Houseboats and Holiday Homes

With me still feeling rough, we piled in the car once again and headed back up to Renmark for Katy's birthday celebrations. This trip was a little different though, we were staying on one of the houseboats. Somehow we managed to wangle staying on one of Sarah and Tom's poshest boats which was incredible. I think we were a little spoilt there. It even had a spa on the roof! That weekend was also a boating festival in Renmark with various events taking place over the weekend. Friday night was the "dash for cash" tinny boat racing and we joined the rest of the town on the banks of the river to watch the racing. The tinny boats are small tin boats that kind of look like old fashioned baths with motors attached. They can get up to some serious speeds and with the crews flinging them around sharp corners there were the inevitable flips and overturns making interesting viewing. A further bonus was the family of possums living in the palm trees along the river, which were incredibly cute!

On Saturday we spent the day chilling at the brewery and relaxing on the boat. I somehow managed to escape from child-minding duties and settled in a sun lounger on the roof of the boat to read my book for a while. Then in the late afternoon we were joined on the boat by a few friends and set off down the river to find the perfect party spot. We moored at a sandbar a few k's down the river and got the party started. The girls immediately took possession of the champagne and the spa and remained there until the hunger pangs became too big to ignore. A feast of lasagne later and we resumed our positions only to be attacked by the boys who all piled in together, over-flowing the spa and completely ruining our relaxing soak. Although, some entertainment was provided when Tom decided to put on Katy's dress and do stripper-esque dances for us. Hilarious and unforgettable end to the night.

Sunday was a relaxing family day with the five of us staying on the boat at the Sandbar while Sarah and Tom went back to open up the brewery. The kids loved having a little beach all to themselves and spent the whole day playing around the river. The kids also had the best time doing shows for us all to watch. They made a stage from sofa cushions and then danced and pranced about singing various songs that they either knew from childcare or completely made up. My favourite part was that for each show Scarlett made Boot introduce them to the stage by saying "Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome on stage Scarlett and Joshie in the something show". After the kids had gone to bed Sarah and Tom hosted curry night on the boat and we had a repeat, albeit a much quieter one, of the previous night. So after another amazing weekend in the riverlands, I was really sad to say goodbye to Sarah and Tom. And the goodbyes are only going to get harder...

After a quick pitstop back at home to wash heaps of loads of dirty washing, stock up on food and alcohol and sort out a bed-bug situation in my room, we packed up again for my final trip. But first it was Katy's birthday and after a bargainous find by Boot of a half-price voucher, Katy booked us on a wine-tasting bus tour. This was random. That has to be the most accurate description. It involved a full commentary tour of Adelaide city, including an explanation of how to use the tram system, a stop off at the world's largest rocking horse, lunch at a hotel that is obviously used to catering for the elderly and a detour to the whispering wall. Thank god the alcohol powered us through. Never forgotten bus trip, that one.

My final trip was four nights in a beach house in Port Hughes. It is a gorgeous little beach resort with two incredible beaches, one of which our house over-looked. The weather was stunning so by day we frolicked around on the deserted beaches and by night we sat out on our balcony chatting, drinking and relaxing. We all had an awesome time and it was a great way to end my three months. This kids behaved beautifully and adored being allowed to run around on the beach with pretty much complete freedom. I got to top up my tan ready to make everyone back at home incredibly jealous and me and Katy got some quality time together before I leave. I can't believe my three months is over now. Time has absolutely flown and I am going to miss the kids so much. Knowing that Josh is going to be older than Scarlett is now when I see him next is so scary. All I can hope is that someone will employ me and I can earn enough money to get myself out here again as soon as possible. No pressure there then.