Another mini-mod (vehicle)

I previously had a go at doing something with the bottomless centre console in our vehicle, so that you don't lose your arm or a small child in there!  Anyway, after reading a few more ideas on a forum, I decided right that's it.  It's getting sorted once and for all.

Others had bought decor or homemaker baskets/containers.  Buying wasn't on the list this week so since I had already put two empty yoghurt containers in the bottom of the cavern (centre console), I wondered what else might fit on top of that.

(very) Mini-mods - Vehicle

these are nowhere near the 'vehicle mods' that you'll see on car forums.  I can do very basic stuff in terms of cars, but engine upgrades and the like are not in my skills box.  At all.

My mods are of the tiny, relatively insignificant kind. The back door in our vehicle was annoying me.  It's not that well thought out or maybe it's only meant for 'fluffy' stuff which is a bit ridiculous considering it's a 4wd... and ours most definitely does leave the bitumen...
anyway.  So enough is enough.  I saw a few good ideas on the forum but they weren't an option for me at the moment so this was what I did.

So here's the way it was (not) organised initially.  Fold up shovel, paper towel, salt, knife, trailer plug, screwdriver, toilet rolls, leather glove, soap and scrubbing brush (square yellow Tupperware container).

Recharge Place

This is where I go, or where I need to go at least now and then.  This is why I crave the coast and the ocean and the open spaces where there is only air between you and the horizon - not buildings and more buildings and more buildings.  It's a healing place, and a self sustaining place.  Full of all sorts of things, possibilities and happenings.

The weather was pretty perfect, really.  Just enough breeze to ripple your tshirt and keep you cool, but not to be a challenge.  Overcast, temp was good (water was cold lol).  Couldn't ask for better.  'Cept if we had bought breakfast stuff we would have stayed the night, boys could sleep in the car and we could fish.  nevermind.  contingency for next time.

Human meet Seal

Now... wonder what these humans are up to in my front yard?  A very curious seal as Brooke snorkelled on Monday (24th Dec) in the shallows off a local small island.  Jake joined in after.  Apparently the seal was quite happy to swim close up to Brooke and really get an idea of just what she was doing and then they each went their separate merry ways.

mmm wonder what these guys are up to.  Centre of photo, checking things out.

not the best photo but the seal is directly in front of Brooke over her right shoulder.

another local

the bay

more on this lovely place in a little while...
home from there just yesterday - click to make the image bigger and take it all in...


eta despite the weekend (phol Mon, Grand Final weekend, opening of the new road etc) it wasn't too bad considering how busy it was. Mind you we were camped away from everyone else so that was good. Great little bay beach for the kids, 'boat' could get out easily, plenty of beach and waves to chase and jump over, sandboarding, shell hunting, snorkelling etc you name it - the usuals you do when you go camping right by the beach. This was the 'south' end, the other end had the waves. Plenty of playing in the gravel/rocks/dirt for Quinn, and just good spot to be for all... apart from Quinn upping his ability to crack wobblies... but you do get that with toddlers!
Hope you all enjoyed your weekend and go the AFL Grand Final pt2~!

righto... pictures...

as promised. Although rather later than planned. Life's like that sometimes eh.

Quinn in the creek bed

oldest sister, littlest brother and a lovely beach on the point...

fossil...mmm where to explore next...

side of the road pedestrian


this is what poles are for... right? Jake, Zeke, Quinn

sunset after some rare rain...

another visitor...
plenty of beaches like this... and fishing to be had

camp visitors... very curious. Although no dingoes this time ;)

A selection of pics. There's a LOT more I'd like to put up but they all have faces in so no will do. Station Country staying with my Nanna, and a Bay in a National Park up north... and yep, reusable nappies all the way. All sorts of animals and things to do and see - fishing, bug catching, jumping waves, lighting the copper, learning how to make fire with Pop, making damper with Nanna, colouring, making, baking, exploring, rock and pebble tasting (Quinn), grotty-getting, sand castles, snorkelling, satellite and star gazing, rooster-listening, egg-checking... and a tonne more besides... No crowds, no city. Just the way I like it!

And finally... some long awaited rain for the country up that way, and all that area really... even the roos were having a tough time... so so dry and even the toughest of plans were dead... will some more Nanna's way very soon...

When travelling - especially with children...

People often ask for hints and tips on travelling with children and there's usually lots of good ideas given. One thing though that I think is hugely helpful and not often mentioned, is prepping for when you get home... 'huh?' I hear you ask?

Well, AKA FLYlady's CJ for travelling/holiday, you do all your prep for going away - clothes list to pack, food to pack, medicines, tickets/maps etc etc but the 'coming home' bit is left to chance. Prepping for coming home, before you go, is almost a relief when you walk in the door - usually tired, hungry, needing a shower, and with LOTS to unpack/wash/clean from being away.

Imagine then, walking in the door to a tidy (not spotless, I never said spotless LOL) house... a meal waiting in the freezer, or perhaps fresh fruit and bread in a box at the front door... clean towels in the bathroom... clean sheets on the bed (and clean pillowcases for the pillows you took camping), a full set of pyjamas and clothes ready for the kids and clothes for you... a stack of clean nappies including a night nappy... I tell ya, it's BLISS LOL a little forethought yes, and when you're packing and getting ready probably the last thing you want to do but you'll thank yourself later!

I did a page each for one month/one day before we go, packing day, packing list/things to remember, 'walking out the door' (ie turn off computer, batteries off charge etc) and 'when we get back' - ie collect Jemma, reset emails, check bills etc AND the 'for when we get back' - that's where I listed the things to do that would get us a nice 'coming home'. Also, keep the lists for next time, done in pencil (headings in pen if you like) and they're already done and only need minor changes. If you forgot something this time, add it to the list to remember next time.


I know we did this time and last time. Doing a long 4 weeks on the road, coming home at 3am after driving all night and the previous day (taking turns, 2 adults), freezing cold and definately grotty. I had left some money, a house key, and a small list with my cousin (thanks E!) and she picked up f&v and bread for us and it was waiting on the bench/in the fridge when we got home. The most recent was last weekend when we went just for a few nights camping, and Quinn and I came home crook as... it was a relief to walk in the door to almost all those things... especially clean clothes for everyone and fresh towels as we packed up in the rain when we left camp! So that's my 2c... hope it makes your next time away, a joy to come home to...
Happy Camping!

A Snapshot of Two Weeks up North...

What else do you do when you're faced with lovely warm weather, irresistable red dirt and a little water..? of course... you paint yourself from head to toe in MUD!

That picture is Brooke... the boys just did their feet. One of the boys did help paint Sister's back though with mud... then we got pics of them all muddy and getting cleaned up. This picture was taken out on the station where my Nanna is. Well with the recent rain there were caterpillars, dragonflies, butterflies, lizards, stick insects - all sorts of things for the kids to catch and observe and then release. Not to mention the emus, cattle, kangaroos, sheep, goats, birds, and various other wild things about the place. Zeke as full-on and fast as he is, has always always been gentle with the 'littler creatures' that he finds... and yes we did cut his nails lol.

We also visited the cemetary where my Grandad is buried, it's all looking very green at the moment with the recent rain. We did try and polish the plaque with the stuff we bought with us, but have concluded that it's not actually very good stuff, as we did try with the same stuff last time with not much result... plan is to find something better before we next visit...

We planned to drive out to [a favourite spot] again, where we went last time - lovely shade, massive big boulder, pools of water, river sand and much to the kid's delight - tadpoles! However, after clearing 45mins walking pace of fencing wire from the track, we decided to stop off well before our destination to have lunch, in the shade, (displacing a few cows from under the tree temporarily while we were there) as the day was getting on. Nanna knows the station very well and makes a splendid guide. We emptied out, well Michael did, the underneath of the car of grass seeds at least once each outing - seems the Prado is rather a harvester but then again, the grass is long and seeds a-plenty... certainly there were masses that came out when Michael cleaned out underneath and you definately don't want that lot getting hot!

Later in the week we headed up to Exmouth, Pilgramunna to be exact. We got the last camping spot of the entire National Park. We went to Pilgramunna last year and it promised the same this year. When the tide is in, a shallow beach perfect for the kids. When the tide is out, ghost grabs galore to catch on the beach with bare hands, which the kids loved. Green and brown crabs to catch with a wet hat if you're fast! This is my hand, and a tiny little Ghost Crab...

Of course... there's the fishing... The first day's fishing I forgot the camera of course... Brooke caught a 79cm Long Tom, which after we exclaimed how big it was and checked out it's needle long teeth, went back in the water - Brooke was rather excited as it was the biggest fish she has ever caught! Michael caught several Spangled Emporer and Trevally - undersize went back. The next day's fishing bought more... I caught a Spangled Emporer, Dart and a nasty pasty (laster identified as a Spinefoot) which just from the look of it I said don't touch! and we put it back using the bucket lid lol But the big catches of the week were Brooke's Spangled Emporer at 55cm, and Michael's Trevally... We had run out of gas on our last night there, and S and D camped next to us kindly offered to share their gas, so we shared the fish. Courtesy of D and his good bonocs, we also checked out the stars in detail - found a galaxy and enjoyed some good conversation with both D & S. The kids had a ball telling their stories and sharing the games D&S had to play.

Here's Brooke with her catches (her yell of 'help!' when she hooked the 55cm made me laugh - Daddy to the rescue but she still bought it in herself) of Trevally and Spangled Emporer... it took a LOT of effort on her behalf to hold each fish up for the photo! and the pic of the Spangled Emporer just doesn't do it's size justice, just think of the 55cm lol and for comparison... the fish didn't even fit in the fishing bucket lol the tails poked out the top... I am however the holder of the 'one that got away' story times two... most likely sharks but wowee they played with me and then just snapped the line - the first time I got all excited and tried to bring it in (uttered some shouted exclamations to Michael lol), the second time I tried patience and it just was emptying the reel of line... in between it was yanking me forward as it pulled away lol Anyway, later in the day we did see two black tip reef sharks, so chances are it was one of them. We also saw several rays, and a dugong (at which time we made sure all the lines were in so it wouldn't get tangled). We caught about 10-12 fish and all but 5 went back. 2 we shared with S&D, one went into town to go out the station to Nanna and the other 2 we shared with Grandparents and Great-Grandma when we got home.

Early morning walks on the beach revealed roo tracks (including joey ones), Emu prints (and you can see how big the emu was as that's my hand next to it in one of the pics), some littler prints I wasn't sure what they were, a snake trail etc - best spots were in the dunes were the wind had 'cleaned the slate' and on the shore below the hide tide line where the sand was compact and 'cleaned' of the day before's prints.
On the way home we stopped at the cairn for Grandad - the travel stop near Lyndon River on the North West Coastal Highway. We pulled out the weeds around the circle, and polished (or tried to) the plaque, which the smaller print reads

"An inspiration to all
Taken while helping others
The highest of distinctions"