Strawberry forests forever

Last week the girls and I took a little drive just out of Melbourne to a place called the Strawberry Forest.

It's a new way to pick your own strawberries that doesn't include crawling around in the dirt to find them. Instead, they are grown vertically. Really, this just all seems so simple and normal that I am not sure why no one has been doing this for the last gazillion years. Or maybe they have, they just didn't invite the rest of us to come and pick them.

At the Strawberry Forest the berries are all organic and they look fantastic. There is a big sign begging people not to eat them as they pick them and I have to admit I was very very close to just testing them a few times. It was only my fear of being caught that stopped me!

The Strawberry Forest is located along one of the most beautiful roads I know, the Avenue of Honour in Bacchus Marsh. There are other fruit growing places along the road where you can stop and pick or purchase fruits depending on the season, one place also had an ice cream van which is a pretty good match to go with all those lovely strawberries.

If you're driving from Melbourne you might want to plan a lunch stop in Bacchus after you've picked your strawberries, as it doesn't take more than 10 minutes for three of you to pick 3kgs worth.

Prices per kilo change throughout the year, but currently they are $15 per kg. Check their Facebook page for details on open days, as the farmer closes to keep the farm looking spic and span.

Get out and do stuff: Melbourne Star

There are so many things you can just get out and do. Every day of the year there are people ready to entertain you or teach you or show you stuff.

If you think there is nothing more to see or do, act like a tourist. Go check out the tourist attractions in your town.

If you're in Melbourne, that might be Melbourne Star.

It sits there for all to see but so few of us actually get down there and take a trip around. At night is shines gorgeously and the kids love to be first to point out 'the big wheel', but we had never thought to actually go in and take a trip.

I wasn't sure what my kids would think of it but they really loved it and it's certainly got kids in mind.

Take the time to check out the signs along the way, there are some interesting facts and figures to read. Once onboard, the kids had a crossword to fill in, they needed to look out at the view to find the answers, like how many red squares on the top of the car park etc. At the end, they both won a little prize by completing the challenge.

Miss 7 was a bit nervous about the height. She preferred to stay towards the centre rather than near the windows and she mentioned a couple of times she was scared the door might open and she would fall out.

If you don't like heights, it might not be for you, but if you can fight the fear for a little bit, you'll be well rewarded.

Because the views are what you are after and if you go on a nice clear day you really will be seeing further than before. You'll see a long way and the audio speaker dude will fill you in on what you are looking at as you go.

Half an hour later you are back on the ground and if you have made the trip in with your kids, it's worth finishing off the day by taking them to play at the new park just near by. It's under the Bolte bridge and is great for kids that are tired of plastic slides and swings.

There is also plenty of space for running, picnics, cartwheels and handstands while you continue to enjoy the view of Melbourne.

iCamping

So I went camping.

AGAIN.

I don't know who I am anymore. I don't even like camping, and when I say camping, I don't mean in a nice park with shower facilities and power. No, no, no. I went real camping, I am the next Bear Grylls at this rate.

Why do I do this to myself? Same reason I do pretty much everything else these days.

For my kids.

They just love it. Every single minute of it. They don't even complain all that much about the smell of the drop toilet.

I asked them what they love about camping so much and they couldn't even tell me. They weren't sure if it was just doing what they wanted, riding bikes, Easter egg hunts, playing in the bush, sitting up late around the fire, sleeping altogether in the tent, sleeping in sleeping bags or catching yabbies.

They also loved making iMovies.

We had no wifi or phone coverage but they still had their ipads and I am so glad they did. We didn't ration screen time at all and just let them do what they wanted and the iDevices really came in very handy.

Making an iMovie with your cousins requires a lot of work. You all need to negotiate about the story, the characters, who is playing which part and who gets to do the filming. You need to learn about how the sun impacts upon the picture and change scenes when required. It takes hours of playing together to get a few minutes of the story and it provides a beautiful recollection for everyone afterwards.

As we sat around the fire each night, Arabella was asking where certain constellations were. We tried to point them out until someone brought out their phone and showed us the SkyView app. It's fantastic and if you are out in a beautiful starry night (we had a full red moon too), you will love the way that this app 'draws' the images for you of the stars right above you.

The kids spent time each night riding bikes by torch light, they put their head torches on and ride in the bush, add a few glow sticks to your wheels and it's a fun sight. But when the torch batteries go flat, heading to the drop toilet in darkness isn't pleasant...so just grab a phone and use the torch. If you don't already use it, the torch on your smart phone is just as handy as the clock/alarm.

You can also use an iDevice to take lots of photos of all the things you are doing, like all the ones in this post.

Bush camping can be fun (and filthy and lots of work for parents) it's not something I plan on doing every holidays, and I do struggle with it a bit. But if you go camping with your kids don't think you can't take technology with you, new stuff is exciting and wonderful and can provide you with extra special memories of your time away.

There is a change going on at parks around Australia

Last week we spent some time playing a game of off ground tiggy.

All you have to do is keep off the ground when you are playing. It was pretty fun because we were in a paddock with some really big rocks so we had to jump to keep from getting tagged.

The view was pretty good too and we sat for a bit to just soak it all in and be thankful that we are not restricted to the plastic slides of small suburban stamps of grass that are the standard parks of modern Australia.

Then I keep seeing people at the new Royal Park play area at the Royal Children's Hospital. Today the weather was a perfect autumn day. Bright and sunny, the very day that you can not waste indoors.

The new play area is built where the old Children's Hospital once stood. When the hospital was demolished, the area was reclaimed to be used for open space and an area for kids to really play.

And play they do.

There is not a scrap of plastic at this park. There are ropes and wood and trees and grassy hills and water and sand and metal.


It's the kind of park that doesn't have a safety fence and encourages kids (and their parents) to take greater risks. Not everyone will like it.

In the water play area if your kid is the type to run when they were told to walk, well, they might find out pretty quickly what it feels like to fall on wet concrete. The rope climb is at such a height that you won't be holding your child's hand if they make it up there. The slide is metal, old style, so it's possible little bums might feel the heat, but it didn't bother any of those whirling down it today.

These things didn't bother any of the kids I saw today and the only issue my girls had was when we told them it was time to go. We spent two hours there and they would have happily stayed another two.

This nature play park is the way I notice more and more parks are going. We are slowly moving away from the highly regulated slides and climbing frames that are a regulation number of centimetres off the ground. We are accepting that kids have enough crap in bright red, yellow and blue at home and not enough trees, grass and bugs. If your kids are beyond the preschool years, this is even better.

If your bigger kids have been getting bored at the local parks, it's time to take a trip to Royal Park.

Have you noticed a change to the parks in your neighbourhood?

Mums at the Movies

A good friend suggested we take advantage of both our kids now being at school AND us having a day off work at the same time to book in a fortnightly movie date.

SUCH A GREAT IDEA.

The cinema's are empty, there are no crowds, and because the kids are at school you can see whatever you want...not something rated PG.

Today we went to see The Imitation Game. Splendid. What a movie. Such a gem of a film. I really do love stories about real people who have kept going when everyone else doubted them. People who have believed in themselves when others did everything in their power to bully them, to stop them, to belittle them.

The Imitation Game tells the story of a man who I should have known about. A man who really did change the world but did it behind the scenes and quietly. He wanted so little, just to be left to work, to use his brilliant mind, but that was not to be. Humans are stupid and it is stories from our history that we need to be told about to remind us of how stupid we can be.

The Imitation Game is a story that has been hidden for over fifty years, but the details are now out and you won't regret going to see this movie or reading the book about Alan Turing.

I am sure the movie stretches the truth and is creative with many things, but the underlying story is there, and for me is was a fascinating introduction to a mind capable of so much, in a person that just doesn't 'fit' into 'normal'.

And if you are reading this on any form of computer (which you are unless someone printed it out for you) then you have Alan Turing to thank for it. It was him who invented the thinking machine, the idea of a digital mind, the computer.  Imagine that. Imagine having a mind so special that the work you did won a war and then you invented the machine to start changing the world everywhere.

Imagine...

A wharf, a winery and a warm night

Some days just need to be written down to be remembered properly, because I tend to forget things over time. The little details especially.

Early morning sunbaking.

Today we woke after a sleep in and hopped over to the pool at our motel. I wore my bathers again and the girls worked on their underwater somersault skills.

We then made our way to the wharf at Echuca and boarded a Paddle Steamer. The Pevensky was our paddler of choice, it's old and interesting, but most importantly it was headed to a winery.

We cruised down the Murray River, enjoying the very minor breeze and seeking all the shade possible until we arrived at the winery. It's a short stroll through the bush to the cellar door and restaurant. The river on one side of you, the trees on the other, the wildlife all around and days don't feel much more peaceful.

Our meals were instagram worthy and the kids desserts were a real treat. Immy ordered the DIY gingerbread and Arabella ordered the meringue clown. Mr H ordered the cheese plate. It is possible that I tried every, yes every wine in the list at the cellar door before deciding on the champagne that can't be called champagne. A good drop of bubbles.

At the completion of our long lunch we headed back to the river, the kids put their feet in the water until our taxi arrived to take us back to town.

Post lunch Taxi!

Next on our agenda was more time at the pool, because afternoons include mocktail hours and the kids didn't want to be missing out.

Mr H had a siesta, so I figured it was green smoothie time too.

Apparently all this swimming was still not enough. Mr H was keen to get to the river properly and swim like the locals. The Murray flows strong enough that if you float for a few seconds you will drift along, so it took about 3 minutes before the girls grabbed their life jackets, ran up the river and floated down the middle. An hour later and I was keen to get going.  Once I got stung by a bee I was really damn ready to get going.

Moments before my foot said hello to a bee.

Stupid bee.

So we went out for dinner. Again.

Then we got ice cream, walked to the wharf and checked out all the old things both floating in the river and around it, until the mozzies drove us away.

It was dark when we got back to our motel at 9.30pm, but hey, it's holidays, so back to the pool they went.

I decided to rest my bee stung foot, blog the day out and watch Lleyton Hewitt in the tennis.

And That's The End of the Story.

Beach free summer

Are you a beach lover?

I am torn between loving the ocean and the waves. The sounds of the water, the natural beauty of a beach that just can't be replicated by humans no matter how hard we try.

But I also struggle with the hot hot sand and the absence of shade. When you go to the beach it is never just a five metre stroll from the car, and you seem to have to pack so much stuff. Then there is the sand that comes home with you.

Yet again this summer I find we are heading inland to spend our days. Places where it is hot, but there are also trees to sit under, rivers to wade in, pools to dive in, wineries to dine in.

Another summer holiday and it's another inland town we are heading to.

Just like humans can't replicate the ocean and the waves, they also can't bring the peace and contentment that sitting among the trees, by a flowing river with great food at your finger tips can give.

Going inland rather than coastal means you travel to more towns, check out more cafes, visit more places and see things that others just never do.

I like it.

I like it a lot.

The beach will always be magical. It will always remind me of teenage days of coconut oil, burnt feet and skimpy bikinis. However the lakes and rivers of Australia can show off pretty nicely too, and it's time we spent some more time with them. Plus, there are ponies, lots of ponies to ride.

Are you into lakes, rivers, beaches or pools? 

I have a new job

Do you want to come and meet me at my new job? I would love for you to come along and say hello. 

No, I haven't resigned from my usual day job, instead I am starting work for the very fabulous Itty Bitty Book Van! 

This Sunday, October 26 2014,  the van is headed to the gorgeous gardens of the Werribee Mansion for International Children's Week festivities. With thousands expected to hit the lawn to indulge in lots of fun and entertainment, more hands are needed in the van and those hands shall be mine. 

These lawns will be filled with picnics and happy kids and families.

I can't wait. 

It's no secret that I love children's books. We have many hundreds of our own and I have borrowed many more from the library over that last eight years. But there are always more new books to read and share with both little people and with big people who enjoy the illustrations and the craft of a well told story. 

There are so many things to do at the mansion this Sunday. Nearly all of it is free too. 

Will you be there? 

Want me to read you a story? 

Do you love kids books as much as me?

May 21: Write about a journey in your life.

I hate the word journey.

Did I really write that prompt? Apologies, but let us carry on because there are only ten days to go and I will have blogged every day in May. Ha - that's a journey right there, my blog everyday in May journey. But that one is not finished.

This weekend I had to work on Saturday so that left Sunday as a free family day.

We took off to another National Park area for what was meant to be a 20 minute walk. It wasn't, it never is, but it was really fun.

We walked down the big hill to take a look at the Organ Pipes, they are just rocks but they are pretty good rocks. There is a picnic area down there but this log has a much better viewing spot.


We walked along the river until we got to the Rosette Rock.

Do you see the rosette?

Nature is fab.

After the Rosette Rock is the Tessellated Pavement.

Here you are meant to turn around and walk back the way you came. Unless you are Mr H.

He saw the sign that said

WARNING

SLIPPERY ROCK

SLIPPERY EDGES

CHILDREN SHOULD NOT WALK WITHOUT AN ADULT

And then he said, "Let's go this way."

I was hesitant but Popps was already way out of my view.

Immy had been busy picking bunches of clover, because she had become 'Queen of Clover' and was required to hold a bunch of clover at all times.

Moments later (on our journey) we were on our hands and knees crawling like mountain goats up this hill and we didn't even know where it was going to end up. Mr H kept saying it would bring us to the car but I couldn't see any way through to the car park. All I could think was getting down was going to be worse than getting up. And I was out of breath.

But the view, the view. Always worth it for the view.

The photos don't show the steepness, but note the trees are down there, that is the other side of the river. Straight down is where we had come from.

When we got to the top and I was trying to take a photo of the view, Immy jumped in my way and it was then I realised that she had made it up the entire track still carrying her bouquet of clover. I don't think she lost a single one as she scrambled over those rocks one handed.

Do you take your kids out for a walk in nature much?

You should. You won't believe what you might get out of it and how great you will all feel afterwards. Also, it won't cost you a thing.

Week 2: #MyFamilyandMe The Pinnacle

It's Week 2 of #MyFamilyandMe and I am thrilled that I have made it through the challenge so far. Only 50 weeks to go.

This week we took a little walk. A walk that was going to be one where we drove to a carpark and took the short cut walk to the top of the mountain, but then the guy at the Adventurers R Us shop where we went to grab a new back pack suggested we really should try the full walk.

Make sure you go through the Grand Canyon he said. Don't miss the best bits he said. Stop as you go and you will find it easy he said.

So we did.

It is the middle of summer and it is really hot, we probably didn't have enough water with us but we had a few packs of sultanas and some Monte Carlo biscuits and we also had the promise that anyone who makes it up and back without whinging gets a DOUBLE CONE ice cream.

Up we went, over rocks, through rocks, under rocks, slipping on rocks,

Stopping for the usual photo. The type we usually take of just one of us or just the kids.

I seemed to be the weakest link and had to take a selfie to try and show what I was climbing through. During this section the girls were yelling out "Dad's bum won't fit through here!"  I was just thankful they were not yelling that Mum's bum wouldn't fit through.

See the crack of light down low behind me, that is where we came through.

We climbed and climbed, ate sultanas, rested, ate more sultanas and gazed at all the lizards.

We got to the top and Mr H made the effort and asked another couple to take a photo of us. Of course they were happy to do so and he returned the favour for them.

So here we are, week two and there is another photo for our yearly album that includes us all.

Exhausted, untidy. Together.

The Pinnacle Mountain climb (long scenic version) was 5.45kms.

Three Hours return.

It all ended with double scoops.

Link up if you are playing along on a blog, or use #MyFamilyandMe on Instagram.

Does the cold make you get a cold?

Apparently not. But time will tell.

Last weekend we headed off to Anglesea for a winter beach weekend. Being southern Victoria and winter equals packing bags with bathers, towels and snow jackets.

I knew the girls would want to play on the sand so I threw in their ski clothes thinking it would be perfect to play on the wet sand in.

We had a race to the water, running down the huge stretch of sand to the shore. (In case you want to know, I won)

I was donned in my longest puffy.

Hair styled by the ocean breeze.

The sand play lasted about four minutes and then Popps had her toes in the water. I expected squeals of how cold it was and running back to the car.

I had no towels or spare clothes with us as I was not expecting them to be such looneys and go in the water.

Immy attempted to keep warm but ended up getting her entire ski outfit soaked when she fell in the water.

Mr H and I started discussing who would have to be the one to run in should a huge wave knock Popps over when she was that far out (the answer is him because I had my long black leather boots on and there is no way he wants me to be buying another pair.)

It's only water and as long as they were stupidly happy I figure that it is these moments which make being a kid fantastic.

On Sunday afternoon we were heading home and decided to stop in at one last beachside town for lunch.

With the blue skies still teasing us I decided it would be lovely to eat our lunch at the beach and suggested that if they both promised they would NOT go in the water we could eat on the sand.

Immy promised instantly.

Popps requested toes only. Just tips of toes.

I said no.

No toes. Not even shoes off when on the sand.

We had no clothes left to change in to and no dry towels. I needed a promise of sand play only.

Silence came from the back seat and then a softly spoken.

"I just don't think I can promise such a thing."

And because Daddy is a push over when it comes to these two...

Guess which children had to drive home sitting in just their undies?

Do you let your kids risk getting a cold? (please someone say yes)

Sovereign Hill in Pictures

Yesterday our family headed to Ballarat and joined my sister and her crew to check out Sovereign Hill. 

These school holidays Sovereign Hill is all dressed up to experience Christmas in July. They have gone to town and the best way to show it off is to stop talking and show you. 

Home made snow-dough in the Christmas craft area.

Gold Miners!

Lollies - made on site.
My favourites will always be raspberry drops. Of course I came home with a bag full of them.

Coach rides. There was also much patting of horses through out the place. 

Ten pin bowling without a machine in sight.

The best place for a hot pie on a winter day.

Christmas in July needs snow.

This stuff was great - just mix flour and shaving cream and you get fake play snow. 

Remember to look up, lots of the pretty is hanging above you.

I couldn't get a photo of the Red Hill mine tour however it is well worth a mention. It was certainly a highlight of the day for me and one thing I would suggest you don't miss out on seeing.

The Christmas in July theme is running for the school holidays and is well worth adding to the list of things to see. 

Disclaimer: Thank you to Sovereign Hill for sending us a family pass. All other expenses we covered ourselves. I was under no obligation to blog about Sovereign Hill but I like to share the good stuff we find.