Back to Nature...

We did it! We went camping... And, more importantly, we survived!!!!!

Matt and I love camping. We used to camp several times a year over summer/autumn along the Murray River with friends, family, and also on our own. There's nothing quite like getting out there into the quiet of nature and away from the buzz and monotony of everyday life at home.

That said, due to a hot and uncomfortable summer (with a pregnant Jane who wasn't going to sleep on the ground!), we didn't go camping at all last year.

Australia Day 2 years ago was our last camping trip away (and that ended up being in gale force winds that broke a tent pole and kept blowing the tent pegs out so that Matt was up and down all night re-pegging the tent! he he he)

So, the idea was mooted late in 2008 and we decided, along with Jacinta, Dave & Ayla, and Kel, Nath & Lyla (who we've met through Mum's group) to give it a go. We picked an ideal location (Matt's boss has a client who owns acreage with river frontage about 15 minutes from Albury), and packed up and set off to the bush for the weekend...

Here it is, our home away from home... From left to right... Jacinta and Dave's camper trailer, James in the blue kids play tent, the 'Taj Mahal' Tinkler tent in the middle, the food tent in the foreground and Kel & Nath's tent obscured in the background on the right...

It was ideal weather for a camping weekend with warm, clear days (31/33 degrees) perfect for swimming in the cool river water, and fresh, cool nights for sleeping (14/15 degrees). The cool nights also meant we could sit around the campfire in the evening, a quintessential camping experience.

James wasn't so sure about the river to start with... (nor the life jacket!!)

But soon figured it out and loved splashing and playing (as long as Matt didn't get too far away from him)

He also had a spin on Lyla's bike! And loved every second of it!

The kids had a ball playing in the tent together as long as the door wasn't zipped up! The tears came thick and fast if we zipped them in!!!!

"This is what you do... You just put this bit in here and... there you go!"

The campfire in the early hours of the morning, looking out over the beautiful Murray River...

Fishing, fishing, fishing...

Kel's brother brought his fishing boat out on Saturday afternoon and the boys set off (without a care in the world!) for an afternoon/evening of fishing...

The boys caught 3 Murray River Cod and 1 Yellowbelly. Here's Matt with his precious Murray Cod but unfortunately, this was a kiss and throw back job...They have to be over 60cms to keep.

Nath, however, caught a keeper and we ate that for lunch on Sunday, cooked to perfection by chef Dave!

All in all, the weekend was an absolute ripper and we're already making plans for the next weekend away...

We'll even set the tents up Thursday night so we can just arrive and play as soon as the workers finish on Friday...

Let us know if you're keen!!!