Discovering the pioneer settlement

Nothing like a slow start to the day when you don’t have much planned.  Jason of course was up early and went down to check out his shrimp traps that he set overnight.  He obviously got a few as the next thing he was asking is to go fishing for a while.  Maybe I would be more excited about this if I knew he would return with a nice catch of fresh fish, but alas he still returned empty handed.

It is the small things that excite you sometimes and today for me it was the fact that the laundry actually had the ability to do warm loads of washing!!!!  Talk about making me happy.  It is sad I know, but all the other caravan park laundries so far had only had cold wash.  This just makes getting Hamish’s and Kayla’s clothes clean that little bit harder.

We had decided to check out the pioneer settlement but where quite open to what it would be like.  All the reviews had been positive about what they had to offer but quite a few people said it was expensive for two hours of entertainment.  Having now been through it I am thinking that they must have been walking through the centre with their eyes wide shut.  I don’t know how they could get through it all in two hours (even without kids).  We got there at 10 am and didn’t leave until 3:30pm and are still going to return tomorrow as we would like to revisit some things and there are still parts we hadn’t covered. 

The main street.

 

Hamish enjoying the carriage ride.

 

Yes we did spend a lot of time at the baby animal farm and the horse and carriage ride was a massive hit with Hamish.  Honestly it was well worth the $72 to get in and that included a one hour cruise on the paddle steamer and entry tomorrow.  If you do every go, you must go to the traditional café and have the scones with jam and cream.  They were so soft and delicious; I really wish I could make them like this.  We watched the blacksmith make a mini horse shoe, and then got him to put Hamish’s and Kayla’s name on it for us.  You can even dress up and have your old style photo taken, have a wanted poster printed and of course there is the old style lolly shop where Hamish just happens to pick out the biggest lollypop they sold.

Making friends with the lamb.

 

Come here all my new friends.

 

Kayla's first pat of a piglet.

She seems very interested in these little creatures.

 

Watching very intently as he makes a horse shoe.

 

We learnt quite a few things there and about the Murray River.  We were wondering if the reason the river was so low was because of the whole Murray Darling river basin issue, however we were informed that this is the normal summer level.  So just much like the Thompson everyday level really.  Once we finally left the centre we managed to get the kids asleep and came back to the van for a bit of R&R.  For me this meant reading a magazine, getting the washing in and starting dinner.  For Jason it meant another attempt at fishing which saw him catch another carp and no Murray Cod.

Giving way to a smaller paddle steamer.

 

Getting our "wanted" poster printed.

 

Jason and Hamish enjoying the cruise.

 

Hamish couldn't stay still.

Hamish has made friends with two boys from the next camp and they spent a good hour or so fetching sticks and making a nice pile at the back of our van.  I just hope the managers of the park don’t think we are going to start some sort of bonfire as I am sure that will see us swiftly kicked out.  I find myself wanting to get up and help him up and down the river bank but I know I need to step back and let him learn how to do it himself.  It makes me wonder though at what age do you confidently just let your child go off and play.  Obviously it is a bit different here as we are surrounded by strangers, but out home, what age did Mum and Dad just let us go wandering.  Ideally I don’t want him dragging back any snakes though!

 

On of only two steroscopic theatres in the world - the other is locked away in London.