042 - Herron Point (8/5/17)

The kids, after a few nights of being quite silly in going to bed, we put the hard word on them and told them it needed to improve. The night before they’d gone to bed without so much as a whimper or issue, so we decided to treat them with a bit of a special breakfast.

So, we asked them to get dressed and said breakfast would be different. They looked puzzled and confused but complied with our request.

And then we took them down to the beach for pancakes next to the water. They were surprised but pretty happy and a great brekkie was had, albeit with some pretty average “Shakin’ Pancakes”. We were soon joined down on the beach by another family (ironically from Mt Waverley) with their three girls and I managed to throw a pancake in for them too.

A beautiful start to the day.

Just waiting for some supplies, B snuck this shot in without us even knowing. I really like the candid shots you take without people knowing.

We've now started a story telling past time called "Fishy Tales" which basically involves telling the biggest and unrealistic fishing story and trying to make it sound realistic. Helps with the absence of real fish!

As we were waiting, Sam and I mucked around with some landscape pictures on the phone. It was pretty funny watching him tear around me whilst I was panning the shot, but I reckon the results turned out pretty cool…

The beach sans Sam

Our first attempt, which turned out quite well.

Getting the hang of it now, throwing poses in.

A spooky trial where Sam remained in front of the camera. I particularly like Sam's spooky face in the blurred part.

And then our crowning effort, spoilt by a couple who quite obviously could tell what we were doing, but didn't want to budge or stand back for 2min. Ahh well... good fun either way.

From there, the day pretty much consisted of not much. I’d rung Perth and lined up a service for the van a week later so we all of a sudden weren’t in too much of a hurry to get very far at all. So we decided to stay put today and give both sets of wheels a day off.

A bit of beach playing and “fishing” happened, and we explored our little spot. We were even treated to a small pod of 4 dolphins that cruised past us in the shallow waters.

Not sure what made people want to hang shoes on this tree. But they did. Weird.

Dolphins... We have dolphins!

Apparently Evie was making 'coffee' for the fish. Might as well. They weren't clearly impressed by our bait or lures.

I had boiled the kettle to wash dishes, and before I looked, it had been dumped into the 'foot washing' bucket for warm feet washing. Can't turn your back for a second...

But the highlight was in the evening. After seeing a raft of fires last night, we decided that we too would chance our arm, run the gauntlet and spark one up. We were particularly keen to light one of the ‘Swedish Candles’ James and I had bought from Bunnings. I’d seen this concept online before and thought it looked pretty cool. Then when I saw these mass produced versions at Bunnings for a tenner, it was almost as if the Fire Gods were calling me to play with a new toy.

Swedish Candles from Google

I’ll let the photos tell the story, but it’s safe to say, they’re a pretty cool way to have a small, relatively safe and clean fire without too many hassles.

And no. We weren’t busted.

A conveniently located fire drum made from wheels made a perfect platform

It touts itself as a "one match" light. I would use a lighter unless you have a really long match, but really was quite simple to light.

And we we're off...

James was like "umm... is that it?" Patience little man. Patience.

And soon the siblings crowded around clearly not impressed. I guess they're used to my usual efforts. Patience little people. Patience.

See... it's growing... note the change in the light. So homework was moved outside to watch the candle grow...

And grow it did. Certainly enough to create atmosphere and light, although a touch short on heat. As we call it "show wood", as opposed to "go wood"

James and I enjoying the show, and agreed that the candle was 'awesome'

Now we're cooking with gas... or wood more specifically.

And soon it split open and boom... on came the "go wood", and it was a simple and clean way to have a great little campfire.

And a outside nighttime reading of the current family book "The Midnight Gang" was had.

The little ones done, the fire was developed by my little apprentice. B added her touch with the wine provided by the Saffas the night before...