What a strange day?! We bundled out of the tent at 6am with excitement and warm milos to cheer us along bound for the Sunday market at Penguin.
A one hour drive later we pulled up to a substantial shed in Penguin to claim our $15 trestle table and spot. It was immediately clear that the Penguin market had seen better days and had degenerated into a glorified trash and treasure. Five hours later and one t-shirt sold (to a Melbournite!) and Jane and I packed up the kids and headed home.
We arrived back to bedlam - a strong gust had collapsed our magnificent gazebo. I seem to remember Akela warning us as 7 year old scouts - "make sure you use all the guy ropes boys" - I love to learn the hard way.
We then discovered someone had been "sampling" the top of a bottle of unopened $8 cleanskin shiraz which had been sitting inside the tent. It was next to a bottle of single malt scotch - obviously our thief had no taste. We knew it was the 16 year old lad in the campsite nearby who had been hanging around when he came around to warn us of "swipers in the campsite" and looked sheepishly at the half finished bottle.
Shortly later the young fella turned up with a boot of firewood for us - a good swap for the dodgey red he swiped. After cleaning up the campsite Jane and I cracked open our oysters (12 each with lime - magnificent) and lit a massive fire - all good.
Ollie, Henry and Eloise have slipped quickly into camping mode. They amuse themselves for hours playing around the campsite. Ollie was particularly impressed with Dad's express fire lighting technique - "Wow, that's amazing" - as half a jerry can of the finest unleaded disappeared into the ozone layer.
Tomorrow we pack up and head down the rugged west coast to the remote mining town of Corinna.
Love from Jane, Toby, Ollie, Eloise and Henry
ps. Dad, any speling erors in this one?
Hi Toby and Jane,
ReplyDeletesounds like you are already having an interesting time. I love the blog you have set up and feels like I could be right there with you. I think what you are doing is wonderful. It is such a refreshing thing to get off the 'treadmill' of life and see a different view and I am sure it is going to give you some great insights..
I'm already looking forward o the next tale!
Grant :-)
one spelling error at least: 'erors' :P
ReplyDeletelove reading about your adventures. am missing you so much!! please upload more photos of the kids!! hope to talk to you soon on skype maybe?
lots of love astrid
p.s. my mum always emphasizes on spelling as well. very annoying after you've just put the effort in typing a story.
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteMe and Liss are reading this cracking up with laughter - Toby, you write beautifully, methinks you were an English Scholar in a previous life!! So jealous of you all, sounds like it's a magic trip and it's only been 2 weeks. Liss saw Bea today and we received our amazing Eames Hangitall - wow, thank you so much, it's wonderful.
Keep the blog updated and come on Jane, your turn....
Lots of love,
The Shanks'
Hi Toby/Jane,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a real Anaconda style "Adventure journey". Hummm, I become jealous now. Best of luck for rest of the journey. All is fine here. Take care,
Love - rahul & payal