4x4 over Easter.

Continued....




















The cold morning at our campsite.



Drove to Mt Speculation and did a walk to the top (well almost the top). Nate led the way.

Cheeky Tahlia

Heading down Mt Speculation track.

Dad driving thru puddles.

Easter weekend.. 4x4ing Lake Cobbler

Another long weekend to make the most of in the great outdoors. And again we headed towards Mansfield.. been our 3rd time this year. Must be something about the area we love. Most certainly is. A lot to see and explore and never enough time to do it all.

Well we can only get access to most of this area in the dry season as the roads are closed over winter/spring due to the snow that falls there. So it gets very cold up there.

Left on Easter Saturday and stopped in Mansfield for lunch. I think everyone else had that idea as every man as his dog was there (as the saying goes). Later mum told me that they usually have a Easter parade and craft market on the Saturday. So that explains the crowds then.

Headed towards the King Valley after lunch. Our first stop for the night was Lake Cobbler. A lake in the middle of nowhere, but dense bush of snow gums. A 2wd can get up there as most of it is logging roads and driving thru little farms that were dotted along the roads. Such a beautiful area.

Cars all packed and ready for some adventure.

Got to Lake Cobbler in good timing (as it looked like storm clouds were heading our way). A lot of people seemed to be camping or having day trips there that day. So was a bit harder then usual to find a camping spot. Other times when we have been 4x4 we have had some places to ourselves.

Found a lovely little spot and quickly set up camp and then had dinner at 4:30pm. No sooner as we sat down we could hear thunder in the distance but it was getting closer. Then it started to rain lightly. Then a little heavier. Then the thunder and lighting was just above us. Something none of us really like when camping. So with nothing else to do ( Renee had taken some snaps of the area ) but to get into our tents and hide.

The kids were great about the thunder and not scared at all. Tahlia was funny and kept pointing to her fore head and saying "not hurt!" everytime thunder boomed above us.

What an amazing show we were given while safe and dry in our tents. It was like being in a cinema and having surround sound and the light show was amazing.

Our campsite at Lake Cobbbler

Tahlia playing hide n seek with poppy

Lake Cobbler

Lake Cobbler Hut

Somewhere over the rainbow

Finally stopped around 8:30pm, but now was dark so nothing better to do then sleep. Was a long night though when you had been in bed at 5pm. I remember mum and dad waking at 8pm or thereabouts and thinking it was at least midnight. But no where near it.

Was a long night though. Tahlia thought 9pm was a great time to wake up and giggle till midnight. And then some other campers thought it would be fun to sing and play loud music. Thats why we go bush to get away from all that. But we are not free from it anywhere.

So all a bit tired and cold when we all woke around 6:30am (thanks kids). But it is such a beautiful time of the morning when the sun is slowly rising and you are surrounded by God's creation. Lake Cobbler was beautiful, so still and a mist slowly moving over the lake. The odd duck calling and then a kookaburra laughing somewhere nearby. The air is so fresh and crisp (and cold), you do not get this in the city.

A cold misty Lake Cobbler

Ate a quick breakfast and then packed up the wet tents ( a job we hate as it means getting them out once at home to dry). But the weather looked a lot better and seems we were in store for a lovely sunny day. Great, means we can continue the trip and where the fun really begins (4x4).

The road from Lake Cobbler was a 4x4 track and meant for 4x4. Headed up Lake Cobbler track and met a few other 4x4'er. Headed up to Mt Speculation track. A very interesting track, with puddles (the big boys love driving through these), and rocky tracks. Got half way up to Mt Speculation and came around a corner to find a car in the middle of the track and 3 guys hanging around it. We wondered what was happening and thought these guys may need a hand. But as we got closer Nige started to laugh and stated that the car was in fact a 2 wd. It was Toyota Kluger. How did they get up here.

They had planned to do a 3 day walk to the Viking which started at Mt Specualtion and thought they could get their car up to the car park. They had gotten this far but the battle had been lost as they could not get their Klugar past this rocky part of the track. So pulled to the side of the road and planned to leave the car there.

They had churned up the track a bit but we managed to get thru with no trouble. Of course we would we are a 4x4 after all. Don't try to do what only a 4x4 can do!!

See part 2.

Easter Break 4x4...

Well another long weekend and of 4x4, what else do you expect us to do! When you have the right car you need to use it. No toorak tractor for us. We went with Renee's folks and headed out the back of Mansfield into the high country. We planned to head to Lake Cobbler and stay over night and then spend the next day 4x4 up to Mt Speculation and try out the Staircase.

We spent Good Friday catching up with Nige's side of the family and also trying to pack for our trip. Did not help that while we were at Nige's folks we had our tents under the patio and had a freak storm which got most of our gear wet. The weather forcast never said it would rain. But then again typical Melbourne.

Headed off at 10am to Mansfield. Back thru the burnt bush of Black Saturday. It was so pretty driving thru there now and amazing how different it was from a month ago. So much colour now, from the blackened earth to the brown trees and then the newly sprouted greenage popping up all over the trees. Amazing how mother nature works, and shows life again.

Stopped at Mansfield for lunch and for the kids to play in the park after having to sit in the car for the past few hours. Headed thru the hills to Whitfield, and then Cheshunt on our way to Lake Cobbler. Travelled on dirt roads this time so a 2WD could get into this remote but yet pretty place.

Dandongadale Falls (which had dry this time.)

The cars ready for some action and mud.

Got to Lake Cobbler around 3pm and struggled to find a campsite. The place was full of campers and day visitors. Found a site and there was a bit of a rush to set up and have a early dinner as there were storm clouds approaching and the sound of thunder. But first we were able to explore the sights around us.

Playing peek-a-boo with poppy.

Little red riding hood

Lake Cobbler was a popular place for campers and pickicking. And anyone could see why. Just so peaceful and away from all modern con's. You could enjoy a bit of fishing, walking, 4x4ing or just relaxing under the snow gums.

Lake Cobbler

Another catch up

Now she is 2 and a half she is certainly getting cheekier, and always has a cheeky grin to show everyone.


Cheeky Girl.

Just another week.

I can't believe my little boy is almost 3. I took this photo when he was getting ready for a day at the ELC. He looks so grown up here.

Both of the kids doing what they do best.

Another lovely one of them together.

And this one has a story. This is a very confusing household for Nate at times. Renee is an Essendon fan and Nige is Collingwood. Nate keeps picking and choosing who he follows. He had this jumper on the other day and Renee said to him "poppy won't like that jumper" Poppy is a Essendon fan. Poor Nate wanted to take the jumper off there and then.

An afternoon down at the airport.

On Saturday we headed down to Lilydale Airport to watch Cassie from Ligh Fm jump out of a plane. Nate is a fan of "The Buzz" afternoon radio show on light fm. Poor Nige wasn't feeling the best as he had had the flu jab earlier in the week and had gotten a mild does of the flu that weekend. Talk about timing. There was a large list of things to do and he was not able to do any of it. He did try at least.

Nate waiting for Cassie to jump.

Some of the planes at Lilydale airport

And here comes Cassie...............

Someone about to land.

Nige has started on Tahlia's bed. A butterfly bed, so stay tuned to see the progress.