October 17, 2006

From buch@n

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Hannah was carried around a lot at the weekend. During one such episode I was fishing for compliments. "Am I the best dad in the world?" I asked.

"No," was the reply. "Not yet".

Friday night we packed the car for our most ambitious trip with the two girls yet -- a mad dash to Phillip Island to see the http://www.penguins.org.au Penguin Parade and camp overnight in a tent. The trip down was good and the girls travelled well in the car. DVD enabled headrests helped keep them calm. Caitlin enjoyed travelling over the http://www.westgatebridge.org/ West Gate Bridge and it was the first time for all three girls through the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnley_Tunnel Burnley Tunnel . A stop at McDonalds in Warrigul Road and a change of DVD had us moving again on the final leg of the trip.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/buchan/271178168/

Wendy had planned well and found us a campsite in the Cowes Caravan Park which was right near a playground. That meant the girls left us alone while we put up the tent in relative peace. It was much easier with space around us that it was cramped in the back yard between the clothes line and the swing set.

With the tent up we headed into Cowes for lunch. Nothing much took our fancy so we stopped at the same restaurant we had with Rob and Kirsty several years before. Then it was the only eating establishment open after the Penguin Parade and we convinced them to stay open for a pizza. Ironically the same thing happened and they closed for the afternoon just after we ordered.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/buchan/271175972/

Lunch (afternoon tea) done with we walked the girls on to the jetty. It was very windy and Caitlin wasn't too happy walking over the water. Hannah was just oblivious. I was making sure I didn't drop one of them into the sea. Neither was fussed much. Both girls enjoyed walking along a stone wall holding onto our hand much more.

Back to the campsite for a very brief play on the beach before heading off to http://www.penguins.org.au/content.asp?pg=74 the Nobbies to see the seas and waves. It was simply the windiest Wendy and I have ever experienced it. Caitlin enjoyed seeing the baby seagulls and a small rabbit hiding in the grass. Hannah spent most of the time with her hood over her head sticking her face right into mine and hiding. With a strong wind, extra wind resistance in the form of a two year old and a hood over your face it becomes a bit difficult to walk and dodge other vistors.

Camp again to make sandwiches for tea before heading to the Penguin Parade. It was after six in the evening and the girls were getting a bit shirty (as were we). Lots of people who were preparing to see 35cm tall penguins but somehow couldn't manage to see two small children.

Again Wendy came through with pre-planning. Instead of sitting on the traditional beachside steps we were booked for http://www.penguins.org.au/content.asp?pg=220 Penguins Plus . This is much better value. Never before have we seen groups of 100+ penguins suddenly appear in front of us. Penguins Plus is limited to 150 people and if you know the Penguin Parade well, it's situated to the right of the bay where we've always noticed lots of penguins coming out of the ocean. Regardless, the whole venue is much better now and no matter where you sit you're guaranteed to see lots of penguins as you walk up the boardwalk back to the centre.

It was unusual and nice to have us all sleeping so close together. Wendy and I scoffed a block of chocolate before going to bed and whilst doing so Hannah (inside the tent) heard a dog, commented and Caitlin laughed. Not long after she was asleep and Caitlin held out until Wendy and I were in our sleeping bags as well.

5.40am. Wake up call.

Breakfast was fist outside and then part inside as a shower passed over. The girls amused themselves on the playground again while Wendy and I rushed to pull down the tent before the rain came.

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/buchan/271210991/

It's important to note that when we visited the Cowes Sunday Market in the past with Cindy and Michael there was something there. Not so this time. Our plan to kill an hour wandering around before the wildlife park opened was dashed. Instead we headed off to Rhyll for fruit toast, coffee, hot chocloate and a strawberry milkshake.

The Phillip Island Wildlife Park is a good one and everyone enjoyed getting close to and feeding the animals. Hannah was scared of the emus -- they stole the bag of food directly out of Wendy's hand -- but she was brave as well. So was her big sister. The flying foxes walking on the ground were weird to watch and despite teasing Caitlin otherwise the pond was not full of crocodiles.

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/buchan/271214071/

Lunch in Sorrento San Remo (I kept getting the name wrong) and then we were back in the car for the trip home. Or so the girls thought until we stopped out the front of their cousin's house to spend the afternoon with family.

9.30 pm we arrived home, put the girls to bed and collapsed.