New friends, the 'best view in the world' and exciting news from Melbs

Onto the much raved about Freycinet National Park - home of the 'best view in the world' - over Wineglass Bay. Spent a very wet night next to Moulting Game Reserve (internationally acclaimed birdwatching site AND seasonal duckshooting hotspot - go figure...) then moved into our campsite in the national park - right on a lovely sheltered beach just near Coles Bay. Spashes of squid ink all over the town jetty got Bill's blood boiling and a new routine of night fishing with various new friends and a hipflask began. The campsite was beautiful but we felt a bit packed in - too close to our neighbours so thankfully they were mainly very nice (except the couple who stopped to comment loudly and unflatteringly on every aspect of our set-up without realising we were in it!). We were lucky enough to meet Tony from near Davenport and his lovely three children -Tia, Dana and Will. Not only were they great company and endless hours of beach fun for the kids, they had three kayaks and were kind enough to paddle Zara and Sash around the little bay. Our bold Zara decided to take the oars and we watched her heading out to sea until Tony paddled out to turn her around. We also joined Tony and his gang on a hike to the Wineglass Bay lookout, down to spectacular Wineglass Bay beach, then back around to the car. It should have taken 5 hours but with Sash's little legs it took a bit longer... Zara did the entire walk hand-in-hand with very sweet 9yo Dana. We are looking forward to catching up with them all when we pass through Davenport on our way back to the boat. We also enjoyed a few glasses of wine and dinner with Michael, Julie and their three lovely daughters. Zara found a good friend in Aja and they spent much time reading eachother jokes from Zara's collection, and riding bikes up and down the campground. Bill and Michael hit the jetty together - without much luck but plenty of good conversation.

Homeschooling with Zara is going well. We have been taking it in turns to teach for one hour each weekday morning. Like most parents we are over-interested in our child's possibilities and tend to go straight for the harder stuff instead of focusing on the basic curriculum as provided by the distance ed school. Bill, who has been teaching maths, almost has Zara on long-division! So we've decided to slow the pace and make sure we are covering the basics as well! But it's great fun for all of us and Zara is even begging for school on the weekend. Let's see if our mutual enthusiasm remains...

Oh and while at Coles Bay, we were totally thrilled to hear about the peaceful arrival of two special new people in Melbourne - our niece Freya Marlo, and little brother to Ada, Henry David! Massive congrats and big kisses to Tom, Aimie, Cole and Liz, Dave and Ada! We can't wait to meet Freya and Henry when we pass through Melbs next month!