Hunting for Hermits (17/365)

Pickle and I went on an exploration of parks, and discovered this beach at the top of Point Vernon, near where we're currently living in Hervey Bay.  There are a few rocks amongst the sand, and as it was the end of the day, we decided on just a little splash.  Pickle pointed out a pretty shell, and when I picked it up I realised there was a creature inside.  Not only that, but the beach was absolutely littered with them... all of a sudden, the scatter of shells seemed to come to life before our eyes.  There were dozens and dozens of tiny hermit crabs making their way out with the tide.  Pickle was absolutely intrigued, and spent ages watching them.  He occasionally picked one up for a closer look, but put them back again.

17 January 2013

Apparently there can be baby turtles on occasion too, so this is a beach we'll definitely be going back to explore the rock pools!

I originally edited this photo on Instagram, but preferred the length of the original shot, and wanted to straighten the horizon - I think it makes a better look in the original, unfiltered form.  Hope you agree?

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Cooling Off (12/365)

Today was a scorcher - it was 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit for my North American friends) in the shade!  So after Pickle awoke from a brief afternoon nap - I think he woke up because he was just too hot - I ran him a cool bath.

12 January 2013

There are rules to the accommodation I'm currently staying in: no taking drugs, no growing or producing drugs, nobody to stay and... no paddling pools.  Since wine is my drug of choice (we all have to have some vices, and if that's my worst, I'm doing OK!), I'm happy with all rules, with the exception of the bizarre ban on paddling pools, a little incongruous alongside the others, I think.  So, for now, we'll make do with splish-splash-sploshing in the bath (I may have joined him towards the end).

Cheers, @Kanga_Rue

Tough Day In The Bay (3/365)

Off for a swim.  That's the Grandparentals bottom-right.

3 January 2013

This is their usual spot for a morning coffee, just outside Enzo's on the Beach. Bubbah always goes for a beach walk, and today they both had a swim to beat the heat too.  Pickle and I also went for a swim, and it was the first time since we moved over, that he wasn't a limpet attached to me in the sea. He loves swimming - get him in a pool, and he's all kicking legs, ducking under the water and jumping off the side to me... but I think the enormity of the sea threw him a bit to start.  So hopefully we'll be able to have a regular dip in the ocean, and not only rely on the hospitality of friends (though we had a second swim at a friend's pool this afternoon!).

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Free Range Kids Challenge

Pickle and I were enjoying the sunshine in the local square earlier today; it's become a regular spot for a picnic lunch.  Inevitably at some point, Pickle makes a beeline for the water feature where lots of kids splash about in the very shallow water. 

Normally I'd keep Pickle in his nappy, but I'd paid-forward a nappy to a lady in the library earlier in the day, and having just changed Pickle's nappy, the one he was wearing was the only clean one on us.  He'd already done a massive poo earlier, so I knew this wouldn't be a problem (though it surprised me when he got out of the water to do a wee).

Pickle and I in the top section of the
water "fountain" a couple of weeks ago.

He was happily playing and splashing about for around half an hour.  Then a woman approached asking who his mother was.  She said that a "pedo" was watching him from across the other side of the fountain (it's in two parts and is quite long).  I immediately bundled Pickle up, moved into the terraced square to dress him and jump on a bus home.

I scanned the area, but couldn't see anyone obvious.  I don't see every man on his own as a threat, so it would have helped if the suspect looked like a movie villan, but no luck. 

I was definitely shaken, but as I headed home, I started to reflect.  Was I rash?  Of course I wanted to protect Pickle, that will always be my priority.  But should I have asked who the suspect was and reported him to someone?  Should I have queried the word of a stranger, who may have had her own agenda?  Growing up in Australia, I wouldn't think twice about Pickle being naked on the beach or around water in general, but perhaps I should be more conservative in the UK? 

Bringing up a Free Range Kid is to keep them safe by knowing their individual limits (which will obviously be more relevant as he gets older).  And I'm aware that there are less incidences of abuse these days, despite what sensationalistic media reports would have us think - and most abuse is by those known to the family.  However, I think I did the right thing in the moment.  I'll still go to the square and let Pickle splash about, but will make sure to take a spare nappy or swim nappy with me.  I probably give it a couple of days too.  I'll still let him walk around, smiling and waving at everyone (like I could stop that if I tried!).  Pickle is an independent soul, to quash his spirit would be a travesty.  But I can't say that today doesn't have me a little freaked.

Would love to know if you have any advice or experience to offer?

82/366 - Wet & Wild

Today was a hot and muggy day with 93% humidity in Hervey Bay, so we had to cool down.  I'd been meaning to check out the Wetside Water Education Park.  It's a great place for kids to let off steam and there is a separate area for under-5's... Pickle was a little unsure to start, then took great delight watching the fountain sprays move around, change heights and help him cool off - he had a great time.  I can't believe it's free too!

82/366 - 22 March 2012

I wonder if there's anywhere like this in London (or nearby) for those days that it's hot enough?

Cheers, KangaRue :)


Update:  This is my favourite photo for the week - though Kissing Cousins was a close second.  In this shot Pickle just looks like he's having so much fun - he was really fascinated by the water moving around him.  Take a look at all my other Project365 posts.  Each Sunday you can link up to the weekly favourites at TheBoyandMe's blog by clicking on this button below:  

Bibetta Roll 'n' Go Changing Mat

No doubt regular blog followers will have spotted the fab changing mat I've been using while on holiday with Pickle in Australia.  Photos are dotted around the Project 365 posts, but I've included a couple here (not least so you can gush over my cute little beach bum!).

The Bibetta Roll 'n' Go Changing Mat is made from neoprene (wetsuit material), in a funky blue design and it rolls up with a little velcro tab to keep it together, so it's perfect to keep in the swim bag, then wrap up his wet swim nappy and sun protection top before bunging it all in the washing machine when we get home.  There is also a pink version for the little girl beach bums out there and both are available from VUP Baby for a mere £9.40.

It's been invaluable for use on the beach for Pickle to sit on so he doesn't get covered in sand, on picnic tables to change him in and out of his swim gear, and I can't wait to get him back home and use it when we take him for swimming lessons at the pool, as it will keep him so much warmer and drier than a towel that we've just dried him off with.

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Disclosure:  While I received the changing mat for the purposes of conducting a review, the views above are purely my own; I think you can see from the photos that Pickle is in full agreement.

72/366 - Beach Bum II

Here's a true beach shot of Pickle, after our daily walk and before our swim.  This photo was taken mid morning, and this is how busy the beach in Hervey Bay usually gets... if you peer really closely in the background you can see someone walking!  It's an 8km stretch of beach, and we hang out at the popular spot, though I've rarely seen more than a couple of dozen people dotted along it at any one time.

72/366 - 12 Mar 2012

Pickle just looks so carefree and happy (I think he knows he's about to go for his swim).

This is definitely going to be my favourite photo for the week, so I already know I'm going to link this up, so the button is already below!  Take a look at all my other Project365 posts.  Each Sunday you can link up to the weekly favourites at TheBoyandMe's blog by clicking on this button below:  





Cheers, KangaRue :)

65/366 - Tootsies

Believe it or not, I can't believe how big Pickle's feet have gotten!  Here we are standing at the beach as the waves lapped over our feet.

65/366 - 5 Mar 2012

Cheers, KangaRue :)

62/366 - Bubbah with her Bubbelah II

Another photo of my Mum cuddling Pickle.  After I take him for his swim, Mum has a cuddle so I can have a proper swim.  They looked so serene against the colours of the beach, Aussie sky and the gum tree (I miss gum trees).

62/366 - 2 Mar 2012

Cheers, KangaRue :)

59/366 - Beach Bum

After our daily walk, I've been taking Pickle for a swim.  Here he is mid-change into his swimming gear - I think he's looking forward to it, don't you?

59/366 - 28 Feb 2012

Cheers, KangaRue :)

52/366 - Cool Dude

First day in Hervey Bay, so we had to head straight to the beach.  Sitting outside Enzo's on the Beach is the best spot in town.  Pickle is rocking his sunnies mid change from clothes into his swimming gear before we head for his first real swim in the sea!

52/366 - 21 Feb 2012

Cheers, KangaRue :)

22/366 - Pickle's First Swim

We managed to take Pickle for his first swim today (a little later in the day than we'd planned).  He seemed to enjoy it for the most part - it was a little noisy, with lots of older kids splashing about, but he liked being pulled and bounced through the water.  He didn't go underwater this time - we'll see how he goes next week for that.

22/366

This photo was taken in the change room after his swim, and I think he looks adorable.

Cheers, KangaRue :)