On the middle weekend we had our parents visit us to see how we are going and to just catch up with one another. Everyone was buzzing with excitement and couldn’t wait till their parents arrived. Before my parents arrived I didn’t know how I would react but when they did, I was a bit teary. I wasn’t very surprised at how I reacted at all.

On the Saturday we drove up to Mallacoota to have a look around. We got some lunch at the bakery and drove around looking at some of the sights. My parents and I headed back to Marlo to look for some accommodation but because everyone else was staying in Marlo too it was a bit hard. We ended up staying at the Sailor’s Cottages which are actually owned by Mrs Hopkins (night staff). For tea we went to the Marlo pub and what do you know, everyone else from school was there. I went around and looked at all the reserved place cards and I could point out a few of the families coming for tea. Almost the whole pub was booked out.

The next morning I finally got a sleep in…the first in 5 weeks! It was great not having to get up at 6:30. Once we were packed up we drove to where the Paddle steamer Curlip embarks and watched it dock in again. From there we headed up to Orbost and had a look around. Mum decided that we had to do something constructive other than drive around all day so we headed up to Mt Raymond lookout. It was interesting to see all the hills and the sea from one point without having to go far. We continued along to Cabbage Tree Creek. We walked down the cabbage tree palms track but then it was time to head back to Campus. We arrived back at campus at about quarter past three and not long after that my parents headed off again. I was a bit sad to see them go but I know that there isn’t long to go before I am in the comfort of my own home again.

Victoria, Horsham SC