Welcoming in the New Year

 We live in a magical spot with magical friends who have magical children. This is a real nature playground which our children have grown up in. In fact I've grown up in it too. Many years ago I as a teen would come here to play too. Up behind our tents there are these wonderful rock formations which our children transform into many different games. When we had younger children I was a worry wort but not I've managed to sit for a little while without wondering if everyone is ok.

Our wee DS7 is just getting into the swing of caving and we're taking it at his pace. I have issues with the dark and small spaces and for years have panicked if I'm with the wrong people in a place like this. 

As a family we totally love this trip on the innertubes as its very relaxing and gentle and if done with a small amount of people quiet too...and if you're feeling really brave you could even do it without a torch as the cave opens up letting light in after a few twists and turns. 

 While waiting for my children on one side I was looking round. I always feel a bit scared seeing too much what it must be like in flood. Marveling at nature and its balancing abilities. This year there were many swallows diving in and out the cave mouth. DD10 is bird mad so really loved being able to paddle close to some babies.

 The water is cold and DS7 will go blue but a hop skip and a jump and your back to melting in a puddle in the paddock again.
The caves are scattered over farms and through the bush. Since my teens we have explored many different possibilities and delighted in where we have turned up. These caves are not for the faint of heart. This year we've seen a great number of people turn up totally unprepared...one woman was even dressed in a white tutu carrying a baby...she just checked out the main entry then hoped back in her car.
My first trip into the caves I was dressed in lace up gumboots, overalls, wetsuit, gloves, hardhat and at least 2 torches and a backpack full of snacks. My poor anxious mother often says "she disappeared down a drain for hours"

Each year we do an early countdown for our children to welcome in the new year. I have to laugh poor DD10 has been wanting to do this countdown for a few years but the last 3 she's either been in accident and emergence or too unwell to join in...and this year well old enough to figure out that the adults had moved the countdown time a few hours early. Oh they are growing up.

So well into the new year now...wondering what 2017 will bring.