And then they were home

The flights all went quite well really. We got back home and the house was very very cold. The girls put all their layers on!
Monday (today) we woke up to a layer of snow. Contrast or what!

And then they were gone..:(

Friday 11th January
A month has flown by and it is hard to believe that the suitcases cases are ready and packed.

We had a great last breakfast at Zamia Cafe in Kings Park. The sun shone and the food was great. The intrepid Bones had to do a final sortie along the sand bank at Point Walter in the search of fish and dolphins. The holiday ended where is began- kids in the pool.

We have just got back from the airport with sniffy noses and red eyes. It has been so wonderful to have such great company and for the kids to carry on just where they left off. Maia is tearful that her BFF is not in her room gossiping late into the night.

Safe trip Bones- we miss you! Come back!

Xxxxxxxx

Wildlife park and final sunset

A day of ticking many boxes!
We all went to caversham wildlife park (except Ak who had to work).
It was absolutely brilliant for the kids.
In order, wildlife show (birds, possum, snake, wombat etc), kangaroos, lunch, all the other not quite so cool animals and birds in cages, koalas, ice cream, home.
If you're going to visit Australia I think there are number of key animals you have to hold/touch/stroke/feed. I think we did loads of them today.

The kids want to thank Grandma Pam and Grandad Dave for their daŷ at the wildlife park.

Kids got home and did quick pool session.
Then it was off to Cottesloe beach for one last sunset with fish and chips. Totally clear night and a fantastic end to the day.
We've got most of the day here tomorrow. Leave the house at 7ish and flight at 2230. Not sure if we'll get to blog tomorrows events.
The plan is to go out for breakfast and visit the sand bank again.
Afternoon at the pool and then back to blighty.

In summary this has been a fantastic and unbelievable experience. Laura and Ak and the kids have been the most amazing hosts in every way. We are, and have been extremely lucky to be able to do this and we'll never forget it.

Chill out day

With aqua park yesterday and zoo/safari type park tomorrow today was a rest day.
Morning spent with kids playing in garden then we did a picnic at peppermint grove. Perfect weather and kids played on the park for hours!
Excellent rest day for parents.
Back home for cheese and beans on toast for kiddies and early night in prep for tomorrow.
Looking forward to tomorrow. No photos today but I'm sure they'll be lots tomorrow.

Adventure world.

Adventure world is a huge water park. The first thing we did was go on a big park but not any park it was called the Kahuha falls there were big slides and water guns it was really fun. After that we went in the big pool for a little wile. So then me Flo and Dad went on a big foam mat with some big handles at the top with you would hold and on the green light we would all race down to the bottom of a big slide. Ahhhhhhhhh, we were in a long line for quite a wile, when it got to our turn we had to get a blue square shaped float. We had to walk to the very top and get on our mat wait for the green signal..... and WOOSH we flew down on our blue mat.

Then we went back for lunch, we had chicken, cheese and cucumber and mayo they were really yummy. 'This is hard work' We went on the rail rider after lunch, what you had to do was peddle your little carriage along and it was really hard work, and it was even harder with Flo's weight in the back and she was hardly peddling! To cool ourselves down we went in Kangoon falls with lots of little slides. We went down every slide. SWING, we were on the barnacle boat after lunch, it did not feel good in my tummy. Then we went on the little leaper it went up and down and up and down.
Whilst me and Flo were doing that Dad and Hugo went on the dragon flyer. Then I was waiting for ages in a long line with Flo to go on the Tunnel of Terror, it was pitch black and we were in a double doughnut and on our way down, there was an arrow saying we were going right, but actually we were going left! Then I only me went on the Rocky Rapids, it was in the in the day light and my ring was really big so I kept getting stuck. Then we went on the Bumper Boats just like the bumper cars but in water. Then the big pirate ship it went even higher than the little one.


THANK YOU grandma Moirai and D because we spent our money on this, thank you.
Xxxxxxxxx

Jetty and dolphins

We woke up this morning we had breakfast and Laura and Ak went to work, and Thea and Maia and Arthur went to Leonie's house to see Finn So we went in the car to the jetty. There were lots of jellyfish and luckily they did not sting, but there were two there called a skeleton jellyfish. And those ones would sting. Flo and Hugo both went in but I didn't go in at all. After that we went wading in deep water and saw some dolphins and collected lots of shells. We went back and we had tomato pasta for dinner, I went onto 3's.

Daddy
Well it only took 1 hour 20 mins to deliver the above six lines, so you must savour every word.
As far as the jetty goes its an enclosed jetty with the enclosed bit used by kids to have swimming lessons in the swan river.
It was actually raining this morning if you can believe it, and it was very humid again.
The kids enjoyed swimming at the jetty.
This was where we saw our first dolphins of the holiday - v-cool.
Before we all melted we went off to 'point water'. This is where a sand bank starts on one side of the swan river and almost reaches the other side.
We'd seen this sandbank from the beach near Laura and Aks and it looks like people are walking on water.
We went to the cafe near point water for lunch and although the food was ok the service was absolutely atrocious. We arrived at 12:50 ordered at 13:00 and food turned up at 13:50! The kids were starving!
The supervisor (who took our order) had obviously misplaced it.
When it came to paying the bill I leaned on the chap quite heavily, to point where he went into an uncontrollable stutter. Poor chap. Still got 30 bucks off lunch.
During our long lunch we saw our 2nd dolphins of the holiday.
After our long lunch the sun had made an appearance so it was time to hit the shade near the river beach until some more clouds appeared. Didn't want to do the sand bank with 3 kids in scorchio weather!
We then headed out on the sandbank. We got up close and personal with the black swans and some big pelicans. Flo tried to wade out closer to one.
This was also where we confirmed that the big frightening looking jellyfish don't sting.
I picked up a whopper and no sting - result.
On our way back along the sandbank there were loads of fish buried in the sand about 2 metres into the water. Bizarre.
As you walked (or ran) they all legged it and produced massive shoals around your ankles.
A real surprise hit. The kids want to go back to the sandbank again.
Oh and we saw our 3rd set of dolphins - now getting a bit passé.
Talk about buses!
Top day considering it started out raining.

Daaaaaaa belllllllllllllls!

There must be an age when kids want to blog (write diaries in the olden days!)
Ours haven't reached it.
5th Jan
After a lazy morning the bones took a trip to Cottesloe beach again.
The waves were good and so was the sand castle building.
Kept looking for 'that fin' but didn't turn up - shame.
Lunch back at the house and an afternoon in the pool.
I guess that's how Saturdays should be here.
The highlight of the day was a trip to the open air cinema for the adults. A showing of Argo at 8pm in kings park. What a a top experience.
Perfect temp, beers, g&t's, cheese and biscuits, blankets, cushions and a top film.
You lie on your back watching the film and every once in a while you look away from the screen to gaze at the stars.
Shame the weather is so pants in the uk we can't do it.

6th Jan
Ak and I had an early start for a proper bike ride 0645. We basically cycled a big loop around swan river. What a great way to see the area. We did about 45km in total in 90 mins.
There are loads of cyclists out and about at that time - and I mean loads.
We even passed a local cricket match! They do morning tea here instead of afternoon tea.
We got back in time for me to drive the bones to the swan tower again! And this time Laura was there. We arrived a bit late after I'd done several loops on the Perth freeway and they were already ringing the bells.
What's quite cool about it, is the tower has several levels so you can see the bell ringers and then you can go up and see the actual bells ringing without being deafened. I bet you can't do that in many places in the world.
In fact (boring fact). The swan tower is one of only 3 places in the world where they have sixteen bells. One for trivial pursuit.
Anyway, after the bell ringers had stopped we popped in to say hello to see if April could get a photo holding a rope (or Sally if you know your stuff).
Hold a rope! No no no. You can have a full-on go!!
April rang several bells and they even got the group back in for her to join in a session - amazing.
In fact they even got Flo, Hugo, Charlotte and I having a go.
Flo got lifted off the floor - funny.
So after 3 attempts it was thoroughly worth it.
We then headed back to the house and went out for a picnic lunch by the river - today was very very humid (which is quite unusual) so we didn't last long.
Charlotte then made roast lamb dinner (Aussie style - in a bikini!).
We all stuffed our faces and the kids are now in bed, and I'm enjoying a cold beer outside.
Lovely.

Oh forget to mention, one of Laura and Aks friends paid a visit in his imported Mustang. Had to take a photo. Sounded so good.