Spring Holiday

Custard happy in the back of the car

We've just had a fantastic 2 weeks away at Boomerang Beach, Byron Bay and the Farm.  It's the first time we've been to Boomerang Beach and we will definitely go back.  We stayed in a lovely cottage called Magic Beach House which was just across from the beach and had 2 outdoor showers so was well set up for our surfers.  Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9am and after 5pm so Custard got 2 lovely long walks every day.  He had clearly never seen the sea before but he loves it now!  Tom made friends with14 year old twins Noah and Kale who are also mad keen surfers which was just as well as they were able to show him how to use his new fibreglass board, an early birthday present.  Given our lack of experience with surfboards we were horrified to discover how easy it is to get dings in them (particularly when Tom can't actually carry it comfortably but insists on trying to do so!!!) so Jules rapidly became a ding repair expert.  One day when they were out surfing we spotted a fin very near them and our hearts were in our mouths until we realised it was a lone dolphin.  

Family shot at Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse

 Tom with Noah and Kale - you can just imagine a lone fin......

Jules, the ding repair expert

Tess surfing

Surfer chick in her cozy new wetsuit

Tom doing a "sick right-hander" - apparently that's a good thing

On Tess' birthday we went horse riding at Clarendon Forest Retreat a lovely estate slightly inland from Forster.  Tom was a nervous nellie because the last time he went riding he fell off but the instructor did an amazing job with him and he was trotting happily at the end of the hour.  Tess was a true pro after the horse riding camp she did last holidays - I can see I'm going to have to allow her to ride more often as she really loves it - better start saving.  

 Birthday girl with 2 of her favourite people

Check out her riding position - very professional!

We expected the drive from Boomerang Beach to Byron to take us 6 hours.  Unfortunately we got stuck on the Pacific Highway (the only main road north) just as they closed it due to a massive bush fire.  It was quite frightening given the amount of smoke and at times we could make out the orange glow of the flames.  After about an hour the police managed to turn everyone around and we were very grateful for the sat nav which allowed us to find an alternative route.  The entire trip ended up taking us 9 hours and we were very happy to reach Byron and our lovely cottage at 24 Cavvanbah Street.  

The cottage was again just across from the beach and Custard was allowed on this beach all day long so he would often spend time with me whilst the kids and Jules surfed.  He got into the hippie spirit of Byron Bay with his fancy rainbow tie!  

 A diamond python in the tree outside our house

 Hippy dog

 Jules surfing

Walking the dog 

Aren't they all gorgeous! 

If there's a tree Tess and Tom will climb it! 

Proud dog owner 

Tom with his new fibreglass

Our last stop was the Farm and for some reason the journey took us 12 hours instead of the 9 hours we'd anticipated but it was fantastic to be back there as it really is one of my favourite places in the world.  It was also a good contrast to all our beach action and significantly cooler than on the coast which allowed us to cozy up in front of the fire.  Custard loved the farm but we didn't dare let him off the lead.  There were a number of occasions where he was desperate to chase the kangaroos but he has proved himself to be very poor at coming back.  Jules and Custard also had a scary time with the young bullocks who can usually be easily shooed away but when Jules had Custard on the lead they got very aggressive and Jules ended up escaping through a barbed wire fence!  

 Early morning dog walk

The guitar and clarinet both came on holiday with us and the kids were great at practising.  It was really moving hearing the echo of the clarinet around the valley.  

I'll leave you with an example of rural humour.  I know this may be a little inappropriate but at the end of a 12 hour drive it sure made me laugh.

Dead drunk