cockatoo island...

Back in February, I was treated to a birthday surprise day out care of my lovely lady... The early part of the day involved hats and hotdogs before we headed to the harbour for a camping expedition to Cockatoo Island! The island has a really interesting history as both a penal colony and a shipyard, which we ended up hearing loads about when we bumped into a former employee! The weather was amazing and we somehow managed to luck into the best spot on the island to set up our tent... 

It was pretty surreal to be woken up by the moon in the middle of the night...

 Shining light...

 Industry...

 Tunnels...

 Island hoops...

 Bloody Hambone, he's always up to no good...

Campground coffee chill bongs... Keeping it classy...

Smokey...

Tentplatz by day...

And by night...

bawley life...

What a way to live... Can't wait to get down this way again soon for sunshine and shred times with Mr and Mrs Finlay...

camplife...

Had the most amazing of weekends a month or so back camping out in Bouddi National Park... Fun waves, great weather and a prime camp spot aligned to make for a memorable couple of days indeed!

Camp platz of dreams!

Wunderbar winter weather...

 Branching out...

Happy camper...

 Cookin with gas!

 Lucky guy! : )

Yellow dress goes hiking!

Last light...

Morning bright!

down the danube part 4... a long day to linz...

Our day started off in fantastic fashion as we made our way through flatter lands on the way to Linz. Our lunchtime biking break was one of our best yet, by the banks of the river with a range of fresh bread, meat and cheese, as the sun shone down. However as we made our way through Linz and beyond, the heavens opened and, as it turned out, it was a taste of trying things to come... 

Eventually, after wind, rain, and a fair few extra km than expected, we arrived at our camping platz by Pichlingersee. Vibes were dampened by the long day and encroaching storms but our crew were defiantly positive in the face of negativity and it turned out to be an amazing eve, tucked into our saviour of a gazebo, playing games, eating pizza and drinking wine... Team work at its best!

Dream team with Naw making a token twin tshirt appearance...

Cyclers unite for fun! Good times at our amazing lunchplatz...

Jig journeys down an Austrian metal mega slide...

 All sorts of green as the storm approaches...

 Eventually the flash flood rain gave way to probably the most amazing light of the trip... Gold and grey is simply a combination made in heaven... This was the view across the fields by our campsite following the storm...

 Jig embracing the golden hour...

Cuteness... Ma and Pa beside a Linz seasonaire...

Tents, bikes and warm light... Afternoon delight! x

down the danube part 3... engelhartszell to aschach

Our third day on the road was a relatively short one, though taking in no less incredible scenery along the way... The hills seemed to tower along both sides today as the river wound its way around the Schlogen Loop... Along the way, we stopped by a farmhouse to sample our first taste of the local "Most" before ferrying across to the south bank and on towards Aschach, possibly one of the most picturesque campsites I've ever enjoyed staying at...

 In the words of Wiley "Uhhh, two, three, four, I'm cycling!" Lining up for our first taste of Most near the Schlogen Loop...

 Jig's bike taking a well earned rest...

Tents up, mattresses aired, time to chill...

The peaceful waters where I enjoyed my only Danube swim of the trip...

Dinner was fun filled with food, wine and laughter... Especially the simple entertainment of the card game "Cheat"...