Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Camping


















The camp trip was a huge success even if the logistics were a little bit painful. We had to take 2 cars this time to fit all of the sporting paraphernalia in and the setting up of the tent is always a test in matrimonial strength. However, once that is done and everyone I have accepted that the tent will be a cesspit of sand, dirt, crumbs, grime and goodness knows what for the next few days, the fun and relaxation can commence.

We found a little piece of paradise at the end of a 12km dirt track in the Tasman National Park just over an hour away. The whole state was booked out for the Australia Day long weekend but there was a late cancellation at Fortescue Bay so we snapped up the final camp site and pinched ourselves the whole time that we were only paying $15 a night to stay in such a magical setting. Even if we could afford it, it would be hard to justify spending the hundreds of dollars it would cost for all of us to stay in two rooms of a fancy hotel when we can be lulled to sleep by the sound of waves crashing on the beach just metres away for just $15. The sand was the whitest of white, the ocean the colour of turquoise and the weather was perfect as well.

I've been camping my whole life and love it. We enjoy doing it as a family but there is a small window of time where I don't enjoy it as much and that is when the babies are between 6 and 12 months old. It's that period where they are on the move and crawling and you spend the whole time chasing after them, keeping them safe from camp fires and other people's campsites, nursing in the middle of the night and doing laps around the camp ground trying to get them off to sleep in the pram.  There were plenty of families camping with babies in this age group that were doing just this and doing a mighty fine job of it too, but none had 4 other kids eager to get down to the beach for swimming, kayaking, cricket, bush walking, and fishing. I'm quite glad we waited till now as everyone had an absolute ball and we've already booked the next trip in. We ditched Flynn's daytime nap (it was way too hot in the tent anyway) which made things easier and had the added bonus of him dozing off at 7pm without any complaints. It left Daniel and I relaxing by the campfire together while listening to the 4 older kids giggling away in the tent.

We're back home now and I've noticed all of the back-to school photos are starting to come in. I hope all of your gorgeous Kids have a wonderful start to the new school year!  We still have another week of school holidays left down here and I'll be soaking up every last minute of it before getting my head around sending 4 Kids off to full-time school for the very first time. It's been 8 years since I've had just 1 baby at home during the week. It will be the bittersweet end to one lovely era of having the Twins at home with me and the beginning of a lovely new one, just Flynn and I. I think it's going to be a good year.




36 comments :

  1. I think it's going to be a great year too Mel. You've hit the nail on the head talking about endings and beginnings, that's what makes all of us Mums a little reflective and melancholy. But what a time you and Flynn are going to have together! Enjoy your beautiful kids this last week of holidays.

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  2. A gorgeous spot indeed! Makes me think perhaps we should take up camping! If you can do it with 5 kids I'm sure I could do it with two teenagers?? And you managed to knit as well. Glad you had such lovely weather. Enjoy this last week of hols and hope the twins go off to school happily. I have one home today then tomorrow the other one goes, and my routine starts for real ... Ahh summer days ... Enjoy!

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  3. PS LOVE that photo of Flynn running along the beach with that huge smile!

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  4. A lovely spot and only an hour away!?
    When my first last child started prep I remember sitting at home and just staring at the single baby in wonder. Having started with twins, I'd never been home with one baby alone and it was pure bliss. Enjoy the magic.

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  5. Oh! Wow! Lovely! I was thinking the whole time - 'we will come along too next time' ... so tell me, when and where are we going camping next?!??? xo

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  6. We found Fortescue Bay almost by accident while campervanning round Tassie a few years back. Actually one of the locals mentioned it in passing while we picked up some grocery essentials. After bumping down 12 km of dirt track with 2 small kids late at night we were a little nervous, to say the least.. But to this day it remains one of my all time favourite places. Enjoy your last week of kids. Xx

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  7. Oh Mel, your camp photos look amazing! I can almost here the waves crashing…such a great serendipitous moment to get that spot! we've vowed to try and do more camping this year, although I do suspect once we move into our house we won't want to leave it! Happy last week of the holidays too…my two start tomorrow with my youngest in Prep so it's a very big milestone occurring at our house. Enjoy your time with Flynn xx

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  8. Enjoy your time at home with Flynn. How filthy did everyone get camping?! Hilarious ... though I think that would drive me nuts. I know what it's like dragging equipment on holidays, but there's no way around it. And your camping spot was spectacular. Gorgeous photos. What a blissful, magical existence.

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  9. Your photos are simply gorgeous! And how much does Flynn look like you?! x

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  10. I hope that this was the start of a wonderful year for you !!! It certainly looks and sounds as though you had an amazing time. I love how your yarn matches the colour of the sea and sky!!! xx

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  11. Looks and sounds like such a beautiful spot! We've done a lot of camping but never really by the beach. We have also found that 6-12 month age a little tricky. So of course we spent six weeks travelling the country last year with our three year old and 11month old girls! You just do what you have to!
    Tassie is on our list of places to visit, so I'm filing Fortescue Bay away in my memory bank :)

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  12. Looks like an amazing place to camp and I have to agree with you about when the kids are little there is no sitting down and enjoying the view. Camping is so good for kids away from TV and distractions. And setting up and packing up with little kids is hard as it takes time and they need to be safe and occupied. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  13. What a fantastic camping trip this looks like! Camping is my favourite type of holiday with the family (once the tent is up that is...). The only drawback is of course the amount of stuff that needs transported. We bought a trailer some years ago, which allows for some knee space in the car. Love the campfire photo most of all, campfires are just the best thing in the world. Enjoy the last week of the holiday. Cx

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  14. Oh my goodness that sea! That sand! I long for warm sand between my toes. I'm so glad we didn't start our camping adventures in Betty until Olly was a little older. The idea of doing it with a baby makes me shudder, and I fear it would have put me off for good. From your beautiful photographs you can tell what fun Finn is having. Love the shot of him running along the beach - priceless.
    Family camping rocks!

    Leanne xx

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  15. Gorgeous photos!!! Looks like you had an amazing trip away. Camping with young children is lots of fun, and I completely agree with the 6-12 month difficulties x

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  16. What a gorgeous place to camp! I laughed at the picture of all the stuff by your vehicle. Oh my. We used to be so packed into our van when we would head off camping that the kids had to get in and out in a certain order. I love the picture of Flynn running towards you in his diaper. Enjoy your new era of having just one child at home during the day.

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  17. Your writing and photos are stunning Mel, you could almost convert me to camping! I bet the kids had an absolute ball, the scenery looks picture perfect.

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  18. Wow that does look like paradise, and such a special family time. Your pictures are fantastic. Sarah x

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  19. Stunning photos Mel. Kids love camping, it always seems to be something that children remember when the grow up. Makes for great childhood memories xo

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  20. Well this just looks stunning. Knitting and camping are always such a lovely mix. Thank you for sharing!
    Isabel

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  21. What a gorgeous area for camping! It's so strange to see the sort of bare tall tree trunks with tents under them. Our camping spots are so very different with lots of underbrush, leaves, logs & rocks. We've been camping since my little guy was about 6 months (but I only have two kids), so I applaud you for managing this adventure with all five of your kids. But what fun times you must have together. I remember camping when my son started walking and just resigned myself to him being covered in dirt for the entire time :P Enjoy the remaining week, and what happy days ahead too! Wendy x

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  22. What fabulous colours of sea and sky! Makes me feel our welsh hillside is very grey.

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  23. So glad to hear it was such a success. You're inspiring me with confidence ;)

    This year I'll be having three one baby days a week - I can't even visualise it. All the best to you!

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  24. That picture of baby Flynn marching along the beach in his nappy cracks me up - what a cutie!

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  25. wow, i'm seriously impressed that you went camping with 5 kids! i'll have to try it sometime with my one bub :)

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  26. Camping is a fantastic way to get closer to the ones you really care about. It is one of those things that I've done a lot in my life. And I have learned a few things to make it a better experience.


    Camp America 2014 & Summer Camp Jobs

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  27. I do envy you the stage you're at in your family ... I really am too old to be thinking about a fifth but that doesn't stop me while it's still possible!

    Brilliant camp site ... years since we went camping, and that's something I can't say I particularly miss!

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  28. It sounds and looks like you all had a brilliant camping trip! x

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  29. Ah, so you had two cars...I was looking at that photo of the car and all your stuff and was wondering how on earth you fit it all in. I feel better now. You've made camping look and sound very appealing, and that beach - seriously stunning. You found a great spot there. Good luck with the return to school and your new routines. x

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  30. That photo of Flynn toddling along the beach is just adorable!! Sounds like a wonderful family getaway xx

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  31. Your photos are lovely Mel! I've never actually been camping - as I child we would do day trips to the bush beaches and creek but never actually stayed over night, even though sometimes we arrived early in the morning and cooked dinner over a campfire and drove home in the dark.

    Hope you're having a good week!
    Sarah x

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