Cockatoo Island

Last week we had a homeschool excursion to Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour.

Initially we were going to be divided into two groups - one primary and one high school, but on the day we only had one tour guide, but it worked well and was very informative.

I had never been to Cockatoo Island and was always curious...now I know - a mix of indigenous, convict and industrial history all crowded into one little island in the middle of Sydney Harbour.

Waiting for the ferry

A silo dug out of the sandstone by convicts to store wheat

Charlie and Natalie in the convict barracks

And then, after the tour, there was time to wander around the art exhibits for the Biennale, and play a bit of chess!

Leave a Comment art, Charlie, Erin, excursion, homeschool, HSIE, Natale, Sydney

RIP Buff

A few months before Christmas a friend gave us their last guinea pig (her mate had died).  As they are herd animals, my friend was looking for a home for her guinea pig where she could live with friends.  So, of course, Erin put up her hand and Buff (originally Sally) came into our lives.

She was the best lawnmower, always eating, and quickly became the matriarch of our little group (at that time there was four of them).

Then about three weeks ago we came home and found she had died.  She looked peaceful, but it was very sad and I don't really know why she died.  But after a short funeral, we remembered her with art.

Natalie's

Erin's

Leave a Comment animals, art, Erin, Natale

More rockpools, sand dunes and surf

This April has been unseasonably hot - definitely NOT Autumn weather.   And that means we have been going to the beach almost every day.  It's only in the last week that the water temperature has dropped and only today that the clouds have come over (so I haven't been for a swim for the last few days), but that hasn't stopped the children.  And now with three teenagers in the house following the surf conditions, I find myself learning and understanding more about tides, wind and swell.

Here are some snaps from recent beach adventures.

The next shell collection

Charlie with friends doing what teenage boys do - making a mother's heart jump!

As the wave comes over the top

The more sedate "girls" pool

Feeding the locals

The favourite sand dunes for sliding down

Rory

Natalie

Erin

Mermaid Girl

Charlie and Alban

Leave a Comment Charlie, Erin, excursion, family, Natale, outdoors, Rory