Putty Beach Boardwalk

Rocks below the Gerrin Point lookout

We have walked most of the paths in the Bouddi National Park and areas surrounding us. One of the major exceptions was the Putty Beach Boardwalk. Many have recommended it to us, but we were slow to take them up on it. We finally went on a recent Sunday in July and this is what we saw.


Tristan in front of a small cave on Bullimah Beach

Upclose look at the beach materials


Bullimah Beach

Our family

Rocks and waves below the boardwalk trail

Boardwalk stretches from Putty Beach to Bullimah Beach


Trolling for a sliver ?

Boardwalk

Dave

Along the way, Neo and then Zoe picked up slivers in their hands. Even so, it was a wonderful family walk and great views!

Term 2 Conclusion

Norah Head lighthouse from the beach

Playing with a vine found on the beach

Term 2 of the school year ended on Friday 1 July. There was a NAIDOC celebration at Copa school. Tristan received an award at the School Assembly. Clara also received an award for her work over this term at Kincumber High School.

All the the children are learning very well in school. I was able to meet with several of Clara's teachers and heard glowing praise for her and her abilities. I was especially pleased to hear she is 3rd in her science class - and 5th over the entire 8th grade in science.

Interesting plant washed up on the beach

I was able to attend the interview with Zoe's teacher. Zoe is doing great in class. She is strong in Maths and Reading. She has made some great friends too.

On Monday morning, the appointed day of Tristan's parent - teacher conference, I was notified that the appointment was cancelled, as his teacher had had her baby over the weekend. Baby Reef arrived 3 weeks early but weighted in at 6lbs 2 oz and healthy. Tristan's teacher will be gone for next term and plans to return to his classroom in Term 4. Tristan's report card was glowing!

The last week of school was more busy then usual. Clara went to her school's disco on Wednesday night. That same night, Neo was suffering with fever and vomiting caused by a middle ear infection. Neo vomited all over me as I carried him from the car to the doctor's office. His doctor recorded a temperature of 106.7. (41.5c). Fortunately, the prescription worked quickly and his temperature and ear were much better by Friday. Well enough to attend Ben's birthday party on Saturday (reptile man - see previous post)

"Take a picture of us in our fort!"

On Sunday, we began our school holidays by going to the Whale Dreamers Festival at Norah Head Lighthouse. It was a gorgeous winter day! We went to the beach near the lighthouse first. Zoe, Tristan, and Neo had a great time playing on the beach. They were especially thrilled with the white sand of the beach.

Tristan holds a single vertebrae of a Minke whale

The road leading to the lighthouse was closed, so we walked the nature path. There were vendors, live bands and some of activists from Green Peace who had thwarted the Japanese whaling boats last season. We even saw 3 whales swimming by!

Note: I have to add that this is mid-winter! We had some miserable wet days early this season, but the weather has been much drier and bright sunny days. Temps at night to single digits C (mid 30s low 40s F) then warming to 60s during the day.

A Beautiful Winter's Day

The red in the sky is due to the ash particles from the Chilean volcano, we believe. Flights have been grounded in Australia due to the ash cloud.


The Reptile Man helps Neo "wrestle" this baby crocodile

Clara was thrilled to go to her school's disco on Wed 29 June. What a way to celebrate her birthday with friends.

As a treat, I took all the kids out for ice cream. When we got home, Neo said his ear felt "blocked". During the night, he began vomiting and had a fever. Neo refused all medication until about 3am. Dave stayed home from work to help get the other kids ready for school. As I carried Neo out of the car at the doctor's office, he vomited all over me. The doctor said his temperature of 41.5 C broke the fever record for the month - a fact that made Neo smile. I would have been more shocked if I wasn't still trying to calculate his temp in F - 106.7. He was diagnosed with a middle ear infection. The medicine the doctor prescribed was effective and he was better by the next day.

The aboriginals call this snake "Rainbow Snake" Neo is looking closely to see the rainbow. The camera's flash reveals the rainbow.

On Saturday, Neo went to his friend Ben's much anticipated birthday party. Neo had been looking forward to the party for 2 weeks. He had watched Zoe enjoying 2 sleep over birthday parties the 2 Saturday's prior. Since Neo is only 4, I stayed at the party to help. I met many other parents. The entertainment was "The Reptile Man". Neo was enthralled. He received a "kiss" from a blue tongue lizard. He got to "pet" a baby blue tongue. He learned about lizards and snakes. The birthday party was a big success.


Neo wouldn't step forward to be photographed, instead preferring to spy from around his friends.

5 Lands Walk

From MacMasters Beach to Copacabana

Last week was very difficult. We had flooding in the lower level on Saturday night, 3 x on Sunday, then again Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. I went to the Tenancy Tribunal on Friday to see about getting out of the lease. The landlord's agent and I met with the Councillor. He pointed out to her that her client was in breach of the contract, but he didn't let us out. He did however give us a rent reduction and we are going back for a full hearing in July. Meanwhile, the girls do not have a room to live in. Our lease is done 29 August, so we'll be out soon either way.



Neo dancing his solo


Neo with his preschool class danced the Whale Dance

On Saturday, the skies cleared, it was a fabulous, sunny day. We celebrated by going on the 5 Lands Walk. The 5 Lands are MacMasters Beach, Copacabana, Avoca Beach, North Avoca, and Terrigal.


Neo, post dance with his whale and brother Tristan

Neo was in the Opening Ceremony with his class. They were very cute with their costumes. He danced "the whale dance" with his teacher, Lyn.

The kids and I walked as a family from MacMasters Beach to Copacabana. Zoe and Tristan had art on display there. They showed me their paintings. We watched the aboriginal ceremonies. Here's coverage of the event from the news channel. We all saw many friends and enjoyed hanging out for a while.

Tristan with his artwork which was on display on Copa Beach


Zoe with her artwork



Neo with the artwork he claimed as his

Clara and I decided to continue on the walk - our goal was to get to Avoca Beach. While Tristan, Zoe, and Neo enjoyed hot chips (that's Aussie for French Fries) and a drink, Clara and I walked on. They had Clara's mobile phone, and they kept in touch as we walked. The road to Avoca is mostly uphill - then down a muddy trail, and up another hill.


Aboriginal dancers on Copa Beach

We enjoyed the artwork at Avoca Beach. Tristan called just as we arrived at downtown Avoca Beach to say he had asked Dave to come pick them up. We asked them to pick us up too. We had made it to North Avoca (the 4th land) and we were ready for lunch.


Clara on the trail between Copa and Avoca Beach - just cresting the hill

Zoe had a birthday party that afternoon. She enjoyed her first sleep over at a friend's house. What a lucky girl!

A Tempest and Water Spouts

"Leaf Litter" - A stack of palm fronds we collected in the backyard

Since Sunday, 29 May, we've been in a tempest. There have been high winds, hail, and rain falling in heavy sheets. Today is the first day of winter, June 1, the wet season has begun.

Standing water in the lower level

All that heavy rain has resulted in flooding in the house, again. The drain outside our front door gets overwhelmed by heavy rain. Since the floor of the house is lower then the outside entrance, the water comes down into the house and under the garage door. After the water came in on Sunday night, and again on Monday night, I got serious and bought some sandbags and plastic to barricade the front door and the garage. I hope it helps.


Plastic and sandbags barricade the garage and front door

When seen on radar, the clouds are circling around, collecting water from the sea and depositing it directly onto us. There were water spouts reported right next to our house. Here are some photos and a video of the water spout. For photos, click on the links at the words "photo" and "video" in the last sentence.

The collapsed shed roof that probably caused the flood in the girl's room

On Monday morning, I checked the lower level at 7:20am. Everything seemed good. The water outside had receded and there wasn't much standing water on the tiles. I was surprise when Zoe went to her room and reported that it was flooded. Sure enough, the carpet was soaked.

Soaked and smelly carpet in the girls room

I believe it was the shed roof collapsing, presumably with a lot of water on it that caused the flooding in the girls room. That gush of water fell into a place that normally stays dry. It found it's way through the wall of the girls' room. I rented a Wet Vac to help dry the carpet. We have the heat on and a fan blowing to help it too. It smells like an old, wet sneaker. It could be the carpet is ruined.

Clara and Zoe camped out in the dining room. We don't know when we'll be able to move them back downstairs to their room.

Term 2 Off to a Running Start

Term 2 began on April 28th. We've just completed Week 5 of Term 2.

On May 6th, Copa school held their Cross Country Carnival. The track was around the playground and tennis courts 3 times. There was even a parent run, which I participated in.

Zoe had been dreading running CC, but by race day, she was enthusiastic. She came in 5th in the 8 & 9 year old girls race. The top 5 racers in each category represent the school at the District level, Zoe was in.

Tristan ran in the boys under 11 years race. He was in First Place for two laps. On the last lap, he pulled his hamstring and had to sit out the rest of the race. He was very disappointed.

Clara running in the U14 Girls Race at Brisbane Water Zone

At the High School, Clara was also participating in Cross Country and Track and Field Events. She said she couldn't get the hang of the javelin, but she came in 3rd in the shot put. In cross country, Clara came in 6th and was on the reserve list for Brisbane Water District level.

Brisbane Water Zone Cross Country Race

On Monday, May 23rd, Clara ran in the Girls under 14 race at Brisbane Water with 7 or 8 other schools. Clara came in 29th of about 60 runners.

Rylee and Zoe in blue running at the Brisbane Water Zone race

On Friday, Zoe ran in the Brisbane Water District level for the girls ages 8 & 9. There were about 20 schools. She came in 57th with her friend and class mate, Rylee in 56th.

The race days on Monday and Friday were beautiful, sunny days. Which was a relief after the cold, wet, rainy days the rest of the school week.

Rylee and Zoe post race

Crazy Hair Day for Red Cross

Today is Crazy Hair day at Copa School. It's a fund Raiser for the Red Cross. Each child who participates brings in a Gold Coin ($1 or $2) or more. Our kids really got into it!

Sydney Family Show

Neo being very careful with the little chick.

The kids and I traveled to Sydney's Moore Park for the Sydney Family Show during the April school holidays. Moore Park is quite an interesting place and has a long history. There are shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. There are also playgrounds and ball fields in the park.

Tristan demonstrating how his Squiggle works.

The Sydney Family Show is very much like a county fair in the US. There were rides, vendors selling "one of a kind items" from various stalls, entertainment, and showbags. There showbags of all shapes, sizes and varieties for sale in the park.

Testing out the DS 3D

Checking out the fun house mirrors

Clara had a ride on the Zorb Balls. Tristan bought a Squiggle pet. Tristan and Neo participated in a sword battle with the TV show "Merlin". All the kids played with the new DS 3D at the demo tent. Everyone enjoyed playing with the farm animals in the petting zoo. Neo played on the playground and in the "prehistoric" bounce house. And on the way home, we all enjoyed dutch pancakes as a treat.

Show bags! The Aussie's love show bags!

Clara in a Zorb ball

These three were all dressed up making their way to the performance.