Today was a beautiful autumn day in Daylesford, allbeit a bit cooler than Melbourne. We spent part of the day in Woodend. We picked up a friend of Johanna's (Bella) from a pick up point half way between Melbourne and Daylesford and then proceeded to Woodend for a bit of lunch and a peruse of the shops. As usual, Colin closeted himself away in a cafe to work. The girls bought some cheap earrings, ate sausage rolls from the bakery for lunch followed by fudge for dessert and then spent an inordinate amount of time in the teddy bear shop.
Later in the day, back at the caravan park, they took a canoe out on Lake Jubilee, collected fire wood, built a raft out of sticks and just had fun doing kid stuff. It was lovely to see Johanna having fun with a friend. This is the first time a friend of hers has joined us. Often she is alone with Colin and I and it's just not the same!
There are other things that are different this time too. This is the first time we have been bush - Johanna commented on how much she loved being surrounded by trees and bush, like being at Grandma's. (bush block in Tassie) This is also the first time that Colin has had to spend considerable time working. Unlike Dec/Jan which are traditionally quieter months, March/April finds work in full swing and consequently much more time is needed. We are still experimenting with the best way to manage this.
Johanna and Bella have chosen tea - the spuds and corn are in the fire again for tea tonight. I think a major attraction is the toasting of marshmellows which comes later. Colin is fiddling with the fire, as blokes do, and the girls have taken themselves into the caravan to get their fix of technology (nintendo's) The sun is dipping low casting long and beautiful shadows, brilliant yellow and green colours on the lake and trees. As the sun sets though the temperature drops markedly. Time to rug up a bit.....
