Started our new week in Canberra quietly. I think everyone was worn out after the early start and big ride yesterday. When we finally got motivated we went out to Weston Park in Canberra. What a fun place. It has a water play area which was a little flooded...certainly didn’t worry the kids though. The water play area had pumps and little flood gates so the kids could change the water flow. It also incorporated music too, with music bells that you stepped on going over a bridge and music stations with lots of percussion.

Next to all of this was a massive climbing frame...here Luke was in his element. Not forgetting the swings which of course kept Emily amused. Went to a pool for a swim in the afternoon at Manuka. It is Canberra’s oldest pool and still had its lovely old world charm.

Tuesday we went to the Australian War Memorial. This really is so interesting. We joined in a free tour which I was certainly glad of. The tour guides have a wealth of experience and I think you would miss half of it if you didn’t join a tour. Mind you the kids quickly became bored...then again they haven’t been exposed to a lot of our history at this stage and I know that in a few years time they would appreciate the memorial and find it fascinating and sad too.

The Discovery Zone at the War Memorial did interest the kids and the big kids too. In here you got to dress up in uniforms and pretend to drive a submarine or fly a helicopter or pretend you are fighting in the trenches. This area is only opened to the public between 12.30 and 1.30pm weekdays as school groups have it booked out the other times.

On the way back to our friend’s place we went took a wrong turn and went up to the Telstra tower by accident. Too expensive to go up the tower but on the way back down there is a lookout to go into which gives a stunning view of Canberra....and at the right price – free!

Said goodbye to Canberra on Wednesday. On the way back we stopped into Bungendore on a recommendation. The woodwork store there is definitely worth a browse....some of the pieces are fantastic. The leather shop was very interesting too. Kids thought the lolly shop deserved a mention as well!!!! We stopped at a rest area just outside Braidwood on the Shoalhaven River – beautiful. A perfect spot for lunch. Heard a little thunder and noticed that the sky was getting a bit dark so decided to move on, next thing we knew it was flogging down with rain. We had got out just in time. That was the start of six days of rain.

We picked up the van from Batemans Bay and went back up the road to Canberra 10km to stay at Nelligen on the Clyde River. Very pretty place even if it was a bit wet. No phone service so very quiet too.

Met our first family travelling around Australia as well. They are from Geelong in Victoria and have children the same age as ours. Fiona is a school teacher so she is “home schooling” her children with resources from her school.

The park here at Nelligen is beautiful by the river and has a fantastic pool area with a water park for the kids. A lot of fun for them and great fun to watch...too chilly for me! The park also has exercise stations which amused the kids too....most likely because it was amusing to watch me!

Moved van sites on Friday, Shane had to take the van into Batemans to get something looked at so we stayed at the park and caught up with school work. Watched as the park started to fill up for the weekend. Our nice quiet park was no more. It reminded me of “The Castle”...and the serenity....and the nothing better than racing down the river with the speed boats at top speed. That was what happened here...racing boats, speed boats, jet skis, fishing boats, dirt bikes....it was quite funny to watch.

That night it poured with rain.....

Next morning people everywhere were wringing out their tents and camping gear....we were quite happy to have the caravan!

Moving onwards and southwards....

Tuross Heads sounded promising.......it certainly didn’t fail. Just lovely right on the entrance to Tuross Lake. The beach side spots have a beach at the base of them. The rain eased up for a beautiful afternoon/ evening by the beach. The kids had a wonderful time playing soccer on the beach with some other children camped at the park.

Unfortunately the rain didn’t stay away it came back with vengeance over night. Sunday afternoon, the rain eased again for more beach play.