Truancy and Bad Luck go Hand in Hand.

Over the past few weeks, Mr Four and a Half has been enjoying Kindergarten Orientation at our local school.  Over three Thursday mornings, he has gamely set forth into the Kinder classroom and emerged a couple of hours later with exciting stories to tell and new friends made.  Mr Six has been far too important to even be seen with his little brother as he has been spending the same mornings doing Year One Orientation.

Whilst the kids have been off learning about what the next year has install for them, the parents have enjoyed education seminars on Literacy and Numeracy, before enjoying a delicious morning tea with other parents.  Happy days indeed. But it is funny how things happen in our family.

Week three and final, and we had decided that on completion of Orientation, we would pull both the kids out of school and race away for a longer than normal weekend down at the coast.  We had a meeting on Friday afternoon, but decided we would make an extra night of it and give ourselves the opportunity to relax as well.  So it was fitting that on the morning of our planned escape, the school had invited someone from the Department who chose to give a talk on truancy.

The Department spokesperson proceeded to lecture all the Mums and Dads on truancy and how missing a few days of school would result in your child protegee failing to reach their full potential, indeed any potential and how they would be doomed for life.  She did proceed to explain what did constitute a valid reason for removing your child from school for a day.  Apparently fishing or camping is not a valid excuse, but attending a family event does pass the grade.

So it was with a wee tinge of guilt that Jo signed the vacancy log for Mr Six as attending a “Family Event”, and we loaded the kids into Terry, with fishing rods on the roof and the camper in tow.  We took off, first stop Oallen Ford for a fish.  After all, what could possibly go wrong!

Mr Four and a Half tries to fill the river up with rocks whilst Mum wets a line.



But no bites for the Little Fisherman in the Shoalhaven River

After lunch completed we continued our journey to Huskisson.  We often stay at the White Sands Tourist Park when in Husky.  It is in a great location overlooking the bay, and close to the park with the Spider's Web (and great coffee and the Ice Creamery is just a short stroll away).


The boys try their luck riding down the stairs at Husky

 

But after a few goes the Little Fisherman turns into a BMX Bandit

We were enjoying our guilty Thursday and Friday to the full.  A walk along the beach, swim in Moona Moona Creek, Bacon and Eggs for brekky, life was all going great.  We even dared to chuckle about how great our “Family Event” was going and how fishing, surfing and digging sandcastles might not have been a valid excuse in the mind of the Department of Education, but the overall experience was worth every minute.

The boys share a towel after a swim at Moona Moona Creek

We thought we would explore a little bit of Nowra, and see if the fish bite in the lower Shoalhaven River, but alas they don't seem to bite here either... Oh well, the views more than made up for it.

Shoalhaven River at Nowra

The Little Fisherman tries his luck again

Mr Four and a Half is content to admire the view

Our luck changed when were coming south out of Nowra back to Huskisson when the traffic slowed and stopped in front of us.  We came to a gentle stop and then I heard a screech of brakes somewhere behind us.  A glimpse in the rear view mirror revealed a dual cab ute being shunted towards us moments before we were rammed.

Police, Fire and two Tow Trucks - the boys were so excited!

A small Corolla had ploughed into a Triton which had been shunted into us.  No one was hurt (save a few sore necks) but the other two cars required a tow.  The boys thought that the Police arriving was a highlight in itself, before they were even superseded by the Fire Truck!  It was all a great cause of excitement, and thankfully little more than an inconvenience.



The damage



Terry escaped with only minor injuries.

 Thankfully we were able to drive back to camp where we had a quiet afternoon.  To tell the truth we were both a bit shaken by the event.  It would have been so much more inconvenient if we had not been able to drive home.  It was a salient lesson for the boys as to the importance of wearing seat belts, and for us to ensure we always have a supply of food, water and medicine in the car just in case that five minute trip turns into several hours.

So we settled in for a quiet afternoon and enjoyed the rain!

Husky Weather!!!

On Sunday we headed home - via a little friends party in Sydney.  All good fun, but we did learn that it pays to double check your tow hitch!  Another time perhaps :)

Terry on the Coat Hanger... we couldn't take the Tunnel!