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.