Weekend in the snow

A while ago, I booked up for us all to go to the snow this weekend.  Its pretty early in the season, and we weren't really sure if we'd see any snow, but as it turned out the conditions this early in the season are fantastic - they have had dump upon dump of snow all week.  We stayed in a small cabin in Crackenback, driving there after Richard's work on Friday - and it took just 2.5 hours to get there.

On Saturday morning we woke up to frosty conditions outside our cabin, but no snow.  We then made our way to Thredbo, where there was plenty of snow.  We spent some time playing in the snow around the village, we found a small hill and did some tobogganing, built a snowman and then we all jumped on a chairlift to have a look around further up the mountain.  Then everyone started getting chilly (cold feet, cold hands) so we made our way back to the warmth of the cabin.  Dad (Grandad) then offered to look after Jack and Josie so Rich and I could take off up the mountain with our snowboards - he didn't have to offer twice!!  Rich and I had a fantastic afternoon on the mountain, we covered a lot of terrain and were really really impressed with the conditions, expanse of skiable area, plenty of off-piste stuff to check out and, when we were there, lots of snow too!  Needless to say we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, its been 5 years and it was soooooo good to get back on the board.

Sunday morning took us up to Perisher.  Perisher sits a lot higher than Thredbo and there was a lot more snow in the village there.  They have a great designated area for tobogganing and we spent a lot of time there, dragging the toboggan up the hill and then flying back down it again.  Josie would squeal with delight on the way down, and Jackson loved falling off the toboggan on the way down and rolling down the hill.  We then made our way into the village for some lunch and hot drinks.  Afternoon and evening back at the cabin which included toasted marshmallows around the fire.  

A great weekend in the snow, and only 2.5 hours from home!

 All ready to go see some snow

 Frosty conditions near our cabin

 Building a snowman (... a very little one!!)

 Making snow angels

Stoked to be back on the board

Me proving that I can still board after 5 years

Bournda National Park

We bought an all parks pass for NSW National Parks yesterday and decided to go for a walk in Bournda National Park today, which is a 15 minute drive from home.  We found a lovely walk which took in Wallagoot lake and then ended up at a beautiful, deserted beach with fantastic surf (...not that Richard had his surf board, he just stood there amazed at the fantastic conditions!).  Oh and we also saw about 20 dolphins surfing the waves.  Lovely morning.

 Grandad bought Jackson and Josie an umbrella each recently, and since he bought them it hasn't rained!! This hasn't stopped Josie taking it out, just in case!

Soccer

Jackson has started soccer on Friday afternoons, and LOVES it.  Here he is, all ready to go, soccer boots, long socks and shin pads.  Definitely looking the part!

Pambula wetlands walk

We took Jack and Josie for a bike ride around Pambula Wetlands last weekend.  And the wetlands certainly lived up to its name, we did a loop around an old go-cart track and just before the end of it came across a massive puddle that we had no option but to go through.  Richard took his socks and shoes off and took us all through, I even got a piggyback!

Merimbula Jazz Festival

Merimbula has its 32nd Annual Jazz Festival on this long weekend.  There are a variety of bands playing in a few different locations around the town, street buskers, and this morning there was a parade down the high street.  

Haircut

At 2 years and 7 months old Josie had her first haircut this morning, I trimmed about 7cms off the length.

A play at the beach

We went down to Tura Beach for an hour or so yesterday afternoon. We had a great time watching the big waves coming through, hunting for shells, throwing sticks and stones in the stream, drawing in the sand and finally sliding down the sand cliffs.  Then back home for a bath to get rid of all the sand!

Hanging out at Short Point

Grandad (Dad) is staying with us at the moment, and Jack and Josie are loving having some 'Grandad time'.  This afternoon we met Richard down at Short Point beach after his work, we had a play at the beach whilst Richard had a surf as the sun set.

Wildlife

With a reserve just near us and lots of bushland and National Park nearby there is plenty of wildlife to see, all from the windows of our house!

 Taken from the front door

Taken from our kitchen window, these kangaroos hopped into our backyard

Local surf

Rich is LOVING the surf lately.  All of these pictures have been taken at a couple of different beaches within Tura Beach (all less than 5 minutes from home).  These conditions are not unusual, he has (from all accounts) been getting fantastic surf.

Splashing in the puddles

It was a rainy day today, so we made our way to Pambula to do some of the wetlands walk, followed by a lovely hot drink at the Oaklands Barn sitting around an open fire.  Very nice.

Merimbula Aquarium

We had a great morning out at the Merimbula Aquarium.  Not quite up to the standards of Aqwa in Perth (no sharks and underground tunnel to walk through), but we lots of fish and were also lucky to see the fish being fed.

Josie had a close encounter with a giant crab!