An Anniversary Day Trip

So yesterday we went on a day trip.  Aside from having some holiday fun, it was also in celebration of our 7th wedding anniversary which was last week.  Stuart decided to plan a day trip because going for drives of exploration was our most favourite thing to do together before we got married!  We love exploring new places.  I wasn't sure how the kids would travel (it can be variable), but praise God they were wonderful!  Lots of carol-singing and playing eye-spy, and napping.  Fabulous.

Occasionally Stuart will plan something like this entirely without telling me.  I love that.  I love surprises from him!

We headed out west to an area we'd never been.  One of Stu's prep families have just moved about an hour out there, so we popped in for a cup of tea as our first stop.  Very nice!  Biggendon is a typical country town, tiny and friendly.  And we came across a FANTASTIC thrift shop, but more about that tomorrow!

We had lunch at a little cafe with the widest variety of foods imaginable.  It was inexpensive and very very tasty fare.

Onward we travelled to our second pitstop, BanBan Springs.

For those Aussies who know the Aboriginal story of the rainbow serpent, this is where it originated.

It was a very hot day, and our comfy air-conditioned car was very very appreciated!  I still can hardly believe it's ours.

The children were fascinated with this Aboriginal mural painting.

Stuart and the children had a game of Boules, and Will and I lazed under some trees for a bit.

Onto our final stop, back through Biggendon and out to Mount Walsh National Park for afternoon tea and a bushwalk.

The track is steep.  And long.  And according to the sign "for experienced and well-prepared walkers only".    Did we let that stop us?  No!!  Onward and upward we went, for a kilometre or so anyway.

With walking stick and bird book in hand (there are wedge-tailed eagles - stunning! we saw 2- and peregrine falcons in the area), Saraya was a quick and masterful climber!  Elijah whinged on the flat ground but once we got going up the track, he was into the thrill of it.  He must have stumbled 4 or 5 times, but just picked himself up and kept going.  If it wasn't for the sun starting to get a bit low, we would have kept going.  Though come to think of it, we were all getting pretty tired.  It was a rocky, interesting trail and we'll definately travel out to walk it again.

Mount Walsh

As far up as we got.

It was great to explore some of our local area, and once again I was reminded of how beautiful Australia is.

Cold drinks on the way home as the sun set, baths and pyjamas, boiled eggs, ham and baked beans on toast for tea.  Bed for the children.  A favourite movie for Stu and I.

A great day, and probably the nicest anniversary we've ever had.  I love you my husband!  Thankyou for a beautiful day.