Holiday Fun and surviving the New Year...

The Nehill family have safely embarked upon, undertaken and returned from the annual pilgrimage to Mallacoota. In a nutshell- it was GREAT!
Well, Ok, we didn't sleep and it was a 9 day diet of Vegemite toast, icecreams, Chocolate, coffee and muesli (until I burst out in cold-sores) and other nasty fatty things, with the occasional bit of fruit or vegetable thrown in.
I love camping, and I love the great outdoors. We got our fill of both, staying 6 nights at Mallacoota, then detouring on the way home at a beautiful spot in South Gippsland for 3 nights in the Tarra valley on the edge of the Tarra Bulga National Park.
We met really nice people, and we took our dog too so we got to meet other doggy people and other nice dogs as well.

Mallacoota was hot, windy and full of flies. Tarra valley was cool, tranquil and also full of flies.
But both spots are beautiful. The wildlife was amazing- loud kookaburras woke us every morning in both places- and I missed them this morning. At Tarra Valley, the massive gums housed feuding Koalas. Friendly lorikeets fed out of feeders in the caravan park and I heard bird calls I've never heard. I feel bereft without the constant piping of the bell-birds clear call. Rabbits in plague proportions bounced everywhere, even in broad daylight- a pity we weren't allowed to loose our dogs upon them.


I got to really relax at Mallacoota, all cares dropped away, and I enjoyed reading The Kite Runner, playing with the dog, the daily coffee at the cafe and not having access to the computer! We checked out the Beach Mission kids and got to have a few laughs at their annual Panto- this year it was Indiana Jones.
We walked and rode a lot, until it got very windy - then we went roaming about the streets of Mallacoota in the car, checking out the wonderful views- it's a very beautiful and remote spot- and I so hope it stays that way .

Packing up to leave Mallacoota was a real effort, but the next destination,"Best Friends Holiday Park" a few hours drive south-west was a real respite from the crowds, and a haven from the dust and heat. Even Sylv and her mate were eventually really enjoying themselves without all the trappings of shops, and the constant presence of friends. The highlights were playing in the river, sliding on the cascades, and just having fun- and the bon-fire at night- it was a lovely family time.

Staying at Tarra Valley was such a good move- because we were all enjoying each other's company by the time it came to leave-
I really think that by getting back to nature and leaving all the trappings we were able to really help ourselves reconnect with each other, and even with our own selves.
The 3 days in the bush seemed to really helped to soothe, refresh and give us back a sense of fun.

I think you know that you have had a really good holiday when you come home and feel really happy about being home again.