Augusta

So we caught up with our much loved friends, and their grandparents too (Zara and Geoff) at Augusta.  An eco retreat, with natural looking open amenities.  A little chilly in the cool night air, but absolutely beautiful.  The night sky was amazing here we could not help but look up. Duncan (being the gadget king had an ‘app’ that helped identify the different constellations). It even told you what starts and planets were on the other side of the world, which Mandy added “but the Sun will be up over there”………. (nuf said)  It also had the added benefit of space for a cricket field next to the Bucknell/Homard camp.  So it was on for young and… not so young.

Days were spent schooling, shopping, and attending the grand tour of Cape Leeuwin light house.  (The tallest on mainland Australia, and the point at which the two oceans meet.)  Unfortunately Larina was too young to join the tour, so she happily stayed at the bottom with her best friend Francesca, and Nat.  Once we were at the top, it became clear why smaller, lighter children were not encouraged to climb the stairs – the winds were so strong she would have blown right off!

Friday – the pick of the days, we drove to Hamelin Bay, which had been the subject of many tourists we have passed.  “you’ve got to go to Hamelin Bay – it’s so still, great for the kids to snorkel, and you can swim with the sting rays…”  how many times did we hear this?  So we arrive, all decked out with sandwiches, and the kids geared up with wetsuits, flippers, snorkels etc.  As we approach the water, our hearts sink, shoulders slump.  The swell was unbelievably HUGE!  Ben braved it and swam out to search for a little lobster, while we all played on the beach.  Every 15 minutes, the waves came up so fast and strong, we had to hold the kids to stop them from floating away.  Needless to say, all the adults were very busy doing the trips down to the water to fill buckets up for the sandcastles that were being energetically constructed (and washed away by the freak waves).  There was no way kids were going in, and no way that they wanted to, once they felt the true force of nature.  I guess in the end it provided the opportunity for a few lessons; 

Lesson 1: No matter how much mum and dad promise a day of snorkelling, there are some things that even they have no control over.

Lesson 2: Nature is strong, it can be dangerous and it can change very quickly.

Our final day here was spent attending a beautiful fellowship at Augusta Uniting.  (Lucky Duncan phoned ahead, because we had clearly doubled the congregation)  They were so welcoming and excited to see the seven children – it was lovely.  We then drove back to Hamelin Bay for one more chance to see the sting rays.  YAY! Conditions were great, and they had arrived in full!  Thank you God­ – it was the closure we needed for Augusta before moving on.

Oh – and I got to do my first bit of off road driving – a beach access track, steep hills, rocks ,big holes in the sandy road  (not a beginners track- Ben).  I did great (agreed-Ben), and thanks to the backseat drivers who encouraged me all the way with their surprised little voices “you are doing it mum!”, and “watch that tree….”