Wendy flew down from Cairns and joined Grandpa and Nanna Herman, Peter and Anna with Marcus and Alex, Fiona (Nona) with cousin Michael, and the Arber-Herman clan of Cath, Matt, Connor, Caitlin and Megan, who all traveled from Melbourne to rendezvous at big brother Warwick's place in Mallacoota.

The clan was then spread between 3 houses. It is truly amazing how much luggage seems essential when packing to go away so preparing for 10 days in Mallacoota and the 6 hour drive in Tonka Sal, the 4x4, required a demonstration of the much cultivated Australian art of packing the car and pod trailer. After the long drive we settled into the house at Mallacoota.

Day 2 provided the only hot beach day and we made the most of the time hanging out on Betka Beach with Aunty Woo who flew down from Queensland and Auntie Fi (Nona) and Cousin Michael. We made sure to send the kids down the Betka River (with a paddle) in the new inflatable. This boat was the site of wild piracy by the children as it drifted down the creek to the ocean and was repeatedly dragged back across the sand back up the creek. Betka river mouth is a haven for kids and is adjacent to the wild expansive ocean beach with its craggy rock formations and wild headlands. We were lucky to enjoy a sunny beach day as chill southerly weather set in for the rest of Xmas week.

The cool weather was a relief for the bushfires so along with the ever expanding Mallacoota holiday population we made the best of the cool weather. The time was perfect for catch-up family time, woolly windy walks on the beach and great for 4x4 drive adventures on wild bush roads. The cool weather also suited the family chefs who cooked up a big family feast on Xmas day.

With 6 kids and 9 doting parents, uncles, aunties and grandparents, the kids were showered with gifts and cuddles on Xmas day. Boxing Day was full of delicious Xmas left over’s but with 15 people to feed the Mallacoota Golf Club was the site of the next big family dinner. At the golf course the kids got views of kangaroos on the greens, the adults got a chance to relax and we all finally lined up for our big 2006 Xmas family photo.

Towards the end of the week long absent cousin Megan with husband Roi and daughter Alia visited on their way back to Sydney. They were welcome guests at a big family dinner at Warwick’s place to celebrate Marcus's 3rd Birthday.

Our last night in town was a family BBQ back at Warwick's with kids bouncing on the trampoline, swinging in the hammock and adults hanging out on the verandah. After a frenzied repacking of Tonka Sal and the pod trailer a boat trip on the lake was the highlight of our final day in Mallacoota.

The Herman siblings, partners and kids headed off in two boats to explore the moody poetic wilderness shores of Mallacoota Lake. Captain Mat and Pirate Fi led their scurvy crew to a very civilised picnic spot. Connor, Michael and Catie Boo got to earn their captain's stripes on the return trip. Grandpa and Nanna were dispatched home the previous day and by Saturday afternoon it was our turn to depart for the long drive home.

Mallacoota was a fun busy family time but after hanging out so long for holidays it is crazy to think how fast those 10 days disappeared. We are now planning our next trip to Robe in SA at the end of Jan 07.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2007 for all