Day 6 - Recharging in Lightening Ridge

The combination of activities, travel and the heat in Lightening Ridge slowed us right down. We've learnt, but not yet mastered the fact we are running a marathon. Its only 6 days in, but we know we need to manage our energy levels to keep from falling in a heap. Today was about some basic pleasures and recharging. Doing some homework with the boys, chilling in the pool and eating plenty of good food. Life in the caravan has its challenges. We need to keep on top of all the stuff otherwise, in such a tiny house, it starts to own us. The boys must be getting tired of us chewing them out for leaving dirty clothes on the floor, or battling them to do the dishes... Holiday home economics right - we will persist!

The kids must have spent about 5 hours in the pool today. It's great to see them grow confidence in the water, especially as we'll be on the Great Barrier Reef in a week or so. They are keeping their own journal and are a bit shy to post here at this stage. If Tom was posting, he'd be telling you how Lightening Ridge got it's name - he says it became infamous for a lightening storm that unfortunately accounted for an entire flock sheep - I googled it and he's right. 

Josh surprised me when we were talking to some fellow campers about opals. He demonstrated impressive knowledge when he casually mentioned he was after the "Party" opal. He's been paying attention to his grandparents lessons (thanks Jack and Jan!). I had no idea what he was talking about, but the older gentleman he was talking to shot me a look of admiration. Here's a pic of the Party pattern opal and the boys updating their journals:

Everyone is in bed now, a/c is keeping us cool after a seriously hot day of 38+ degrees. The port that supplies TV signal is dead. Probably a good thing as we are listening to healthy local ABC radio and sharing family movies (thanks Fi for the movies!!). 

Right now the van is hitched up as we'll be on the road early to begin our 664 km drive to Canarvon Gorge. Um, yes the ipads are charged... they kinda kicks ass over the rubik's cube and eye spy we had as kids 😁