In July we had a lovely mid-winter camping break just up the coast from home (Banksia Green, Myall Lakes NP). It rained most of the time, but we got a few very short walks in and a drone take off or two. Most importantly, we were able to run the new camper batteries as a test for our Mundi Mundi Bash, in August. The batteries worked a treat.

Who would think to drive for two days to attend a musical festival in the desert? We would!

We took our new EV on a long(ish) run to Tamworth for a weekend. Squeak (our EV, partnered with Bubble, our Landcruiser) happily made it to Marty and Traci's with electricity to spare, and she enjoyed the open roads. She is a very comfortable drive, it has to be said. We spent the few days on the farm, playing with the newly born puppies and cooing over the young calves. The puppies' mum, Keeley jones, was unfortunately unable to feed them, being on antibiotics for a blood infections after a dog fight, so they had to feed themselves from a few bowls, which turned into foot baths too. 

We had a fantastic trip to Melbourne for a surpriise looonnngg weekend - think Thursday to Sunday. It took a lot of planning from Wanda and a strong degree of not investigating from Alistair. He accidentily discovered the destination but remained clueless about the schedule of events. 

Autumn has been a very busy time for us - as the number of individual blog entries proves (Easter, Braidwood, Melbourne and Tamworth). Apart from our trips away, we were busy enjoying being in Sydney, spending time with family and friends. 

A spontaneous few days at the farm outside Braidwood. Did some short walks to the farm's dam, the creek and The Big Hole in Deua National Park, but mainly rested up in preparation for Term 2. 

We spent a few days camping under the stars at Chapman Valley (off the Putty Road), with Roger and Kylie. It was glorious.

Summer in Sydney has been one of glorious weather, punctuated by some spectacular thunderstorms. Our pool has been well used, as has the patio and barbecue. It has been fantastic to share time with our girls as they have both been able to visit a few times. And the cats provide many hours of furry fun and enjoyment

In late February, we had a very special visit to Brisbane to see Immi and Tobias in their new place. We also met up with Shane and Clare, travel friends from last year. An additional exciting highlight was seeing turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea at Bargara, near Bundaberg. 

We managed to get away for a week in the middle of January, between student intakes for both Wanda and Alistair. Gloucester Tops was our first destination – beautiful Gondwana remnant forest clinging to the slope of the Barrington Tops mountain range. These forests create their own microclimate – damp, cool air and cloud cover that encourages amazing mosses, epiphytes and fungi to grow under a rainforest-like canopy. We enjoyed walks alongside the young Gloucester River and by Staples Creek, marvelling at a lyrebird’s amazing repertoire of sounds and spectacular feather display. We also saw a number of other beautiful birds at the campground – iridescent blue superb fairywrens, the noisy green catbird and the rare rufous scrubbird, among others.