Nigel at the Grand Prix

About a month ago I, Nigel, volunteered up in Kinglake setting up PC's for the community to use. It was part of a Telstra/NAB initiative called Helping Hand.

Didn't think much about it until last week when Telstra offered me a corporate pass to Day1, Thursday, of the Melbourne 2009 Grand Prix.

I have never been, due to a deprived childhood, so I quickly snapped up the opportunity (fortunately my new boss was supportive with the act first and ask for forgiveness later policy).

Thursday 26th March 2009 - My day at the Grand Prix

The Telstra corporate box was located at turn 1, and had a fantastic view. I soon found out that Day 1 doesn't include any actual Formula 1 racing, but it was still rather packed.

First up was a trip down memory lane with some historic racing cars:

Then we had the Formula Ford's where the kids who aren't old enough to hold a drivers licence get let loose on the road:

Next came the mini's:

I think Grant should stick with the Monster Trucks.... his mini kept breaking down!

I went for a walk around and got up close to some nice cars:

Don't tell Nathan, but I met Roary!

Next... I snuck into the stands above Pit lane:

Just in time to see the V8 supercars take off:

Turn 1 was busy:

I was also treated to see the Roulettes and Black Hawk helicopter fly bys:

Finally we had the Australian Racing Cars:.. they were like cut down versions of Holden's, Fords, and Toyotas:

Well that was it... It was a long day and I was completly stuffed at the end. Two days later I came down with the flu, but thats a different story.

Another quick one here and has been a quiet week. Tahlia has been getting over another cold but has been happy, other then the whinging and squealing. The wiggles have always quieten her down and kept her happy. Thank goodness for the wiggles.



Nate & Tahlia.



The weather has been all over the place, but then not that uncommon for Melbourne. Nige was supposed to surprise me with a evening at the Moonlight Cinema in the Botanical Gardens in the city but Saturday was so wet that it was cancelled. Nige gave me the tickets Saturday morning and had organised a babysitter and all. We still had some Village tickets so we went to the cinema instead and saw Slumdog Millionare.

The weather improved over the week and by the following weekend it was hot again so we made the most of it and took the kids down to Chelsea beach. It was the first time this Summer (and at the end of it) that Nige had taken the kids to the beach.

Tahlia down at Chelsea

I am not sure who enjoys the beach more Nige or the kids. As soon as we got there and set up the beach tent Nige got out the buckets and spades and got in that sand and made a "Henry the Octopus" just for Tahlia.

Nate had more fun filling his bucket with water and then carrying it back to Nige and trying to pour it all over the "octopus". Tahlia also enjoyed filling the bucket with water and then pouring it all over herself.

Nige & Nate hard at work.

Was a lovely morning down at the beach, not too hot and the sea was just so flat and the kids had a ball. We had been there for an hour when the weather changed and the sea became choppy. So we thought we would make a move...

The beach girl

The masterpiece.

We also had a 1st birthday party on the weekend of some friends little girl. Our 2 had a ball playing with the other kids there. And was nice to catch up with some old MBC friends from Renee's youth days.

A BBQ lunch with a teddy bears picnic theme. Some backyard cricket and then pass the parcel for the kids. They had a ball.Pass the parcel.

Nate wants cake.

Stay tuned for next week as Nige is lucky enough to be given tickets to the Grand Prix.

Just a short one.

Just a quick one this week. Have not taken many photos this week. But did get the camera out on Thursday morning when l was getting the kids ready for a day at the Early learning Centre. Nate loves attending there and it is hard to get him out when the day is finished. He can usually be found in the sandpit playing with the trucks and little cars.

Tahlia is a lot quieter and l lead her to the book area where she will happily pick out a book and sit down and read. Then l can leave her and know she is happy with the books. When l go to pick her up she comes running to give me a BIG hug and a smile and then say "time to go home now mummy". All is well here, the kids have had colds and Tahlia had a bit of a tummy bug, but she just has a slight cold now. Was up most of the night with her last night as she just couldn't sleep. But she is happier today.

But thats pretty much it for this week. Till next week

Family Camp Day 4 - Heading home.

Well the weekend is at an end and time to head home. What a great time we had. I am not sure who had more fun, Nige or the kids.... Well l know l had a lot of fun and was nice to sit around and talk to the church folk. Don't usually get a chance to as we are usually rushing off after church to get the kids home as they are tired and hungry.

The resident dog Bonnie.

Little Annalise

Made the most of the weather and time there and took the kids for a morning walk before the horrible job of packing up. Packing up always means the trip is over and back home to reality. Nice to be out in the fresh open air too.

Everyone had a lovely weekend and all seemed to enjoy the change of place after being at the same place for the past 5 or so years. So till next year. We'll see you there.

Family Camp Day 3 "The Wedgenator"

Another beautiful start to the day and blue skies and the sun is shining. Wasn't as cold last night so we may be in for a warmer day.

Had the trail ride come thru and they stopped by so the kids could see the horses. Tahlia loved the horses and was happy to pat one, Nate was not so keen and was happy to watch from a distance.

As the morning got warmer a lot of the youth thought it would be fun to build a dam in the river. Soon our kids wanted to join them, it was nice and sunny but the water was freezing (well to me) the kids did not seem to mind at all.


Building a dam.

Tahlia had to wear her beanie.. even though it was warm "dorothy" was not coming off her head.

Nate helping out.

Soon it was time for an early lunch as the brave ones were having a go on the waterslide after lunch. We were lucky enough to get the slide for an hour. It was known as the Wedgenator and i am sure you can understand why and how it got its name.


First some lunch.

We walked to the water slide which had been built down a steep hill. Once at the top no-one was game to be the first to have a go. After much talk, Luke was the last to arrive so they all voted Luke to be first.

Most of the ladies and littlies sat down at the bottom to watch everyone getting their thrill. It was amazing to stand at the bottom and be there to watch everyone's expressions of the first time of the slide. A lot of "wow" "whoa" "YEAH".... "ahh l have a major wedgie" l remember one person yelling out.

The first victim Luke.

Nige.

Some of the them just flew down that quickly and with such speed those waiting at the bottom got quiet wet. Here was myself at the bottom with the camera a little on the wet side. Brave Wendy was standing with me and l think after watching everyon's expressions when they got down the bottom made her want to have a go. Funny thing was she went down fully clothed... Jeans certainly slow you down on the slide. Way to go Wendy!! Her teenage kids thought it was a hoot that their mum was down the Wedgenator.

Daryl.



I love Cam's expression here.


A lot of sore people after having 4 or 5 go's on the Wedgenator. I think there were quite a few brusies on the butts... Nige certainly had two large bruises, Nate's comments was "daddy you have pretty colours on your bottom"....

We just sat around and relaxed in the afternoon. Was nice the kids could play together and we were all able to sit around and chat, read, sleep.

Nige reading to the kids (Tahlia now has Nate's beanie on)

Kahli, Lily and Sue-Anne.

After dinner and kids baths and bed. Out came the pictonary board and we all played a game guys verus girls. Of course the girls won! Was rather amusing.

Myself trying to draw.... I can't even remember what it was but the girls were so close to guessing but just never got there. Oh yeah Tissues.... someone said hanky so close....

Bev & Steve's turn.

Wasa great night.

Family camp day 2

We were all up early in the morning as none of the kids wanted to miss out on any daylight, where they could all play together. Was a cold night and a rather cool morning but the sky was blue and not a cloud in the sky. We were in for a lovely day.


Tahlia all rugged up

The camp was on a lovely spot, under some shady trees and we all looked on at the Howqua River. Such a pretty spot. We had plenty of room and even an oval for the kids to run around and play with a football or just chase each other. It was a great spot as there were no dangers for the kids with other cars.

Tahlia

Our camp

The plan was for a relaxing morning and then after lunch those who wanted to would go and 4x4 up to Craig's Hut and then Mt Stirling.

The cars (yes the last one is a 2 wheel car)

The road up to the turnoff for Craig's Hut is a logging road so basically anyone can go down there. There is a car park at the base of the track to Craig's Hut and then you can either walk up there on the path or you can hitch a ride.

Nige went up with us and then dropped us off at Craig's Hut and then came back down to get the others who wanted to see the famous hut.

We both love this part of the world and one can never tire of the views. It is a special and an amazing part of the high country. We have been blessed with clear views every time we have been up here. And this day was just beautiful.

Famous Craig's Hut

We all had a look around and those who had cameras took photos. Nige brought the tripod so he took a group shot of all of us at the hut. Even Craig was there ! A joke we had as one of the group is called Craig and he had never been there and kept saying he was off to "his" hut... But it was named Craig's Hut after Jim Craig from the movie the Man from Snowy River. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084296/

And also the poem by Banjo Patterson " the Man from Snowy River http://uqconnect.net/~zzdmcana/Man_From_Snowy_River_Arena_Spectacular/snowy_river_poem.html

Nate enjoying the view

The happy group

Next came a journey we wish to never experience (or watch again). Nige and Craig took those who needed to get back to their cars down the car park and then those with 4x4 headed home via Mt Stirling. Like we said an experience that was interesting.

Daryl was up the fron in his Pajero, then Craig in his Jackaroo and then Dave in his so called 4x4 Suburu Forrester, and lucky last us in the Prado. Let's just say this track is not made for Forresters (sorry Dave). Those in front spent most of the time out of the car watching Dave or assisting on where the best spot to drive the car.

We were stuck behind him and was rather hairy watching him at some times. Once, no twice he was on 3 wheels with one back corner of the car in the air. This car was just not made for this type of track. Our Prado just crusied thru.

Pastor Dave guiding Dave the driver thru a rough patch

We can laugh about this bit now. Just around the corner was a big hill, the track was full of boulders and small loose rocks. Nige was actually standing at the corner on the track when l took this photo and as Dave finally floored the car he (and a few others) had to jump out of the way as Dave had no control of the car on this type of track. We were glad our car was a fair way back as rocks were flung down towards our car. The pastor's wife who was in Dave's car got out at this stage and thought it wiser to get into a "real"4x4.

There were 2 trail bikers who tried to get past 4 cars and a bunch of people at the top. One of the trail bikers (poor guy) had to try at least 4 times to get up. As he kept stalling the bike half way up and would have to coem all the way down past us to start the bike again. After the 3rd try he gave up and walked it halfway up and then floored it. Again rocks flown everywhere.

We finally got to the Summit of Stirling. Slowly but we eventually got there. A nervous Dave called his mum to tell her of his good fortune and experience. Others walked to the top of Mt Stirling and just enjoyed the views.

At the Summit (Dave on the phone to his mum).

But the bad bit was not over yet (not for Dave) he had made it to the summit but now we had to head back down to get back down to the logging road. Seeing we had been here a month ago we told them what the road was like. We all got down safely with Dave needed some guidance.

It is a lot harder going down on a 4x4 track as you can't see the track in front or the boulders... so great care was needed. A few bumps and bangs but his car was not damaged and all in one piece.

Maybe we should have made more attention to this sign at the start (this was at the end)

Here we went different ways. Craig and Dave went back via the logging road and Darryl and ourselves went over via Mt Buller.

Finally back at camp kids were showered and put to bed, both dusty and very tired. And we sat back around the campfire talking of our interesting experience. Dave was finally allowed to relax and calm down after his experience. I am sure he is not in any hurry to do this again.

Card games

And relaxing around the camp fire.