On the home straight with a stop in Port Macquarie

Well after thinking it would be perfect weather when we left Nelson Bay we were surprised to find out it had come over overcast and miserable looking again.  Thankfully the rain held off whilst we packed up and hitched on.  Our aim was to get away quite early as our site was pretty much the last one before the exit boom gate and in order for us to get out it meant blocking the exit for everyone else.  Due to the massive tree right beside us it wasn’t a simple pull the van out.  Jason had to go straight and then reverse turning the vehicle back around. 

As we couldn’t see any cars coming we decided to put on the Hayman Reece bars before exiting.  However as soon as the jack was down along came a little sedan.  We would have only taken about two minutes to finish the job but no they didn’t want to wait and so they continued on squeezing past our car and just fitting.  Honestly some people don’t seem to have any patience.  Still we managed to get it all done and out of the park with ease.  That is when the showers started and seemed to continue for most of the trip up the coast.

Despite the trip being scenic, Jason and my mood was rather depressing as I think the realisation that we were now on the home straight with our trip started to set in.  We will have the quick trip back to Sydney but our trip is drawing to an end and just the thought of that makes us sad and depressed.  Still we will just have to find a new project to keep us going until we can afford the next big trip off exploring something.  Who knows what that will be but I am sure we can find something. 

Not a bad drive at all.

Along the way to Port Macquarie we decided to stop for morning tea and pulled into a side street that had a coffee shop.  The problem was it didn’t exactly cater for our caravan in regards to turning around to get back on the highway and we had flashbacks to our incident outside of Adelaide where a Hayman Reece bar flew off.  So not wanting to make the same mistake Jason decided he would take the right hand turn and then reverse back and then make a second right hand turn.  Thankfully it was a quiet road and we could do this and get around.  I mean the other option was to just take off the Hayman Reece bars and make the turn but we didn’t really want to have to do that unless we had too (yes lazy I know).

Check in was a breeze at the little caravan park we had picked but getting into our site a little harder than we thought it would be.  Mainly because the guys car in the site beside us was a little too close to our space and whilst we did try eventually I did have to take him up on his offer to move his car just whilst we parked.  Then of course there were too older gentlemen who decided they would stand out on the road and watch us!  Now I know we are guilty of the same but at least we try and be discrete, not just stand on the road watching.  Still we did get it first go rather easily once the car was moved and set up in record time.

One of the many beaches.

Our hopes were not high for good weather in Port Macquarie as it was constant on and off showers the whole way up, but it seems that Port Macquarie is in a protected little pocket and we managed to get all set up and even put on a load of washing.  Mind you it did shower when I was hanging out the washing but it held off for the rest of the day and we got to go out and check out some local beaches and buy Broncos supporter gear in preparation for Sunday.  I think this would be a beautiful place to visit in Summer or when it is a bit warmer to make the most of the stunning beaches.  Even one road down to a beach made it feel like you were discovering this hidden oasis.  The full carpark at the other end certainly put a stop to that feeling.  Still we got out and explored the rock pools before heading back to the van.

Yay, freedom.

Enjoying the rock pools.

Look what I found Mum.

Leaving his mark.

Kayla of course had to join in.

Monday morning we woke up to the most perfect sunny day and we were certainly going to make the most of it.  First off the rank was the washing and a school lesson so we did all that first and headed out just after 9am to walk along the river break wall and just soak the sunshine whilst enjoying the beautiful waterfront.  There was a caravan park just there and we were both scratching our heads as to why we hadn’t booked that one.  Though for its prime position it wasn’t exactly packed so we assumed that it must have some negatives to it.  Still it would have been good to give it a go as you wouldn’t have had to drive anywhere.  Mind you we love our little quiet caravan park that can only fit about 20 vans.

Out enjoying the sunshine.

Not a bad view.

After our walk along the wall we sat down and enjoyed an ice cream each.  I think Jason was the smart one and just kept it simple.  The rest of us over indulged in sundaes and they were quite sweet for us.  We then headed for a drive to the lighthouse to see the views from there.  It was quite windy up top and the kids used me as a wind break and complained it was cold so we didn’t stay too long.  Instead we headed to the rainforest walk which was just down the road a little bit.  It was a nice easy walk but Hamish was getting a bit over it all by then and Kayla fell asleep in the pram so we thought we would head back into town, grab some fish and chips and head back to the caravan for lunch.

The view from the lighthouse.

Has been a while since there has been a photo of the car.

Well the wait for the fish and chips was long, but that is what you have to expect when you pick the most popular one on the trip advisor site.  However back at the caravan it was a bit of a letdown as it just all felt way too oily.  It is hard to explain but it just didn’t hit the spot.  So to make up for that we headed out to pick strawberries from the local farm.  It is more of a hydroponics one and my gosh it was addictive and we all had so much fun.  We called it quits before we went overboard but in the end didn’t even have a kilo all up.  The trip back into town was a nice and quiet one but that pretty much meant we had no strawberries left.  Well Kayla polished off her pile and Hamish at least had a few left.

Need the SWAT team to pick the strawberries.

Picking out only the best.

I think Kayla just liked cutting them off the most.

On the way home we did take a detour to the Koala Hospital where they rehabilitate Koalas that have been sick, burnt or injured in some way.  It was sad reading about some of the stories and there was a free talk happening at 3pm but we decided it was a bit too busy for our liking and didn’t hang around for it.  The kids instead bought some Koala teddies to support them before we headed off.  We weren’t planning on getting any but Hamish very confidently walked up and asked how much they were and thankfully it was just the tiny little ones that he wanted, he then asked for two (as he must also get Kayla one – gosh to think that is soon going to be three) and then turned to us and said they are $5 each.  Okay then.  I guess we were getting them.  Though to be honest we didn’t mind as it went to a good cause and was cheaper than the adopting a Koala that I was looking at doing.  Hamish was keen until I told him he didn’t actually get to take the Koala home!!!

One of the Koalas in good care.

They wanted their photo with the statue.

All the details of the Koalas in their care.

We then thought we would head back to the caravan and get ready to head out fishing, however that plan didn’t quite go to plan as I was feeling tired.  So Jason took the kids next door to Aldi to get some milk and bananas whilst I had a rest.  He then also took them for a scooter and a play around the caravan park so I could rest some more.  I was just about asleep when Kayla comes in declaring that she wants to go for a swim!  I thought she was kidding but nope, close behind her was Hamish who also said he wanted to go for a swim.  We made it clear that we were not going to hop in as it was too cold for our liking and they were still keen.  They kept this eagerness up right until they dipped their toes into the pool.  Funnily enough Kayla didn’t get in any further past her knees.  Hamish wasn’t keen either but wanted to go on the waterslide.  So up the slide he went and down he came… at the pace of a snail.  At the bottom of the slide he came to a complete stop and I wondered if he was actually going to jump in the pool, but he did and he made a beeline for the edge of the pool as it was so cold.  That was the end of our swimming adventure.

Not such a great idea now.

Days like this are just wonderful, getting out and enjoying what the places have to offer.  However it seems at night when the kids are asleep we are constantly filled with the dread of having to return to Brisbane and everyday life.  It isn’t like Brisbane is a bad place.  It is the lack of freedom, but more than anything the less time as a family we will have.  The commutes into the city are so long just one way unless of course you can afford a house in close, but then you are clouded with a huge amount of debt.  I think we will continue to look for a tree change but for now we will make the most of the situation we are in and return to Brisbane to welcome our third child and see where we go from there.

We were again blessed with another beautiful sunny day and to make things even better it was a short and shirt kind of day.  We had a plan to take one of the inland tourist drives around the countryside surrounding Port Macquarie.  First however we did the washing and a bit of school and then packed up the car for our day out.  I wasn’t sure if the clear blue sky was meant to last all day so decided to head south and make the most of the Little Brother lookout whilst we could.  We had to drive through a few little sleepy towns that look like a great place to come and stay for our next visit and then up the mountain. 

On top of the world.

Hamish and Kayla taking it all in.

The view from the top was superb and the ideal spot for our morning tea.  We even had a game of Uno up the top and did some school revision.  Just sitting in the sun and enjoy the view was so nice and peaceful.  Then we realised we should keep moving otherwise we would never get to check out the water falls that I had mapped us to go to.  It meant taking some back roads through the countryside and it even got down to a good dirt road.  Jason and I were taking it all in when suddenly Hamish broke the news to us that his tummy was hurting.  I guess all the windy up and down roads were making him feel sick.

Little bit of a drive in the country.

So we pulled over on some random driveway to give him a rest from the car.  The poor little fellow must not have been feeling well at all and lay down on the dirt.  We did then get out the picnic rug for him so he wasn’t lying in the dirt and had a bit more comfort.  Kayla wasn’t very sympathetic as she wanted to lie down too and push Hamish off.  Eventually we coxed Hamish back into the car to try and get to the next little town.  That was interesting.  Poor Hamish wasn’t well and had the picnic rug as a blanket.  Kayla then cracked it as she didn’t have a blanket, so we had to pull over and Jason got out my jumper for Kayla to use. 

Too sick to do anything.

Yep a random stop in the middle of nowhere.

We did make him more comfortable.  Poor thing.

In the end we decided to head back towards Wauchope as it wasn’t worth the pain to continue on towards the falls as it would have been more winding roads I am sure.  We just took our time to get there and Jason drove really cautiously trying to break less and take the bends slowly.  Thankfully we made it to Wauchope without any sickness and found a great little park where Kayla could play whilst Hamish rested.  Well that was the plan, but of course as soon as Hamish was out in the fresh air and saw the playground he was straight on there.  Oh well at least he was feeling better.  There was also a little café just nearby so I went and ordered us all lunch and bought it back to the park. 

We let the kids have a long play as we didn’t want to risk putting Hamish into the car too soon.  Whilst it is disappointing we didn’t get to see all the waterfalls, it just gives us more of a reason to come back to this area another time.  So from there we headed back to the caravan and finished another bit of school, relaxed and got the washing in.  Then eventually we headed out to do a bit of fishing off the jetty.  I must admit I am never a big fan fishing off a jetty as you have to watch Kayla like a hawk, I much prefer fishing straight off the beach or a river bank.  Yes I know it doesn’t really make sense but for some reason I am more relaxed.  I think it is also because if she gets over fishing (which she will) then she can play in the sand/dirt.

Trying his luck fishing.

This is as good as it got.

Seeing out another day.

Back in the van we had to look into when we could check into the next caravan park and I am pretty sure it isn’t until after 12pm so that provides us with a little dilemma.  We have to be out of here by 10am, and it is only an hour’s drive away so I guess we will just have to find a place to pull over and have a long morning tea.  We might also call them in the morning and see if someone is actually in our site as if they aren’t we might be able to get in that little bit earlier and enjoy the spot more.

Waiting for the sunshine in Nelson Bay

So let’s be honest here, it wasn’t hard at all to pack up and leave Orange, especially when it got to -1 overnight!  I had wanted to do a school session with Hamish before we left but the reality was we were all just itching to get out of there.  So we packed up as quickly as we could.  Jason of course kindly did outside for us whilst we all stayed inside and finished it off.  It is a shame as it is a pretty town, but just too cold for us at this time of year.  We hit the road and did not look back.  Our aim as Hamish said was to head North towards the North Pole (but not quite that far)!

We are booked into a caravan park in Nelson Bay for a few nights from Thursday so we have two days to get there.  The apparent fastest way is through the outskirts of Sydney… yeah we didn’t take that route.  Instead we decided to take roads we hadn’t yet travelled on so went up through Wellington which is only 100km away from Orange yet had already reached Orange’s maximum temperature by the time we passed through around 9:30am.  It did look really pretty but we didn’t want to pull over just yet.  Then it was a back road through to Gulgong and then cut through another back road to the main highway from Dubbo to Newcastle. 

Another set of random traffic lights.

Still loving the yellow.

In some random little place (about 10 buildings all up) we did pull over and have some morning tea.  It was definitely warmer then Orange but still had a chill to the air.  Of course Kayla really was over being couped up in the caravan and insisted on keeping the door open!  So needless to say we didn’t have a very long stop there.  We did however find a caravan park in Denman that looked nice so after a quick call to them to see if we could fit in we set off with that as our destination.  The rest of the drive was again stunning with more hills and green rolling paddocks.

Just outside of Denman Jason and Hamish needed to use the rest room so we pulled in.  I however noticed straight away that we had a problem… not with us or the caravan but up ahead blocking the way back out to the highway was a truck blocking the road.  Well it was really just its trailer as they were loading another truck onto the back.  There wasn’t really room to reverse and turn around without having to take all the Hayman Reece bars off so Jason went to see how long they would be.  Thankfully they just moved the prime mover parked to the side and we could easily fit around them to get out. 

We didn’t know what to expect in Denman but we didn’t really mind as already the temperature gauge was saying it was way warmer than Orange (okay only 6 degrees warmer but it counts).  Driving down to the caravan park though we were impressed with what we saw with the little pubs on the corners so on check in we decided we will have to unhitch and go in to check them out.  So after some school we headed out for a drive and found a winery.  Of course they shut in ten minutes and had the longest driveway ever, but we made it in time and Jason picked up some nice bottles of red wine. 

Pretty little winery.

I think he felt guilty since I won’t be drinking them but I told him if I wasn’t pregnant we would definitely be getting a red to enjoy in this weather so he might as well get some.  Hamish of course then pipes up from that back saying if I wasn’t pregnant we wouldn’t have four kids!  Thankfully he did realise what he said wrong and corrected himself back to three!  Sometimes I forget that they are back there listening to every word that we say.  So after that we took the wine back to the caravan, finished another school session and then headed straight out to the pub.

Let’s be honest, the sight of the jumping castle was the icing on the cake as it was just what the kids needed to burn off some of their energy.  It was however starting to cool down by now but the kids didn’t seem to mind at all.  They just wanted to be outside running around or on the jumping castle.  I however wanted to be snuggled up in front of the fireplace.  So it was a bit of a balancing act with mainly us taking it in turns to go outside and supervise them. 

Great pub to spend the afternoon.

Hamish has the best seat in the house.

Kayla is preparing us for future years.

Eventually the kitchen was open for dinner orders so Jason ordered whilst I got Hamish to write in his diary.  Then as another big bunch of kids had arrived, Hamish went in and played in the pool room with them before the owner put on a movie (outside mind you) for the kids.  Thankfully there was still a spare table on the outside verandah that could fit us (it was enclosed with those plastic sheets and had heaters so wasn’t cold really).  So we ate our delicious meals and decided we were knackered so headed back to the van to have showers and put the kids to bed.

The next morning was just beautiful.  The sun was out and it was already starting to warm up when we stepped outside and really it was looking like it was going to be a beautiful day… in Denman.  We of course had booked into a caravan park in Nelson Bay, worried we might not get in being school holidays and well the weather prediction for there was very windy and lots of rain.  It was definitely hard leaving a place that was experiencing great weather knowing what we were heading into.  At least we didn’t hit the wind until we got closer to the coast and the rain really didn’t start until we got really close. 

We just prayed that when the pulled up that the rain would at least hold off whilst we parked the caravan, unhitched and setup.  Honestly someone must have been listening to us as it did hold off until we had unhitched and fully set up.  Parking the van was interesting as right next to our site is a massive big tree, and I mean massive.  I even took a photo to prove it.  We did however nail it with just a few little manoeuvres to straighten up and push back a bit more on the site so we didn’t have to jack up the front of the van too much.

Not much room between us and the three.

The first night when the wind was blowing it was a bit scary being under such a big tree.

We even got a bit over confident and put out the awning as really it was just a little bit of wind and not really any rain when we were setting up.  That didn’t last long and before we knew it the wind picked up again and down came the awning.  Which meant there went the good weather.  After all the cold weather it was a bit hard to take and Kayla just wanted to be outside, even in the rain.  We just had to keep reminding ourselves that it would be better the next day.

Heaps of rabbits around this park.

So we did a school lesson and then headed straight out to pick up a parcel I was expecting at the local Australian Post outlet.  Surprise, surprise they didn’t have it.  So I went back to the car and looked up the tracking number and apparently it was still in transit, but on Monday (it was now Thursday) it was less than 10km away at a mail sorting centre!!!  By now we were half way to Bunnings as it was a suggested wet weather activity given to us by the caravan park.  So we took the kids in there for a play whilst we sat down in the coffee shop.  It wasn’t very warm in there due to everyone constantly using the electric door in the coffee shop and letting in all the cold air.

The kids then of course didn’t seem too interested in the playground until a bunch of other kids arrived.  Finally I thought, some relaxation, but two of the other kids were squealers so yes my kids were now playing on the playground but it wasn’t exactly a peaceful setting anymore, and worse still, the parents just put them in and left them there whilst they shopped!  After a while though I pulled Hamish out as whilst he and the other boy were just mucking around it was getting a bit too silly for my liking and being the only parent supervising I decided to control what I could.

Before long it was time to go back to the Post Office to ask them to explain to me where on earth my parcel was.  I would have called them but they don’t seem to be listing their phone numbers anymore.  I wonder if that has a lot to do with their poor customer service!!!  Funnily enough when I queried it she agreed it was strange and went back out the back and came out with my parcel!  Seriously guys what’s the use having the parcel tracking if you don’t scan it when it arrives at the post office nor put it in a sensible area where you can find it.  No wonder a lot of people are using more of the private companies for parcel delivery.

Back in the caravan we all just seemed over the consistent bad weather and being stuck in the van.  Jason did some school with Hamish whilst I took Kayla out for a scooter.  We didn’t even last 5 minutes and had to make a mad dash under a bbq picnic area as the next heavy downpour passed over.  I was cold and the wet wind was not helping.  Kayla complained she was cold but then didn’t want to go back inside the caravan!  Eventually the day ended and we went to sleep listening to the heavy rain every now and then and the wind blowing a gale.  I hate being parked beside massive big trees when it is so windy.  Please, oh please let the next day be a better one.

Well we got another day in paradise, it was just a pity the weather did not come to the party and so whilst we were in paradise we couldn’t enjoy it due to the terrible weather conditions.  Yep still really strong winds and rain.  We did try and make the most of our time going for drives and knocking over the food shopping but really there wasn’t a lot else we could do.   When there was a break in the rain we went out for a walk whilst the kids rode their scooters but that really was about it. 

I feel for the families who only have these two weeks for their holidays and are experiencing this bad weather.  One other Mum we spoke to had been here for five days and it had been like this the entire time.  Even worse was that they have discovered that their Jayco Pop Top van has a leak and now they have water damage!  So whilst the day wasn’t exactly ideal we did manage to end the night on a high with the Bronco’s winning and now in the grand finals.  Jason was very keen to go to the finals so we bought some tickets whilst we could and then went to bed and will sort out the rest of our trip to Sydney the next day.  Nothing like driving back down the coast again.  Hey it isn’t like we haven’t done it before to go to an awesome event (i.e. Territory fireworks in Darwin!).  Love having that freedom.

Finally on our last morning in Nelson Bay we actually woke up to sunshine and no wind.  Straight away all our moods were so much happier and we were ready to go out and enjoy this sunshine as we knew it wasn’t going to last all day.  So after the washing had been hung out and breakfast eaten we headed to the beach to the left of the caravan park.  The kids took their scooters along the path and played at the playground at the end of the path whilst Jason and I sat back with coffees and read the local paper. 

Freedom and we are off.

I think the smile says it all.

Not a bad way to spend a morning.

Then when the kids were over the playground we headed back to the caravan and traded in the scooters for their buckets and spades and then went to the other beach which you can access from the back of the caravan park.  The weather was beautiful, not warm enough to swim in for my liking but it was just great to get out and enjoy the outside life again.  So we let the kids play there until they got a little too wet from the waves and it was time for lunch so back to the van we headed.   There we had a little rest and chilled out for a bit.  We decided that we would go fishing that afternoon on the high tide. 

Building sandcastles is so much more fun then being stuck inside.

Of course we have lost a sand bucket somewhere so Kayla used our big one.

Burning some of that energy she has.

As the weather had cleared up we moved the toy box back outside for the kids.  However this seemed to attract all the nearby kids, even when ours were not sitting outside playing with them.  Still it was great for the kids to make some new friends and socialise with them for quite a while.  Their parents were away for the day so we chatted heaps to their Grandmother who just happens to be a Cowboys supporter, so another Queenslander hoping for an all QLD final.  So it was great to let the kids play for a bit until some other kids arrived and then it just all started to get out of control.  It was time however for us to go fishing so we packed up the toys and got the rods ready. 

This is what Nelson Bay is all about.

Enjoying the sunshine whilst we could.

Fetching some water for the sand castle.

 Just as we were about to head off it started to rain!  We couldn’t believe it so just thought we would sit out the shower but then it got heavier so we went back inside.  Eventually we thought it stopped so headed out.  We only got about 200m and then we could see the next lot of showers coming so we retreated pretty fast and that was the end of our attempt at fishing for the day.  Kayla then was of course not happy about being inside the van and when it did stop again she wanted to go straight outside and scooter.  The only problem was her scooter had been put away as she didn’t help pick up all the toys earlier.

So after a while she got the message and picked up the few toys left outside and she was able to have her scooter back.  All of the boys were asking after Hamish and I just had to tell them that he would be out as soon as he had written a sentence in his diary for the day.  I think that was the shortest and fastest sentence ever written but he did it enthusiastically and was outside scootering with the other kids.  I am sure they had a blast but gee they were making me get my exercise walking around and around and making sure they were behaving themselves!  I kind of felt like what people call the ‘helicopter’ parent but to me if the park asks that you supervise your child then that is what I do.  Also I don’t fully believe that my kids will respect everyone else in the park so I keep an eye on them. 

Really I shouldn’t have worried as they would always get off the road when a car came past but I was shocked by two kids (brother and sister) who ran right in front of so many cars.  Sometimes even just standing there and watching them until they got closer and then running out deliberately in front!  It is none of my business but I can see why some people get so frustrated by parents not supervising their kids.  Yes let them go out and have fun but ensure they know safety and respect for other people’s property and sites!  They even threw a ball at a car.  Honestly I was happy when I could pull Hamish back inside as I didn’t want him to think it was appropriate behaviour and I kept pulling him aside reiterating what those kids were doing was wrong.  I had to be careful though not to punish him for their actions as he wasn’t doing anything wrong.

Just leaving you with more photos of this beautiful beach.

Too cold for me.

Running to avoid the waves.

So I was glad when we came inside and settled in for the night.  I was even happier when the Cowboys won their game and it is now and all Queenslander grand final.  That is going to make it one awesome game and let’s be honest if the Broncos are going to lose (which I hope they don’t) I would rather it be to the Cowboys than the Storm!

Freaking freezing in Orange

It was a slow start to our day as we only had the fifty or so odd kilometres to travel to Orange and as we were booked into a caravan park I didn’t want to arrive before 10am and risk our site not being available.  So instead we just hung around the caravan for a while and slowly packed up.  I even managed to post another blog as our internet had finally clicked over into the next month.  I think we were all very happy to have it back again for our searches and I could finally log in and even check the internet banking with speed.  I don’t know if that was a good thing though, who really wants to see the bank balance.

We did eventually hitch on and hit the road.  It was another very scenic drive with more lush green grass with lots of fat animals happily grazing, but it was also cold.  We were watching the temperature gauge in the car which tells you the outside temperature and it was not going up!  We found the caravan park quite easily as it is in the corner of the showgrounds and that is probably where our good luck in regards to our “booking” ended.  I use that term lightly as when I went to check in they had no booking for us, then instead of the $27 a night Jason was quoted we had to pay $44 a night.  Apparently it is $8.50 a night for each of the kids.  This is fair to me if there are decent facilities and a nice park but it is so run down and their supposed playground is a set of two swings.  I can see why a lot of people are disappointed in the Orange caravan parks.  There are only two and if this is the better of the two then the other one must be shocking!

The picture does not show how cold this place is.

Our site was again really too short for our van, even though I said it was big and pointed to it on check in.  Luckily though they allowed us to take up two sites so we could park on relatively flat ground (still needed the levellers out) which I am not a bit fan of in caravan parks.  I kind of expect the ground to be level.  Oh and of course we only have a defined amount of time before the kids want out of the car, so that well and truly expired and we had to let them out.  Then we had to get them to hop back in whilst we reversed and then unhitched.  We just find it easier to have them in the car so we don’t have to worry about them and where they are whilst concentrating on reversing.

Finally we were all set up and we could have a late morning tea and pray that Orange has something that makes this pain of coming here worthwhile!  We did a bit of reading revision with Hamish and then headed out to the adventure playground that we had seen in a brochure.  Of course it is a free playground right next to the botanical gardens and it is an awesome spot for the kids to burn off the energy.  Jason and I just stood around discussing how cold it was before we decided I should go and get some takeaway lunch from the café.  When I came back Hamish said it was going to rain so we should sit undercover.  I said it wasn’t but Jason agreed with Hamish so we all went and sat undercover.  I of course was wrong and about five minutes later it was raining!

Once upon a time he was too scared to go on these.

Kayla couldn't decide where to start!

It was time to call it quits so we headed back to the car.  Jason and Hamish ran ahead and then once Hamish was in Jason came back to help me with Kayla’s scooter and to speed up the process of Kayla who was just walking ever so slow through the rain.  Back in the warmth of the car we decided to drive around and check out Orange for a bit.  The streets are just filled with beautiful old colonial homes and stunning winter gardens that go with it.  I don’t know if I could call them spring as to me this is really winter weather!  Back in the caravan we chilled for a bit and then Hamish went outside and played with some kids from the caravan park until I deemed it too cold to be outside (and the crazy kid wasn’t wearing a jumper).  Kayla would go out for a bit but felt a bit left out as they were older kids. 

Tomorrow we are going to the Information Centre to see what there is to do here exactly as all the flyers I have pretty much say food (but of course it is off season for most of the fruit) and wine (and I can’t drink).  Still I do think we should go and check out a few wineries to stockpile for when I can indulge again; with three kids I think I will need a rather large stockpile.  Or then again maybe we won’t, who knows.  At least when we woke up the next day it was a nice sunny day so we put on the washing and got going quite early as we had the car booked in to the service centre at 8am. 

This wasn’t for a service but Jason felt he could smell fumes in the cabin of the car when we had the rear air conditioner on and having done some research online he believed that one of the back flaps may be too open.  I had no idea but was happy to go along and make sure there wasn’t anything wrong with the car.  I had smelt the dust after some of the bad roads and smelt the fumes for the first time when we were driving to Orange.  Being a Monday we had put down to do two school sessions for the day so packed one up and took it with us. 

We tried to do it in the service centre waiting lounge while we waited for the bus to take us into town.  It was a bit of a disaster at the start but we still got there in the end, finishing it off when we got into town whilst sitting down to enjoy morning tea at the Coffee Club.  Then we just went shopping for a few things we needed and to walk around and see what sort of main centre Orange has.  We must admit they have Myers which I did not expect at all and I even found a school shop but of course they were out of the level readers that I wanted.  Though it was good chatting to the lady whose son is in grade 1 and how he is going with his reading.

By now we were all getting a bit over walking around so Jason called to see if the car was ready and they said it was nearly done so he arranged to have the courtesy bus come and pick us up.  By the time we got back the car was out front and waiting for us and then the service manager showed us the pictures which totally explained why he could smell the fumes and dust.  I am certainly glad that he has a way more sensitive nose then I do.  Pretty much the two back vent covers had bounced off a bit, letting in more air and no filter for the back air-conditioner vents.  I would put my money on a road like the one into the Bungle Bungles or Cape Leveque would have done this.  Anyway it is all fixed up now for free (under warranty).

It was then back to the van where we finished off the other school lesson and just tried to chill out.  Kayla was having one of those days where she didn’t know what she wanted but it wasn’t what was being offered.  In the end they were happy to ride their scooters around and we just sat back and watched some fellow people who had arrived try and set up their new looking Jayco pop top (like the one we use to have).  We so wanted to go over and help them and let them know that with practise it gets easier and faster but we also didn’t want to interfere and be those people that offer unwanted advice on how to do things.

Eventually we did head out to the Information Centre but unless you are here during fruit season or you love wine and fine dining there really isn’t a huge amount to do.  So we took the kids to the adventure playground with their scooters and all was going well until Jason bought Kayla back all upset but he had no idea why.  One minute she was feeding the horse in the paddock next door some grass and the next minute she was crying.  Of course she didn’t want to tell us what was wrong so I asked if she wanted to go to the car and she said yes.  So Jason took Kayla out whilst I got Hamish and we followed, but once at the car Kayla didn’t want to hop in!  So we decided to scooter in the nearby botanic gardens and then head home.  Once home Kayla then didn’t want to get out of the car, eventually she did and that was the last tantrum for the day.  Got to love three year olds and their logic.

Kayla really zips around fast.

Hamish is building his confidence on the two wheel scooter.

We are certainly looking forward to nice sunny, warmers days.  The clouds keep rolling over here and whilst it didn’t rain all day, it did eventually just as we were all inside and the kids were watching TV whilst I cooked dinner.  I just feel the warmer weather leads to a more active and outside lifestyle rather than huddled up and trying to keep warm inside.   So yes, as you can imagine we really didn’t do much at all on our last day here.  Just when I didn’t think it could get any colder it did and all I wanted to do was curl up in bed with a book all day.  Of course Hamish and Kayla, especially Kayla were not keen at all with this idea and she wanted to play outside.  So there I was lying on the cement in the cubby house we had to make in the freezing cold whilst Jason did school with Hamish inside.   The things we do for our kids.

After they had finished doing school we decided that we can’t just stay in the caravan all day, we would move to the warmth of the car and go for a drive.  Seeing Orange from the comfort of a well heated car was a good idea seeing as it is such a pretty place.  Though we are trying to work out how anyone can live here when it is so cold.  I know I for one would put on so much weight as I would just stay indoors for the majority of the year.  Still we saw what we assumed were locals out walking on this rather cool spring morning!  After a while we decided we were all hungry but instead of finding a nice warm coffee shop we went straight to the local ten pin bowling centre.

We paid to play two games each which in hindsight wasn’t a good idea as Kayla got over it half way through the first and was more interested in the game consoles over on the far wall.  Jason was on fire though and flogged the rest of us in the first game.  We asked if we could get our money back and just play one but that was a no go so it was just Jason and I playing the second game.  Thankfully I found some sort of form.  It wasn’t good but it was enough for me to claim victory in the second game. 

Hamish's bowling technique.

So that filled in a bit of time, but it wasn’t exactly the warm place I was expecting.  I thought it would be heated and we could take off our jumpers, but no it wasn’t.  So it was back to the caravan for lunch and to seek somewhere warm to hang out.  We didn’t leave the caravan for the rest of the day and that was probably again not a wise decision.  Kayla really did get cabin fever and was so sick of being stuck inside the van.  She relished in the little drive that her and Jason had to fuel up and get some eggs needed for dinner.  Yep we are looking forward to better weather, the only problem is that after looking at the weather forecast we might be waiting a while longer.  We are heading to Nelson Bay next and whilst it isn’t meant to be as cold, it is meant to be very windy and rainy.  Shame really as we saw this place once before from a boat tour and it looked stunning.