Over the weekend Clan Jones headed off to Queanbeyan with a couple of other families for a bit of a weekend away and to attend some speedway races.
We all arrived at our motel at about midday - which is quite amusing because we all travelled down independently but arrived within 5 minutes of each other. We checked in, and got moved to another room after unpacking (grrr ....) and then went for a swim. The pool at the motel was quite a good size and everyone had a go. It was fun. The kids loved it.
After a short while, amidst much protesting from the kids, it was off for some lunch and some grocery shopping - mainly for brekky things and some stuff to take to the races. We also picked up a few beverages for a lazy afternoon by the pool.
A mid afternoon swim was had with a few less participants. Some parents were responsible enough to try to get their kids to go sleep but we didn't even try. We've been there before with Hayzey - as tired as she is she just won't sleep in an unfamiliar environment during the day.
At about 17:30 Grandpa, Aunt J, Aunt LJ and UA all rocked on up to join us for a walk over to dinner - at the Leagues Club. It was only 3 blocks but for some reason took us almost 30 minutes. Probably due to many kids with little legs :-) When we got there we met up with a good portion of the Hobson clan and we all proceeded inside.
Dinner ended up being quite a lot of fun - we ended up in a semi-private room which had 3 TV's, a bunch of very plush and comfortable arm-chairs and plenty of tables. Food and drinks were ordered and all parties settled in for a night of 'hair letting down'.
Quite possible the sweetest part of the evening came when LGR sat down with his 'girlfriend' at their own little table and they had a meal together. Nobody else was allowed to sit near them. LGR said it was fun but he wanted some candles!!!
We ended up getting back to the motel at about 23:00 and some adult members of the group very, very generously volunteered to look after kids while others in the group kicked on a bit. I managed to kick, as did Mrs G. The kick on was fun - and at times very, very amusing.
We all ended up going to bed at about 02:00 - and I was awake again at about 05:30. I don't know why - the kids weren't stirring and there was no noise outside. LGR joined us in bed at about 06:30 and sweet little Hayzey woke at about 07:45. She was filthy - she had dirty and food all over her and was in dire need of a wash. She looked very, very tiny in the shower by herself :-)
Breakfast was a BBQ - pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausages etc. Tasted great. Mostly everyone was quiet - from fatigue more than anything else.
Next stop was the races - theoretically the whole reason for being there. We rocked on up expecting something like Goulburn but it wasn't quite the same - the faster, more impressive vehicles (not withstanding the HQ's) hadn't turned up and the facilities were bare - even by country standards. The track was a really weird shape - or perhaps dimension? I've never seen a speedway track with a hill in it before .....
We watched some races. Hayzey in particular loved it - she clapped and cheered and strutted around the place as though she owned it. LGR paid some close attention for a while but drafted off eventually.
The races were a bit of an anti-climax but at least we got there. The highlight of the meet was when Uncle P gave LGR a racing helmet. LGR loves it. He hugged it all the way home (except for when he was asleep) and every now and then put it on in the car to tell us how cool he looked. When we got home he wore it while riding his trike around the house. The only other item he had on was his boxer shorts and it was a very surreal sight.
The kicker was when he went to bed - he took the helmet with him. The last time I saw him awake on Sunday evening he was quietly laying in bed with his helmet and blanket. The blanket was wrapped around LGR and his helmet and he was patting/stroking the helmet.