Australia Day in Cronulla

What happens when you invite six strangers who your cousin met in a kibbutz 20 years ago to come and camp in your garden?  Why a whole lot of fun of course!

Andrew and Rachel and their four adventurous kids are possibly the easiest family in the world to host!  How we would love to be doing what they are doing on their eight month round the world trip!  Their girls have raised $30k to buy shoes for a school that burnt down in Kenya.  They'll be there later this year to order shoes from local cobblers and support the local economy.  Inspiring!

 With lots of energy to spare and a two year old to consider, they spent the morning at Symbio Wildlife Park, resisted the temptation to bring a kangaroo home to our place and spent Saturday afternoon and evening with us in Cronulla for the Australia Day festivities.

Sadly you can't see it in this photo but this family had hoisted their Aussie flag and weighted it down with a pair of flip flops!

 All afternoon concerts are lots of fun when all you've got to do is sit and soak up the sunshine, have a drink and eat!  This is one of my favourite places and favourite moments. You can't beat good music, sunshine and a beach vista as the backdrop.  Truly relaxing.

 As the evening progressed, the park filled up.

 Getting ready for a swim and later, pizza.  With eleven people, the Fijian mat came in handy.

 A glorious glow which darkened into night and ended with riotous fireworks.  I was amazed that Little Bun sat through the entire thing without flinching or crying but watching with genuine pleasure, a first for her.
 

The adventurers left us with 48 hours of non-stop rain as they headed to their next destination.  We'll see them again in a couple of weeks before they head out of the country.