Practise bushcamping weekend.

Judit wanted a practise weekend of bushcamping before our big trip and so we willingly obliged. We went to a place called Dwellingup which is only just over an hour from perth, so is very easy to get to after work on a friday. We went to Lake Poole Reserve as it has about 6 campsites to choose from. We settled on Tony's bend and set up camp in an area which was great to set up 3 tents, had a picnic table and a camp fire ring! (Gareth was VERY excited about this as he got a camp oven for christmas last year and hasn't been able to use it on a open fire due to fire restrictions.)

On saturday we hired 3 2 man canoes between us all, plus the Moretons had a couple of single child ones too. Gareth and I shared, with Ollie on the floor in front of me and We pulled Jacob along on a childs one. Clair and Kayleigh shared and Judit and Nik shared with Zach on the floor and Megan was pulled. We had a really great day on the water. Megan had a little experience and so was allowed to be let loose. Jacob let Ollie have a turn being towed but it didn't last long:) After lunch Jacob decided he was brave enough to go it alone. He was like a duck to water! He absolutely loved the freedom and was soon manovering pretty easily. We offered to pull him a couple of times when he was looking tired but he was adament he could do it on his own and that was that. When I figure out where the photos have been saved I'll post them too.

As we were camping we couldn't cook a turkey like the Edsall's for Thanksgiving but came close by cooking a joint of lamb in said camp oven. Happy Thanksgiving to all our american friends who we love dearly and miss even more! As it was bushcamping there was no shower, as you can see from Ollie's face. I was very thankful that there was a toilet though!


Cooking popcorn after roasting marshmallows, which I forgot to get a photo of.

Clearing up.

We left sunday morning and had lunch in Dwellingup before heading to Mandurah for the afternoon, Nik got a bit of fishing done and the kids and Gareth played in the water. Did you know that you can get seaweed that stings?!? We didn't but now we do after Gareth and Ollie were got, though Gareth was a lot worse off and still had a nasty rash on his arm a week later.
The weekend finished off with a really yummy dinner at the Hogs Breath Cafe which I thoroughly recommend we do when you come and visit!!

I can't wait until the next camping trip when the Swains can join us too:)