Pambula

Saturday 10th January

This morning we leisurely packed the trailer and left Canberra for Pambula. Last night Cate and discussed leaving at 11:00 and we pulled out of the caravan park at 11:03, perfect timing.

We stopped for lunch at the same park in Cooma just after 12:30 had a play and continued the drive.
We drove through some of the most spectacular scenery I think I've ever seen. From the Monaro Hwy we went on the Snowy Mountain Hwy where we passed over the top of Glenbog State Forest. The decent from the top is spectacular and very slow driving. We began literally in the clouds and descended for what seemed like ages. The road was very steep and I was in second gear most of the way down. Just out of Bemboka we turned off the Snowy onto Mogilla Road this took us to the beautiful town of Candelo where we got onto Candelo Wolumla Rd. At Wolumla we made the Princes Hwy and on to Pambula, an absolutely beautiful drive.

Cate took the kids for a play while I set the camper up for our relaxing week here. Around 5:00 it started to rain and at 10:30 the light rain is still falling. The forecast is not so flash for this week, mostly rain but warm temperatures. Like last year the caravan park is packed and I look forward to the rest of the week.

Sunday 11th January

An extremely relaxed day today with very little planned which was terrific after the very hectic week in Canberra. The rain continued all night last night and finally stopped around 9am. There was not really heavy rain just a constant light rain that occasionally got heavier. The ground was very heavy this morning and some sites had a considerable amount of water in front of them; luckily not ours.

The local kangaroos were abundant this morning. Aisha was very excited when a mother and joey decided to have a very close look at our set up. They could smell the kids breakfast and tried to make themselves at home under our awning. They hung around for half an hour or so then moseyed off.
I did a couple of loads of washing and dishes, just some general clean up stuff and with the rain starting again around 11 we decided to go back to Candelo for lunch and a look around.

There was a park for the kids to play in and as usual we went there first. The kids were very happy they had a flying fox and a climbing frame. We then went to a cafe and general store to order lunch and were told they were about to close at 1:00. So we had a coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate milkshake then went to the local bowling club for lunch. There were 3 staff and 3 customers when we walked in and by the time we left the only people in the place were the staff. I have no idea how a small country town can support a bowling club that seems to open 7 days.

We returned to Pambula. The kids swam in the pool, I shopped and cooked dinner and that about ended a very relaxed day.

Although it rained a lot today the temperature wasn't that cold. Tomorrow should be a little warmer and dryer.

Monday 12th January

This morning was a little overcast and there was a little rain last night. It wasn't long before the clouds began to dissipate and we saw the sun for the first time in Pambula.

Ethan, Aisha and I went to the pool while Cate went for a walk along the beach. Around lunchtime we needed to head back to the camper for a bite to eat and loading up on more sunscreen. The temperature was not as high as when we were in Canberra but it felt more intense and burning.

After lunch we went back to the pool for a while then again came back to the camper for more food. We finally hit the beach this afternoon. It was a perfect beach day, little wind and warm sun. We found several tennis balls in the beach toy bag and that kept Ethan and Aisha amused for quite some time. Throwing the balls into the surf as far as they could then waiting for the waves to bring them back. The kids loved playing it and really enjoy themselves. I'm sure that game will be played several times this week, weather permitting.

Dinner and bed for the kids followed.

Today was the most relaxing day we have had in quite some time. Nothing planned, playing it by ear, doing what the kids wanted and chilling out. I hope the rest of the week is more of the same.

Tuesday 13th January

Another beautiful morning greeted us and we were applying the sunscreen around 9:00. Ethan, Aisha and I headed to the pool while Cate had a little snooze. Cate joined us around 10:00 and we spent all the morning jumping from one pool to another. Ethan and Aisha seem really at home in the pool and enjoy each other's company.

The kids have made a few friends since we have been here. There are four girls who seem besotted with Aisha and find their way to the pool when we are there. Aisha is very pleased to have some friends and is attracted to talking to them. It is difficult to hear the girls talking to Aisha and Ethan and I would really like to have a hidden mic because their body language is interesting. They talk to Aisha and have a little laugh, and I'm sure they are nice kids.

After lunch the kids and I hired the parks 3 and 4 wheel bikes. We had a ball riding around and another first for Ethan was him being tall enough to ride the bike on his own. It was funny watching him trying to peddle and steer at the same time.

There was an art and craft session this afternoon and Cate took Aisha while Ethan and I went to the jumping pillow. Ethan soooo wants to be able to do flips (like Sporticus from ABC-kids). He can spin 360 degrees and roll over a number of times; so cute compared to the 15 yo kids on the pillow.
The local Lions Club had a curry night and were using the camp kitchen and Cate was desperate for something other than BBQ. So while we waited Cate and the kids headed to the pool for a dip. Unfortunately they were running short and only had the green curry. This left us a little short for dinner and I warmed up the leftovers from the fridge.

Just as dinner was finishing up the rain started. It was coming from a direction that was coming straight under the awning and everything is going to be wet tomorrow. Still we are having a great time and the canvas on our trailer is 10/10.

Wednesday 14th January

The rain was relentless last night; a consistent amount of rain until around 4am Luckily I had put most of our stuff in the trailer and shut the kitchen. The morning was beautiful once again. No clouds or wind and perfect beach weather; such contrasting weather. Cate went for a run this morning before we went to the beach, she headed towards Pambula and made it about half way.

We were at the beach by 9:30 and had the best part of the day for it. The two hours we spent there were terrific; nice and warm, no wind, warm water, perfect. We stayed in the water for quite some time; Cate and Ethan together while Aisha clung to me. Both the kids were very adventurous in how far they wanted to go into the water. Ethan was standing and I was holding Aisha and I was probably chest deep. Cate had a swim, diving under the waves, and loved it. After the swim the kids dug in the sand for a little while before we went for an explore on the rocks near the beach entrance and the kids were really climbing the rocks well. They were very sure footed and rarely asked for my help in getting from one place to another even though the rocks were difficult to climb.

Back at the camper for lunch then Aisha wanted to get to the pool, mainly to catchup with her friends. We spent a while at the pool and around 2:30 went back to the camper. I went for a ride into Merimbula while Cate took the kids to an art and craft afternoon; 2 flags were made. Cate then went for a walk on the beach and I took the kids back to the pool. Then Cate took over while I cooked dinner.

So far tonight is the best of the nights spent here. There is no rain and it is still quite warm with no wind to speak of.

Thursday 15th January

Cate described today as her holiday ground hog day (possibly the 3rd or 4th time in the last 3 weeks) and I would have to agree.

Last night I sat with our neighbours, Craig anbd Shannon,  looking at the stars which were performing amazingly. We were satellite watching and discussing our travels and life in general. They really are very nice people and have a young family, their youngest daughter is a similar age to Aisha.

We woke to a perfect day. Again cliche but true. This morning we decided to head back to the Toucan Cafe we went to last year and riding into Pambula from Pambula Beach. The ride there went really well. There was a distinct difference between Ethan riding last year and this year. Breakfast was terrific. We had a big breakfast, a Pambula burger and some fruit toast as well and soy hot chocolates, lattes and milkshakes, all of which was great. We then rode back to the camper. It is a total distance of 7.2km Ethan was a real trouper and the ride there and back and the meal was 10/10.

When we got back we headed to the beach, it was perfect beach weather. Interestingly Ethan and Aisha wanted to find their friends before we went there but they were nowhere to be found. Aisha woke very early this morning and actually had a sleep in Cate's arms while sitting at the beach. Ethan and I played in the waves and he wanted me to bury him so I dug a hole and he was buried to his chin. He was laughing and really enjoyed playing in the sand. When Aisha work we left the beach organised lunch and headed to the pool.

The entire afternoon was brilliant, the kids found their friends and Cate and I enjoyed the pools and the sun. It has been interesting watching the friendship develop between Aisha and the girls and that Aisha has been looking for them at every opportunity.

After dinner the park had a karaoke night and Aisha's friends had a blanket for Ethan and Aisha to sit at. The karaoke was ok and it was a VERY late night for both the kids they were in bed at around 9:30.

I would have to agree with Cate that today could nearly be a ground hog day.

Friday 16th January

This morning was quite overcast although not cold at all. We stayed near the camper for most of the morning then went to the pool to find the kids friends. While at the pool Cate and I got chatting to a couple whose kids were also running from pool to pool, Greg and Blith. I had run into them earlier in the week at the camp kitchen and it seemed we have the same cooking time.

Most of the day was spent at the pool and around 3:00 we headed back to the camper. The kids and I went for a ride around the park for and hour or so, I'm sure we rode past every site in the park.
The Pambula Surf Lifesaving Club had dinner and a paper plane design and throwing competition on tonight. It turned out to be a great evening. The guy organising the event was terrific with the kids keeping them busy and entertained. Ethan and Aisha's friends were there for them to hangout with and Greg and Blith were there with their kids so Cate and I had another chat with them. We wanted to get the kids into bed on time because of the late night last night but that didn't eventuate.

After the kids went to be Cate and I sat with Craig and Shannon. They have a daughter similar age to Aisha and it's uncanny the resemblance they have to each other. They sound similar, have similar hair, and the same dory drink bottle and princess towel.

It has been a pleasure shutting and getting to know Craig, Shannon and their kids this week. They are a lovely family and I hope we see them again next year.

Originally we had planned to drive home this evening but I an very glad we didn't. Meeting other families tonight has been terrific.

Saturday 17th January

This morning was brilliant for packing up. It was also the perfect morning for the beach. Nevertheless we set about packing. It was a very casual pack I really just took my time and this time I did remember to organise dinner for the DreamPot.
We said our goodbyes to Craig, Shannon and their kids and headed off just after 10:00.
The drive was quite nice and the traffic was really good considering the number of vehicles on the road. We had 2 stops, the first in Cann River and the second in Bairnsdale. They have already become the places to stop at when going to and from Pambula.
We drove in the driveway just after 5:00 to see our house for the first time this year.
It has been and extraordinary 3 weeks. We have experienced a lot, met some wonderful people that I hope we meet again and created more fantastic memories.

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