Swan Hill

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SWAN HILL 24th Sept 2011

Up early on Saturday morning to finish off packing the van, hook on and gather five bikes to attach onto car and try to get away by 8am for josh's semi final basketball game! On the way with van in tow we pick up Lachie and head to basketball stadium.
Semi final basketball (1st v 2nd(Josh,s team)). After a nervous
morning the bball game was under way! It was a slow start for the boys and before they knew it, they were down 6-0. After releasing all the sleep in their bodies, they began to claw their way back into the game and by half time they were down 10-6. The second half was a different story and the boys came out with fire in their bellies scoring the first 2 baskets to level the score. From then on the score was neck and neck, until Josh dropped a jump shot from inside the key to put the "good guy's" up by 2 with a minute to go. The ball went from one end to another, but no score. Then SIREN! The boys are in a Grand Final! 16-14. One problem though! They have 3 weeks off and the GF in held on the Saturday of Dads 40th b'day weekend!
Oh well, something will have to be sorted by then!
After much celebration and emotion following the tense and exciting game, it was time to settle down and get stuck into some road hours heading north to Swan Hill.
The trip out of town was quite painless, I think the time went quickly because of all the phone calls to Nanas, uncles and aunties recalling the fantastic win that was had by Josh! Before we knew it we were on the Calder past "Thunderdome" and pulling into Maccas for morning tea/brunch. 'Last stop kids' was the call as we got back into the car for the long drive!
Nothing much for the kids to look at out the window as we travel over the range to the other "flatter" side near Bendigo. "Thank god for in car DVD players" is the call from the 2 front seats of the car. "Are we there yet" and "how long till we get there" are the calls from the back seats. Josh's legs start to get sore (probably from his huge effort on the bball court earlier) and Harry needs a stop on the side of the road somewhere. "Are you ok Charlotte?" "Yes" she says in her quietest voice (she is such a good traveller), so Durham Ox was the next stop.
I remember when there was a petrol station there on the corner when we turned to go to Boort as a kid. Now there is nothing except a couple of houses, hall and the big Ox sign. We still stopped though!
"Mans" toilet stop on the side of the road - Dad, Josh, Harry in sync, "ahh that's better!" "Now back in the car, not long to go!"
Quick petrol stop in Kerang after driving past numerous man made levies which were built for the floods in Feburary and then finally into Swan Hill.
We drove into the caravan park only to find out that we were not booked in until the next day. Luckily they were not busy and were happy to take or money for the extra night. Unload and pump up the bikes to get the kids out of our hair while we set up. Cook up an easy dinner in the camp kitchens oven, watch some tv, play a board game and hit the sack!

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