This weekend past we drove with Lynn and Campbell and the boys to Phillip Island to watch the Moto GP. The Scotts arrived on Friday night to stay with us before heading off. Thanks to the kids, we got an early start on Saturday and arrived on the Island by lunchtime. It was pretty gloomy and windy but we managed to get the tents up after the rain. And those of you hardened campers reading this will be horrified to hear that we even had a toilet tent and portaloo with us which was fantastic. Actually, the site toilets were pretty clean all weekend and although my shower was cold on the Sunday morning, Lynn got a hot one. With 4 small kids though, it was really great to have a handy loo.
Talking of tents, we had bought a new one last week and after we put it up, we realised they had given us a 3 man tent instead of the larger one we wanted!!!! There was no way our 2 double airbeds ere going t ofit in it, but we had no choice but to use the tent so Mioke and I slept in the outer bit. It was a bit chilly but at least it was dry!!
On the Saturday, we walked over to the track but it was pretty chilly and gloomy. We wandered around a bit, then headed off into Cowes for a pizza which we ate in the rain as all the restaurants were full lol.
Sunday was a lot brighter and warmer and we were at the track by around 10am I think. We had a great spot on the hill overlooking the track and the lovely coastline. It was only spoiled by a prat behind us complaiing everytime someone stood up. He even threw a bottle at someone which hit Ahren. That was pretty intimidating and to be honest, that's the first trouble I've ever seen at a bike event. Despite having sat in our lovely spot all day, we deicded to move away after that and get closer to the track. However, down nearer the track the bikes were REALLY loud and the girls didn't like it so I took them back to the campsite so mould see the rest of the race in peace.
That night we had tickets booked to see the Penguin Parade. The parade takes place at dusk and it's when the fairy penguins come out of the sea and cross Summerland Beach to return to their sand-dune burrows. They do this every day after spending the day fishing in the waters surrounding Phillip Island. It was really fascinating to watch and the kids just loved it. We sat on the sand right at the front and one particular group on penguins came right up near us, with one coming about 2 ft from the kids who were mesmerised. I think it was more special because it's natural, don't know if the kids really got the difference between that and the Edin Zoo penguin parade, but we adults certainly did. We then walked back over the boardwalks and watched them head into their burrows. It really was a lovely experience and we're so glad we went. It normally takes about 5 mins to get there from the circuit but due to the massive traffic jams, it actually took over and hour and a half!!!!!!
The kids were all asleep in their sleeping bags within minutes of getting back to the campsite on Sunday night, mind you, I wasn't far behind lol.
We drove home yesterday and despite sitting in winter woolies the day before, we arrived back in Melbourne to 30 degrees!!!!!