Camping on the coast

During the holidays we took the boys on a quick camping trip down the coast. We decided to try somewhere new and as it was a last minute decision and the school holidays most of the camping grounds close by were booked out. 

We wanted somewhere within 2 hours of home, lots of trees and space, somewhere the camp sites were not too close together and the beach nearby. I also needed an amenties block + hot showers. 

I'm more of a glamper than a camper! ;)

We found a great spot in the Killalea State Park that met all our needs. We set up camp, had lunch then headed to the beach for the afternoon. We headed to Mystics beach, it was a bit of a hike down the hill to the beach but worth it for the open space, great waves and a visit from some dolphins + a crab! There is also another beach nearby called The Farm if you want to try something different.

After the beach we all had hot showers to wash the sand off and chilled out for the rest of the afternoon. You could tell that Summer was over as it got dark quite early and you could feel the chill in the air. It was a bit of a shock to the system after our seemingly endless hot weather!

The sunset through the trees was amazing. Those colours....

As we were trying to keep things easy for ourselves we didn't pack a lot of food to make meals.

 Just mainly breakfast cereal, milk, drinks, bread, snacks/fruit and we decided to go into the nearest town Shellharbour to pick up some fish n chips for dinner. 

There is a cafe near the campsite called the Farm Cafe but they closed early afternoon. We did grab a coffee from here the next morning but the coffee was terrible! So couldn't really recommend it.

We stayed for 2 nights and the boys loved having the space to run around and "explore" 

I forgot how early you go to bed when you're camping, it must be that fresh air that gets you tired! As the boys and I got ready for bed and snuggled down for the night, Simon took a photo of the tent and night sky from outside with his GoPro. It looked beautiful and warm glowing in the night.

The glow was given by a few strings of lights hanging down from the tent pole.

They're battery run ones I got from Typo a few years ago.

The tent still fits us all as a family of 5 and even with the boys getting bigger. We have 1 x double inflatable mattress in there for Simon and I and 3 x single mattresses for the boys and there is still tons of space. We have the 4m bell tent from Wild Things.

I always take sheets and a doona for Simon and I but the boys are happy with sleeping bags on top of their mattresses. All our clothes and toiletries are kept in the car to free up space in the tent.

We also set up a portable 3m x 6m gazebo for shade + shelter, it has sides that can drop down to protect from the wind if needed

Have you been camping lately? Any favourite camping spots you'd like to share?

Camping on the beach - November 2016

We decided last minute to join some friends and head down the coast camping for the weekend.

We picked the boys up from school at lunch-time and drove down with the car and trailer loaded up.

The sun was shining and the ocean sparkling and once the tent and gazebo were set up we enjoyed a drink as the sun went down and enjoyed the view. For dinner we made ham + cheese toasties and the boys loved the novelty of cooking over the fire. 

What is it about camping that makes you tired? Must be all the fresh air!

We were all in bed early and woke up to an amazing view. Simon and Finn pulled on their wetsuits and headed out to take advantage of the waves.

We brought the totem tennis down and it kept the boys entertained when they weren't in the water. They also enjoyed exploring the rock pools and when Mr Whippy drove into the campground their day was made! 

It was so nice to get away and just slow down. The early nights and lazy days felt great and we're refreshed  and ready to get into the week and the busy time leading up to Christmas.

I get asked a lot about where we go to camp - we went to Coledale camping grounds just north of Wollongong. We love the fact that you are camping right on the beachfront.

We've been looking for another site that suits us but so far haven't found one.

You can read about our camping must haves here

Our tent is a 4m bell tent that we bought from Wild Things Gallery.

We love it for the height and feeling of space inside plus it looks nice ;)

All 5 of us fit inside snugly. We had some wild winds on the Saturday night and our tent was one of the only ones that stayed standing so it is pretty sturdy, also waterproof.

We also take along a gazebo for extra shade that we set up alongside the tent.

I took all my photos on my new iPhone 7+ and was so impressed with the camera.

It's just so much sharper than my previous phone. Love it!

How was your weekend?  What did you get up to?

Our Sunday.

We took advantage of the gorgeous weather this morning and headed down to Manly (along with everyone else!) to take a look at the Australian Open of Surfing. 

As we have a couple of keen surfers in the family, they were in heaven! The festival lasts all week so it will be fun to pop down and check out the surfing and skate boarding after school with Finn.

Finn's career dream at the moment (age 9) is to be a professional surfer. Love that confidence!

Peek into the future perhaps? ;)

Finn also met some up and coming young surfers.

After lunch we headed to aquatic centre so Finn could practice his laps in preparation for his school Swimming Carnival.

Jasper decided today was the day to jump off the diving board.

No fear, that one. He loved it!

How was your Sunday? Hope you had a fantastic one.

Simone xx

all images my own

Beach days.

We're squeezing in another little holiday before Christmas.
The sun is shining and the water is so beautiful and warm.

The rush to get all the Christmas decorations done and the Christmas presents organised before we left was worth it. 

As now I can relax and know that all I have to do when I get back is to fight the crowds and do the Christmas Food shop. Eeek!

Simone xx

image from my iphone

Nice for some...

I'm gearing up for a busy week this week.
 I am going it "alone". My husband is away. No,no,not for work.

He is off to Bali for a week with a friend. 

Nothing but Sun, Surf and Relaxing for him this week. 

He manages to squeeze this in annually.

Hmmmm, nice for some ;)

I'm going to miss that extra set of hands and wheels this week! 
So many before/after school activities, so little time.
It's ok, one day I will get my time away. I just can't leave the boys for more than a couple of days yet.

Also when Simon comes home he is in a fabulous mood and can't do enough to help around the house!

If only I could get that to last for more than a few days ;)

Have a fab day!

Simone xx

image via pinterest