camping

I can't decide if camping is idyllic magic or nerve jangling hell.  Mix of both I guess.  I reflected as I watched the boys puddling about in the river this morning that this fulfills some expectation of mine of what summer holidays are meant to be - and that in itself is somehow satisfying.   We did something we never do this time - we staying in a proper (expensive!) camp ground.  It was very well appointed, clean loos, warm showers (once appropriate tokens purchased), even an extra big sink in the ladies bathroom with 'baby bath only' painted above it.  I wonder if they have ever had to accomodate a Dad on his own with offspring requiring a baby bath?  The boys loved it.  Oscar probably got most delight from the hours he spent driving his new (from xmas) diggers in the strips of dirt that marked out the camp sites although he also enjoyed bugs, throwing stones and water play oh and found sleeping in a tent soooooo exciting -did I say sleeping?  shouldn't have.   Leo made new 'best friends' constantly.  I ended up spending a bit of time returning strays - as I draw the line at looking after strangers kids aged 4-6 as they swim in a river - paranoid maybe but that's my limit.    Lack of sleep was a significant trial - the first obstacle was entirely predictably our energetic excessively excited boys, then as they finally drifted off the alcohol imbibing youth element started up.   The following night the boys went down much more easily but  the wind - lordy it was something.  Luckily our tent survived, many others didn't and when we emerged this morning many had clearly packed up and left in the night.  The grounds were strewn with branches and leaves - the owners had been up since first light with chain saws - wierd how kids can sleep through raucous teenage parties, raging norwest winds and close range chainsawing!  If only we were so lucky.    We had a final swim before we left and piled back into the car - instantly too hot (31 degrees!).  It was an absolute pleasure to hit the cooler West Coast air - and will be even better to sleep in our own beds tonight. 
Here is Leo showing off his new found water confidence (thanks to school holiday swim programme at aquatic centre) and Oscar determinedly relaxing after keeping us all up half the night!!