Down to Denmark

Paul wasn't initially keen to do this trip because we were supposed to be heading in the opposite direction right around now. However, the double attractions of good company and the chance of eating and drinking plenty were powerful and won the day...!

We also wanted to catch up with my godfather, Robin, who is hitting our shores next week and who I haven't seen for too long a time. It seemed a bit rude to bugger off just before he got here.

So, Denmark it was. With us, Christine, Madison and Jacob staying in their holiday house where Scott, Anna, Zoe and Tim now live. And Mardi, Michael, Caleb and Lucas, Andrej, Jess, Gabbi and Matt, Debra with big son Tom and Phoebe, Chey and Mimi and Jodie with Tiaan and Rhett and staying at the Cove.

At the Williams roadhouse we had our first taste of finding somewhere to park the van while not blocking all other vehicles. We bumped into the Percic/Yins there and an hour later were passed by Andrej with Jess hanging a cup of coffee out of the window - it was Paul's that had been left behind. He finally got to drink it about four hours later - a well-travelled coffee!

Setting up the van at Scott/Christine's place was fun - lots of willing little helpers all desperate to get inside for a better look! The big bonus was that so many of the kids wanted to sleep in there that Scott's bed was offered as an alternative to us - YES!

On the first night Madison, Holly, Anna and Zoe all slept up the kid's end (so we could've slept in there anyway but it might have cramped their style!). The next night was Katie and Tim's turn with Holly and Anna at the other end (Zoe was sick and Madison and Jacob were on a sleepover at the Cove with the other half of the party). And on the last night it was Holly and Tim who slept through a big thunderstorm and heavy rain.

We had delicious pizzas around the campfire - thanks Chris - on the first night, spag bol for kids (excellent work, Andrej) and curries (courtesy of Boa, Deb and Andrej/Jess) for adults on the second night and bbq (big pat on the back for Michael - that was a smoky job but you did well) on the third night. I think everyone got at least one turn at cooking and washing up - it was never ending with 17 kids and 10 adults! For morning tea on one day we used three loaves of bread just to keep the kids satisfied. Paul did some fab pancakes at the Cass-Ryall/Robinson house while Deb did some cooked breakfasts at the Cove.

We hit Ocean Beach - it's gorgeous with some beautiful little waves - perfect for Holly to practise some more on Scott's board - she was standing up well but didn't quite have the ability to steer and landed up in Zoe's chest at one stage. Anna and Zoe impressed us all with their skills - up there with the big people! The boogie boarders spent a long time in the waves, too, with Mardi, Deb, Jodie and Jess leading the way.

Andrej's vegemite sandwiches kept hunger at bay while rocks were climbed, pools investigated and sandhills run down and slid down - Madison and Tiaan had a couple of great runs down on some boogie boards.

Back at the Cove with more food taken on board the kids were ready to explore the delights of the inlet and Honeymoon Island with a kayak, a canoe and a rowboat. There was barely a wind, the sun was hidden by weird clouds creating moody lighting and the kids rampaged through the rocks and bushes.

More weird weather the next day so, after more exploration of the Cove, we headed out to Greens Pool - it's gorgeous - stunning rocks set in an almost still bay of glistening water. Paul and Andrej saw some amazing fish life but were beaten in the end by the cold. A walk over the rocks took us to Elephant Rocks where more rock climbing and snorkelling/swimming/rock jumping took place. The younger kids developed a 'gold factory' (yellow sand in the white sand) while some adults 'supervised' (chatted amongst themselves).

We bumped into Deb with Tom and Zoe - she recognised Paul's voice before she saw him!

And then it was time to get an ice-cream - with choice of ingredient swirled in - they were enormous and Tiaan was very sorry about his decision to have some toffee instead! By this time we were dealing with some very tired and probably undernourished children so a bit of quiet time followed.

The cooking of food was easier tonight with hot stuff on the bbq and salad preparation and washing up filling the kitchen but the kids were still feral - up, down, round, over, under, into, onto - so many of them it was incredible - wherever we looked. While the adults ate, the kids with beds were supposed to be sleeping - amazingly, despite all the noise, some of them did! Some of the 'rooms' were just curtained off areas right next to the enormous table but I guess they were so zonked that nothing would have kept them awake.

And on the third day.... we awoke to rain - lots of it. Chris and Jodie set off back to Perth, and when the rain slowed up we went with Scott and his kids to check out the beach at Nullaki - the peninsula opposite Ocean Beach with some v. exclusive residences on it. I got some very moody photos with the grey skies and the kids climbed rocks and sand hills and made the most of each other's company.

After a speedy pack-up of the van (less than 15 minutes, I reckon) we checked the Cove to say goodbye but no-one was home so we hit the big road and covered the 423km in about 5 hours with one stop.

The Cruiser and van both worked well - we're gonna be using a lot of fuel, but it should be a lot of fun. Just hope we can wean the girls off the dvds - maybe the machine will mysteriously break?!