Fraser Coast FUN!

After the Easter long weekend, Damien, the children and I took off for a much needed holiday to visit Geoff and Peggy (Damien's parents) on the Fraser Coast. Just the thing that we needed after our last trip around the world and plenty of work since we got back, a holiday of relaxation was just what the doctor ordered. What can I say, the place is paradise in every sense of the word! We went to the beach at least every second day, lots of fishing took place, many lovely meals, great conversation, and much clinking of the crystal. Ethan, Aurora and Ashlen were in their element every moment of the day. Their grandparents doted on them in every possible way that I didn't know was possible! We caught up with old family and friends and enjoyed their company immensely.




So, to finish off I will leave you with loads of photo's from our two week trip because they really speak for themselves. No particular order (though I tried really hard! That's the problem with having too many cameras).

Geoff has a kayak which we went out in a few times. Ethan loved going in it and was really good at it too!

Though we didn't go into the museum, we couldn't resist taking cheesy photo's of being terrorised by sharks at the Shark Hunter display LOL



It is such a natural environment up on the Fraser Coast. Around the corner there lived kangaroos!

This photo was taken on the jetty down on the Esplanade. We enjoyed going for strolls on the beach.

Ethan scored very well in the fishing stakes and managed to catch 4 flatheads.

Score - Damien 0, Ethan 4

Geoff and Peggy have grown a wonderful tropical garden. Everything grows so well that even when you plant the top of a pineapple it will eventually yield one! So after buying a pineapple with a triple top the children helped their Pop in his garden by planting it.

Aurora looking pretty out at dinner. We had a great meal at the local Chinese complete with entertaining waitress.

Damien went fishing at sunrise with Ian and Nick, family who live up there.

They ended up going as far as up Fraser Island. Damien caught a shark before throwing it back. Check it out!!

Score Damien 1 (shark, thrown back), Ethan 4

Having dinner with everyone up there, Ethan was the DJ. He did a great job a selecting music from the juke box for us all to dance a jig to.

Ashie and Aurora with their Aunty Mel who loved catching up for milkshakes, nailpolish and necklace making sessions.

One of Ethan's catches that went back in late one evening. It was great that Damien and Ethan got some time together to hang out.

Poppy Geoff made good use of the child labour! Ethan and Aurora helped build a bridge with their grandfather and gee they did a great job.

Every night the kids got to hang out with the local tree frogs. Such gorgeous creatures...the kids are cute too!

My view from the beach.....so relaxing.

My other view lol

When the tide went out at the beach there was so much to discover like hermit crabs and swimmer crabs. The kids would have a ball making little pools for all the sea life they would find. I love this photo of Aurora and Damien.

We even discovered a bit of our heart up here....can you see it too?

Damien and I at our local hangout to play at the playground, beach and fishing spot.

Damien and Ethan fishing off the jetty at sunset.

Score, Damien 2, Ethan 4

Nanna Peg made her famous butterfly cupcakes with the girls....mmmmm.....delicious!

On one of our last days we took a tour out to Fraser Island. This Island is amazing, completely made of sand with rainforests and bush growing in it. We took the tour in a 4WD bus. It is amazing how busy this island gets with all the 4WDs.

Aurora on the barge.

We went for a walk in the rainforest and discovered a tree as large as some of the redwoods we saw in San Fransisco. The smell of the rainforest was divine. Next to the path we took was a lovely fresh water stream, crystal clear.

Due to all the storm activity lately a lot of erosion has occured on the beach which uncovered the coffee rock. Coffee rock is the remnants of old forest. Unfortunately due to the rock we were unable to do the entire tour and missed out on seeing Eli creek and the Shipwreck. But we did see other things instead.

In the sand dunes which the kids later went rolling down.

At Lake MacKenzie. Speaks for itself don't you think?! Completely fresh water with pure white sand.

Aurora hitching a ride with her Poppy back at the bay.

Geoff and the children did a painting swap. The kids took a great interest in the Tiki way of life and they were spoilt with these fantastic creations. The price though was a painting in return. The kids loved doing their paintings for their grandparents and a lot of thought was put in by all. I love it!

Saying goodbye at the airport was hard but we all manage a smile. We had such a wonderful time full of many happy memories.