SOUTHPORT

During the school holidays we went to Southport. We stayed in the Hutchin's cabins (one of Matt's perks). It's a great set up. 4 cabins with bunks lining the walls and a 'main block' containing showers, toilets, kitchen, dining area, lounge area, and some open space with ping pong tables and other games. There is a wood heater and ceiling heaters (I discovered on our second last day!!). One of the cabins is the 'teacher's cabin' and has ensuites -basic as they are- which is handy. There are foam matresses on all the bunks and pillows galore. You need to take all your own linen. There is also one innerspring mattress in the teacher's cabin and you guessed it, I get it every time - one of my perks!

We try to go down to Southport once a year and invite some other families to come and share the joy of open spaces, beach, bush, toasted marshmallows and late nights. We usually have the BEST time (except for that one year hey Bride and Jus!!!).

This year we were joined by the Toselli's and Parsons' and they all proved to be fun company. Once again the kids and adults got on exceptionally well.

As soon as the toselli's arrived we headed for the beach to use up some of the energy the kids (and adults) had accumulated gearing up for this little holiday. What better way to do that than beach soccer?

Next morning was Father's day. The kids showered their dad's in home made and handpicked gifts while Kirsten and I cooked up a yummy Father's Day Gourmet Brekkie.

One evening we built a campfire and let the kids play with it!!!!! They had a blast lighting the ends of their sticks and writing messages in the dark. look at the cool way the camera caught the sparks from the fire in the photo below. Not a great photo but I like it anyway.

A campfire wouldn't be complete without gooey, sticky burnt marshmallows!

Of course we took Rosie with us. She loved all the free running space she had and all the attention she received from little Izzy Toselli.

Time out with Chelsea wouldn't be complete without a little bit of 'camera talk'.

and a few photos.
You can't go as far as Southport and not include a visit to Hastings! By all reports the thermal pool was fun but maybe 'tepid pool' would be a more accurate description. The kids had a blast. Thank goodness for dad's (eh Chels???) who have to do those things the mum's don't want to, like swimming with the kids on a Freezing, overcast, wet day!! Thanks Matt 'n' Dave.

Something the kids have enjoyed doing over the years is building forts in the bush. A couple of years ago they were fortunate enough to have 'supplies'. Adam Rea supplied, timber, nails, axes etc and the forts were awesome. This year they had to do it survivor style and rely totally on what they could find in the wild. Isaac and Reuben couldn't leave without photographic evidence (to show the Rea boys) that they could do it without the supplies!! So they took these few photos. I love the skull and crossbones :)

And this last photo I have included simply because when I took it I said

"that's going on the blog!"

There are several things I didn't take photos of but you can check out Chelsea's blog for her take on the holiday. I'm happy to say that I was way too busy having a relaxing few days away from the phone and the tv -( although we did have Chris' projector for a couple of nights and enjoyed a movie or two!!) To take photos of everything we did.