27/12/2021
Yesterday morning, Boxing Day, we headed to the shops. Eloise was on a mission to exchange her Christmas shoes for ones that fit and she could not wait any longer.
It was also the first day that new COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in both Scotland and South Australia. Scotland has limited indoor events to 200 people and outdoor events to 500 people. Everyone is encouraged to take a lateral flow test before leaving the house. A box of seven can be requested for same-day delivery online. We cannot believe they are $15 each in Adelaide, what!?!?!? In Adelaide “home gathering caps will shrink from 30 people to 10 people” in an attempt to stop the overloaded hospitals from overloading further. Not sure what the plan down south is but surely BoJo is working on it seeing as there is no point in watching England try and play cricket. “England resist lockdowns despite soaring COVID cases as European neighbours implement curbs”.
Let us hope in a decades time when Eloise and Lachlan are reading this, COVID-19 is less restrictive on our lives.
Eloise and Lachlan, the below video pretty much sums up how the world imploded.
Now back to the good stuff… Pope Lachlan.
This morning after the roof-box had been reinstalled we packed the Rugrats and the new Christmas sledge into the car and we were off in search of snow.
Liam “Come on Eloise”.
Eloise “Why?”
Liam “We are going on another holiday”.
Eloise “Why?”
Liam “Because holidays are fun”.
Eloise “Why?”
Liam “Because we get to see and try new things”.
Eloise “Why?”
Lachnado “haaa heee ha ha ha ha heeeee”.
After playing 20 questions we headed north. The 4°C snowflake symbol on the car screen became, 3°C and then 2°C and we started to see snow. Eloise stopped for a bush wee just before Dalnaspidal. However, it was unsuccessful and all she managed was a frozen toosh with a lot of giggles. Poor Foxie also fell out of the car and has a muddy head. Foxie now has matching head bruises with Eloise who donked it on her bed a couple of nights ago. We were then fast but not furious until we reached Dalwhinnie and found a toilet for Captain Underpants, crisis averted. It was also Eloise’s first shot at the ice shuffle. Sophie strategically used her as a walking aid.
We ascended through the beautiful Highlands and more snow appeared until we reached Cairngorm Mountain Snowsports Centre. This was more like it. Booyahhh! Tobogganing time. Well almost, first Lachlan feeding time. After weeks of making snowmen out of Play-Doh and recently watching Frozen on repeat, she was ready to go “come on Lach, snowman Lach”.
It was a wee tricky traversing the slippery winter trail past the main ski slope until we reached the unofficial tobogganing area. The compacted icy winter trail was so slippery near the top we decided it was safer for Lachlan to progress in the sledge. He was the real winner. It was not too busy, these must be either the die-hard snow enthusiasts or Australians as it is only the start of the snow season.
We managed to reach the unofficial tobogganing area without stacking it or being taken out by someone else who had stacked it. Here goes nothing, turns out it was most likely steeper than the regulation two-year-old tobogganing slope.
After a few impressive wipeouts, it was time to build a snowman. Eloise made quick work while Lachlan also helped out, although he was more interested in nomming the snowman. Classic Lachnado. We had forgotten the carrot nose and coal buttons. There were not any sticks in sight either. Not a bad first attempt though.
We then made our way back down the winter track. This time Eloise was with Sophie descending in style past the tubers.
The snow, which is only just beginning, was a highlight of our adventures so far. It was great for the kids. We were quick to change our minds, this is our favourite time of year. Before heading off completely we deployed Darryl who had been grounded for a while due to COP26 air restrictions.
It feels like we have told a million people in the UK, believe it or not, we do actually get snow in Australia. It is not just bush fires, snakes and kangaroo riding all the time. Although it is at least an eleven-hour drive to the ski resorts in Victoria or New South Wales.
Unfortunately, I do not have footage of Hugh going down the Perisher Goat Track in 2009.
Near the bottom of the mountain, we pulled up at Loch Morlich. Liam slowly crept onto the loch while paying close attention to the creaking under the dadbod. Not wanting to recreate the opening scene from James Bond No Time to Die, we headed back to the car and continued following our noses.
We continued pushing through the Highlands but unfortunately did not see any Highland Coos, there was plenty of boring sheep. Bill and Jennine had hired a large three bedroom lighthouse cottage at Covesea Lighthouse & Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Heritage Centre and kindly invited us to stay with them, insisting it had enough room for even the kids. They might regret that later. Bill met us at the gate and looked like a genuine lighthouse keeper. It must be the beard. Eloise was quick to make herself at home and Lachlan was happy to be able to crawl around again.
Eloise loved the colourful lights on the lighthouse at night and made poor Bill stand out with her in the sub 0°C to watch them.
well done on the snow adventures! brave!