Airlie Beach Whitsundays

Another stunning day here in the Whitsundays.  Not a cloud in the sky and I think I have a touch of sun stroke.  I am definitely burnt and the kids are developing little freckles from too much sun.  Not good. Well the day started on a humorous note. After being read the riot act last night for wandering off in the dark when we got home from dinner, Scarlett and Max were banned from using their scooters and bikes today. They have become quite friendly with Tom another 'mate' staying opposite our van. So this morning, they were up and out the door for a visit  to see Tom without us even knowing.  So out I went in search of them, through the playground with no luck, then on to the swimming pool (thankfully with no luck) and then back to the van where I stumbled upon Tom's father who said they had "found" money on the ground and gone to the shops to buy some lollies.  What??? And you let them??? They haven't even had breakfast yet.  So on on to the shops I marched (breathing fire like a bull) only to find Max and Scarlett looking VERY guilty - and on their scooters. Clearly my punishments are working, NOT! So again they copped another ear full, this time in full view of half of the caravan park. And their scooters and bikes were taken away, again.  And they were banished to the caravan for time out for a good part of the morning, again. Argh, where am I going wrong. So on to my darling Zachie that ALL the grey nomads think is adorable, we took him off to "toddler time" for his first experience of independence.  Scarlett and Max were so excited for him that they pleaded to come with me to drop him off to "school".  Well he was the only one in the class, so rather than take him home, I caved when the teacher kindly offered to take the other two.  Sure have them I said, and take your time bringing them back.  So I spent the morning indulging in morning tea with the lovely crew we met from Melbourne that I said reminded me of our parents.  They hit me up for a chat on the way back from school and there I stayed until the kids were sadly returned to the caravan. There are five couples that travel together and have been coming here every year for the past 10 years for six weeks or so. Needless to say they loved me, and they couldn't get enough of their now surrogate grandchildren. I spent the rest of the day poolside with the kids, playing mini golf and socialising.  I also caught a cooking class in the camp kitchen with a chef from one of the restaurants in town. Rick used the day to catch up on some book work.  Not sure that he got much done, but he did manage to indulge in a few bevies throughout the day which started with a nip of rum in his coffee at breakfast.  I guess he needed it after the lolly incident or could it be that I am driving him to the drink?  A lovely steak on the weber for dinner and we settled in to watch a movie.