4WDing day trip to Lancelin.

Last weekend We finally got organised with a couple of people to go on a trip to Lancelin.

We went with friends Nik and Judit and their 2 children, and Clair. The plan was that Gareth would get to use his Prado, however as Nik and Judit do not have a 4WD car and We have 2 I volunteered to use my car too! Now, I haven't actually driven off road before, I've always been the passenger. So I was a little nervous.

So, with Gareth in the lead with Jacob and Ollie, I followed next with Judit and her 2 children and Clair followed at the back with Nik. We had radios between the cars which was really helpful. After a couple of eventful manoeuvres overtaking cars on the way up to Lancelin, We arrived safe and sound. Toilet stop and a stretch was first, before making our way over to the sand dunes.

Now, driving up the lane of sand to the car park area where you let down the tyre pressure, my car really seemed to stuggle, and so I was wondering how on earth I was going to make it over the sand dunes. I was trying not to show any concern as not to worry Judit and the children. We parked up and started letting the air out and I mentioned to Gareth my concerns. The first thing He asked was, "Have you put it in to 4WD?" Feeling like a muppet I realised that I hadn't!! It's makes driving on sand a lot easier when you do this!!

Once We were all ready, We got in to convoy again. Trying to remember everything I had learnt from previous trips I put my confident face on. It was soooo much fun! As long as when you are going up the dunes straight on and put your foot down a bit, it's all good! However, Clair didn't quite manage this and got stuck halfway up a dune. Gareth was very happy to help and promptly talked her through what she needed to do.

As We were driving around We came across a car that had been dumped. Judit's daughter made me promise to drive carefully and safely as she didn't want our car to do that!

There are some beautiful views once you go a little higher on the dunes.

After driving around the dunes for an hour or so We, or rather I, decided that it was time for lunch and so We made our way back out of the dunes to a grassy area that has a playground, toilets, BBQ's and just over the fence a beach. (Which actually wasn't there on this particular occasion as it was High Tide, which was a little disappointing. So no swim for us) I just love how you can find BBQ's to use in so many places here, it makes bringing a picnic a bit more fun! Some have just been installed in the park just down the road from our house too!

Unfortunatley I forgot to get the camera out over lunch.

Once the children had burnt off sufficient energy, it was time to get back in the car and back to the sand. From Lancelin there is a 4WD track that goes up to Wedge Island. We've not been there before and thought this was a good opportunity to go. So Clair and Nik had the map as Gareth was the only adult in His car and it's just no good asking me (I'm not sure about Judit), We stayed in the same formation again and headed off.

As We were driving Ollie and Jacob had a sleep. However, when I wanted to take a photo, Jacob suddenly woke up.

It was a very relaxing drive, however, when We got to a road We realised We had missed a turning. The consensus was to not carry on and go back the way we came as time was getting on. The temperature outside was getting hotter too.

On the way back We went on to the dunes again quickly so that the boys could have a go at sand boarding!!

I still cry with laughter every time I watch this!

It was time to head back to the the grass area where We had lunch to pump up the tyres again. It amazes me just how long this takes. The children didn't mind though and had a lot of fun running around. 45 minutes later We were ready to leave. As it had just gone 5pm We decided to go to Hillary's boat harbour for Fish and Chips. Always a winner:)

The Knowles family were on the beach when We arrived and so We set up with them. Whilst We were eating, Anthea had 2 of their 5 children in the water. I saw her suddenly scoop them both up and wondered what on earth was going on. I went down to the waters edge to talk to her and she told me she saw a Fin and bubbles and wasn't taking any risks waiting to find out what it was! It turned out to be a dolphin! It had probably got a little lost and followed a fishing boat in. We were thankful it wasn't anything else and had a good laugh about it.

Such a beautiful end to a really great day!