Ulupna Island

Ulupna Island lies at the eastern end of Barmah State Park which is a part of the largest river red gum forest in Victoria. The island is bounded by the Murray River and its anabranch, Ulupna Creek. It is located in Northern Victoria, with the nearest town being Strathmerton.

The island is popular as a camping destination and is rich in wildlife, with many Goannas, Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Koalas visible all year.

The Ulupna Island Flora Reserve^[1] is heritage listed as a place of natural significance on the Register of the National Estate. The Statement of Significance cites "Unlike the remainder of the Barmah forests, Ulupna Reserve has suffered remarkably little from the impacts of grazing and logging. Therefore it is an important reference area for studies of the impacts of these activities on the red gum forests of the region"^{[2] [3]}.

Day 4 & 5 ~ Thursday 9th & Friday 10th April 2009

With basic camping essentials loaded in the tray of our trusty rodeo dual cab, and Pop Bourke's trusty boat hooked on, we travelled with friends to Ulupna Island for a camping adventure. Caleb, Jaida and Jaxon excited to be going back to the place where koalas can be seen amongst the river red gums, sandy river beaches and fast flowing water. Anticipating how soon we will arrive and be set up at camp.

There has been talk of rampant blue /green algae, but the river flows so rapidly along this stretch (due to shallow sandy outcrops in the river (someplaces you can almost walk entire across the great Murray out here.)) that algae did not pose a problem for water fun!

Ready for a roam, we take the boat out once we're set up and settled, first the little people Jaida and Jack, heading downstream for a meander, then Caleb and Shaylee with Michelle upstream :) I was poised at the front of the boat on sumberged log watch, although many evident outcropping from the water, the danger lurked below, because we would need to glide and lift hte propellor of the boat where necessary, this is not a place for speedboats and skiers, for jet skis, caution is required, at some points steady and slow navigation. Its' amazing how quickly a complete sandback ripples under the surface. Its' relaxing, the breeze in blowing wisps in your face, the everchanging scenery around you. Campers still coming in and setting up along the banks, across sandy beaches that stretch for miles. All seeking solace, space, an Easter adventure of the great outdoor kind.

Murray River at Ulupna Island, taken while cruising downstream

Thursday night watching the sun sinking in the west, skies tainted glorious hues of pinks, oranges as it settles in for the night, to the east the a bright moonlight sky evolves, it sneaks up, at times masked by sheer cover clouds, tiny hints of glowing light escaping and streaming down through giant and historic red river gums. We settle in around our campfire, basking in the glory of such a sense of stillness around us, friends together, enjoying a night of wilderness, and of course no camping trip without cooking marshmellows in the glowing embers of our campfire :)

Good Friday, what a surprise to have a fire truck roll in to the campsite collecting for the Good Friday Appeal. Caleb's eyes glowing as the fire truck nears, running excitedly towards us. This little boy lives, dreams, eats, breathes firemen and their shiny red vehicles. They are his heroes, his role models and his efforts were rewarded with the screeching of the siren (after mummy politely requested it from the CFA accompanying the vehicle.) ... What a way to start the day!

Friday afternoon (after I'd walked about 4.4km with the girls) we took Jaxon, Caleb and Jaida and meandered upstream as far as we could seek out. Eventually being forced to turn and go back with no way through the shallow, rippling currents, swirls and eddies' of the river, logs above and below stopping our grand tour.

Where the river ended our grand touring ...

Like all good fun, it soon comes to an end, with family coming for lunch on Saturday, our roamings were over, too soon for me, yet its' always nice to come home and have a hot shower and wash the dust of the land away ...

There will be more camping fun, that can be assured around here.

More Ulupna Island Camping photos can be found on my Facebook HERE

And Holidays are made of days like this ...

And Holidays are made of days like this ...

Victorian School holidays Started Monday April 6th.

Our Challenge for the holidays has been to go on a wandering adventure each day.

Day 1 ~ Monday 6th April, 2009

A beautiful morning, crisp, clear, blue sunny skies, a gentle breeze. The dew not yet lifted from the grass and we go off to explore the great wonder lands surrounding Village Court. Today's expedition down yonder to the race course for a play and morning tea break, and a treasure hunt back along an old (yet sometimes still used) railway line.

Caleb off on his bike, Jaida and Jax snuggled under a crocheted' blanket in the double pram, we meander off on our merry way. Diaster strikes with our first destination in sight. It seems that Caleb's bike has a flat tyre (no doubt a bindi eye puncture, possibly from our bike adventure the night before when the entire Bourke Family went touring on their bikes (jaxon and jaida in the seats and Caleb on his own pedal power.) Thankfully, a wide brim on the double pram accommodates carrying a boys' bike (adding to the weight load and pushing resistance for Mummy, a grand work out this day was pushing that load.)

We stopped at the park, the children's eyes grew wide with excitement, this was their first visit to this wondrous place. A giant ship lay before them, ready to be explored, and played upon. Even young Jaxon enjoying fast slippery slides and ensuring he was only just cast in the shadows of his older siblings.

Jaxon enjoys following his sister through the maze of giant equipment

Behold, three B's stop for a happy snap!

A healthy snack of bananas and rice crackers fuelled growling bellies, a drop of water resfreshed young, inquisitive minds ... and we were on our way once more, to the railway line. Nestled amongst paddocks, this line goes on for miles, its' a beautiful spot to just stop and look, listening to the gentle sounds of nature and life around you. The children seem to be of great joy to some nearby cows following along their fencelines, and to horses galloping around in excitement.

Taking in the sense of calm and contentment of a bright, sunny day in the country.

Two little figures "choo" "choo" their way along the line.

Caleb and Jaida, however, were focused on finding treasures, their young, bright eyes darting this way and that way, searching, for the right, something takes their attention, and there lays some giant, rusty, weathered railway pins, no doubt used many eons ago to hold down giant sleepers as heavy iron wheels rolled by. This became quite a game to Caleb and Jaida, seeing who could locate such intricate items first and call TREASURE, I'VE FOUND THE TREASURE!

Homeward bound we pushed, legs starting to lag in the end, home ... home ... for a well earned rest (that' includes Mummy too!)

Total Journey Time: 2 hours.

Day 2 ~ Tuesday 7th April 2009

After our incredible journey yesterday, we decided that this morning was a chance for a quiet morning of pottering around, taking the chance to write and draw of our adventures and dressing up for wondrous imaginative play and games. The morning yet drawing us still outside to enjoy what the world had to offer.

Day 3 ~ Wednesday 8th April 2009

Somehow, we found ourselves organised this morning and swimming at our local pool by 8am! The water, warm and tantalising, drawing you in (mummy and jaxon included) incredible space as it seemed apart from those churning up the laps of their morning exercise indulgance, we were (for a while) were the only ones taking the opportunity to swim, enjoy and indulge ourselves in one of our many favourite passtimes. Caleb enjoying leaping and diving off the grand blocks in the deep end of the pool, Jaxon taking on the water spouts and splashing merrily around in the shallows, and Jaida happily kicking and floating around with her kickboard.

Caleb and Jaida immensely enjoyed their last term of swimming and look forward to a new one starting in a few weeks with their private instructor. Jaxon for the first time too, formally, will be joining his brother and sister in aquatic play.

Lifes Little Luxuries

And moments of life are made up of little luxuries like these.

It was just one of those evenings last night ~ the children were all tucked up soundly and snugly in bed early ~ so I thought I would treat myself to a luxurious hot soak.

In my hand, a nice red dulce' wine ~ baileys & baileys 2 fat ladies, that a loving friend put me onto many months back, and by my side a copy of "Sanctuary" by Nora Roberts. Nora is one of those captivating authors that writes a wide range of genre, but she always sparks my interests and has me reading from her entire collection.

I am .... just lying back, sipping wine under the ambient glow of scented candles (dusty orchid, apple peel & honey suckle.)

These are my moments of luxury!

Sanctuary - Safe from harm - or the most dangerous place of all?

She dreamed of Sanctuary. The great house gleamed bride-white in the moonlight, as majestic a force breasting the slope that reigned over easter dunes and western marsh as a queen upon her throne. The house stood as it had for more than a century, a grand tribute to a man's vanity and brilliance, near the dark shadows of the forest of live oaks, where the river flowed in murky silence.

Within the shelter of the trees, fireflies blinked gold, and night creatures stirred, braced to hunt or be hunted. Wild things bred there in shadows, in secret.

There were no lights to brighten the tall, narrow windows of Sanctuary. No lights to spread welcome over its graceful porces, its grand doors. Night was deep, and the breath of its moist from the sea. The only sound to disturb it was of wind rustling through the leaves of the great oaks and the dry clicking - like bony fingers - of the palm fronds. The white columns stood like soldiers guarding the wide veranda, but no one opened the enormous front door to greet her.

As she walked closer, she could hear the crunch of sand and shells on the road under her feet. Wind chimes tinkled, little notes of song. The porche swing creaked on its chain, but no one lazed upon it to enjoy the moon and the night.

The smell of jasmine and musk roses played on the air, underscored by the salty scent of the sea. She began to hear that too, the low and steady thunder of water spilling over sand and sucking back into its own heart.

The beat of it, that steady and patient pulse, reminded all who in habited the island of Lost Desire that the sea could reclaim the land and all on it at its whim.

Still, her mood lifted at the sound of it, the music of home and childhood. Once she had run free and wild through that forest as a deer, had scouted its marshes, raced along its sandy beaches with the careless privilege of youth.

Now, no longer a child, she was home again.

She walked quickly, hurrying up the steps and across the veranda, closing her hand over the big brass handle that glinted likea lost treasure.

The door was locked.

She twisted it right, then left, shoved against the thick mahogany panel. Let me in, she thought as her heart began to thud in her chest. I've come home. I've come back.

But the door remained shut and locked. When she pressed her face against the glass of the tall windows flanking it, she could see nothing but the darkness within.

And she was afraid.

She ran now, around the side of the house, over the terrace, where flowers streamed out of pots and lilies danced in chorous lines of bright color. The music of the wind chilmes became harsh and discordant, the fluttering of fronds was a hiss of warning. She struggled with the next door, weeping as she beat her fists against it.

Please, please, don't shut me out. I want to come home.

She sobbed as she stumbled down the garden path. She would go to the back, in through the screened porch. It was never locked - Mama said a kitchen should always be open to company.

But she couldn't find it. The trees sprang up, thick and close, the branches and draping moss barred her way.

She was lost, tripping over roots in her confusion, fighting to see through the dark as the canopy of trees closed out the moon. The wind rose up and howled and slapped at her in flat-handed punishing blows. Spears of saw palms struck out like swords. She turned, but where the path had been was now the river, cutting her off from Sanctuary. The high grass along its slippery banks waved madly.

It was then she saw herself, standing alone and weeping on the other bank.

It was then she knew she was dead.

17 months of love, laughter and a smile you cant resist!

Jaxon Levi, 17 months old

I sit here shaking my head in wonder at where that time has gone. Often sinking into moments of deep reflection and reminiscing of the feelings of holding that last babe in your arms, no doubt exacerbated by having so many pregnant friends around (cluck cluck cluck), and knowing that this little toddler, no baby left there, is my baby, the last of the little B's ...

Luckily he's so cuddly and gets lots of big smoochy woochy kisses from his Mummy!

Jaxon Levi, wisps of blonde hair, blue eyes, the calm temprament of a saint (even yesterday we took a stroll through a display village, for 3 hours this little boy sat calmy in his stroller gazing around at incredible and interesting decor featured in so many homes.) ...

I love the way you snuggle into my shoulder, the way you stare into my soul and your new found love of having to take your cot blankie around the house with you to roll up in and roll around in, or have a game of peek - a - boo "I see YOU!"

Cheeky and delightful, gaze into these eyes and behold a sense of warm love, but a smile that you can't resist grinning wildly back at either.

Jaxon Levi, trike extremist, climber of all sorts and a little too intelligent at times for Mummy's likings!! He learns fast and is always one step behind Caleb and Jaida!

A delight in our lives :)

Happy 17 months little man ....

Make It Perfect, Flipsy Skirt

I'm pleased to finally announce that I have finished my first "larger" sewing project, the flipsy skirt from Make It Perfect. I was really pleased with the finished product and Jaida has been enjoying her new outfits, complete with a new denim jacket with butterfly motif (a bargain off ebay!)

And the Flipsy is complete

After ardous weeks, I finally finished Jaida's FLIPSY SKIRT and I must say I was very proud with my overall efforts and Jaida has 2 new beautiful outfits to wear. This week our new denim jacket with butterfly motiff also arrived (courtesy of an ebay sale.)

Now I lay me down to sleep

This night I lay me down to sleep
I give the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the lord my soul to take

Four corners of my bed
Four angels over head
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Bless this bed I lay upon

I lay my head on our lady's knee
Jesus come this night and save me

Heart of Joseph I adore thee
Heart of Mary I implore thee
Heart of Jesus pure and just

In those three hearts I place my trust.

Confessions of a Younger Brother

You always know mischief is abrewing when a certain calm and stillness falls over your home. Listening intently for any little sound to signify where the little one may be. Creeping down the hallway, you start to hear small, but quiet exclamations of delight. Peeping around the corner to the room that Caleb and Jaxon share, you catch a glimpse of him (jaxon) out of the corner of your eye. His favourite place to be, his brothers' Thomas the train bed (to which he will inherit upon his departure from his golden cot.)

This is Jaxon's favourite place to play.

The case of the wild watermelons ...

It started with an inspiration to enter the Junior Landcare Watermelon Challenge, but ended in a wild entangled vegetable patch of watermelons. This has been our first attempt to grow watermelons and the success from a simple packet of seeds is overwhelming. Unfortunately our watermelons didn't grow in time for entering final results in the competition, but with the ripening process still occurring, its' going to be watermelon festivities around her for quite some time.

My vegetable patch is a wild jungle of creeping watermelon tender, entwining themselves through the fence and heading outwards, across garden beds, around strawberries (and obviously they are a wonderful companion plant for strawberries, as ours has continued to sprout, large, juicy and lush.)

We did pick one a few weeks ago, weighing in at 8.4kg, it was quite pink inside still, but looked moist and tasty. A meander among the patch this morning has revealed they are GROWING quickly, looking forward to the first RIPE one. I'd say we have surpassed the 8.4kg mark ...

Stay tuned for the precious picking and sampling when they are ready.

Jaxon checks out some watermelons, 18th March 2009

One of our cosy watermelon corners


Close up, this one is now twice the size!

Crafty Creations

These are the moments that I love and enjoy, simple pleasures of crafty time with my children. When Jaida was a baby, Caleb and I relished in crafty pleasures that led onto hours of fascination and role play with whatever had been created. Caleb, even now at the age of 5yrs and 4 months is a hands on creator of box and craft construction, this is the way this little mind is hard wired, thinking by doing and creating.

Its' a beautiful thing to observe the world from a child's perspective, this varying from not only hour to hour, but day to day. I relish being able to step back and remember how to see the world from young eyes and vivid imaginations.

Caleb's Crafty Train & Racing Car, 19th September 2006

Jaida adores craft, she relishes in the simple pleasures of drawing, creating, absorbing herself in her work and finishing with a glowing smile. This fine morning following school drop off, we headed into our local Big W store for a few items, and happen to meander (or should i say be drawn) to the craft aisle.

A bag of brightly colored pom poms catching Jaida's attention, sparking my interest as well and thinking well this morning is as good as any morning to do some craft when we get home (and of course put young Master Jaxon to bed (although he too enjoys devouring craft through the sense of texture and of course taste.)

Jaida - Pom Pom Fun, 17th March 2009

Jaida's beautiful creation take pride of place on her bedroom wall :) Its' very sweet and she did a beautiful job of tracing her name too :) I have been thinking its' time for another crafty adventure soon, and with school holidays commencing Monday 6th April, I'm sure there will be many more inspired crafty installments coming soon!