Bald Rock- Tenterfield 16 December 2011

Our last walk and rock we climbed was Bald Rock.

We headed north from Tenterfield to find the second biggest monolith after Uluru.

 A green, lush rainforest led us to the rock. 'Bit different to Uluru'.

Bald Rock was bigger than Jodie and I had remembered as we had climbed it many years prior. We thought it was going to be an easy climb but turned out to be quite steep.

At the top of the first stage looking to the peak.

The kids at the top with Queensland in the background.

Jodie and Ian relieved to be at the top.

Heading down... what a view... Queensland...can't wait to get home.

Dubbo 10 - 14 December 2011

Sunrise at our Freecamp just north of Dubbo on the banks of the Macquarie River- Terramungamine Reserve.

Close encounters with a Black Rhino

We went for an early morning 'Behind the Scenes'  walk.
Our tour guide fed two inquisitive Giraffes.

The Galapagos Tortoises love being stroked.

 The Meercats, always on the lookout were probably the cutest animals at the zoo.

On the second day we rode around the Zoo and enjoyed the freedom to get closer to the animals without jumping out of a car.

It was the next best thing to actually going to Africa.

The 'deadliest' African animal looked pretty harmless from where we were standing.

The kids having some fun at our campsite on the riverbank after our visit to the Zoo.

Bathurst 9 December 2011

You 'have to drive' Mount Panorama if your going through Bathurst.

The other King.

This may be the saddest photo taken on the whole trip. We were told the speed limit was only 60 km for the whole track and a short drive around the track so instead of unhitching the van we thought we'd just drive around.

Seemed easy enough.

Didn't realise it was such a steep mountain but the Cruiser is tough.

'The Esses' with a van  attached is a whole new journey.

Conrod Straight has speed cameras and a big '60' sign. Unbelievable!!!

Canberra 3 - 8 December 2011

Australian of the Year Walk, Commonwealth Place, Lake Burleigh Griffin to the left.

On the roof of New Parliament House looking over Old Parliament House and The War Memorial in the distance.

Minting her own dollar coin at The Australian Mint.

Watching $30 000 worth of 50 cent coins being tipped into a feeder at the Mint.

Chloe wins Gold at the AIS.

Ian and the kids racing on a track simulator.

This was one of the many interactive activities at the AIS.

Soccer without a ball! Chloe shooting for goal.

Andrew getting a feel for what it is like to shoot from a wheel chair.

Telstra Tower on Black Mountain.

It was a tad windy on the top.

You wouldn't guess it's December...but it is Canberra.

Chloe and Andrew hard at work making a Christmas ornament at the Canberra Glassworks

Reflecting at the War Memorial Wall of Honour. We went on a tour and enjoyed hearing stories reliving many historical aspects from Gallipoli to current Afghanistan wars.

Young 8 Dec 2011

Jodie's favourite fruit is cherry so we went to the cherry capital of Australia 'Young'.

It was an adventure in itself finding Back Creek Cherry Orchard to go cherry picking...but worth it!

Where do you start?

We were told we could eat as many as we wanted.

Two in the mouth, one in the bag.

Andrew's 'cherry shiner'.

Cherries put a smile on your face. We had a ball and were in heaven.

Melbourne 28 Nov to 2 Dec

We dropped in to see Ian's brother and his family in Melbourne. We were keen to spend Chloe's birthday with family and Aunty Angela was looking forward to baking a cake for her niece.

Morning tea at the Historic Boatshed on the Yarra River.

Chloe and Oliver making a Gingerbread House.

The finished product and proud cooks.

Chloe's beautiful raspberry ripple birthday cake that she helped Aunty Angela to make.

The girls at the Victoria Markets.

Ian with freshly chucked oysters. Ready to enjoy immediately.

Andrew and Chloe with Philip and Angela's youngest son Oliver.

Angela, Philip, Ian and Jodie out in their lovely backyard.

Chloe....we think... at one of the exhibits in the Melbourne museum.

The kids with the famous Phar Lap.

Jodie and the kids about to jump on a famous Melbourne Tram....a must do!