Point Lonsdale Lighting of Christmas Tree

We took the caravan for another outing this w/e to Point Lonsdale for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. This is a lovely community event, not too busy, with 'local vocals' the school choir and a visit from Santa Christmas (as Sam calls him.)

Last weekend we went to Queenscliffe music festival in the caravan which was awesome. Cool bands including the Melbourne Ska orchestra, Hoodo Gurus and 19-twenty (who were our top pick!) We went on the Blues train and grooved to 19-twenty again. Apparently they have got banned from the train as there was too much dancing and the train floor was flexing... go figure!

Bimbi Park, Cape Otway

 We spent the Cup Day long weekend at Bimbi Park, Cape Otway. As we drove into the campground a koala with a baby on her back crossed the road in front of us then proceeded to climb a tree next to our car. I think we counted over 30 koala sitings over the w/e as well as wallabies, the endangered Cape Otway carnivorous black snail (eats stinky boys toes) and many different birds.

On Saturday we visited Cape Otway Lighthouse which has been in operation since 1848. It was Halloween so much Trick or Treating followed back at the campsite and Frank's Famous Wood fired pizza night listening to the 'Family Tree', a local band: parents and 3 kids 13, 11 & 9. Very talented!

On Sunday Charlie and I went trail riding towards Station Beach, cut short slightly as one of the horses bolted for home as he took a dislike to some bushes!

Charlie's friend Emily and family arrived on Sunday afternoon as well as Alex's friend Jack, which was great, the kids had so much fun racing around the campsite.

On Monday we did a grand tour of the Otway rainforest, starting at Maits rest which was a rainforest walk and we spotted the toe eating snails (and avoided squashing them). Then we went to the Redwoods which was a small plantation of Californian Sequoia trees planted in 1938. The kids had a ball playing hide and seek and crossing the trunks over the river and of course sliding in the mud. We finished off at Triplet Falls for some more rock hopping. Roger did his own wood fired pizza for tea.

Tuesday: cup day and packing up day. But we did squeeze in a trip to the Otway Fly, treetop walk and zipline on the way back.

An awesome weekend in spectacular scenery. Kids exhausted and filthy with a mountain of smelly, muddy laundry!

Cape Otway Lighthouse

Trick or treat??

Charlie and I went on a trail ride with beautiful views of the coast

And me!

On the beach at Gibsons steps

The magnificent 12 apostles

Charlie and Emily crossing the river

The girls investigate the Fairy Tree

Californian Redwoods

Jack, Charlie and Emily

Alex and Jack at Triplet Falls

Triplet Falls (Bottom Cascade)

Rog tends the pizza oven with Fiona and Peter

'It's going to be a good one'

Charlie climbs the rock climbing wall at the campsite

Jack and Alex ready to start their zipline tour

Alex ziplining

Charlie crossing a bridge

Team shot at Otway Fly

Return to the Toon (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

After a few days in Harrogate it was time to travel up to see my family in Newcastle. I bought a National Express coach ticket 27 pounds return. The coach had seen better days to put it mildly but it got me to Newcastle. Then a short walk down to the Quayside where my hotel was located.

The Waterside Hotel is an old fashioned pub hotel in the heart of Newcastle. The staff are friendly and the rooms clean and functional. I probably overpaid because I booked it on-line. I suspect you would get a better rate if you called them. The location however was fantastic my window directly overlooked the swing bridge. It was also a perfect location for running. I had three runs in three days. In Newcastle you can do large loops as there are long paths along the Tyne and lots of bridges to cross. I ran on both sides of the river to Dunston on the South Bank and Elswick on the North Bank. The river is returning to nature after  years of heavy industrial development that ended in the 1980’s.

On Saturday night I went out to Saint George’s Church in Jesmond and heard my niece Joanna sing in the Swing Bridge Singers choir. They had a wide repertoire of songs ranging from the Lion King to James Bond. Joanna sang well and did a duet of summertime with another singer. Later in the evening my nephew Jack also showed off his brilliant free style dancing.

Then on Saturday night I had a beer with my brother at the Crown Posada on Dean Street a fantastic pub a real blast from the past for both of us.  

Links

Waterside Hotel

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186394-d210720-Reviews-The_Waterside_Hotel-Newcastle_upon_Tyne_Tyne_and_Wear_England.html

Swing Bridge Singers

http://www.sagegateshead.com/event/swing-bridge-singers/

England in Autumn

I am In the middle of a quick 10 day trip back to see my family in the UK. I flew with Royal Brunei airlines. The trip was great. Plenty of room on the plane I was able to stretch out  and sleep for most of the journey. The cabin staff were polite and efficient. The flight cost me $1,440 Melbourne to London. The guy next to me got a bargain he paid $1,150 for his flight but he booked a couple of weeks before me. He was an interesting fellow and had his own theatre company and was staging a satirical play in Cardiff based on the film the Titanic. His name was Tobias Alexander Edward Manderson-Galvin (fantastic name!!) see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobias_Manderson-Galvin

I then took the train up to Harrogate which was relaxing. It was beautiful travelling through the countryside with the Autumn leaves turning golden brown as winter approached. The transition from a sultry spring in Melbourne to Autumn sunshine in England was pleasant with temperatures of around 12 to14 Celsius. It was wonderful to see my parents and home after 2 years.

My Parents house. 47 Bilton Lane

St. Johns Church

Alex's Laser Skirmish Party

We took 10 boys out to the bush to Cockatoo to play outdoor Laser Skirmish. There was much excitement as they donned camouflage overalls and had to choose a weapon. They then spent 2 hours running around the bush shooting each other.

All finished off with sausage sizzle and cake... there is no event big or small that can't be improved by a sausage sizzle!!!

Waiting in line for a gun!

Ollie and Zubyn

Top Spot

We went and saw 'Top Spot' a show in the Melbourne Fringe Festival starring Alex's piano teacher Stephanie Marion Wood. She really is exceptionally talented, singing, dancing, magic and much laughter. Alex had to be sawn in half in a box, he was laughing so much the box was shaking and Charlie got up on stage and was a frozen vegetable.
We were joined by our good friends the Bruce and Harney families.
Highly, highly entertaining!!

Alex is sawn in half in the box.

Charlie on stage

All the kids on stage

Roger with the ladies!

Alex is 11

Proud owner of an AXE!
Alex went to diving camp with 3 friends and then I took them to Bounce trampoline tastic in the afternoon.

Sam is 4

I meant to post these pics last week but had to lie down in a darkened room for a while after the back to back birthdays, Sam was 4 on Tues 29/9 and Alex 11 on the 30. A friend said "Have a joint party" and I thought 'Mmm that'll work well, 4 year old girls and 11 year old boys.'

Sam had a fabulous day, pancakes for brekkie, a trip to Werribbe zoo in the morning with Lisa and her kids and the cake in the park with 4 friends from kinder (4 friends for 4).

Breakfast

Baby rhino at Werribee Zoo

Charlie, Sam, Lisa, Connor, Scarlett and James

My Little Pony train cake, please take note of the marshmallow smoke!