Camping Time

Well the school holidays have started and after school finished we headed to Torrumbarry for our annual camping trip. For the first time in 10 years we didn't get our usual spot. In the end it didn't turn out too bad. It was quieter at the camp but the river was busier due to it being closer to the caravan park.  For Christmas the kids got some new HO skis. My 9 year set herself a goal to get up on single ski and nailed it on last day. My 7 year wanted to do doubles without anyone in the water. He did it too. After not skiing last summer, he loved it and loved cutting across the wake.

We got lucky one night when we were alerted to a fire in the bush not far from us. It was very lucky it wasn't a windy day. Well done to the CFA for getting it put out. Not sure how it started.

China OSLE

Last month I got to go to China with a group of students from Bendigo. We went for 9 days. We flew into Shanghai and spent a few days there before heading to Suzhou. Whilst there we got to visit some of our Sister Schools. Then we went back to Shanghai for a night.
Here is our school's Team China Blog

GSPS Team China 

Bendigo Madison

The long weekend in Bendigo is great is you are a fan of cycling or athletics. On this weekend they run the Bendigo International Madison. On Friday night they hold a criterium, which over the years has had some big names win it, including Mark Cavendish. The on Saturday and Sunday they have cycling and running events at the Tom Flood Sports centre, with the main event being the International Madison on Sunday evening. Again this year the action was fantastic.

Rain

Here is some footage of our house getting flooded.

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