My final post for September... Home again safe and sound

Home at last, our final day of our epic family adventure. Naracoorte gave us power last night (major improvement on when we first arrived) so we watched The Angry Birds movie with the kids (better than I expected, kinda funny actually) and then TRIED to watch X-Men Armageddon (just Heidi and I) after we sent the kids to bed. Yummy steak for tea BBQ style and two movies was a great way to spend the evening together as a family.

Next morning more rain... Packing the car was interesting fun but we were on the road by 9:30 with the Naracoorte Big 4 cabin cleaning crew hovering at our doorstep. Early lunch at Keith was nice but it was a disappointment for the kids with it being too wet for the roller coaster (next time kids...)

I have never ever felt so happy to see Cosi' Rhino at Tailem Bend or the roadworks along Morris Road (just around the corner from our place). Thanks to Jess for looking after our two fury kids and thanks to Lynda for a house that looked and smelled as fresh as daisies as we walked through the front door. A final thanks to my darling princess Miss Heidi who planned this amazing holiday and drove so many kilometres to get us to where we needed to go. A gallant effort M'lady, you are amazing my love.

Now comes the hangover from the time away as living out of suitcases, so much time on the road and seeing sooooooooooooo many amazing things catches up with us. I already feel Sumonday (when Sunday stops feeling like Sunday and you start dreading Monday back to work) creeping into my thoughts... Craft with kids with a pirate spin, a wine and cheese night and then two well known authors all coming up over the next few weeks. There is definitely no dull moments ahead of me.

This finally completes a month of posts, one a day. I cannot believe I did it. Don't expect more than four of five posts next month. Signing off home safe and sound, Trippin Timmy.

A day at Naracoorte... With power!!

The storm past last night and power returned at about 9pm. I was fast asleep, enjoying the sweet smell of scented candles and dreaming about all of the amazing things we have been up to while on our holiday. My tummy was quite full after a few ham and salad sandwiches for tea and a few ciders and I was destined for a long and peaceful sleep.

A 7:30pm bedtime I guess means a 6:30am wake up... Daddy cooked up yummy pancakes for breakfast (thanks Greens for making this an easy cook). After that it was off to the Naracoorte Caves, after a quick stop over at the Naracoorte Visitor Information Centre where a lovely old lady there told us how to get there (and gave us a 10% off voucher).

We saw impressive megafauna and some amazing speleothems (use this term for stalactites and stalagmites when you visit the caves and impress your guide... Our guide Tom gave us this term to use)... The caves were about 800,000 years old, some very impressive natural formations.

Finally I tried to give Heidi some peace and quiet this afternoon as I took the kids mini golfing. Only Miss 9 and I made it through all 18 holes. Many were very challenging, a great course...

Our final night in Naracoorte before we head home again tomorrow (via Keith of course and that crazy roller coaster death trap). Yummy steak for tea BBQed to perfection of course.

Signing off,

Trippin Timmy and the Law clan...

The continuing adventures of the Laws on holiday...

The day of the storm has finally arrived. This morning at Mount Gambier though the sun was shining and it was a glorious day for the Law family to go exploring. Our first stop once the car was packed and the cabin key returned was the amazing Mount Gambier Library.

I am seriously jealous of the Library Manager Vicki, she took a big risk moving from the Barossa to Mount Gambier a little while back but right now she is at the head of what I must admit really is the very best public library in South Australia. And it all comes down to the one percenters... There is a table set aside for a public jigsaw puzzle, there is an IT training suite actually set up for public IT training (not just a room called the training room), another community meeting room was running sewing machine lessons, the staff that I met were so gosh darn friendly and the Children's Area... WOW!!! The whole area was so well designed, looked so awesome and seven years on still looked welcoming and fun. My kids loved it and I must admit I loved it too... Then of course there is the lovely café with the ammmmmaaaaaazzzzzzziiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg caffeine smell as you enter and the delicious and delectable delights (all homemade) that can be devoured.

Leaving (green with envy) the library we then headed for the Mount Gambier shopping centre (identical to the Market Place in Murray Bridge as it was also setup by Woolworths). It was sad to see a Masters hardware store there as this company will soon be gone for good. Everything else about this Market Place was pumping busy. Perhaps the rent for shops is cheaper or perhaps just more people shop there because there seemed to be no empty shops what so ever. This is what Murray Bridge could and should look and feel like. Mount Gambier gave us the impression it was a town alive, busy and definitely kicking. My fav thing was the frog in the library where kids borrowed their things... It even croaked every now and then...

From Mount Gambier we then hit the road again on the way to Naracoorte with a surprising stop over in Penola. Not for anything to do with Saint Mary McKillop but for a quirky little zany train 'museum' called Penolaraya. Words cannot describe this experience but please make sure you take the time to drop in on Princess Rose for an hour or two you will never ever EVER forget...

After we left Penolaraya with five smiles on five faces we headed back onto the road for the short stretch between Penola and our next home away from home. As we pulled into Naracoorte three things then happened. Firstly we are in Trev's (my wife's favourite shop) and the power goes out (shopping in the dark was great family fun), then the heavens opened up but only produced annoying drizzle and finally my darling wife told me of the passing of sports commentator Max Walker. A sad afternoon all round... Welcome to Naracoorte!!

Now we sit in the darkness listening to the fury of the storm, fed and satisfied on cold meat and salad sandwiches (makes me wish Naracoorte had a McCue's bakery too) hoping that the power will come back on as promised at 4am but happy I am with the girl I love and our amazing kids. Tomorrow we have playgrounds, caves and other amazing places to explore. Just as long as the rains pass us by... Bring on an early night and yet another day of fun tomorrow.

And just quickly... Farewell Max! Your nose and mustachio will know no equal. Your commentary however...

The Law clan is not done traveling yet... Still more to see and more to discover...

Our terrific day in Mount Gambier

The awesomeness and severe coldness of Mount Gambier

Today has been yet another jam packed day on the Law family's epic holiday adventure. After a couple of coffees and Vegemite toast our first stop for the day was the Lady Nelson. "Woohoo," stated Miss 9 in her best imitation wolf whistle. Only for her smirk to become an embarrassed smile when we told her it was the name of a ship. Not just a ship though, also a great Information Centre with well informed staff and a FREE museum which showed the development of the local area over centuries. It had a great short film display with a lady from the original European settlement, she steps out of a photograph to tell her story and while she does she lights a fire, a candle, a gun goes off... Just a fascinating, educational display. Our son, a Master 10 was trying to find out how they did it. Our youngest, Miss 6 was a little scared of the 'ghost lady' until I told her it was all run by computer.

From our great start at the tiny, but impressive Lady Nelson we then jumped back onto the Jubilee Highway East and headed back towards Melbourne, but only ad far as the majestic Umpherston Sinkhole. This place was so beautiful and fascinating, a delightful green and floral garden set against a backdrop of chalky white limestone, hanging vines and busy buzzing bees. So many steps down into the sinkhole and so many back up again, but our legs were fresh and the Laws' spirits were high so we powered on down and back up again with a spring in our step.

Then we headed back past the little ship that discovered and named Mount Gambier and took a left at the roundabout onto Glenelg River Road headed for (and straight on past) the Aquifier Tours (thanks Google Maps) which gave us the option to stop at a lookout of view the picturesque Blue Lake. It is a greyish green this time of year but still massive in size and impressive to look upon. The Aquifier Tour was a great way to find out more about this amazing landmark, volcano and lake both at the same time. One thing that stuck in my mind was that the Blue Lake is a good source for trout, but only 150mm at a maximum length. Undersize in anyone's book...

Exhausted from our 45 minute walking tour of the 'Blue' Lake we decided on Hungry Heidi's for lunch followed by a hunt for the Cave Gardens. These 'gardens' would possibly be more impressive tonight with the light show but I was still impressed by the natural beauty of the limestone cave and the gardens integrated amongst it (above, around, within). For some of us though these gardens only meant more steps. I must admit the Cave Gardens were smaller than Umpherston Sinkhole, but I thought it pretty cool to see where the first settlers of Mount Gambier sourced their water...

Not done yet the epically adventurous day for the Laws took it up a notch and popped in to the old Railway Lands. These lands have been given (sold or donated I'm not sure) to the local council (I think) who created a lovely family picnic area with a nature playground the kind of which I have never ever experienced. Murray Bridge needs to take a leaf out of Mount Gambier's book... Our nature playground opposite Coles supermarket is pretty awesome but the one here is twenty times better at least... The kids and I loved finding the native animal statues (HUGE in size and fun to clamber all over or balance on) and the smaller natives artistically carved into the stepping stones themselves.

We have returned to Limestone Coast Tourist Park much wiser and far more exhausted. Tomorrow is a 'quick' trip to the highly praised Mount Gambier Library and hopefully a catch up with my colleague Vicki. Then it is back on the road again. We'll be headed for Naracoorte to catch up with a few familiar faces and some deep, dark caves... I can't wait!!

Another hard day of driving - the Law adventure continues

450km day... Beaconsfield to Mount Gambier via Geelong and Hamilton

Another HUGE day of driving today. After fond farewells with the Williamson family and a mad dash pack up of our things and shoving it all into the KIA we were on the road again. We beat our 9:30am departure time by two minutes (believe in the miracle Roh and it WILL come true!!!)

From Beaconsfield we began our journey of hours and hours with Mount Gambier our ultimate destination. First stop though was the home of the Geelong Cats and the Cat shop for some souvenirs to show our loyalty. The stadium where these boys play so well is getting a serious upgrade. It will be an amazing place to visit once it is done.

From Geelong we left the Princes Highway and headed along the B140 for a mammoth stretch. Fuelled up and well fed it was a great day for a drive. The weather was ideal, perfect blue sky, nice Spring sunshine, perfection...

Then we hit Hamilton. The heavens opened and the rain bucketed down upon us. It was unbelievable to see the change. I want to thank the lovely guy in the caravan (the only other vehicle heading our way on the road, or so it seemed). This guy pulled over into the passing lane at the first opportunity and slowed a little to give me the best chance to fly past). I don't want to thank all the trucks that came the other way, especially the half of a house 'wide load' that we came across... Cheers though to the policeman in front of that load who waved me off so the truck could get by. You don't argue with a suggestion like that.

The crossing back into South Australia was a bit dampened, the rain keeping us car bound, not willing to pull over for a selfie with Tom Danger...

Finally we made it into Mount Gambier a bit before 5pm with an awesome spaghetti with meat sauce for tea (thank you my darling girl) and a splash of Shiraz to wash it down.

Looking forward to the family thrills that our latest destination has in store. I have already learnt that the Mount Gambier library has been awarded number one country library in the world (or something like that) and it appears in every single touristy pamphlet and brochure that gets given out. We have much to learn when it comes to promotion it seems. Bring on the caves, the sink hole, the Lady Nelson and of course the amazing Mount Gambier Library. We are looking forward to it all!!  

Yet another epic day on the Law family holiday

Thank you Melbourne... What a send off!

Our time in Beaconsfield is sadly coming to an end. Roh, BB and the kids you have been wonderful to stay with. Your generosity with your home, your time, everything about our stay with you these last few days has made our family holiday just so totally and utterly stress free.

Today was a day for us in the city centre, seeking my mate Aaron, his wonderful girlfriend Rhiannon and all the culinary delights of Melbourne's Chinatown district. Well the trip in to the city found us switching freeways halfway there as good old Google Maps thought it would get us to the parking of the Queen Victoria Markets via the Eastern instead of the Monash. Bad decision Google as we headed away from said markets and had to turn around.

Finally at the Queen Victoria Markets Miss 9 and Miss 6 found more plush teddies to add to their ever growing family at home. Master 10 was on the hunt for more Pokemon and other cards, he still remembers the man who had packs for $2 each. A Geelong Cats flag (loyalty is deep in the heart and soul of my gorgeous girl), a pair of sneakers and a few other bibs and bobs later and it was time for doughnuts.

Faces wiped clean of jam (those doughnuts were epic) and we trusted again in Google Maps to take us to where we were meeting Aaron and Rhiannon. Epic fail number two... We had to ring Rhiannon so they could come and find us!! Aaron mate, you should have known me better... No direction sense and an inability to find meeting spots...

With our city guides finally with us Aaron and his girl took us another 100 meters further on than where we had wandered as a family but decided to stop. The changes in scenery as we stepped into China Town was amazing! With tummies rumbling despite the doughnuts we saw forty of so different Asian restaurants, some where you could even see the dumplings being made in the front window. The dirty, rundown joint where Aaron and Rhiannon loved going sadly didn't open on a Sunday. Next time I say Heidi and I will come in on a Saturday instead. This meant though we had another thirty to forty places to choose from. I wanted to go to the most exquisite place in the whole of Melbourne, a place so amazing and so popular you need to know the chef and still book six months ahead... We didn't know the chef though and hadn't booked at all and also we had three kids tagging along. I got the feeling from the way Aaron described this joint kids were probably NOT welcome.

We ended up finding a place just down from the Dragon Bowl. For the first time ever many of us tried Yum Cha. This is where the staff bring out baskets of things for you to try and for every basket of two of something you ask for you get charged. We offer a humble thanks to our city guides for covering an amazing meal fifth seven, plus jasmine tea and egg custard tarts. We will pay you back in kind next time you are down our way with Shiraz and gourmet style barbecues (a couple at least). It was so awesome to spend the afternoon chatting away with a great mate and it was just so good to see my girls all chatting away to Rhiannon just like best friends. A stop for Nitrate ice cream was just the perfect icing on an already perfect catch up session.

The funniest thing though was when our two guides escorted us to the right tram stop and told us when to hop off (now that is a service you don't get from Google).

One more night in Beaconsfield now and the fantastic company here. Roast for tea in the Webber and maybe Ninja Turtles for movie night. Can life get any better than this? I don't think so...

Next stop Mount Gambier, perhaps a little side stop at Geelong to stretch the legs and to give Heidi a chance to go Tom hunting. Cannot wait to checkout the library at Geelong (massively epic and very funky from what I have seen online) and the Mount Gambier library too where there is supposed to be a brilliant children's area.

I would like to end my post today wishing Aaron luck with his attempt at 50,000 words in November. One day I may give the same challenge a go. Until tomorrow... This is Trippin Timmy signing off...

Another glorious day in Beaconsfield

A down day today. BB and Roh have been the perfect host and hostess. Bacon, eggs and hash browns for brekkie. Chef Rohan let me cook the toast! Sitting out the front while I write this post soaking up some surprising dazzling sun. Watching Miss 6 in her Minnie Mouse helmet and cat mask on scooting around the quiet street... Makes me think we could happily move to a place like this.

Can't wait to head to the oval with the soccer ball for a kick and a run. After lunch we will be putting the best playground in the world (according to Master 11) so looking forward to that.

Why do down days always require so much energy?

Two short stories

The Sound of Thunder

Heat, within, without, seemingly everywhere. Sir Thomas sat upon his grey mare in full plate his breastplate chaffing, the summer sun striking him viciously. At first the sun's bite had been a mere annoyance but after three hours of jousting the suit of armour encasing the knight felt like one of the castle kitchen ovens.
'Please let this be the final bout,' begged Sir Thomas, praying in his mind to any gods who happened to be listening.
At the opposite end of the field Sir Thomas could just make out through the slits in his helm visor a flag being madly waved. The bout had begun and every second counted.
Spurs from armoured ankles prick the flanks of the grey mare sparking it suddenly to life. The beast learched forward from naught to canter and then gallop as its passenger clung on tightly with padded thighs, a tiny shield placed over his breast, the shaft, a mere thin tree branch of a lance being lowered ever so slowly as Sir Thomas drew closer to his foe. As the distant figure seen through the helm slits became a distinguishable target Thomas discovered the foe he faced was none other than the Black Knight. Was it a lowly lord now stripped of rank, an enspiring young lord trying his luck and aiming for fortune and glory, or the High Prince himself forbidden to compete? Sir Thomas did not know, so chose to urge his steed on faster and lowered his shaft to strike true upon the covered shield. There came a moment where the two knights met with a shuddering crunch and two lances splintered in a shower of pine. Sir Thomas immediately felt his collarbone snap as the Black Knight's lance tip ploughed into his shoulder, the knight had aimed too high and too far to the right. Sir Thomas smiled though through his pain... The Black Knight was unhorsed, landed upon his rear and struggling to rise. Two squires ran across the tilting field to aid the fallen, with young muscles bulging the fallen knight was brought back to his feet. Removing his helm and the cover hiding the crest upon his shield the mysterious combatant revealed himself. Sir Thomas had bested the High Prince and had won the day. His shoulder was a high price to pay but the honour earnt would last him a life time.


Something More Modern

Larissa Marcos, the latest talent in high class lingerie sped along the Autobahn in her Julieta. The passion red machine roared like an angry bear as the speedo clicked over a hundred miles an hour. Comfortable in the drivers seat Larissa made a brief indication she was switching lanes and then shot past three Audi delivery trucks in a split second.

"Darling! I'm about half an hour away!" the young fashionista casually announced to her handsfree. Larissa's accent was distinctly Australian, she had moved from Bondi to the Eastern suburbs of London only six months before. The man on the other end of the line understood every word.

"Magnific madam Marcos. Emma, Sally, Michelle and the other models have already arrived and your pieces are all unpacked and hanging ready."

"I hope the pink champaign is on ice too?" Larissa laughed.

"Of course, madam! Of course," came the man's reply with a dry chuckle of his own.

The rest of the journey vanished in under twenty as the foot was flattened and the thrumming engine of the Julieta found another gear.

"Minister of Finance, so sorry to hear that the United Kingdom has chosen to leave the Euro," Larissa stated solemnly as she kissed the older German first on the left, then the right cheek and then the left again.

"As the Italians say, Ce Sara Sara... The loss of the U.K. may yet prove to be a blessing," the Minister replied, kissing Larissa upon her cheeks in kind.

"Well if it proves to be a blessing or curse matters not tonight. It is all about six lovely young ladies and my latest designs."

"As you say Miss Marcos, my wife and I both are very eager to see your creative genius, tonight and perhaps later..."

"I hope you mean on your wife good sir..."

"Of course," smiled the Minister. "I get my wife a new set every fashion show I attend..."

"You may like the third piece to be shown tonight... Diamond dusted... Very expensive... Highly exclusive..."

The halls of German Parliament were an unusual site for a fashion show but Larissa was happy to show off her sensual designs anywhere and everywhere.

The chandeliers rattled and flicked the green, orange and blue lasers around the ballroom as Iggy belted out her latest single. Michelle, the first to model stepped out confidently upon the catwalk. She wore a silver gown spiderweb thin, low cut at the neck and secured with a rose gold clasp at the model's navel. At the end of the runway the clasp with released with a small smile from Michelle and the flourish of a magician. The German Prime Minister and his wife applauded enthusiastically as the two piece was revealed, the same thin shimmering silver fabric revealing the best of Michelle's assets while still leaving enough to the imagination of the crowd of one hundred.

After that the show just went from strength to strength. Emma's Aqua green and salmon pink single piece with stockings and garter made Larissa smile as even the PM wolf whistled, causing his wife's eyebrows to rise. The champaign flowed freely at the show and then long into the night. As the sun rose on the following day the passion coloured sports machine left Parliament, headed for Milan and yet another opportunity to sell to the very rich. Life was good for the young designer. Life was very good indeed... 

Swimming swimming swimming like a fish

Today we braved the Fountaingate Shopping Centre in Victorian School Holidays. Bad decision on our part. Not only was the outside of the Narre Warren Library drab and depressing, there were little to no car parks (except council staff only ones) which of course equated to there being a shopping centre chock full of people. After a chaotic lunchtime game of hoard the chairs (we had the five of us and BB's delightful Master 11 and Miss 9 along for the ride) we decided to get out of Dodge and head for the well recommended Casey Race Swimming Centre.

This was a far better choice with so much fun had by me and the kids. Poor Heidi did not have the best fun, but we have plans to return (a cheapish afternoon of exhausting Tim and the kids) and this time we will get Heidi coffee before we get into our bathers. I spent hours chasing after Miss 6 (our little Pisces) while we went from pool to pool to pool to under the massive bucket then on to the seriously warm toddler pool and then back to do it all over again. The only disappointment was that the main water slide was broken down. Master 11 and my son Master 10 both took on the monster slide with an awesome twister section at the bottom. I'm hoping if we go back I'll get to give that same slide a crack...

Tonight we have the culinary skills of Head Chef Roh to look foward too... Pasta Cabonara with mushrooms, bacon and SPRING onion. Cannot wait to try it. Fine food, finer company and a fun filled day at the Casey Race pool...

Meeting the wonderful Lords and Ladies of Kryal Castle

Today has been a great way to say fare ye well to Ballarat as we headed out of town in search of the very famous Kryal Castle. We were the first car in the car park, the first family across the drawbridge, past the portcullis and the first family to come face to face with the dragon.

Aside from our first stop, the dragon display which scared the heck out of all of us and missing out on seeing the magician perform we all had an utterly amazing day.

The knightly display of skills in the morning and the joust in the afternoon were real highlights, but so too was the indoor archery, the purfume making with the resident enchantress and both pantomimes put on by the three hilarious performers.

All in all there was plenty to do to fill a day at Kryal and it put the whole Law family in a great mood as we ventured further south away from the majesty of Kryal and Ballarat and down the Monash to our next stop, Beaconsfield. We've already been spoilt with an amazing tea (compliments to the chef BB and Roh... Those lamb steaks and that potato salad was something else). Looking forward to what else this holiday had in store for us...

Post 100 Friends Old and New

I cannot believe that this is my 100th post ever... Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed my posts over the last few years... So on to my 100th post...

Today has been extra special. Two dear friends, Maria and Ben celebrate thirteen years of marriage today and although 13 is a number unlucky for some for Heidi and I 13 years together has been full of so many amazing highs I can only say that 13 has been just as lucky for me as the other 12 years previous. Seeing the love of Ben for Maria and vica versa over the past 13 years just grow stronger and deeper has been a true privilege.

Today we also caught up with a great friend we had not seen in at least nine years. Karen it was great to see you again and to FINALLY meet your three delightful. Our kids loved your kids, especially Miss 9 who was utter soulmate to your middle daughter.

A whole day with Karen and her girls was utterly amazing and completely exhausting. Ballarat kept the rain away but turned on the wind machine. Nevertheless the day at Ballarat Wildlife Park was epic. Crunch the croc was impressive in size and bite potential, the Tassie Devils were wild, so many great animals to see and more than enough to fill a whole day...

Looking forward to another epic day tomorrow, a visit to a castle and then another road trip to great friends in Beaconsfield... BB and fam ready or not here come the Laws!!

Yo ho yer landlubbers!!!

Yaaarrrrr!! It be talk like a pirate dee todeeeeeeee! So pass me a pint o' rum fer brekkie and let's set sail for adventure!! Ya ha harrrrrr!

Todeeee we be doin' what a pirate loves best... Searchin' fer gold... Cannot wait to hit the gold fields with me best mate Captain Heidi and me scurvy crew o' rapscallions. The dee looks dastardly overcast so there aught be few landlubbers to trouble our journey so let the fun begin... Let's set sail!!!

On the road at last

I would love to blog about the AFL (Australian Football League) finals... Sadly the Crows are out leaving the Dogs, Cats, Swans and Giants still in the hunt for the silver cup. I could make a suggestion that the Crows might have done the Cats a favour with such a physical loss to a barbaric Swan outfit... I could but I am on Day 1 of an epic family fun filled escape and I would rather blog about that.

What an awesome beginning to a family road trip... Awake at 5ish with no chance of getting back to sleep. My wise wife suggests "why don't we just hit the road early..?" And guess what?! We were in Keith in no time and rolling on that awesome death trap of a roller coaster faster than you can say "the Laws are here..."

Nil to see at Nhill, the usual play on word jokes as we passed through Ki Ki and a few other quirky named joints, and of course my highlight... Dimboola (a little piece of Africa with a name like that!)

Keith though was a big highlight with the yummy bakery food the retro room and that wickedly awesome roller coaster plus the cool playground.

We have our little travel mascot (a Geelong Cats bear teddy nicknamed Tom Danger) and it has also been fun taking pics of him in the different places that we stopped at along the way.

I am so glad that we did not attempt a run from Adelaide to Melbourne. I think today we went far enough.

A biggest of big THANK YOU to Google maps who guided us to our cabin when my navigation skills let us down. The lost are now found and safe in our delightful cabin. I have my gorgeous girl beside me and our three little ones hyped up on memories from only day one (stopping at the BIG KOALA was an eye opener of an experience)... Bring on day two I say and heaps more memories to come...

Family holidays are simply the best...

Excited much? On the cusp of epic family memories

Who remembers their family holiday to the Victorian snowfields or Ayres Rock or that cabin by the beach (oh wait... They might all be me...) My point is we all hopefully have amazing memories from our childhoods and teen years when the family would all pile into the car and we would hit the road to see things never seen and create new precious memories. Now that my gorgeous wife and I have three wonderful kids (Master 10, Miss 9 and Miss 6) it is high time that we attempt the family road trip...

This morning has been similar to mornings for the past week seeing the three munchkins bound out of bed and scoff their breakfast as excited as ever that our holiday is only days away.

I cannot wait to share these amazing experiences with my own family. Let's hit the road and start up the memory making machine...

Wish us luck!!

The Woman Who Vanished

The fire crackled, sending ash and tiny coals skywards like glowing fireflies. Five of the friends remained huddled together against the cold, enjoying the brightness of the dancing flames and feeling the warmth of the stolen brandy as it spread quickly throughout their young bodies.
"So who's heard the one about the woman that vanished?" asked Tod eagerly. He had been telling lame jokes and trying to steal a smooch from Samantha since the teens had jumped into the jeep and hit the highway.
"Seriously man! Aren't your terrible jokes enough for us to suffer?" Andrew replied, his face begging the other boy to change the conversation. Tod was not to be put off so easily though.
Shifting his spot so he sat right behind Andrew's sister Tod began his tale.
"It was right here, this very campsite where a husband and wife came for a secluded honeymoon..."
"Really Tod, you're freaking me out..." complained Samantha before Tod even had a chance to touch her. The young brunette with chestnut locks darker than Tod's but lighter than her brother's got up from her place before the crackling flames. "I'm going to bed..."
"Your loss," replied Tod, obviously disappointed. "And then there were four..."
"Just hurry up and tell us your story," begged Michelle. "I love horror stories so don't make it lame."
Tod smiled at the two girls that remained and gave Andrew a wink. "Where were we..."
"Some dude and his wife were getting busy?" suggested Andrew. The girls giggled at that, not sure if it was the brandy or the strange tension of the moment.
"Yeah, a man and his wife, but only one of them leaves..." Tod added quickly, trying to bring the focus of the group back on him.
"Heard it before," Michelle interrupted. "I'm done."
"Wait for me," said the other girl, rising from the fire to trail after her friend.
"And then there was one..." murmured Andrew as he too got up from the fire.
"You don't know what you're all missing," whined Tod.
"A half arsed story designed to scare kiddies," spat Andrew, not interested in Tod's campfire antics. "I am going to check the lines and see if we've caught anything."
"I'll come too and tell you the rest of the story," begged Tod.
"Tag along if you must but any noise you make is going to scare the fish."

It was only a hundred yards or so from the campsite and the warmth of the stolen brandy and the crackling flames but Andrew still brought his finger to his lips each time Tod tried to start up another conversation. The lines were disappointingly empty as was the cage for catching little crustations. As the two teens turned to head back to camp they both froze as the woman spoke.
"Have you seen my husband boys?"
"It's her!" whispered Tod, already his heart pounding, his blue-grey eyes wide with terror.
"Who?" asked Andrew.
"Who?!" replied Tod, a touch louder than he had wanted to, his voice coming out as a squeak that made Andrew smirk.
"Yeah, who is she?"
"If you'd listened to my story..."
Andrew stopped in his hurrying back to camp and started to laugh. "You think this woman is a character from your tale of terror?"
"Andy! It's not a camp story..." stated Tod with urgency. "I read it in the paper..."
There was a moment as Andrew considered what Tod had said. "Run! Warn the girls!!" he urged as he turned to face the new arrival.
"Sorry lady, we haven't seen your husband..."
"I know," the woman replied. "I've been watching you all afternoon..."
Turning to see Tod still standing beside him Andrew tapped him on the shoulder. "Let's go..."
Both boys turned leaving the lady in their wake.
"WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEE UUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!" hollered both boys, getting to the tents in record time.
As the other campers peered out of sleeping bags and tents with bleary eyed confusion Tod and Andrew dragged their friends out into the cold.
The tents were left along with everything else as two jeeps left the campsite with dust and dirt flying from the rear of both.

"That was bloody close..." Tod murmured to Samantha. "That woman was crazy..."
"Lucky Andy was there," Samantha replied.
"Guess so..." said Tod to himself as the camp disappeared in the rear view mirror.

The fire flared as the tents ignited. With the fire blazing the woman turned away.
"I'm come to get you," she whispered with a smile. "Can't leave any witnesses..."

Another epic effort by the SES

I just wanted to say a special thank you to that amazing group of volunteers in the orange jumpsuits with that platypus as a mascot, the amazing SES. We don't really think about these wonderful people until we have a car accident or our roof is blown off or we have fallen in a ditch, these are the people who are always in the thick of the rescue when things have gone wrong.

With the rain pouring down yesterday and my thoughts turning to arc plans it was the fantastic SES who were out in the wet helping to patch roof leaks, dragging cars out of rivers and being the unsung heroes of each and every rain/flood effected community.

Well done to the lasses and lads of this orange army of talented helpers! We would be truly lost without you all!!

Row row row your boat

Today you would be forgiven for thinking we were in the middle of winter. Rain fell and continued to fall all day. The mighty Murray river has begun to rise and I am starting to worry that if it keeps on raining we will be facing the same challenges of the 1956 flood...

It may be time for Noah to get out the plans for the Arc again... Two cats? Check and check...

Rubik's Cube Haunts Me

Everywhere I look around our house there are Rubik's cubes or the equivalent from rival companies in various states of disrepair. By disrepair I mean the colours are all mixed or the pictures that should show are all mixed together.

I still have strong memories of my Opa and Oma's house in Goolwa near the beach. There in the spacious lounge room my Opa would sit surrounded by five or six grandchildren and we would just watch in awe as Opa unscrambled the Rubik's cube. It was his favourite puzzle and my Opa new that cube inside and out. So far all I am getting in a single side one solid colour and very very VERY frustrated...

This cube will not defeat me...

An epic adventure continues

I am so lucky that I get to play a role playing game (Dungeons and Dragons) at work. It is a youth activity we run fortnightly at the library to try and engage the community's youth and for a small section of this dynamic this seems to be working.

Today was a great session. The group explored a part of the city they are staying in called The Silver Spider. It is a classy establishment of entertainments of any and all kinds, the hang out of choice for the rich and famous of the fantasy city setting.

The kids that attended today's session had great fun trying all the fun and pleasures that The Silver Spider has to offer. It was really rewarding to have these new players interacting with the patrons and the props even though they were not physically there.

My brother-in-law Ben has done well to create such a vivid adventure and I'm having so much fun playing it...

Who remains after the first brutal round of AFL finals footy?

Over the last few days we have seen why the top 8 Australian Football League (AFL) teams deserved their places. The football has been rough, tough, at times embarrassing and at others inspirational. There have been high flyers (the Crows had their own Eddie the Eagles!!), thumpings, gladiator clashes and a game that came down to the final kick...

So who remains now that round one of the finals is finished? Well... The HUGEST shock was not (in my mind) the lesson the Western Bulldogs gave to the Eagles at home. No I was far more shocked to learn that Greater Western Sydney gave the Sydney Swans a surprise (along with themselves and everyone else too) defeating a side that had been playing consistently well the last few years. So GWS is through and the Swans and left contemplating next weekend...

In South Australia the fans of red, yellow and blue are grinning as the Crows showed the Kangaroos (and the West Coast players too) how best to use a home ground advantage. On a high the Crows are indeed flying as one looking forward to a game in the next round of finals. I feel for my mates who follow the Kangaroos... It must be tough to know that the season is already over...

Geelong battled through a rough and ready clash against the Hawks and now have a week of rest to lick their wounds and heal their battle scars. I have got a feeling that the Hawks will struggle next week, surviving against the Geelong Cats and coming away with such a heart crushing loss it is going to be just too difficult to bounce back. My thinking too is that there will be so many reports from the game that the Hawks with only have half a side to choose from.

So the Hawks, Swans, Crows and Dogs now plan for the matches of their lives while the Giants and Cats sit back and watch keenly to see who will be next to fall by the wayside. I still think the Swans will be in the mix somewhere but would love a Geelong vs Adelaide Grand Final. We will need to wait, watch and see just what the footy future foretells...

Day 10 - Bring on the fun...

Looking forward to tonight, a planned catch up with family and friends which could potentially extend to the early hours of tomorrow... We have friends over from interstate (Victoria) who when ever we catch up it is like there has been no time at all between visits. These sort of gatherings are also a great excuse for those mates that are living just around the corner but you still never see them to pop in and have a solid catchup too. Soooooo this arvo I guess will be a quick spruce up of the backyard and getting the barbecue all set for a cook up...

Looking back over the last nine days of posts I have very quickly determined that footy is a popular topic so let me change tact here and reflect back on a ripper of a game last night. My darling wife being a die hard (deadset serious) Geelong Cats fan it was the right team that won a real nail biting THRILLER. I didn't need to watch as the reactions from my gorgeous girl told me everything I needed to know, a running commentary of emotion more than actual words. I really do feel for the Hawk who lined up for goal as the last kick of the match which could have taken his side across the line victorious. His confident smirk of certainty before he missed the goal and scored a mere point was his own fault... It is easy to say in hindsight, but dude I'd advise you to flash the smirk after the kick and not before... Social media will not let you forget that 'smile' for a long long time...

Good luck to the other AFL teams still yet to play... Will the Crows fly high? Or will the Kangaroos bound out the blocks and run away with the game? And how sad is it that the two Sydney sides face off against each other with only one staying in the race to the Grand Final... Good effort Greater Western Sydney to get as far as you have and good luck against your big brother the Swans...

I'm just glad Collingwood and Freo missed out this year...

Animals in the Clouds

On the way out to Jervois tonight I looked skyward and saw a sight that reminded me of a Graeme Base book. Across the horizon I saw a seahorse chasing a graceful dragon, the curves of the skyscape of cloud copying exactly the shape of a gracefully floating seahorse what looked like a few meters away was a sleek lizard shape with what resembled butterfly wings. Closer to Wellington there were pigs being ridden by knights (one had a raised lance and the other a sword and odd shaped shield).

The best beast though was when we swung past Puzzle Park where a couple of bonfires burned and then turned to the left and headed for home. There to the far left was a majestic lion with full mane roaring at the sky.

And some say they only see clouds... I say they aren't really looking...

Footy Finals Begin

For many Aussies this is the time of year they love. Footy finals when the top half of the sixteen (I think it's sixteen teams now) battle it for a chance to represent on Grand Final Day. Tonight is a knockout final been West Coast (a Western Australian team) and the Western Bulldogs (one of many Victorian sides) and even though the Eagles have a HUGE hometown advantage they look like they are being outplayed by their competitors.

I enjoy seeing the Geelong Cats succeed as many people I know and many people I love are BIG BIG REALLY BIG Cats fans. Their season this year has been filled with epic highs and a few worrying lows. It will be interesting to see how the Cat boys play tomorrow night against the Dorks...

It will be interesting to also see if the Eagles can soar or if the Dogs will run away with it...

Being sick is noooooo picnic....

Today I dragged myself out of bed and went somewhere I really should not have gone... Feeling like I had been bashed about the head and suffering a sluggishness that caffeine just couldn't shake I jumped (awkwardly) into the car and drove to work.

By 12 today I knew I was really crook as my body started shaking.

By 2pm I was home under the covers completely out to it. Now I thank my darling girl and the cold tablets she got me as I hop back into my car again and head to the local Guide Hall where my wonderful daughter, Miss 9 is cooking up a special Father's Day (belated) tea.

Feeling rested, hungry and ready for whatever tomorrow throws at me...

Sleep glorious sleep

You don't know just how much you need it until you miss it...

Sleep glorious sleep...

I am feeling like my bed is calling me already and it's only 9!

Here is one I prepared earlier...The Library of the Future

A lot of meetings, trainings and information sessions I have attended this year have examined the idea of the Library of the Future. Some ideas suggest that libraries will have less and less physical items on shelves and more digital material that can be accessed by members 24 hours every day of the week. For many of us who work in libraries this is a difficult concept to get out heads around. For others in the industry of recreation, information and education the whole idea of the library being a digital gateway and a gathering place of a thriving community is something they have already been doing for years.

In my mind the library of the future needs to be a reflection of its community. The community with a high number of internet users at home could run a streaming service for their community to download from. The library whose community has little to no household internet users would get little benefit from this but offering free internet would be a HUGE benefit.

We as library staff now have an important role to play in engaging with the users and non-users of our communities to discover just what it is they need us to provide. We are on the top lip of a downward hurtle of our busiest time ever... We just need to make sure we aren't left behind, stuck on that lip, unable to take the plunge. All I know is that the library of the future will be less about the books... Already now we need to be 110% community focused, before the community focuses 0% on us...

I tip my hat to the Royal Adelaide Show

This weekend is turning out to be a great one of catching up with family and friends. Looking forward to seeing my dad and brothers for a wonderful Father's Day lunch and having a relaxing afternoon today enjoying the company of my three little munchkins.

On a different note I must reflect on a delightful afternoon and evening spent at the Royal Adelaide Show. We had planned to go today for Father's Day but changed tack when the friends we were going with thought it would be cool to stay and see the fireworks display... BEST DECISION EVER!!! I cannot remember ever as a kid staying all night at the show (I'm sure we did though at least once of twice) and so I did not know what to expect. Well... The drone racing, the ute racing, the car smashing and the three insane dudes on motor cross bikes pulling of stupidly ridiculous aerial tricks was entertainment enough... Then came probably what I can only say was the most spectacular display of fireworks that I or my kids have ever witnessed.

Add to this the wonderfully helpful staff around the show grounds and on the stalls and it ended up a perfect recipe for a fun filled family day.

Saturday afternoon and evening at the Royal Adelaide Show - 19/20 ***** 5 BIG stars for an awesome day that finished with a colourful bang...

Jamie Oliver waffles... The best start to a BIG weekend

I woke up this morning thinking about our plans for today. We are taking the kids to the Royal Show and catching up with close friends for the day. With those sort of plans you need a breakfast that will fill up the kids and last us all until lunchtime at the very least. I have been using our new waffle iron but the recipes I have found in the past all used some sort of oil in the mixture. The waffles were amazing the first time but today I stumbled across a mix which is oil free from Mister Jamie Oliver himself. Twelve waffles coming right up!! Who's hungry?

Find the recipe at http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/eggs-recipes/brilliant-breakfast-waffles/

Enjoy!!

Day 2 - What Makes a Great Team?

This is my second post for September and already I'm stumbling before I began... A day at work and a fairly productive one at that is always worth celebrating but I am not sure if it is truly blog worthy material. It does make me wonder though what does make a great team...

When you find the perfect partner it just works and your teaming up makes you both so much better as people and so much more capable to achieve. The people you work with you do not have that same level of support with, admiration for or intimacy with but you can still achieve greatness with everything you attempt when you have a solid team.

But what is it that makes a team work? I think it is understanding for one, a sympathy and an empathy for things that are happening to the people around you. I guess this comes from a high emotional intellect, I'm still trying to work out if this is me... What I do know though is that whenever we all have an understanding that people can have an off day/week/month even and that these people need our support but not for us to hand them a solution then our EQ is rising and we are starting to build as a team.

Next we all need the same goal and the same passion to achieve it. With everyone rowing in the same direction it doesn't matter who is steering and who is at the oars, a shared focus results in a successful team...

That brings me to the importance of a leadership team that can engage with the workforce, keep us all focused and remind us of the what and the why of the goal ahead. When the who is clear the what is unified and the why understood then the how just seems to work itself out... It is important to note though that the manager of the team is not necessarily the leader of the team. Leaders appear at all levels of a team structure and this is necessary to support the unified vision. To hear the manager harp on daily about the vision they have is NOT going to result in a motivated team. To have a team of inspired members who can see, breath, live the goal makes it easier to stay focused. You don't want to throw the party because your boss thinks it is a great idea but you do want to throw the party if it makes you feel good or look great or if it just means to you a job well done. A leader at the top is good but leaders everywhere is even better.

So what makes a brilliant team? Unity, understanding and a little bit of luck. Am I feeling lucky? Only time will truly tell...