VanDijkTrack

Today we have been on a 4WD (4-wheel-drive) tour through the bush close to seven miles plane.

After driving to the starting point of the track we passed Jelle’s Well (Early 1890’s pioneers bullock and horse team watering point). A perfect location for an early lunch and the children could have a play together.

After noticing that the access to the track as planned was impossible we ended up with another track. This track showed to be a real challenge for Dutchies from a flat country. Many times it was a real puzzle how to come across the difficult locations. Steep and deep holes, part of the road completely gone and/or just rocks/stones.  The fact that our tires were not optimally made for this type of terrain and our car having a stepping bar under the doors made the challenge even bigger.

We were happy that we were with a group of more experienced 4wd drivers. We could learn a lot and they helped us to solve the puzzles on how to pass the different barriers. Of course we didn’t want to damage our car so we were careful.

Although we moved cm by cm, several times a wheel got loose from the ground. A strange experience. The more experienced guys with older and more dedicated cars gave some wild demonstrations of driving up (or not) and down on very steep tracks. Nicole and Jorick loved it.

When we started to go home we were lucky to see two Lace Monitor mating in front of us on the middle of the road.  The were so excited that they didn’t notice us immediatly. Then they quickly disappeared.

Finally we went home and had to clean our car the week after.

Cheers,

Jan, Anita, Nicole and Jorick

Digging to lay eggs

Wallum Sedgefrogs in the Frog Pont.

The Brush Turkey is still very busy and sometimes he is digging a hole into his mound. We guess that’s for a women Turkey to put in her eggs whereafter the mound gets closed. Several times a women Turkey came by so we are full of expectations. Especially Nicole is looking forward to see some small young Turkeys, but we don’t know if this will really happen.

It was hot.

In the evening we saw the Wallum Sedgefrogs sitting on the leaves in the frog pont. They are very green and make a pleasant sound.

 

We already experienced our first real hot days with a temperature far above 30 degrees. Since we don’t have a pool in the garden, we had to try something else.
 

Swinging in Pine RiversPark

Turning until you fall.

Lunch at Pine Rivers Park.

 

When we visited the Pine Rivers Park the children could play wit a range of attributes while we could enjoy the weather, lunch and read a book. The weather was hot.

 

 

Nicole started with her first tennis lessons. At school there are sport fields including a tennis ground where you can subscribe for lessons. She loved her first lesson and did a good job. Jorick was helpfull to collect all the balls as you can see

1st tennis lesson.

Jorick gathering balls.

Volley.

 

 

 

 

 
 

1st Swimming Lesson.

Follow the leader.

 

Both Jorick and Nicole also started with their first Swimming Lessons. Nicole had already some lessons in NL, but for Jorick this was the first time. Since they like playing on the beach and in the water it would be good if they could swim. The pools in the garden are making this even more relevant.  

 

 

Homework

 

Every day Nicole has to do her homework. She has to read one or more booklets, to make and write some sentences and often some mathematics. She is doing well. On the picture you can see her reading a book. Sometimes Jorick is sitting with her to listen to the stories and to look at the pictures.

 

 

 After having an engagement party in the New Farm Park, we visited the playground there and enjoyed. Especially the mysterious tree was fascinating.   We also could test our new camera there.

NewFarm Park.

A mysterious tree.

Too fast.

Ultra Zoom.

 

Purple trees in Spring.

Again another species. (Striped Rocketfrog)

In Spring the city is decorated with purple trees.
When we got home Nicole saw (again) another frog species (Striped Rocketfrog). We have the frogs here in many models, colours and sizes.

 

 

Kind regards,

Jan, Anita, Nicole and Jorick