Aren't Holidays the Greatest?!
Hi everyone!
Well, here it is, almost a month since my last post.... and I've been on holidays! So grab yourself a pot of tea and settle in for a whole lot of photos of a really fun trip.
Firstly, we had to delay the trip because the roads were closed... closed because it RAINED! Before we all get too excited, not the earth shattering drought breaking kind of rain, but a significant amount which was widespread and has greened the place up nicely. We had over a few weeks around about the 100mm mark, (which is more than we had in the entire year for 2018 I'm told) so it was significant. Alongside this, there was the flow of the Paroo into the floodplain, so there is still a lot of water hanging around in the channels and drains on the sides of the road. There is water in the river again, though it has subsided from the height of the flow to a stable and slow moving 1m -1.5meters. It did get up to about 2.9 which was very nice to see.
So, we went to the North Coast of NSW. We toured Police Stations and looked over the map to figure out what we wanted for our next adventure and what the criteria to judge these stations on might be. We did a lot of driving, but had a lot of fun too.
We visited the Brewarrina Fish Traps. These Aboriginal fist traps are heritage listed, and blow your mind when you consider how long they have been there and what their purpose has been for the people who have lived there. There was no tour operating on the day we were there, which was a shame because I would have liked it, but we were amazed, not that the ancient people could do this, but that it has lasted through the centuries to be still there today. The kids enjoyed running a muck on the hills and we all wondered where the water is... Brewarrina has not had the rainfall we have had sadly.
We visited Lightening Ridge. We saw the Black opals which the kids agree were more stunning that the white opals we saw at White Cliffs recently. They really wanted to buy a fossilised Megladon Tooth, but at upwards of $300 we thought there was better things that we could spend our money on. We also had a swim in the 45* Hot Baths from the artesian basin. It was freezing that day, so it was very hot when you got in... we didn't stay in long!
We then went on to Lismore and Ballina. We went horse riding on the beach at Byron Bay with Zephyr Horses. it was a truly wonderful way to spend that money we had saved by not buying the megladon tooth. The kids have decided they want to move there so they can do this more often - they are totally besotted with horses, again.... but it really was a beautiful day and I too really enjoyed my ride... even if I walked like a 90 year old granny for several days after.
After the joys of the north coast, we spent a few quiet days at Evans head and were mesmerised by the nightly bat flight. Sadly I forgot my good camera and so have to make do with the phone camera and no way is this doing justice to the sight :)
And... we went to Nundle Wollen Mill near Tamworth. I saw this on a sydney weeknd episode (I think!) about 4 years ago, and wrote a note in my phone I HAD to go there.... well, it was amazing We learned a lot about wool and the kids really enjoyed themselves too.... Austin said "Thanks for bringing me here mum!" of course he liked watching the machines make the yarn. I bought the yarn (Bright pink sock yarn) and will make something from it.... probably for myself though. It was the best tour and FREE... definitely a must if you get the chance!
On the way home we stayed at the first fleet memorial park, which gave us a good chance to reflect on our history read aloud. It was pretty cold, but Morgan could find the names of famous first fleeters and he could recall their stories to Dad which was pretty impressive since it's been about 6 weeks since we read that particular book. There is also memorials for the ill fated second fleet. Again, Morgan taught dad a thing or 2 about the second fleet as we wandered around the park!
Our last stop was the Burren Junction Hot Bore pools. We stayed at the really lovely camping area there, and it was quite a nice way to relax before we headed for home on that last day.
So, in all that travelling, there was more school that I can recall and we still managed to get a fair bit of our maths work done too. We are loving the freedom homeschool life has given us and I really am so grateful for it (maybe not the way we got here, but that we are here is wonderful).
Now back into the books, and tidying up ready for our 1 year review with the New South Wales Educational Standards Authority Authorised Person.... oh yeah, better get onto that 2 year plan for the kids so we can keep our registration and get another maximum registration period.
So, have you enjoyed your pot of tea... I had better go make one so I can write these plans and check what the kids are up to.
Lots of love
Jen x
Well, here it is, almost a month since my last post.... and I've been on holidays! So grab yourself a pot of tea and settle in for a whole lot of photos of a really fun trip.
Firstly, we had to delay the trip because the roads were closed... closed because it RAINED! Before we all get too excited, not the earth shattering drought breaking kind of rain, but a significant amount which was widespread and has greened the place up nicely. We had over a few weeks around about the 100mm mark, (which is more than we had in the entire year for 2018 I'm told) so it was significant. Alongside this, there was the flow of the Paroo into the floodplain, so there is still a lot of water hanging around in the channels and drains on the sides of the road. There is water in the river again, though it has subsided from the height of the flow to a stable and slow moving 1m -1.5meters. It did get up to about 2.9 which was very nice to see.
So, we went to the North Coast of NSW. We toured Police Stations and looked over the map to figure out what we wanted for our next adventure and what the criteria to judge these stations on might be. We did a lot of driving, but had a lot of fun too.
We visited the Brewarrina Fish Traps. These Aboriginal fist traps are heritage listed, and blow your mind when you consider how long they have been there and what their purpose has been for the people who have lived there. There was no tour operating on the day we were there, which was a shame because I would have liked it, but we were amazed, not that the ancient people could do this, but that it has lasted through the centuries to be still there today. The kids enjoyed running a muck on the hills and we all wondered where the water is... Brewarrina has not had the rainfall we have had sadly.
We visited Lightening Ridge. We saw the Black opals which the kids agree were more stunning that the white opals we saw at White Cliffs recently. They really wanted to buy a fossilised Megladon Tooth, but at upwards of $300 we thought there was better things that we could spend our money on. We also had a swim in the 45* Hot Baths from the artesian basin. It was freezing that day, so it was very hot when you got in... we didn't stay in long!
We then went on to Lismore and Ballina. We went horse riding on the beach at Byron Bay with Zephyr Horses. it was a truly wonderful way to spend that money we had saved by not buying the megladon tooth. The kids have decided they want to move there so they can do this more often - they are totally besotted with horses, again.... but it really was a beautiful day and I too really enjoyed my ride... even if I walked like a 90 year old granny for several days after.
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| Azlan, Ziggy, Bubba and Princess Zola! |
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| Morgan on Ziggy - a once wild Brumby who was best friends with the tour guide and wouldn't get too far away even when Morgan wanted to have a splash in the surf. |
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| They really were having the best time, despite the faces! |
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| Austin on Bubba. A pony, not a horse and man Austin was a good rider! |
We also had a go on the waterslide despite it being FREEZING at Wooli before we went to visit some new homeschooling friends in Grafton for a few days.
Too cold for me boys, I'll just sit and watch while I crochet a blanket to keep warm under.
WE spent some days at Grafton, playing with new friends before we headed south towards Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie before we had to head inland again.
Of course we stopped at the Big Banana
And... we went to Nundle Wollen Mill near Tamworth. I saw this on a sydney weeknd episode (I think!) about 4 years ago, and wrote a note in my phone I HAD to go there.... well, it was amazing We learned a lot about wool and the kids really enjoyed themselves too.... Austin said "Thanks for bringing me here mum!" of course he liked watching the machines make the yarn. I bought the yarn (Bright pink sock yarn) and will make something from it.... probably for myself though. It was the best tour and FREE... definitely a must if you get the chance!
On the way home we stayed at the first fleet memorial park, which gave us a good chance to reflect on our history read aloud. It was pretty cold, but Morgan could find the names of famous first fleeters and he could recall their stories to Dad which was pretty impressive since it's been about 6 weeks since we read that particular book. There is also memorials for the ill fated second fleet. Again, Morgan taught dad a thing or 2 about the second fleet as we wandered around the park!
Our last stop was the Burren Junction Hot Bore pools. We stayed at the really lovely camping area there, and it was quite a nice way to relax before we headed for home on that last day.
Now back into the books, and tidying up ready for our 1 year review with the New South Wales Educational Standards Authority Authorised Person.... oh yeah, better get onto that 2 year plan for the kids so we can keep our registration and get another maximum registration period.
So, have you enjoyed your pot of tea... I had better go make one so I can write these plans and check what the kids are up to.
Lots of love
Jen x
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