Yes we have been quiet lately…mainly because we have been catching up on things that need to happen…such as kids school work.  When you are on the road for as long as we are you need to stop and play catch up with all the little things that need to be sorted and more importantly make sure the kids are schooled and we don’t end up sent off to the parents court with a please explain tag.

No its not really that bad, other than sometimes it feels like a real pain for both parents and kids.  Kids have had enough and parents are trying to motivate themselves and the kids.  We have been at Mole Creek for a while but some time in getting through this terms school work before Easter.  All of the work is paying off as we will get pretty close.  This will allow us a bit of freedom over the Easter school holidays and let the kids roam freely enjoying the other kids on holiday at the same time.  Schooling for me is trying to enjoy the one on one time with the kids…the type of time that kids crave and the time you never get back.  Sometimes it feels a drag being regimental but when you look back schooling time is some of the best time spent connecting with your child.  I also believe that schooling on the road for the kids has been a big positive…lets face it they are getting one on one tutoring each and every day at school…try and find that in our school system today.  I firmly believe when we are done travelling the kids will be well ahead.  In fact at the moment I am teaching Amy year one maths and year one hand writing instead of preprimary…this speaks for itself.

We will be back on our way shortly, enjoying Tasmania in 4WD and offroad style.  Unfortunately this weekends trip with the Ulvertsone 4WD Club to the West Coast was cancelled so we now look forward to Easter near St Helens/St Mary’s and some beach driving.  We will get back to the West Coast later.

Back to some schooling….

PS.  If someone wants/needs some information on home schooling kids whilst travelling around let us know and we will drop you some valuable info.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Time flies when you are having fun, hey!

What have we been doing?  Well after the Cradle Mtn summit we had a relaxing day on Friday and spent most of the weekend catching up on the kids schooling.  We did manage a short trip to the Chudleigh Honey Farm for another of their amazing honey icecreams, a trip into Launceston on Saturday afternoon for some supplies including fresh food.  On Sunday we had a BBQ with friends Dick and Trish from the Ulverstone 4WD Track.  With a few beers, great company and a relaxing environment we watched the afternoon glide smoothly by.  Dick and Trich brought along their sons bike (thanks Jet) which got used and abused by Joey Jess and Orangatang Amy who had not yet had the opportunity to learn to ride a “two wheeler bike.”  Well that is now put to rest as both Jess & Amy now ride the two wheeler perfectly.  The carnage was limited to Dick’s bull bar, a small post, gravel graze and a head on collision with a brick wall…arh the pleasures of riding a bike huh.  Well guess what…the kids now want a bike…thanks Dick & Trish…they just need to learn what brakes are and how to use them…ouch.

Today will be a small run out to the Mt Ossa track for more of a look.  This will be attempted shortly as time is running short before the weather turns and the light fades in the evening.

So whats coming up?

A trip back to Brisbane for some work on the web page (Wed, Thur, Fri) and then over to the West Coast to meet up with the Ulverstone 4WD Club for a beach run and a trip up Climes Track.  We will report on both of these for you as well as exploring some of the many other tracks in the area.  At Easter we will be camping close by to St Mary’s with friends and be looking to do some fishing and 4WD.  From their – who know…but rest assured we will bring you great coverage of Tassie and its awesome camping, walking and 4WDing.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

After getting back from Deloraine today at our camp on the Mersey River we decided to go for a swim in the river.  On the far bank of the river someone has made a diving board using a huge plank of wood and old car springs.  This turned out to be brilliant fun (once you got over the initial shock of a cold river).  To get to the other side we had to swim the width of the river getting carried away in the middle of the river by the current flowing from the small rapids.  This provided the kids with some extra excitement swimming across on their noodles.

The river was really deep under the diving board so you could pretty much do as you pleased.  The swim and dive turned out to be really refreshing.

After the swim, it was time for dinner and relaxing next to the river.  This campsite really is a small oasis and a must do for people travelling to Tassie.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

We are almost packed and ready to join up with the Ulverstone 4WD Club this weekend for some fun around Black Bluff.  Jenni, Garth, Dick & Trish stopped at Leven Camp earlier today and showed us the river crossing to their secret camping spot…and with respect for the 4WD the camp will remain a secret.  Well the river crossing turned out to be a whole of fun, with some big boulders and equally big holes.  Garth & Jenni were across first taking a few boulders with them – no damage and safely across though.  Trish on the other hand decided she would walk the river crossing for some photos and half way across ended up slipping on a smooth rock and taking a nice swim.  I was really impressed that she kept her camera dry using her arm as a periscope.  Then went Dick in his Troopie towing a camper trailer.  Unfortunately Dick got hooked up on some rocks and spent 10 mins rocking back and forward until he finally freed himself, picked a new line and made it across.  That’s what 4WDing is all about – good fun, with good people giving the great outdoors some time out – awesome.

We turned back and are looking eagerly forward to the river crossing tommorrow when we head to camp.  Hopefully watching the two other cars will set us on the right line.  The real shame was – we forgot the video!! 

Apparently it is 10 klm or so of good 4WD to the camp after the river crossing so we are looking forward to the adventure.

Being remote will probably mean we are off line for a couple of days…don’t worry we will be having fun!!!

Looking forward to updating you on the weekend.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia