Here are some photos from our four weeks in Drouin at the new Nicholls family seat.
No holiday with Sam is complete without lots of train rides. This time we went for a ride on the
Walhalla Goldfields Railway. The children in front of Kasey, the engine.
More old time Australia. The children clambered over every 19th century conveyance that they could find at
Gippsland Heritage park in Moe....
...including this old fire truck. Moments after this photo was taken, Hannah jumped out looking for something else. Half an hour later, Sam needed to be bribed to get him out of the driver's seat.
Walking through a rainforest is hungry work. Following a ramble in
Glen Nayook, the children recharge with muffins.
Aunty Vicki about to get hugged. Nicky trying to hide.
This photo of Sam adds to the stock of Nicholls photos of the View Master, one of the key technological innovations of the 20th century.
Grandpa making his famous soup.
The Nicholls family library. Books about cricket and footy on the back wall. Books about sheilas in long white dresses on the right hand wall.
Sam showing his style with our new game of Totem Tennis (that's Swingball for you Brits) during one of our barbecues at
Tarago Reservoir.
The 90 year old Noojee Trestle Bridge.
The children asked to go to
Melbourne Zoo on the day we arrived in Australia. After a couple of weeks we finally made it.
I kept being told to take photos in the same locations as last time.
Hannah and friends at
Gumbuya Park.
Hannah and Sam talked to the cockatoos. One of them had Sam laughing hysterically with his crazy dance routine.
All set for the Twister Karts.
Nana gives Hannah a loving cuddle. Hannah eyes up Nana's pudding. Lunch at
Brandy Creek Winery.
The hand of chocolate strikes.
Serious footy talk.
Sam's favourite new item of clothing. A black and red headband which, Grandpa assured him, made him look cool.
Uncle Dean. A portrait by Sam Nicholls.
Aunty Vicki providing a lesson in poise and decorum.
Vicki holding Hannah on her lap while Sam is doing his "I can rest on your shoulder with my chin" routine, yet again!
The end of a wonderful holiday, and a group shot where everyone is smiling!
Sam's new teacher described him to me last week as a "very earnest boy." I hadn't thought of him that way before, but he certainly takes his face painting seriously.
Freya was asked to describe her day with Sam. "Oh, I guess he loves me," she replied.
Fall in New York means it's time for apples. We hired a noise making device that was described to us as a car, and eventually made it to Applewood Orchards. Here's Hannah with Astrid and Freya Veal and the product of their labors.
Or should that be the product of Sam's labors? Here he is hard at work.
Outside Kingston Fire Museum on Saturday with Philip. Children in their new Fireman hats.
Sam at the wheel of another old fire engine. Scroll down for a photo of the children in Australia doing the same thing.
Pauline giving Hannah botanical pointers in the backyard of the house.
Prairie dogs may be making a comeback, but there were none to be found in their enclosure at Prospect Park Zoo. Hannah substitutes.
Sam pretending to milk a pretend cow.
No holiday with Sam is complete without lots of train rides. This time we went for a ride on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. The children in front of Kasey, the engine.
More old time Australia. The children clambered over every 19th century conveyance that they could find at Gippsland Heritage park in Moe....
...including this old fire truck. Moments after this photo was taken, Hannah jumped out looking for something else. Half an hour later, Sam needed to be bribed to get him out of the driver's seat.
Walking through a rainforest is hungry work. Following a ramble in Glen Nayook, the children recharge with muffins.
Aunty Vicki about to get hugged. Nicky trying to hide.
This photo of Sam adds to the stock of Nicholls photos of the View Master, one of the key technological innovations of the 20th century.
Grandpa making his famous soup.
The Nicholls family library. Books about cricket and footy on the back wall. Books about sheilas in long white dresses on the right hand wall.
Sam showing his style with our new game of Totem Tennis (that's Swingball for you Brits) during one of our barbecues at Tarago Reservoir.
The 90 year old Noojee Trestle Bridge.
The children asked to go to Melbourne Zoo on the day we arrived in Australia. After a couple of weeks we finally made it.
I kept being told to take photos in the same locations as last time.
Hannah and friends at Gumbuya Park.
Hannah and Sam talked to the cockatoos. One of them had Sam laughing hysterically with his crazy dance routine.
All set for the Twister Karts.
Nana gives Hannah a loving cuddle. Hannah eyes up Nana's pudding. Lunch at Brandy Creek Winery.
The hand of chocolate strikes.
Serious footy talk.
Sam's favourite new item of clothing. A black and red headband which, Grandpa assured him, made him look cool.
Uncle Dean. A portrait by Sam Nicholls.
Aunty Vicki providing a lesson in poise and decorum.
Vicki holding Hannah on her lap while Sam is doing his "I can rest on your shoulder with my chin" routine, yet again!
The end of a wonderful holiday, and a group shot where everyone is smiling!
