Australia Day at Catherine Hill Bay

We set out for Cathos at about 8am  – it only takes about 1/2 hour to drive there. Nige, Darren, and Jason decided to ride there, so they left at about 7.15, while we bundled all the bags and kids up in the car. Of course I could NOT find my car keys anywhere {Nige used them last grrrr} but luckily he had left his keys in my bag.

Sarah and Nadine rang to say they were on their way, and Heather & Colin said they’d meet us there. We passed the boys a couple of km’s from the beach, and waited for them in the carpark. They arrived looking sweaty and hot, and definitely ready for a swim. Catherine Hill Bay rock pool is a bit of a hike from the carpark, so we got organised and started out. We walked along to the end of the beach, and then followed the path up over the rocks and around through the bush. It actually wasn’t very far, and the older kids walked the entire way. DaisyBaby wanted to be carried for a bit, but she always does .

The rock pool is really large, for a rock pool. More like a lake! It’s lovely, with fish swimming around in it, and quite clear too. The waves wash up over the rocks and so the water stays fairly fresh. The water temperature was beautiful - cool and refreshing – and the sky was the usual summer day cobalt blue. We put on goggles and masks and went in search of fish. I followed a school of cute little fish around for a while. Saw some pretty, bright yellow striped fish, and some larger ones way down under the rocks. When the girls got tired of the big rock pool, they had a great time splashing around in the smaller, surrounding rock pools.

After our swim we started hiking back to the car. We came out at the end of the beach again, and stayed in there in a sheltered area on the beach for a while. It was just perfect, with large rocks breaking the waves so the kids could play in the water. We headed off at about 1pm, had lunch together at McDonalds, then headed home. Nige and Darren rode home again {insane; the day was SO hot} and, can you believe it, I ran out of petrol just out of Swansea!! Ridiculous, but luckily Sarah was nearby to bail me out. The car said 62km DTE, but obviously that was a load of rubbish! Regardless, we made it home, and then packed up food for a BBQ tea at Heather’s house. Nothing like a sausage sandwich and a pavlova to feel like an Australian haha. Turns out Coles had sold out of double thick cream… I suppose everyone in Australia was having a Pav for desert!

Spent the afternoon eating and watching the kids swim in the pool. I can’t believe they still wanted to swim after being in the water half the morning! Sent the boys home with the kids at about 6.30 and then settled in for Craft Night {Bitch n Stitch} at Heather’s place. One of the best Australia Days yet!

check out the scenery!  just stunning!

Heather, Sarah and Caleb having a swim.

Poppy, thoroughly enjoying herself!

Daisy floating around in her little Wahu vest

Sarah underwater

Daisy harrassing Nige, sneakers and all. Good for climbing out on the rocks, anyway

Darren, Nige and the kids swam to the other side of the pool

I love my underwater macro feature

I found a cute, little school of fish to follow around for a while

and some bigger fish lurking in the depths

Heather entertaining Benzen and some of the other kids in one of the smaller rock pools

Kaelan was worried about ‘sea urchins getting him’ but overcame his fear and had a great time

Elijah all kitted out for a dive

A truly breathtaking day

Poppy and I on an adventure

Daisy amusing herself with little rocks and shells on the edge of one of the smaller rock pools

Colin, Benzen, and Jason

Sarah floating around in her very buoyant wetsuit

The obligatory self-portraits with kids!

Ebony, Olivia, and Poppy on a mission

Nige and Darren having a chat

Nige, telling Jason a good story

and on this note, I’m off to get a pedicure tonight, with the girls!

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