Apple Picking

After the success and enjoyment spent apple picking in Bilpin last year, we decided to go again this year. So following the Easter Long Weekend we went back to Bilpin at the foot of the Blue Mountains and once again visited the Bilpin Springs Orchard to pick a few baskets of delicious apples fresh from the tree.

It was a little more crowded than last year but the apples were still delicious, plentiful on the tree and the kids loved racing around eating the fresh apples and enjoying the space and fresh mountain air.

We bought home enough apples for several apple salads, a few apple pies, a heap of apple sauce and a quite a few lunchbox snacks! Delicious!

Here is my photo essay.

Time on the Farm

At the end of March, we travelled down to the Southern Highlands for a long weekend of family time. We stayed just outside of Robertson on a farm called, Brenchley Farm. A 4 bedroom house with all the necessities - bunk beds, a sandpit, a huge undercover circular verandah (perfect for scooters) and a football field for the children and a large modern kitchen, BBQ, large lounge area and a central log fire for the adults. My parents and my sister and her boyfriend came along and we took turns cooking meals, providing a weekend of culinary delights and quality family time.

But better than the food or the house, was nature. Two gorgeous horses, some cows, wide open spaces, an apple orchard, citrus and fig trees, sunrises and sunsets. And time. Time to make wishes on dandelions. Time to feed horses. Time to stand and watch for the fairies in the sunbeams through the forest canopy at the nearby Carrington Falls. Time to sit by the fire. Time to smell flowers and find toadstools and early easter eggs.

Here is my photo essay.

Details:

Brenchley Farm

A Modern Farm House in Robertson, NSW

Brenchley Farm is perfect for families, friends or couples looking for a special getaway. 
It's your country retreat in the heart of the Southern Highlands offering peace and tranquility, comfort and convenience. 

4 Bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Prices range from $310-$650 per night.

For more details see: http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/nsw/southern-highlands/bowral/94471?gclid=CJq8wraQ0L0CFYHhpAodn0MAxw

Octonaut's to the HQ! A Photo Essay

Noah Turns 5!

Way back in February, just a couple of weeks into the school term, Noah announced he was having an Octonauts birthday party this year, and that he had already invited his entire class. His Birthday is in December!

Well, over the course of the year, and a fair bit of too-ing-and-fro-ing on Noah's part, we managed to whittle him down to inviting only his cousins and 5 of his "crew" from school for his Octonaut's party. We spent countless hours making a Giant Kelp Forest, Giant Jelly Fish, Baby Octopus', Sea Anemones, and Paper Plate Fish for decorations - the best part of the decorations was that they used up all the leftover decorations from previous parties, whether that be paper lanterns from the Baptism, Hungry Caterpillar Party and the Mexican Fiesta, or paper plates and cupcake holders from the same.

We set about creating Octonaut Invitations and making paper Octonaut hats for all the guests. For the food we made blue bowls of jelly with fish swimming in them, marshmallow pops and chocolate dipped Oreo cookies with the Octoalert symbol on them. 

My amazing Sister-in-law offered to help with decorations and did she deliver?! 3 foot Octonaut figures complete with all the details and nuances that make the characters come to life! My boys were blown away. So we used these as a backdrop for an Octonaut photo booth.

We booked a reptile show, Walkabout Reptiles, which was a huge success and all the kids were so brave holding lizards and snakes and even a salt water crocodile! We played a "Peso's Rescue Mission" game where all the kids were given "creature cards" and had to rescue their animal from a huge fishing net, and we had a treasure hunt for Calico Jack's hidden treasure.

Here is my photo essay of how the day went.

Anybody need any Octonaut Decorations?

International Fleet Review at Dawn

A Photo Essay

Early on Friday morning, 5.30am actually, we bundled the sleepy-eyed children into their dressing gowns and ugg boots and set off for Dobroyd Head. Why this insanity? The International Fleet Review is taking place in Sydney this weekend. Navy ships from all over the world are coming into our beautiful Harbour. The first 3 boats entered at 6am. There were more entering at 8am and 10am, but we wanted to be there early, see the dawn and have Dad with us before work. 

Boys love boats! Especially big navy boats. It was worth braving the cold and the dawn. We saw ships from China, Malaysia and Singapore enter through The Heads into Sydney Harbour. Spectacular.

Then on Sunday afternoon we headed out to Garden Island to board some of the International Navy Vessels that have come into Sydney Harbour for the Fleet Review. The weather was a sweltering 31 degrees (Celsius) and it was HOT! Once again we had tired kids, but they really managed so well in the heat and the crowds.

There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people on the wharf to board the ships, but in true navy form, everything was under control and well organized. We did have to queue to board the ships and with tired kids we only managed 2 ships - the Japanese and Thai. But it was still worth the whopping $3 entry fee!.

There were boats from New Zealand, Australia (HMAS Darwin and HMAS Sydney), India, Japan and Thailand. The highlights for the boys - rocket launchers, 79mm gun barrels, and getting taken through a "secret" hatch because Noah was overheating on deck. The highlights for Kyah - her first taste of banana and being allowed to drink water from the boys water bottle (you don't take much away from such an event at only 6 months of age).

It was a lot of fun being part of this International Fleet Review. Boys love boats. Esepcially gigantic navy boats. Boys love helicopters and fighter planes. The Harbour was a-buzz with helicopters and fighter jets. Boys love buses and trains. We got to ride on 2 buses and saw lots of trains. Boys love going over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and seeing the Opera House. We went over the bridge twice and saw the Opera House. It was all win-win. We even saw giant snails!

What have you braved the cold and the early morning dawn for? Did you see any of the ships entering Sydney Harbour this morning?

What have you braved crowds and sweltering heat for? Did you make it on board any of the Navy ships in town this weekend?