Sun 25th Sept 2022, Day 29

Sun 25th Sept


Day 29

A quick start to the day, as Grandma and Grandpa were visiting at Maerey and Kai’s. Dropping through the fruit store on the way in, we picked up more epic strawberries and some watermelon, and arrived to a house in full swing. 

Maerey’s backyard was a sea of cousins and aunties… there was a lot going on. Grandma and Grandpa seated in the shade near the swings, while the youngest kids loaded into the hammock, testing the upper limits of the swing set, or racing around the mulberry bush (a real live one).


afternoon. 











Some cornflour slime was produced, and every child in the yard suddenly descended on this glorious concoction. Thus began the calmest 30 minutes of the



We managed some family photos with the Grandparents in a comfy spot before they were both exhausted. 



A trip to the tablelands does not feel complete without a crater visit, so after hugs with Grandma and Grandpa, the epic task of manoeuvring the party to lake Eacham began. 


We had the forethought to have sandwiches more or less prepared, and with three extras in the car, we made our way out for the unique local swimming hole. Lake Eacham (and its sister crater - Lake Barrine) are former volcanoes, now full of water. They are popular swimming places and the crisp clear, impossibly deep water was enticing on the 32 degree day. 



A flat area chest deep and about the size of a back yard pool had been built, with some stairs. Standing in this reserve, you could look out over the vast roundish body of water and forget that you were metres away from a drop off said to be 100s of metres deep. 




Nastya is a water baby, there is no two ways about it, happy being splashed and giggling and squirming. 



Sasha was enjoying the cousins, and gleefully clung to the pool noodles as he paddled about and tried to copy some of the more adventurous water play. 



As we prepared for the homeward journey, we knew the play times would be a little scarce for a few weeks, so the afternoon was strung out as long as all participants could bear with plenty of splashing and squeals, and laughter. 



After the last of the other family groups departed, there was still plenty of light for a walk. 




In 2019 we managed to get all the way round, but we set our goals in line with mr 3’s energy and went on the small kids loop. 



There was a minor detour for some native short necked turtle spotting, and all along the trails we were followed closely by a pair of whip birds, calling and responding. There were kayakers, picnickers, tourists… we even bumped into our accommodation hosts, and up away from the water, there was even a large Church group singing religious karaoke - the vibe was very tablelands, and it's something distinct from some of the spontaneous culture we see around Lake Burley Griffin - it's almost like, because you are swimming in the very marrow of the earth, people approach this place and drop their guard a little. There is very little fancy swimwear, because you are coming to a place more akin to the water hole in your local creek - its magic cannot be commodified like a beach, and it is immensely satisfying to know this. Needless to say, everyone slept very well this night.










On the way home Marina dashed out of the car for a quick viewing of the phenomenal curtain tree. Tall, wide, majestic, awe inspiring.


 


Leaving the area in quiet, slow contemplation it made total sense that a tree kangaroo crossed the road just ahead of us.

What a magical part of the country…






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