Weekend Away

We went away for our usual Queens Birthday long weekend trip to Cania.  It's normally quite fresh at this time of the year but we were blessed with warm weather ... the kids even went swimming!

We organised a spit roast for Saturday and had a communal lunch with the other families we were camping with.  Mal is quite the cook and does a beautiful roast (he's the main cook in our house).  Missy T sat down to her lunch and asked if it was Christmas ... it definitely felt like a Christmas feast. 

The evenings were spent around the campfire.  A couple of the guys have guitars and we sat around singing really badly along with their playing ... I felt sorry for the rest of the camp ground.  Now I just need a couple of days at home to catch up on all the washing.

Back Again

Last week we went to Elliott Heads for a little break away.  The thing we love about going there is that there is not much to do there and all day to do it.  There is nothing quite like going to bed at 8 pm and having nanna naps after a day at the beach.  I packed my workout gear and got a couple of good workouts in but at the same time I didn't stress too much if I felt like sitting around with a couple of wines instead.  I have found that I need to at least go walking as my hips give me curry if I don't move enough.  As much as I love going camping, it is always nice to get home again to my routine (particularly with my food).

A few of my online buddies have returned for another round of the 12wbt and are heading to the finale in November.  As they can take a +1, there was talk of a bit of a reunion with the 2011 Round 3 Lean and Strong team so I have decided to head down there for the weekend.  I'm so excited as I have never met these people in real life but we have shared so much since doing our round together.  I have booked my tickets and we are looking at accomodation to share ... it should be an awesome weekend.

Away again!

We are away again this weekend for our usual Queen's Birthday Weekend trip to Cania.  I have my lunches organised with some 12wbt meals cooked and frozen and as another lady who is coming along has started her first round of the challenge I might rope her into doing some bushwalks if no-one else feels up to it. 

The kids always have a great time out there with the jumping pillow and outdoor movies but I have bought a couple of new movies to take with us in case the kids want to snuggle up in the camper with the heater on and watch them on their portable DVD players.

We have a great crew heading out there this year with several kids around Moo and Missy T's age so I can almost guarantee we will only see them at meal times and Mal will take his guitar so I know that there will be really bad singing around the campfire while the kids toast marshmellows.  Can't wait!

A Break Away

We decided to head away to Elliott Heads last weekend for the May Day holiday.  We went with another family with daughters that are a similar age to my girls which was great as the kids went off on their bikes together to the park and basically had a little bit of freedom which they wouldn't normally have at home.  That's what I love most about camping.  On Sunday, we headed into Bundy for something to do and discovered that not much was open in town, however Rivers has Sunday trading so we went in for a quick look as both Moo and I needed a new pair of Ugg boots for when we go to Cania in June.  I also managed to pick up a couple of things for me as well.

I also bought myself a cardigan, singlet, belt combo which goes nicely with the maxi skirt, I just couldn't find the 'right' shoes but I have a trip to Brissy coming up so I'm sure I'll get something I like.  My goal is to look more feminine.  As I work in industry, my current uniform is black shirt and black pants with steel-cap boots and my previous jobs involved wearing hi-vis clothing (yep, that bright yellow with reflective strips.  YUK!)  Of course, if I'm not wearing my work uniform I'm wearing gym clothes so I have a tendency on the weekend to wear shorts with a singlet because that's what I feel comfortable in.  I love the list of things Meaghan has suggested as they are both comfy but also a little girly.  Of course, she still has shorts and jeans but has given me ideas on how to jazz them up a little.  Now all I need is to have some time to shop!

Photo Time

Here are some photos of our camping trip.

Afternoon drinkies

Coming down the water slide

The big splash at the end - Where's Missy T?

Moo enjoying the cool of the water

Missy T

As I said yesterday, Mal dropped the girls at work with their bikes so we could ride home together.  We took the long way home so we didn't have to cross any major roads and the added bonus was we stopped off at one of the parks and grabbed an ice cream for a bit of a treat.  Gladdie is quite a hilly town and being by the sea we get an afternoon breeze gale  into which we always seemed to be riding so the ride home was pretty hard yakka.  Toward the end of the ride there is a long incline which is tough going and I really had to pep the girls up to keep them going.  Missy T was absolutely knackered and I think it might be awhile before I can talk her into it again.  LOL!  I enjoy being able to do these sort of things with the girls and I hope to continue once the kids get back to school.  That can sometimes be the problem when school and sports starts back up; it's hard to fit in family exercise but I know I need to make more of an effort as the benefits make it worthwhile.

Back Into It

Well that's Christmas and New Year over and done with for another year.  I have been in a bit of a slump over the last month or so and am determined to get back on track. 

We have just had a camping holiday at Cania Gorge which always seems to help me get my head in the right place.  Nothing like a few days of R and R to set the world right again.  We had an absolute blast and spent most of our time at the water park they have just installed at the caravan park.  The highlight was joining all the kids in a backwards train.  We also took over one of the pools and got a great workout when someone yelled out 'Whirlpool!'  Yep, we created a whirlpool in the pool by running around the edge which was loads of fun and exhausting too.  The waterpark was a relief when the heatwave hit ... 38 deg C is not fun when you are camping.

Today, I got my trusty bike out and rode to work.  It is nice to be able to mix up my workouts with the added bonus of doing my bit for the environment and saving some cash as well.  I said to Mal to drop the girls off on his way to cricket training and we can ride home together for a bit of fun.  I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm baaaack!

It was wet and cold but we still had a great time. As I said in my status update on Facebook and Twitter, camping makes you appreciate the small things. For me, having clean, dry feet is something I love when I get home.


Enjoying a nice glass of red after setting up camp.


We do it tough when we camp. I swear, we never go hungry!

Camping Weekend

We are heading away this weekend to freeze our butts off out at Cania. This, in 12wbt terms, would be classed as red flags. There will be drinking and plenty of yummy eats which I should be planning around - that is, if I were a good little 12wbt-er. I should have clean eats planned and I should abstain from alcohol, but where is the fun in that! Nah, I'm a rebel ... I'm not eating to plan and I have a good supply of wine and Bundy rum. Oh, and none of that diet shit to go with the rum. I know I'll regret it on Weigh-in Wednesday but at least I'm going to have a great time :o)

Back To Reality

2 long weekends and 2 camping trips. It was hard to take getting up in the morning, stepping out of the camper onto the beach.

And having to look at sunsets like this ...


The only downside was no toilet, apart from a drop toilet a little way down the track.

I have come back a couple of kgs heavier but enjoyed the break away from everything. It is time to get my groove back and start eating cleaner, not just for weight management but to get back to firing on all cylinders.

What We Have Been Doing ...

Camping with friends


Lazy days at the beach

A quick visit to the Tondoon Botanical Gardens

I'm Back

Well the comp is done and dusted and we've had a week at the Sunshine Coast which wasn't very sunny at all. I swear we could break droughts just by going camping!

The comp was fun - it was nice to be back up there again. I got ready back at the camp ground and I got some funny looks as I was getting ready in the bathroom. I have to admit I was pretty proud of the job I did on my hair and make-up as I have no talent in that department whatsoever. Mal tanned me up in the camper with the heater going as it was rainy and wet all day.

I was amazed when we got to the Sleemans Centre as it was packed this time and the only seats were way up the back. There was a good vibe and I was feeling pretty good. I met up with my backstage helper to fix up my tan and pump up. The nerves hit me just before we went up on stage and I couldn't stop shaking which unfortunately distracted me during my poses. I really need to learn how to keep my nerves in check. I wasn't called out which I have to admit I was a little disappointed ... I think everyone wants some recognition for all the hard work ... but I know my legs really let me down. The top 3 definitely deserved their placings.

So after a couple of minutes on stage it was all over, time to head back to camp and celebrate and I think I spent the rest of the week celebrating. After a lazy week with only a few walks as exercise I'm looking forward to getting back to eating clean and training hard.

TGIF

Phew! What a week! Training hasn't gone exactly as planned this week but I still managed to get most of my sessions in. I guess I'm going to have weeks like that and as some people who are a hell of a lot smarter than me said, "This is a marathon, not a sprint." Despite missing some workouts and not eating to 'plan' I've managed to drop a couple of 100 g. I think this will set me up nicely for when I really have to starting leaning out, I shouldn't have to do anything too drastic to get lean.

We are off camping this weekend and I can't wait. I have been looking at the BOM website and the minimum at Monto looks like it will a balmy 2degC at night. FAAARRRK! We have packed our winter woolies and blankies and will definitely have the campfires going. The days will be gorgeous though and we are looking forward to chillaxing. I have prepped my meals plus I have a stash of my fave hommus so I can't see me eating too badly, mind you, I've also packed some red wine ... but that's to keep me warm :o)

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

Look What We Bought

Yay, we finally got ourselves a camper trailer!!! I'm so looking forward to spending weekends away with the fam. The goal is to have it set up so whenever we want to take off for the weekend, we can just hook it up and go.

Home Again

I'm back from our short break away camping. It was a fantastic week with a group of friends we have known for years. It amazes me how you can be apart from some people and yet when you get together its like you've never been apart. The week was incredibly relaxing and I had the chance to catch up on some reading and just laze about doing not much at all. I think it was just what this family needed after a year of running around.

I have another week off before I start my new job, I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with the kidlets and then we are off camping again for the Australia Day weekend. Yeah, life doesn't get better than this. :o)

Weekend Away

We have just gotten back from a lovely weekend away camping at Cania Gorge. It was a great weekend with fabulous company and the kids had an absolute ball playing with all their friends. It was incredibly relaxing which is just what we all needed. I think the highlight was sitting around the campfire last night roasting marshmellows and singing (badly) along with Hubby playing guitar. I woke this morning to cuddles and kisses from the girls wishing me a Happy Birthday. Life can't get much better than being surrounded by family and good friends on one's birthday. Mind you, I think I'm feeling 87 and not 37 today as my ankle is still giving me curry and both knees have been playing up. Time to book in for a massage methinks.