James & the Boys - Day 2

Today is the big drive to Rockhampton….. I sent a message when we left at 9:30am to mum, Dad and Liz that we're leaving now and should be in rocky at 5ish. Lets see how we go. I was in no rush and had planned on a few stops on the way so it was all good, just so long as we got to feed the elephants and the farm animals at Australia Zoo.

First stop - Australia Zoo
We got the express lane straight thru with our annual pass and the first thing we saw was a baby Crocodile. Presto got up and had a pat of him and he was surprisingly smooth and softish. We kept moving and then got to pat and ugly lizard that I can't remember the name of… (See Photos). We also got there just in time to feed the Elephants. We got given a piece of apple each and Preston thought it was for him so I had to hold so he didn't eat it…. When we got up close Presto was all excited and threw the apple at him expecting him to catch it like the dogs… hahaha it didn't take the elephant long to find it though. Lincoln just sat there staring at him with his gorgeous little smile.

Then it was off to feed the farm animals….. Where is everyone…? Everyone was in the crocoseum for the main show and they don't feed the animals during the show….. :( It was a bit disappointing because Presto hasn't stopped talking about it since we went on Fathers day. I explained to the lady our little trip and she was very helpful and gave us some grass to feed the pigs and the goats so we got to feed them in the end anyway. Presto also found that pigs have a loud squeal as opposed to oink oink…. Preston also got to jump on the massive jumping Castle all by himself because everyone was at the show still. Anyway it was back on the road again and off we went.

Second stop - Park 2 minutes down the road from Australia Zoo….. We didn't get far.
Lincoln had lunch and Presto terrorised all the other kids and families there stealing there toys, balls and food. He was great little scavenger, meanwhile the only thing that came out of my mouth was sorry, and "PRESTO PUT THAT DOWN, STOP THAT"… hahaha. It was the best park ever though, they had a big merry go round and a flying fox for kids, it was awesome and everyone wanted to pat Jack & Jill. Back on the road again and it was about 12:30 by this stage and we had a long way to go.

Third stop - Apple Tree Creek Playground
I was driving along and thought the kids and dogs need a break because they have been awesome and they haven't complained once, so I saw this playground and pulled over. They had a bit of a play and I realised I needed to go to the toilet….. Uh-oh…. How do I do this with the 2 kids and the 2 dogs…. I cn't leave them in the car at a servo. So I decided to take the dogs and boys for a walk down some street near the park which was bushland and I took a leak. It was a bit hard with Lincoln on your hip, presto trying to take a look and then run away and the dogs trying to pull me over with the lead….. Hahaha we got there in the end then continued on our trip.

By this Stage I knew we weren't going to make it to Rocky for dinner, So I decided to pull up short and stay at a motel at Koowaratha just north of Miriam Vale, but every town we went through Presto would say "We pay dad" Translation - Can we stop and play at the playground dad.

Fourth Stop - Koowaratha Motel Lodge
We pulled in and they were full with no vacancies…. Uh-oh The boys are hungry and it's time for showers and bedtime. I asked to sit at one of the tables in the Restaurant to feed the boys as it was completely empty but apparently they were full and we couldn't sit in there….. Oh-well We ended up sitting in the car park at the motel with Presto running around kicking the ball and Lincoln sitting in his chair eating Dinner. Lucky for pre-cooked meals. It was pretty rough but the boys had a ball and the dogs got a break also. We also got to speak to mum on the phone in Rome, which was awesome and we told her all about our trip.

After talking to mum I decided to drive through to Mackay because the boys will just sleep all the way and it will be a great trip…...

Fifth Stop - Rockhampton
8:30 and we finally made it to Rockhampton for some fuel and my dinner. The boys were wide awake when we arrived and the big question was to stay or keep moving… Lets keep going and we'll be there in no time.

Last Stop - Campwin Beach
We finally arrived at Liz place at 12:00am and what a nightmare finish to the trip….. It was going great all day but the night trip or sleep time was not so good….. Presto kept dropping Bummie (Dummy) No.2 and so all hell broke loose when he woke up and he couldn't find it. So he would start crying and then Lincoln would tune in and start his bellowing. I was starting to get tired, screaming boys and dodging Kangaroos…. NOT GOOD. I pulled over about three times to settle the boys and we made it in the end.

Once we settled in at Liz's Lincoln thought it was morning and woke up and all he wanted to do was play with dad. It was very cute but he was supposed to be sleeping. We finally settled down and went to bed at 2am and Presto was in the cot and Lincoln and Dad were on the bed. I didn't sleep much because I had to shield Lincoln from falling off the bed…...