Joanna Becker

As the week unfolded in our new home (aka 'schoolhouse'), more toys came out of boxes and Dusty was reunited with his craft goodies (and Maxie discovered the craft with fresh bright eyes :) Since returning from the 9 month getaway, Dusty has a new sense of creativity and ability. He is working on technologies and all kinds of useful vehicles, which he describes to us with detail. What an inventor! Also, he is re-making what he watched Mr Maker create on ABCkids, all by his self with questions to me only for finding pipe-cleaner, glue, etc. Meanwhile, Siah and Ivory hen shared a romantic meal... Lady and the tramp style :)

The historic site at Port Arthur turned out to be a really fun day for Tim, Dusty and Maxie - and after a full day there, Tim came back to me in the caravan (where I had been working) urging me to go back with him for the evening. It was well worth the extra trip - breathtaking scenery and very early history about convicts. Tim took so many photos, here is just a small selection. Port Arthur was actually a beautiful place to stay and if it had mobile phone reception we might have stayed longer - great campground next to a beautiful beach - but we had to get moving as my mum and dad were scheduled to arrive In just a few hours ... So much more to see ... Time to keep moving :) 

We caugt the ferry over to Bruny Island after my mum and dad flew out of Hobart.  Now the holiday feel is finally here because Bruny Island is a true holiday destination. We camped for $5 per night in the island's  only hotel's grass paddock, directly across from the sea. Stunning views, and amazing to walk over the road to play in the sand (or do yoga - me), or have a swim in the warm sunshine. Dusty and Maxie have been collecting sticks and logs to float on the shore - we have a collection of their timber 'boats' stored in the caravan. We made friends in the grassy paddock - Cain, Verity, Jazelle & Jasmine - had a locally grown gourmet dinner at the Hotel with them plus a number of locally Brewers ciders, before watching the sunset on the beach. The boys had a ball playing with their girlfriends the next day, too. They also sold everything to live in a caravan for a while, and to move to a new house in QLD. Hopefully we'll see them all again one day on the Sun

We went to the Hastings Caves and Natural Springs Pool today. First time we have gone swimming in Tas, water was beautiful and warm.  The caves were astounding. It was like a palace inside a mountain. A totally magical experience. I was so excited to post photos on the blog but now I can see that the photos definitely don't show how amazing the caves are.  It was an enormous space with paths and cavities and tunnels, amazing sculptures stemming from the ground and hanging  from the ceiling. The tour guide was fabulous, sharing history and stories of archeological finds in this (and nearby) caves. The fun part was sporting animals in the shapes of the solidified calcium deposits. Penguin, crocodile, meerkats ... The guide took an interest in Dusty and so Dusty had a great learning experience. It was 9 degrees, cool and fresh. We weren't prepared in our casual clothes (hot and sunny outside) so Maxie held on to us for warmth!

We continued south down the coast and booked ourselves into a park at Crookhaven Heads (Culburra Beach), expecting a similar beachy seaside town to Kiama.  The closest big town was Nowra (very simple and unexciting, besides a sensational produce market that was worth the drive in for). Crookhaven Heads and Culburra Beach were both very quiet towns, but our holiday park had the bonus of long car-free driveways and large green lawns, so we had a ball learning to ride new balance bike (Maxie) and skateboard (Tim, me and Dusty) and we made new good friends too.  Also, plenty of beaches to explore ... It was a good base point for exploring some very cool seaside towns nearby and Point Perpendicular lighthouse (inside the Beercroft Military Reserve, which is open to the public via security-issued tickets). This lighthouse is the 'most painted' lighthouse in Australia. The weather was really wild - crazy wind, we couldn't walk anywhere near the lighthouse as the pram was blowing a