Going Bush Once More

B & L Excursions returned to Middlebrook Station this past weekend for a few days of bush camping, cooking, quad bike riding and some crazy antics with our hosts (The Hendersons - Hamish 'Hendo', Jackie, Isabella and Georgia), a few new friends (Neil, Leann, Sophie and Torben) and our best mates (Adam, Vanessa, Nick and Maddi).

Within the landscape of a cattle and sheep property, not too far from home, we set up our camp in a clearing amongst the gum trees and built the biggest campfire I've ever seen. S'mores were a big hit with those new to this classic campfire treat, Adam baked a scrumptious damper in the camp oven, we hung a quad bike in a tree just for fun, chased kangaroos, did a little target shooting, endulged in a bottle of pear schnaaps around the inferno and the kids set out on a scavenger hunt one afternoon to collect items like dead ants, roo poo, mushrooms, fencing wire, etc. They had a great time and yes, fun was definitely had by all and we're ready for our next big adventure.

Biker Chicks - Vanessa and Maddi

New vs Old - breaking in the "billy"

Leann the crack shot!

The Hendersons arrive in their "Woohoo" - notice the matress strapped down on the top with an electrical cord for the fridge. You're a genius 'Hendo' !

Look Ma, we caught us a Quaddie!

Happy Kampers!

Take aim 'Rusty'!

Torben deep in concentration and Adam wondering 'what is that kid aiming at?'

We think camping is cool! Nick, Maddi and Torben

Can you give me a lift Leann!

The Inferno begins with just a little smoke

We need another log for the campfire BK!



Our catch-of-the-day!

Isabella models the latest country fashion - The hat fits perfertly daddy! 



Big sis can shoot too 'Nicko'!

What makes the sky blue mum? (Hamish, Jackie and Georgia)

Bugger!

Retired!

I Love Bugs!

Yesterday I needed to investigate some dying trees in our rehabilitation area at work. Upon inspection, I found the culprit to be caused by some kind of borer. As an agrono and Pest Control Advior (PCA), I felt right in my element digging around the sappy and frassy (insect poop) bark in search of the responsible critter. Once I found my crawly little friend, I couldn't get anyone to hold him while I took a photo, so I grabbed him myself and plopped him in the palm of my hand. Ladies and gentlemen, that is why my mom always called me the "buglady" - I love it! The only thing about all this is that it makes me miss all my PCA work back home in the fields of California just that much more. Sigh!

Supermoon

Last night, March 19th, we experienced a "perigee" moon, which is when the moon is closest to the Earth. When its orbit is the farthest from Earth, it is called a "apogee moon". The term "Supermoon" was invented to describe the location of the orbit in proximity to Earth which gives a slightly larger and brighter than normal appearance of the moon.

We've seen some night sky photos taken out in the middle of Australia that were absolutely incredible, so we decided to seize the opportunity of the "Supermoon" to have a little practice in honing our photography skills before we begin our big outback adventure in August (only 147 sleeps now). Even though the conditions were slightly cloudy, we could still capture the moon as it drifted in and out of view.

Coming Soon - Winter 2011

Plans are in the works as the Lewis and King group (a.k.a. L & K Excursions) prepare for their big outback adventure this winter. We're all very excited about our 2 week jouney out west and the wonderful and amazing things we'll discover along way. Our trek takes us across the middle of Oz and out to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory. I have no doubt there will be plenty of photo opportunities around every bend.

Uluru (u:lu:'ru), also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. By road, "The Rock" lies 450 km (280 mi) south west of the nearest large town known as "The Alice" (Alice Springs) with a population of 26,188.

Departure Clock: only 151 more sleeps!