Here are some snaps from our recent camping trip at The Pines in The Watagans.
This was a special trip, to mark Paul's 40th birthday!
In addition to the Mackies, there were the Crains (Michael, Jayne, Hayden), the Corketts (Steve, Lyn, Brendan, Daniel), the Parkers (Richard, Katrina, Nicholas, Erin), and the Selges (Robyn, Peter, Dylan, Amy).
Saturday afternoon at the campsite. Katrina, Nicholas, Sean, Richard (just), Paul (back) and Robyn (back). The Parker's and Mackie's tents visible.
A blurry shot from a different angle. Peter tends the fire in the foreground.
The pines treetops.
Kids playing in the hammock. Aidan, Sean, Dylan, Erin. Nicholas is 'hiding' in the hammock!
The Mackie boys: Aidan, Sean, Dad. That's Dad's beer, not Sean's that's visible.
A camping dinner for the kids. Clockwise from left: Erin, Dylan, Amy, Aidan, Nicholas, Sean.
Sean, Paula, Aidan.
Michael and his recycled birthday sign. We were sceptical, but they stayed up all weekend!
The Mackies with Dad's birthday cake.
A candid shot of Stephen, Michael's back and Katrina.
Less candid!
One end of the dinner table. Richard (just), Robyn, Peter, Paula.
The other side of the dinner table: Richard and Lyn, Peter's and Robyn's backs!
Sunday morning - textas and colouring books!
Roasting marshmallows: Sean, Paula, Nicholas.
The kids and Paula. Back row, l-r: Brendan, Nicholas, Hayden, Erin, Dylan, Daniel with Amy. Front: Paula with Aidan, Sean.
As I said before, it was one of my most memorable birthdays ever!
Highlights included:
* The kids getting the filthiest they've ever been but still having a great time
* Peter's, Richard's and Michael's enthusiasm and success in serious firewood gathering
* Peter's ham, cheese and tomato camp-jaffle
* Michael's Hallmark über-moment in preparing that birthday card
* Peter's campoven and perfect pumpkin
* Michael finding that cask of port
* Stephen's (very) late night repartee
* The Mallow of Marsh d' Parquer
* Michael's breakfast eggs
* Everyone saying what a good idea and location it was for a birthday camping weekend. Thanks again to Paula for coming up with this.
Here are the kids developing their x-ray pics...
And here is the skeleton put together.
Making cornflour+water goo!
Studying the physics of rocket balloons.
An archaeological excavation for dinosaur eggs.
The baking soda - vinegar volcano.
The birthday cake - molecular models and a flask of red stuff.
Here are the kids developing their x-ray pics...
And here is the skeleton put together.
Making cornflour+water goo!
Studying the physics of rocket balloons.
An archaeological excavation for dinosaur eggs.
The baking soda - vinegar volcano.
The birthday cake - molecular models and a flask of red stuff.
