Camping with Austen
It was Barb's son Garreth and Mei's 10th Wedding Anniversary on the 17th August, so we had the pleasure of a few days minding Austen while they stole away to Byron Bay for a well-earned break. Because Bronte still had to attend school, her Tan Grandparents minded her in Brisbane.
We really love having time with Austen, and have been having him fortnightly on a Friday (and sometimes overnight) to give Mei some free time this year.
Win win for everyone.
We decided that it would be fun to take him away for his first camping (caravanning really) experience, so we didn't want to go too far from home in case he didn't (or we didn't !) cope and we could pack up and scurry home.
John had made a small wooden table to "fill-in" the section of our banquette dining table, which with a cot mattress on top made a bed for Austen. The table could also double up as a train table for him to play on under the awning.
The first day we took him to Australia Zoo, which is a very familiar place for Austen. We have season passes. He loves going on the "train" and also on the tea-cup ride and having a splash in the new wet area at the zoo.
He was very well-behaved while we packed up the van and when we arrived at the Resort, Barb and Austen disappeared to the playground to allow John to get the van and awning with side screens all set up.
He loved playing in the playground which had a large sandpit complete with plastic trucks and diggers as well as slides, swings and climbing frames.
There is a great kid's pool here too, but the weather was really cold, so Austen didn't want to strip off into his togs and I really don't blame him.
Bronte would've really enjoyed the pool and water slides there. Now she can swim a little it would've been lots of fun for her.
Austen loved the jumping pillow. He was a little unsure at first, but then really enjoyed bouncing....that is until a teenager arrived and started bouncing too vigorously for him.
The facillities at the resort are rather nice, with a very nice restaurant and bar area. During school holidays they put on movies and activities for the kids. There is also river access with kayaks SUPs etc for hire and also bike hire.
Austen really loved playing with his trains too and luckily we'd remembered to take his beloved "Thomas The Tank Engine" DVDs to watch in the van at night and early in the morning.
It was 1 degree on our last morning and he refused to have a shower. Poor wee mite broke his heart whenever Barb went to the shower block. He could not be consoled and crawled under his train table and sobbed until she got back.
We would definitely stay here again. The facilities are lovely and everything kept really clean. The "Glamping" safari tents looks really lovely too!
When we dropped Austen back to his Daycare mum, Andrea in Brisbane it was a different story. He was greeted by the three other little kids with happy cries of "Austen!!!!". He ran straight in and barely looked up to say goodbye to us. Good to see he's happy and secure there.
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