Murphy's Creek

Someone had the bright idea to go camping on Easter weekend. Along with the rest of the world. And his dog.

Nicole tracked down an interesting-looking campsite just outside Toowoomba which was dog-friendly. They were organising kiddy activities too, so we thought what the hell and booked it up. We invited Hannah and Marion along too.

So on the last Thursday of school we yanked E out early with the car packed (with a minimum of fuss I might add). I won't mention that Nicole went internet shopping and bought a huge self-inflating mattress which hardly fit into the house, but it fit into the car in the end.... just.

Just a couple of hours up the road, and we were there in the Lockyer Valley camping in the forest. We had thought we would have a creek-side plot but alas we were consigned to some freshly cleared woodland further up, so no grass for us... just dirt. Joy.

The girls were soon colouring in while the tents went up (with a minimum of fuss) and we footled about until the sun went down and bedtime came.

This was a considerable drama as of course sleepovers are a big deal for little girls. Hannah initially wanted to sleep with Eloise, then she didn't then she did then she didn't. It all ended in tears and trauma. I ended up snuggling next to Eloise to calm her down and the next thing I knew Nicole was coming to bed and the bogan next-door-neighbours were pissed up to their eyeballs and very very loud, til God knows what time in the morning when they were reprimanded for the second time by the camp manager.

So a little tired the next day... but we went down to the swimming hole in the creek where Nicole swung in on the rope swing before that was taken down for Health and Safety reasons. It's just so 21st Century.

The girls went for a brief swim in the icy waters before Hannah decided the time was ripe for some naked rock climbing.

Nicole and I explored the land out back before getting hopefully lost and making our way back along the road.