Camping at Point Leo

Over the Christmas period, Ben took two and a half weeks off work. During this time we stayed home and did little more than see family and visit the beach. It was marvellous. And now here we are, one month into the new year with an abundance of energy. All this is to say we didn't need a holiday, and yet sometime in January I booked two nights at a local camping ground simply because it felt like a good idea. And it was. Last weekend the three of us loaded up the car with pillows, towels and mosquito repellent and headed to Point Leo. Since purchasing a gloriously large canvas tent almost a year ago, we've accumulated a number of camping-related items that allow for comfortable getaways. Most recently, we purchased a kitchen bench-type contraption on sale, upon which we can place a camp stove (which we borrow from my parents) and prepare meals. We now also have camp chairs (ours are Oz Trail brand, while Joan's is from Kmart), a folding bin (from Aldi) and dish-washing basket, and a dust pan and broom. It feels as though we're getting the hang of this outdoor holiday thing. 

Two and a half years ago, when our daughter was busy growing strong in my belly, I introduced Ben to camping via Happy Glamper. Coming back to the same spot with Joan felt surreal. And oh gosh, it was so much fun. In the mornings we would go for walks, spotting bunny rabbits and talking about the holes in the ground where ants live. Then we'd head to the beach to play in rock pools, look for crabs and make sand castles. We cooked meals together and ate outdoors, sitting in our cozy camp chairs. From the general store we bought chips and icecreams, including Joan's first Paddle Pop, which she declared to be wonderful. One morning we drove to Johnny Ripe for coffee and croissants and later that day, while Ben and I sat in our chairs reading books FOR A WHOLE HOUR, Joan played in the dirt and sung to herself as she pretended to wash the car. In the evening, when Joan had fallen asleep, Ben and I cuddled up to her in bed and watched a show on the iPad with earphones. And when she woke in the morning, we crept out of the tent with beanies and bananas in our hands, and walked to the beach to watch the sunrise. Our entire weekend didn't go off without a glitch - the camp stove was temperamental so we often had to revert to the camping ground kitchen (thank goodness they had one!), and Joan is a normal toddler so we had our fair share of boundary setting and negotiations requiring umpteen amounts of patience. But there's something magical about being outside amongst the trees in pleasing weather. It realigns and energises you, and I think that's why it felt as though our little holiday was sprinkled with fairy dust.

Here are some pictures from our camping weekend, as well as a few notes. Joan has recently decided that she is, in fact, Minnie Mouse and insists on wearing her Minnie ears at all times. She also requests that we refer to her as "Minnie" (or sometimes, "Big Girl Minnie"). 

Magical tree shadows. A note on our mattress: after purchasing a cheaper one that didn't last, we recently bought this mattress, which is fantastic.

My parents, who live 5-10 minutes from Point Leo, visited us on Friday evening.

Beef stew for dinner on the first night, made the previous day at home. I'll share the recipe soon!

Croissants are our love language.

Cooking scrambled eggs for lunch.

Bless that little salt container, made by my Dad.

Icecream break. Note the Minnie ears OVER the hat. Joan's idea.

Our classic camp breakfast inspired by Vanessa: porridge with dates and tahini. We cooked rolled oats and Medjool dates in canned coconut milk (that way there's no need to keep milk cool), then topped our bowls with tahini and walnuts. 

Heidi xo