Snow, Birthdays and Road trip (be warned...Ben photos+++++)

Well time certainly flies...so much happening that it isn't possible to get it all in the blog..

John and I are running in the shop from before 8 until 4 each day...with more to do..

John is heading up on the hill each afternoon to continue fencing...

Meanwhile, Tom and I devote time to learning spelling words like vicarious, millionaire, eucalyptus etc...then there are those pesky fractions to sort...but Tom is on top of them ...

Winter has truly arrived.

On June 1st there was a significant snow fall on the high peaks and a patchy fall on our hill..

 The winter afternoon sun is so beautiful..

 Tom's birthday rolls around to his great excitement...
12...can't believe it...

 John has his usual fun ...coming up with an inspirational present idea (COWENS being our local general store)

 But surprise surprise...after a treasure hunt following sketched clues....LEGO

 And the box is in fact Goldie the retriever (Tom taking birthday calls)

 Great delight  with pressies from Aunty Linda, Uncle Mark and Connor..

 Tom is remembered by so many family and friends today...really lovely..
Hi co-workers at The Larder spoil him with a bag of pressies.
Dani from Devour..has made him a gorgeous apron ...so special.

Narns and Jark arrive for dinner bearing more gifts..
Happy Birthday my gorgeous Thomas

 Thursday and it's an early start as I head to Sydney then Moree..
Think of Lucy and Paul as I fly over Barrenjoey. (great spot for a wedding)

What an absolute treat to be in Moree with Jess and Ben.
I love seeing the routine reading session before bed.
Ben is so focussed on the books

 Friday and the Road trip to Byron Bay begins..
Aaron is completing the RFDS trek from Mildura to Byron and Jess,Ben and I are driving over to see the cars arrive on Saturday.
Happy boy...

Long road ahead

 Sleepy boy...

 Ben travels really well and we stop after about 3 hours ..at Tenterfield.
Jess tracks down a park (and toilets) with no thanks to the local Real Estate business ...I went in to ask for directions and the young woman had no idea...

 dat...Ben loves to point.
There are a flock of noisy Corellas and he is quite fascinated by them.

 Enjoys the leaves too..

 's dat again

 Did you see them mum?

 What a darling face

 Happily in Byron by late afternoon...Ben enjoys bath-time in the laundry sink

 I just love the lighthouse...

 Beautiful colours as the day begins

 What a huggie boy

 Indulge me...I'm in love....

 Byron rainbow...the weather comes and goes...not exactly warm...but not exactly cold..
But the showers are sometimes quite heavy.

We have sushi for lunch on Saturday while waiting for the boys to arrive.

Ben delights in feeding Jess and also poking chopsticks

 The native is getting restless..

 Off to the park to await the arrival of Aaron..
Ben discovers seagulls...

 Waiting...waiting. (A biscuit helps pass the time)

 There he is...

 Ben does the final lap to the finish line..

 Reunited...

 The Outback Wanderers and support crew..

Taken by me on Greg's camera

Ben getting up close and personal with number 82

Jess all ready for big night out at the final Trek dinner

What a delightful grandson...absolutely good as gold as I babysit for the evening

Playtime after bath

Bottle time

Book time

Sleeping bag time

Sleep time

Sunday is sunny and warm..off to breakie

Then to Community Markets

The back to the park

Loving the little ball dad bought at market

Heading back for sleep time

I head off to walk to the lighthouse and back, while Ben sleeps.

I have had to buy shorts and a cool top as it is so warm..

Fabulous (if humid) walk

There is just something about the elegance of this lighthouse...well any lighthouse really

Great views...

 Lovely bush track on the way down

 There's my boy again...

Last light on the trees and the birds are chirping shrilly....amuses a tired  boy

 Drinks with the Outback crew before they head back to Sydney on Monday..
Ben looks like he is having teething issues...

 Ahhhh...

Monday morning sunrise...

 Ben's up when I get back from my run..

 Breakie down the street and it doesn't take long for Ben to be off and about

 He finds a friend

 Fun at the park with Dad..

 What child does not like chips!!

We drive up to the lighthouse...and to our delight...sight whales and dolphins

 Yes that is a whale..

  

 Back at the ranch and it's playtime

 A last look at the lighthouse doing it's thing.. I could watch for hours..

 Teeth time..

 About to head off on road-trip north. Jess will drop me at Brisbane Airport while Aaron drops off trek car to be freighted to Sydney..

 Ben gives the trek car a last once-over..

Was a fabulous weekend.

I really felt like I bonded a bit with Ben...such a special time.

Thanks for allowing me to tag along Jess and Aaron. See you in a few weeks when bubsie 2 arrives.

And a BIG thank-you to John and Tom for holding the fort and keeping the home fires burning

Here are a couple of my favourite Trek photos taken by Greg