had passes to use so we will be back – actually we’ll be back twice before the close of season at the end of April (we have two family passes).

Without really knowing where to go – only that since we were all wearing our swimsuits it needed to involve a swim – we headed to Kiama, then Shellharbour and eventually ended up at Killalea State Park.  Both the girls had been here on school excursions but I had no idea how beautiful the area was and that it included two surf beachs.

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As you can see it is a popular place on a very hot Sunday during the school holidays.

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After applying suncream we set off to the beach. We weren’t too pleased when we saw this sign :-(. So the girls were given strict instruction not to go beyond waist height in water.

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We had a brief swim – the water was freezing and we were a bit paranoid about a potential rip, then had our picnic lunch on the beach.

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We only ended up spending about an hour here as it was midday and the sun was very strong. We decided to go and the girls a snorkel set that they can use when we go on holidays tomorrow and also in the pool. So after that we headed home and had a swim in our pool – which was ridiculously warm – and they played with their new gear. Then it was time to think about packing for our annual Summer holiday to Port Stephens with Nan & Pop.

So while today didn’t quite turn out as planned it was a good one :-).

Family Farm Tour

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NOTE: I hope you can see the photos – Kevin said they didn’t show up for him but I could see them :-(. They are visable on flickr if you’re having trouble.

Today we went on a Foodpath Family Friendly Food Tour of the Southern Highlands. It proved to be a fantastic day, which we all loved. We drove our own car in conv0y from farm to farm (and were provided with maps in case we got lost).

First stop was a free range chicken farm, where we had to don protective foot covers.

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It was lovely seeing all the chooks running around. They had the greatest house (this is one of five).

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Don’t they have the cutest nesting boxes?

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This farm not only has chickens, but also Mareema dogs – which are used to guard the chickens. Here’s Amy and Amy :-).

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They were so cute. A bit like a giant Golden.

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We also saw where they clean and sort the eggs.

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Then it was on to our lunch stop at a Winery.

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Such a beautiful setting. And I just loved this flower.

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We had a talk from the restaurant owner and chef…

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then enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch.

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Our next stop was supposed to see some new born goats, but unfortunately poor Mum was still extreamely pregnant (she was as wide as she was tall). But we got to see the truffle orchid.

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And meet Bob…

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to whom Christy got feed some apple.

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We then visited the pregnant goats.

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They also had geese…

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and yabbies…

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Then our last stop for the day…

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I loved how the cows waited for their turn to be milked, then walked in and went into the right stalls.

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1 day old baby calves … how cute are they?

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This little girl kept trying to eat (drink) my clothes and I came away rather wet :-).

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These babes were very keen to get their milk.

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And when it was gone they tried to get milk from the other calves ears…. too funny…

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That was the end of our fantastic tour. Really well worth doing if you like to see where your food comes from. We loved it and would love to do similar tours. We saw so many different animals and it was very hands on for the girls. Christy even got to help attached the suckers to the cows udders and Amy got to hold a yabbie.

We had one more stop on the way home…. Robertson Cheese Factory – where we bought some cheese….and gelato…

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The perfect end to a perfect day.

Family fun day

We had a great afternoon – just the four of us. What did we do you ask? I’ll give you a hint…. we got to sport these gorgeous shoes…

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I’m sure you guess bowling – the shoes are a dead giveaway :-).

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The girls have improved lots since the last time I saw them play and today Christy progressed from using the ramp…

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to throwing it on her own, after a few pointers from Amy and Kevin…

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Amy did great too, though I wouldn’t want to stand to close her when she’s bowling :-).

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Kevin was the champion, and way more competitive than I remember him being.

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First game scores…

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Some cuddling amongst the sisters…

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and the second game scores…

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Okay, so I improved my game but still managed to LOSE!!! I seem to be very hot and cold with my bowling :-). But just to be clear both girls used the bumpers :-).

After the game the kids (including the big one) had to play the arcade games.

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While I relaxed with a tea and chocolate (to chase away my headache of course :-))

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Then the highlight for the girls…choosing some  junk prizes.

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Yes, I know it would have been a MUCH cheaper afternoon if we’d given them $5 and let them buy stuff at the cheapy shop :-). But not as much fun…

Family day out to the theatre

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We had a lovely family day out to Sydney and the theatre. First stop was lunch. There were a few Asian places to choose from – we chose Korean.

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For lunch I had cheese dolsot – which was delicous.

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Amy and Kevin really enjoyed their meals too, and Christy her bowl of rice.

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It was a fun lunch, esp. since we don’t eat out that often as a family. And  we even got to watch Korean music videos as we ate!

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Then it was time to walk next door to the Capitol Theatre to see the musical FAME.

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It was pretty good, though not as good as other musicals we have seen. The dancing was fantastic and the girls really enjoyed it. We thought Christy might have been bored in parts but “it was perfect” according to her and she wants to go see it again. I think a lot of the adult stuff just went over her head. It was worth the price we paid as we got a special deal on the tickets (which was why we took the girls).