Wow, what a weekend

We have been lucky enough to become friends with our childrens friends parents. Making our families like family rather than just friends. Our kids look after each other. The boys looking after the younger girls and the girls looking up to the boys. It's a wonderful position for us to watch them develop and I'm extremely grateful to have these people in our lives.

A little while back we decided to go tramping this weekend. The Pinnacles down by Thames to be exact. We planned and booked accommodation then waited as the time passed.

When Andy's foot got damaged a couple of weeks back we were all worried that he wouldn't be able to tramp. But some great physio put that fear to bed.

And off we went on Friday afternoon. The girls in our car (whew!) and the boys (noisily) in the OC's car.

We arrived in Thames just in time to see this...

Stunning! The house we stayed in was organised through Book a batch and was AMAZING. Seriously, the kids walked in and went 'wow Mum this is better than our house'. LOL.

The next day was the big day. I can safely say we were all a little nervous about how we would all go.

Can you tell us adults are looking a little tense while the kids are happy as!

We got started and within minutes we came across our first swing bridge. The kids LOVED it.

I must admit I wasn't too happy on it first time, but got used to it after another couple. I'm such a wuss!

Along the way we found an amazing array of flora and fauna. It was wonderful to see the kids enjoying it.

See this great big tree? Well about 20 years ago I did this same tramp with a group of friends. I have a similar photo, just with a different group of people. I must see if I can find it.

After 3 hours straight up, we finally saw this hut in amongst the bushes. It was a sight for sore eyes (or should I say legs?).

We made our way towards it and dumped our bags. Found our beds for the night. And waited for Rob and Sarah. You see about half an hour into the tramp Sarah's shoes started falling apart, so Rob ran back to the car and got her 'spares', ran them back to her and then they carried on. Andy and I in the meantime slowly carried on with the kids. Must've looked amazing. Two adults and 5 kids. Everyone that passed us must've thought we were mad! LOL.

So once Rob and Sarah reached the hut (and I have to say it wasn't long after us! They must've been moving!). Andy, Rob, Matt, James, Sarah and I headed out to climb to the top of the pinnacles. Meant to be 50 mins up. We made it in 25 which I have to say for me was pretty good!

You see I'm not so good on heights. And well, last time I was here, I think it was about here I clung to the side of the mountain and refused to go any higher. This time around there were ladders instead of ropes and I made it up. But coming up one of the ladders, seeing this straight ahead of me reminded me just how high I was and how scared I was. And I have to be honest, I was really really glad I sent the men and kids ahead so I could make my way slowly by myself.

And I made it. It was such an amazing feeling. I didn't realise just how much that last 'failure' was hanging over my head. Funny aye?

As for the kids, here they are saying "victory is mine". Gotta love it. Sarah admitted to being a little frightened, but not much. Seriously I admire their bravery! They are amazing kids.

Here's me climbing back down again. You sort of get an idea of how steep it was.

Back at the hut (and it was nice!) we got our beds ready. It sleeps 80 and was full the night we were there! The kids loved the idea of bunks and because they had railings, we decided to let them sleep on the top. However, Andy had someone tap him in the night saying to him that Dan was about to fall out. He'd wiggled his way up to the gap where the ladder was and could have rolled out. Andy then slept with his legs covering the gap. What a great dad!

We were the first people in the hut to go to sleep. About 6.30pm. I know! I'm so not into sleep. But I was exhausted and the kids too. It just seemed right. LOL. We even heard some young people exclaim as they came in "who goes to sleep at 6.30?!". Well, when I was 25 I would think the same thing, but I'm old now! LOL. The funny thing was we were then up at 6AM! Oh dear!

And take a guess at whose kids drew those chickens? OMG! Too funny!

Then it was back down. Another 3 hours. Check out the poser.

I couldn't believe how beautiful everything was. I obviously missed it on the way up. In too much pain. LOL!

Check out those kids and their packs! Our children each had their own backpack. In it, they carried their own sleeping bag, raincoat, thermals and dog (special toy). We carried the rest. But for such littlies, I am absolutely gobsmacked and proud of them!

Back down in time for lunch, then we went back to the batch and then across to Miranda for a soak in the hot pools.

This morning we went for a wee walk along the beach opposite the batch.

The kids got lost in all the different rocks they found. And then I found a cool tree.

Gosh, they are such cool kids.

And that was our weekend. Full of fun and adventure. Something totally new and interesting for the kids. They are now (according to those also on the track) 'seasoned trampers'.

We're now thinking about the next one. But we'll definitely wait til it gets a bit warmer first. Grin.

Comments

[Brenda]

Oh My God "Amazing", all right, fantastic photos and that climb gave me the heeber jeebers. looks like you had an awesome weekend..

[Hannah]

Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend. Great photos! Your kids did very well. My boys are pretty seasoned trampers now and are good at carrying their own gear as well as cans of food, etc ... I am thankful to people like Bear Grylls who have made them want to be brave, tough and independent!! Makes it easier for us! Rob is keen to do the Pinnacles tramp, and after I show him your photos I know he will be totally sold.

[mandyb]

very cool pics!!!
wowsa that was high alright...that ladder..sheeeeshhhH!!!
glad you made it all the way...and yah on the kids carrying their own stuff!!!

lol about going to bed early....hiking does that to you!!! lol

[Jane]

Thank you for sharing such an amazing experience I have to say Trina you and Andy are amazing parents your children are going to have such a wealth of fantastic adventures and experiences and such wonderful childhood memories to look back on very lucky kids.....