Jon and I had taken leave for the week after Easter, but as of the Wednesday before we left we had no final plans. Some car dramas meant that Jon's initial idea of a camping trip to Western NSW had to be postponed. Jon was looking at some options, when a lovely man from church offered us his holiday unit at Port Stephens, 2 1/2 hours north of Sydney. We had a fabulous time there. We borrowed a car and took our kayak. The unit was right on the water at Soldiers Point and we kayaked with the Pelicans.
Then we went to Anna Bay, a surf beach. Harrison ran straight into the waves. Your birthday present was put to good use, thankyou Uncle Darren!
The unit had a good stock of DVDs, and even one with 3D glasses
On Friday on the way home Jon and Harrison went quad biking on the sand. We also visited Fighter world at the RAAF base at Newcastle.
On Tuesday we had special breakfast at Nelson Bay, before climbing the steep 2 km track up to the Tomaree Lookout over the head land. Jon and Harrison went snorkelling at Little Beach. Bethany and I splashed in the water's edge and were joined by a fairy penguin! It swam for ages, and after a while we saw an arc of tiny silvery fish jump out and then back in the water, followed by the penguin.
On Wednesday we caught a ferry to Tea Tree Gardens and picnicked with Pelicans. We saw dolphins in the distance on our trip home. We went snorkelling again in the afternoon.
On Thursday we stayed at the beach in front of the unit. We went kayaking and built sand castles, but most excitingly the beach was invaded by soldier crabs. Armies of these crabs appear from the sea or sand and scuttle in groups across the sand and water, before disappearing into the sand again with a cork screw like tunnelling. There were armies appearing and disappearing all over the beach for hours. So much fun to follow and watch!
In the afternoon we went to a shark and ray feeding centre. Despite assuring us they wanted to get into the water with the rays, the children were resistant once the wet suits were on and the critters were swimming. I was determined to get our moneys worth, and stood waist deep in the water with an enormous ray flapping up against me!
Bethany and I had lunch at a café while the boys were biking. I liked their sign.