Australian Open

Last weekend we were lucky enough to go down to the Australian Open as Milana was playing in the ANZ Hotshots. What made it more of a thrill was that she got to hit on Rod Laver Arena. Whilst the tickets were given were ground passes, they let us sit in the Presidents Seats whilst the Hot Shots were on. Unfortunately we had to scram before the matches started. We wandered around the outside courts and watched to matches. But the practice courts provided the best views as we got to see Kgyrios, Tomic, Djokovic and Ciblcover practice. An expensive but good day. 

Wollongong

Funnel Web 

We flew out from Avalon airport. It was the first time I had been to Avalon. It is a small airport, but it was nice and easy with only one flight leaving at around our time. Not much to do there though if you get there too early. Trying to stop Sebastian from spending money on the games was the biggest challenge. But on a whole Avalon was a pretty easy morning and Jetstar held up there end and the plane was on time and our bags were there waiting when we got off the plane.

Just to add a little more adventure to the trip we decided to get the train from the airport to Wollongong. It was a slow trip,but that was ok because it winded its way through the national park and down along the coast. The kids were excited because it was a two story train, but it sucked.  They were cramped, very cramped. We had a bit of the laugh at some of the interesting passengers, including the older gentleman doing dips on the hand rails and using the upper platform to sneak over to the other side of the carriage to spy on people.

On the first full day we went to Jambaroo action park. It was fantastic for both kids and adults, although it was on the expensive side. Milana's highlight was the Funnel Web. This was a tube ride that could hold 4 people. It was completely blacked out until the last part until you shot down a ramp out into a funnel and then the tube went up and down the sides of the funnel.  There were also toboggan rides, speed slides, wave pools and a cliff with 5 meter drop, just to name a few. Although it was a little expensive, it was money well spent.

One of the days we went to Port Kembla beach (went there the day before when I got lost driving the car). It was quiet which was great. The water temperature was beautiful, which is more than can be said for the swimming complex next to the beach. We quickly went in there on the way back to the car. It is an awesome set up, but bloody cold. Later on we found out the reason it is so cold is because the water is pumped in from the sea bed about a KM out to sea. The next day we found out that Port Kembla Beach was closed as the had sighted Hammerhead sharks swimming around - right when we were swimming. Phew.

On our last day we went to Bondi Beach on the way back to the airport. The drive in was long with Sydney traffic as well as having to stop because Sebastian vomitted in the back seat of the car. Bondi surpassed expectations. It was beautiful, the waves were great and overall it was a great few hours on the beach. Definitely coming back here again.

We got checked into the plane quickly and ducked over to Qantas Club for a shower and a bite to eat. It was a great few days in Wollongong.

Summer Rain

Well we had a bit of a downpour here yesterday

Poor Mate

After coming home from the river a few days early because my 2year old Lab got a skin irritation, a few days later he ended up at the vets after swallowing some bones. It was very lucky that we discovered it before we went to bed as he may not have made it through the night. It was great to get him home after 3 nights at the vets.

Christmas /New Years

Well Christmas has come and gone. We had a nice Christmas and New Years, but it was very busy. Traveling back and forth to the river got pretty tiring, but it was great to catch up with some people that we haven't seen for a while, especially those from Queensland. One of the best new additions to the campsite was the solar powered exhaust fan in the bush toilet.. None of the smell you usually get. New Years was spent close to home as it has been over the past few years. It was another great night, the kids pushed themselves to midnight. Here is a couple of vids from the river.