Day 9 sun Jan 15

Early start to clean the gear and was spoiled for breakfast by having toast! The Giant swing was more of a medium swing but it was OK. Had a group talk on our challenges of the trip then Jim and I got a lift in the bus to the train station where my darling was waiting for us. Turkish Pide for lunch and back to the rest of our adventure.

Day 8 sat Jan 14

 apple chocolate cake

Everyone is happy to use a flushing toilet this morning and driven back to base camp in the bus. After setting up our bivvies we completed a high ropes course and were spoiled by having white bread roles for lunch. Raft building and team-work exercises after lunch followed by baked lamb and vegies in the camp oven with chocolate apple cake for dessert.

Day 7 Fri Jan 13

Pack our duo camp and are last back to campground. Play a few games then walk the length of this beautiful valley past the old homestead. Stop to soak the feet and jim is overjoyed at having cous cous for dinner.

Day 6 thurs Jan 12

Will’s birthday!

Wake to a cool but cloudless sky. Walk up to ridge for a fantastic morning of abseiling. It was Jims first time and he said he wasn’t nervous.

We are now divided into different pairs for a duo walk. Jim and Olaf miss the turn-off after 500m and we wait 1 hour for them. Cross the Orrololo Valley and it has huge Dandilions and feels prehistoric. Parents and kids now do a duo camp overnight without watches or cooking impliments. This is where Jim finds his love with cous cous.

Day 5 wed Jan 11

Kel tells me I must catch up on blog so I will make it brief and less boring.

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Today we visit split rock and ‘Lego Land’ which are huge boulders on the top of a mountain. Climbing through them is like caving above the ground. It becomes bitterly cold and sleet or snow begins to fall on us. It rains as we hike to our next camp and Jim gets wet, cold and cranky

We are supposed to be abseiling this afternoon but a howling wind is now shrieking across the valley above us. Jim and I cook Cous Cous for tea and we all have a chat until we can get warm in our sleeping bags.

Day 4 Tues Jan 10

Muesli with powdered milk for breaky (that which does not kill us makes us stronger). Thought I dreamt about a possum on my head but others also had a visit during the night. Had a lesson in navigation at the old satellite tracking station and forged on through the bush. Very hard going at less than 1k/h. Sangers again for lunch but great hokkien noodles in the wok for dinner. Thanks Danni and Geogi!

Day 3 mon Jan 9

French toast for breakfast and more tension as we pack again for Outward Bound. Jim and I buy a new tap from Jayco $85 and fit it very quickly before we need to drive to O/B base camp about 12. Usual OB lunch of sandwiches before we are driven to Namaji Nat Park, Honeysuckle camp site. Get to know our other family camp members, Danni and Georgi (mum and daughter), Richard and Jason, Olaf and Nic. Talked about our goals for the course.

Day 2 sun 8th Jan

After forgetting to plug in the fridge last night I do it in the morning before we all drive to Lane Cove to have morning tea with Dave. Danny gets car sick on the way back and skips lunch. Another emotional farewell and arrive in Canberra Motor Village about 5.30 to discover that the fridge was turned off and the van’s tap is broken. Kel has left her headlamp at Linda’s and will ask her to mail it.

Day 1 sat 7th Jan

Pancakes with David and the boys before heading off to Stockton Beach where Will learns all about Pippis. Arrive back at K’s at 2 which was going to be our departure time. After picking up Jim the atmosphere becomes overly tense as we pack the last items then farewell family. We get around the corner before turning back to get Kel’s security pillow.

After a pee stop at the twin servos the fuel light comes on as the gauge drops much faster than anticipated. After a very nervous trip along the old Pacific Highway I put 63L into a 61L tank. Not a great start is it?

BBQ for dinner with lovely Linda and early to bed after Charlie wees on Jensons bedroom carpet.

sorry no photos

Getting Ready

 The dogs have been moping around since school finished and we started packing and cleaning. Bobby knows something is up as she doesn't want to leave our side.

 Many days of blood sweat and tears and the house is finally clean and ready for our tenants for the year. You don't realise how dirty your house is until you start moving things like the fridge and microwave.

We wanted to have one more swim in our pool before leaving but run out of time as family are coming over to Kay's for my birthday. Gemma and Seveti start moving in before we are out of the driveway.
We will spend a few days at the outlaws before the big departure.