ASH - 14/11/08

We went to Melbourne where we went on a bus a train and thousands of trams. I got a ring and a big doll at the markets. I call her Chrystal because she ha white hair and a white fluffy jacket. We also saw people making lollies. Daddy bought some sticky, hard one. They were delicious. We also went to the beach. We didn;t stay long but we played in the park.. We went home and played with our dolls.

The next day we drove to Phillip Island. When we arrived there we saw the playground. There were swings slides and other equipment. It was really windy so we didn't do much that day. The day after that we got a special surprise. Nanna and Opa came to Phillip Island. We had bacon and eggs for breakfast. They only stayed one more night in the caravan park next door. We slept over at Nanna and Opa's cabin and watched a few movies that night. The next morning we went to see the seals and the seagulls. There were heaps and heaps of seagulls. There was a baby seagull being pecked at so we took it and put it on the grass.
A couple of days later we stayed at Albury. There was a playground and a freezing pool. We met a gril named Ali. She was the same age as me. Today we drove to Canberra.

HOLLY - 13/11/08

We have been busy at Melbourne, Phillip Island and Albury. In Melbourne we had to get on a bus and then on a train and then on trams. we got to have lollies at the markets and we bought a big doll each. Then we saw a cup that said 'Holly'. At Phillip Island we got to see Nanna and Opa. We went to the shops. Nanna bought some nice clothes for us and a bracelet. We saw little baby seagulls and we saw one on the road so we picked it up and put it on the grass. Nanna and Opa had to go home.
Next we went to the Murray river and then to Albury. In the caravan park we met Ali and we swam with her. Now we are in Canberra.

INTO NSW

To Nanna and Opa:
Thanks for coming down to Phillip Island. We had heaps of fun with you and it wasreally good to see you again. We hope you are having a good time in Brisbane.

Only four weeks till we will be home to see you.

Where are we?
Yestgerday we drove all the way from Phillip Island to the Murray River. Last night we had to move in the night cause there was a silly man in the camp. We moved up the river and over the border. The new camp was lovely. We are now in Albury and this morning we crossed the border four times to find a place to stay. We are staying here for two nights. There is a pool and a play ground where we are staying.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA - BY ASH AND HOLLY

Near the border of South Australia we stopped at Eucla. While we were there we met a goat. We didn't go outside cause the goat attacked us. We also saw the old telegraph station and climbed up the big sand dunes, but we only went a little way.
The first place we visited in S.A. was Head of Bight where we saw whales. We saw them wave to us. The cliffs were amazing.
We went to Fowlers Bay. It was really windy. We slid down the big white sand dunes on cardboard boxes.
Next we went through Ceduna to Perlubie Beach. We saw two Dolphins. We also played on the swing set that was right near the beach. Mutley ate a smelly fish head and she got stinky breath.
On the way to Adelaide we stopped at Nutbush retreat. There were sheep, cow and what else.
Before Adelaide we stayed at WhiteCliffe Reserve on a little river. We cooked pancakes on the fire and collected water with a little bucket for the showers. I liked the water cause it was nice and warm. We got bitten by mozzies.
At Adelaide we stayed at Liah's and Anselm's place. Leah is our cousin and Anselm is her Husband. At Adelaide we went to the beach house. we went on the games. They were all fun. The best game was the bumper cars and boats.
Leah bought us credits to use a well as an ice cream.
We also went to the big rocking horse. We went right up the top on it's head. It was scarey when you walked up high.
The whispering wall was good. We thought Daddy was in the wall because the sound jumped around to the other side. It was freaky.
We went to the lookout. It was freezing cold. We could see Adelaide.
Yesterday we went to Wellington. We crossed the Murray river on a ferry and we got to swim in it.
Now we are at Millicent near the Victorian Border. Millicednt has the best ever playground in the whole world. It had slides, flying fox, excercise equipment, a toy train, a climbing pyramid, and lots more. We met some friends in the park. They were aged three and ten.
Tomorrow we should be in Victoria.
We should be home in 5 weeks and can't wait to see you all again.

Luke, how are the guinnea Pigs? We can't wait to see them again.

Talysa, Mikaela, Madeline and Grace, we miss you.

The South of W.A. written by ASH with no help from Daddy (except spelling).

8/10/08
PEMBERTON: We left the farm and drove off to Pemberton. I like Pemberton because it has birds that sing all the time. It also has fires and green grass. People arrive all the time. First we had to set up camp. It didn't take long. After that we went to see Big Brooke Dam. It was cold so we only played in the sand. Then we came back to camp and had a fire.

9/10/08
We left Pemberton and stayed at a free camp. I didn't like it because all it had was a fire place and a bin, but I did like it because it was close to the tree top walk. I liked the tree top walk because it was 40 feet (metres) high. We didn't see any animals but that didn't matter. After that we went on the ancient empire walk. I liked that the most. We went in the trees. Last we went to the science place. It had a picture of a car going through a tree which we sat in. It looked like we were driving.

10/10/08
We left Walpole and went into Albany. We stayed at Kings River caravan park. There was electricity and a river full of tiny black and white fish. I caught two, mummy caught lots. Mine was the big one. We tried fishing at emu point but it didn't wok. Then we went fishing again.

Holly - Perth to Margaret river.

PERTH: We saw the Swan River and it rained so we had to go to the shelter. We got some lollies at the park but we didn't go on the tram and we went to the playground and had ice-cream.
BUNBURY: At Bunbury we went up the lookout and it was very nice.
BUSSELTON: We went on the jetty and then we went back because it was very cold.
MARGARET RIVER: We met a new boy. We played with him and also played with fire sticks (NO FIRE - JUST PRACTICE ONES). His name is River. There's heaps of sheep. We played with the white dog.

POETRY BY ASH - 23rd Aug

Fishing
Boring, Smelly
Cast, Reel, Wait.
Fish died, came alive.
Rod


Water
Peaceful, Freezing.
Paddle, Swim, Snorkel.
Ripples across the surface.
Turquoise.


Snorkeling
Exciting, Peaceful.
Float, Swim, Search.
I like the coral.
Flippers.

HOLLY - 18 AUG

We have been doing lots of travelling thisw week. We've been swimming. Mummy caught three fish at Pardoo Station. We sang 'Down in the Meadow' near the fire. We made up the words and danced for lots of people and we sang Johnny Cash songs.

At Cleaverville, we tried to ride a piece of wood down the sand dunes. Mummy and I climbed up a huge hill and we saw lots of water on the other side.

near Exmouth Ashleigh and I found shells and we also rolled down the sand dunes. Ash found a trtle shell. We saw lots of emus.

ASH 10/9/08 - 18/9/08 (With some help - Ash learnt to write parragraphs today)

Since we left Pardoo Station lasxt Thursday we have been trying to get out of the stinking, terrible heat by travelling south.

We have stayed in many places. We stayed in three free stays. I thought they were terrible because they were really hot and I had no friends to play with. We also stayed at Cleaverville and Yardie Station near Exmouth. These places were better than the free stays caue they were near the beach and I met Oliver and Freeda.

Along the way we have had lots of fun. Holly and I rolled down a huge sand dune. We saw two turtles. I went snorkelling at Turquoise Bay. i got to see lots of fish. I also saw a sea slug. We found two big shells at Cleaverville but they were broken. Holly and I were playing a shop game with my broken shell and the big spoon I found at the hot free stay.

Yesterday we arrived at Coral Bay. I can't wait to go snorkelling.

9/9/08 - BY ASH

We got up early and drove for a long time.Mummy drove the car with the caravan on the back for the first time. We decided to stay at Pardoo station. It was O.K. There was space to ride around and a pool and it was near the beach. The pool was nice and cool.
Just after lunch, we went to the beach. We stepped in lots of mud and my shhoes got stuck all the time. I found two big shells but they were broken. Next we went to the creek. Some bulls came cloe to the car. At the creek we went fishing. Mummy caught one fish on my line. At night Daddy played the guitar. Lots of people came and watched. I also sung a lot of songs. It was scary at first but then it was fun.

8/9/08 - BY ASH

In the morning, Daddy fixed the tyre in Broome. When he got back we drove 120km to a free stay. it was tinking hot and humid. While there we saw a whirly wind. Mummy got knocked about by the leaves. I did some school work and when it was cooler we played tennis and rode our bikes. Playing tennis was fun but i didn't hit the ball that much.
Daddy taught me guitar lessons but he guitar was a bit too big for me so Dady taught me the harmonica. We played tunes together. At night Daddy sung some song and Holly and I did the actions.

BY ASH - 7th Aug (catching up)

We drove to Broome. Along the way we had another flat tyre. When we arrived we bought fish and chips foir lunch and ate them at the beach. After that we looked for a caravan park to stay at but none of them took dogs. We decided to drive to Roebuck Plains Roadhouse. It was O.K. but not fantastic because there was no pool. We met our old friends from Robbie Robins Reserve and played in the afternoon. We also rode our bikes with them.

KUNUNURRA- by Ash 4/9/08

On Tuesday we went for a drive and bought some fruit. It was like a fridge inside the shop. We also had mango and banana smoothies. We went to the top of the lookout and the view was spectacular. We were going to go into the small national park but we had to pay so we decided that we would wait to see the Bungle Bungles National Park. I watched cars cross the Ivanhoe Crossing. We thought we might cross but it looked too scary because the water went up to the doors and it was flowing really fast.
On Wednesday we fished at Lake Argyle. Daddy caught a catfish which had a mustache. The lake was huge and the scenery was amazing.
On Thursday we went swimming in the pool and I played with Holly nearly all day. We rode our bikes together and I got a puncture in my back tyre. We watched 'Walk the Line' and then did some drawings.

Western Australia 1/9/08 by Ash

The jumping crocs were great. I liked the biggest one. His name was Scotty. After that we saw some fire twirling at the Ski club in Darwin. I practiced but I didn't do the fire. I bought some rhythm sticks with my birthday money. Some of my friends did the fire twirling. Their names are Teah and Mason. The next day it was my birthday. I got lots of presents. There were twenty-two people there. Three days later we left Darwin. It was sad to go because we were leaving all of our friends. We stayed at a free stay in the middle of nowhere. The day after that we went to W.A. We stayed at Kununarra last night.

A few words from HOLLY

Dear Friends, I miss you and I am having lots of fun. Opa and Nanna, I have seen lots of animals, and I went to the beach. I practice my school work and I ride my bike. I can also ride Ashies bike now.

Luke can you send me a picture of cuddles?

bye all my friends and family

Love from Holly

A Month and a bit into the Trip by ASHLEIGH

Hi Everyone

On the 30th of July we arrived at Coolalinga Caravan park in Darwin, I had an ice-cream and had a swim in the pool. It was very cold but I had a swim anyway. We went to the beach and collected some shells we also went to the city of Darwin. On the 1st of August, we arrived at Robbie Robinsons Reserve, we went fishing at the beach. We saw a sea eagle and on the way back we saw a dingo. On the 7th August we went to the water park, which was really good fun because it had 4 slides and a big bucket full of water that tips on you. We had a swim in a waterfall and we also had a swim in the normal pool. We stayed at Litchfield for 1 night.

I have met some new friends and their names are Tia, Georgia and Mason. On Friday I went to the shops with mummy and had a doughnut and a boost juice. After that, mummy did the washing and we found out a dog was missing. When we found her again we made pokie balls,

Allan - The First Two Weeks

We left Brisbane and we headed North. James's brakes were going weird so we only got to Fernvale. That night James caught a catfish, Jake caught an eel and a perch and Dad caught a catfish. All of us packed up and headed to ban Ban Springs. Ban Ban Springs isn't much of a site, it's just uncut grass with rocks and no water. We left Ban ban Springs and headed for Monto. When we arrived at Monto, we went one kilometre out of town to Mum's friend, Sue Fisher's house and yes she has a lot of dogs. She cooked us a lovely dinner. My favourite was the shepherd's pie. That night I played PS2 (play station 2). That morning it was time to hit the road. We heading for Moura and camped at a free stay on the Dawson River. Jake and I went fishing straight up. That night we went biking in the mud and after that we all had mud fights. I egged Jake and Connor egged me. The next day we just got fire wood. The following day we fished all day. The next day we went to Rolleston to see the great Carnarvon Gorge. It was exciting to be in the Carnarvon Gorge. Mum saw an echidna and we all saw a kangaroo up close. That was the first two weeks of our trip.

By Allan (Grade 6)

ASHLEIGH'S MESSAGE TO EVERYONE

To everybody,
I miss all of my friends at school. Gracie, how's Tobie?
We're having a great time. Nanna I miss you.
Luke how are my guinea pigs?

We are now at Mataranka. We are seeing lots of hawks in the sky. I learnt how to snorkel in the springs today. It was great fun. The water is nice and warm because it comes out of the ground.

Daddy and Holly and I went outside last night and saw lots of wallabies in the caravan park.

Yesterday Lewi caught a snake. We also found a tooth in the shrimp net but we don't know what it's from.

We have been collecting lots of rocks and some shells. Mummy and Daddy said I can't have too many in the caravan.

Opa I really love the curtains in my bunk.

Soon we will be in Darwin.

I miss you all. I will write again soon.
Ashleigh