Augusta Adventures 13/14

On boxing day we left for a 3.5 hour drive (one stop in Capel) to Augusta, along with my family.
The kids were pretty good , although they didnt have any sleeps, they kept themselves pretty occupied.
We had a different site this year, one closer to the parents, beach and also had plenty of shade!!
After setting up our tents and caravan we all lazed around and then enjoyed a bbq together before having an early night.



Friday: We had an early morning wake up, 5am! Thanks Isaiah :) Mum, Mikala, Megan and myself headed into Margaret River for a few things, and as we came back it started to rain! oh no not a good way to start the holidays. Nevermind no one was complaining as we were able to sit back and relax. We welcomed the Pleiter crew by early afternoon. Then all headed out to the beach by 2ish.

Saturday:  The kids sure did love their early morning of 5am! We didn't mind as we wanted to check out Margaret River Farmers Markets, so we were on the roads by 8am. We enjoyed the markets, getting a few fruits and cheese and also something delicious from The Bakery! In the afternoon we had another cruisy one of relaxing and a bit of swimming. We also had a visitor, Alex who spent the next 2 nights with us!


Sunday: Chris took both kids for a walk so i was able to sleep in till 7am!!! We then congregated in the Pleiter cabin for a sermon. After which we enjoyed some delicious morning cake and coffee. Today was a warm one, so after eating lunch we headed Grannys Pool Beach for a nice afternoon of swimming and cricket.

Monday: Mikala, Megan and myself went into town for a nice coffee and cake break at Deck Chair. Today we all decided to check out Hamlen Bay . We arrived and set up camp. It was quiet fun, although you really had to keep an eye on the waves as they were very unpredicatable, and one moment the tide was out and the next moment it was reaching up to us, near the dunes. The boys enjoyed it though for a bit of boogy boarding. We even spotted a snake resting near the toilets :)



Tuesday: A 430am wakeup!! thanks kids! We kept them entertained by letting them watch 'The Croods'
Chris folks came down to spend the day with us. They arrived at 1030ish , and we had a nice brunch on the lookout. We then spotted some people throwing their bait and fish guts into the ocean, and feeding the stingrays. There were about 6 stingrays coming to feed around the rocks, including one big bull ray! The barbs on him, kept us sitting safely on the rocks. We spent the rest of the day having a nice lazy one, finishing our books and eating Mr whippy :) We all had dinner together, after which Chris parents left, to drive home again. The rest of us stayed , playing a few games and counting down the hours until New Years. Chris turned in at 11ish, since Sophie wasn't settling.

Wednesday:  In the morning the a few went 4wdriving, while the rest stayed at camp. In the afternoon we set up at Flinders Bay, to do some snorkeling, kayaking and swim with the stingrays!

Thursday: Today was overcast and forecast for rain, so we decided to make the most of it, and do some touring/tastings! First stop, Nuts and Cereals. So good! Get to taste a variety of sweet and savory biscuits, and a vast variety of flavored nuts; salt and vinegar, sweet thai, hot and spicy, vanilla etc. There were even mustard and jams. We all came away with some delicious treats. Next stop Chocolate Factory. It was quiet fun, showing this to Mikala, and any excuse for free chocolate,right!? We then went to Millers, stopped for lunch and dessert; ICECREAM! yummo! Sophie had cookies and cream, while i shared pannacotta and chocolate crackle with chris. We then went Candy Cow, but only mum , Mikala and Megan went in as the rest of us were to full for more lollies and we had children asleep in our car. After which we headed out Yahava for some coffee tasting. It was a treat. Tasting coffee black and strong , and also tasting ice coffee mixes. We got an ice Koffee Frappe for the road, and headed into Voyager Estate, a new (ish) winery that had opened up in the region. We were very impressed with the estate, gorgeous gardens, a bell to ring , and all overlooking the vineyard. We had fun doing some tastings too, even Sophie as they had grape cider for under 18s! She loved it! After this we headed back to camp, as most of us were exhausted!

Friday: Today we were heading home, and looking forward to our own beds and the kids not waking up so early!!  Isaiah was ultra clingy this morning so it made for a hard packing up and by 730am when it looked like rain, i knocked on the folks caravan, and dad came and helped babysit, while me and chris finished packing up the ute. We then shared a bacon and eggs breakky with the family before heading off home. We left at 930am and Isaiah was asleep before we had even pulled out of the caravan park, Sophie fell asleep around half hour later. YAY! it made for a very peaceful drive home. Although Chris was busting for the toilet, he managed to wait till 2.5 hours in, before he finally gave in and we pulled into a toilet stop. The kids both woke , but were rested and happy to play for the last hour home!



We had a great holiday, getting to see our kids interact with other campers (and dogs) and seeing them enjoy the beach