This is our first trip to Long Point Provincial Park. It's quite a nice car-camping site for our July 1st holiday. Warren's photos will be marked with "(Photo: WX)". Being Canada Day, Benjamin takes his flag-waving duty seriously, leading the other kids to... ... the sand berms! Jay showed up to help us rig our overhead tarps: A roof setup which would be quite useful over our numerous (but not intense) rainy moments. Nissan and family were travelling from London to Toronto, heard we'd be here, and swung by for the afternoon. We were happy to see them! The Legue Family lunch time. Some would ask... why is there a tent inside a tent? There's a story there. But be careful who you ask when trying to determine whose 'fault' it was that the Xavier's fly came camping without the tent. Benjamin is a happy camper. Oliver is enjoying playing in the sand with the other kids. Catriona is being excessively cute while playing in the sand. So I obligingly take one or two (cough) photos. Graeme notices the attention isn't focused on him, and "helps" me get Catriona to laugh. Smallest to Tallest, Julia, Catriona, Oliver, and an oddly angelic Graeme, wait patiently for their food. (Photo: WX) A fleeting glimpse of the Photographus Dougus. Here taking on this meal's role of BBQ Chef. (Cooking "FGH Chicken") (Photo: WX... thankfully, as there are very few photos of Doug.) Start of Day 2. It didn't matter if were at our campsite or on the beach, the kids LOVED playing in the sand. In our first hour at our campsite Graeme managed to fall into the cold BBQ pit and cut his lip and gum, and loosen a front (baby) tooth. Not a happy camper. Earlier in the day he chipped a tooth. The Dentist is booked for Monday. The Rabid Jenn, cooking pancakes... aggressively. Bacon cooks over the camp stove while Charlene and Graeme dig in to breakfast. Jenn cooks pancakes and Warren the bacon. Warren had pointed out that a fill flash was required in the previous photo. I oblige, and as you can see from this photo, he was quite right. Warren and I both took this (almost exact) shot. I'm using mine here due to the awesome grin on Benjamin. Jenn is dressed for all conditions. We had frequent short rain showers. Not enough to soak us. Just enough to keep our raincoats ready. (Photo: WX) Spontaneously, Graeme and Catriona both strike zombie poses and say 'Brraaiinnss'. (I'm so proud!) Pouty Catriona. She tried to wash under the tap, then rolled in the sand. The Xaviers brought a great Lightning McQueen ball which got a lot of use as a makeshift soccer ball around the campsite. Graeme climbed over the berm, braving ticks and poison ivy to retrieve the ball. We stopped for a few minutes at the campground's playground. Captain Mischief. Just hanging around. Catriona is at an age where there's nothing better than climbing apparatus which is slightly too old for her, safety wise. Why are playground structures vaguely nautical? Check out the smoke stack. Yup, Warren climbed the chimney. Leaving the playground, we decide to head for the beach. We're going to need some sun protection. (our campsite is just to the right, around the sand berm) Abandon All Hope All Ye Who.... er... this way to the beach! Catriona Thinking: Now THAT's what I'm talking about. Just arrived on the beach, first, sand toys? Naww... water! A rare photo of Benjamin in the water. He was cold and tired. Here Graeme throws the ball as Warren readies the air mattress. Charlene recovers the ball. Between that one and the inflatable Lightning McQueen ball, we had what felt like a several hour game of catch. Benjamino gets a ride from Dad. We're guessing it was about here that Warren lost his car keys. Graeme is happy to take a turn pushing. Catriona spent most of her time playing with sand and water on the beach... ...but she had her turn on the mattress as well. Benjamin was a bit tired today, and ended up napping in the micro-tent. Catriona also manoeuvred for a carry. Warren was enjoying pushing the mattress, and Graeme was a willing rider. With the strong wind, the mattress got good lift. Cuddling for warmth, Catriona bites the hand that feeds her. It appears Jenn's enjoying that. (note to self) Warren leads the Exodus. There's something about these photos of Graeme... Wow. Our little boy is all grown up! Warren brought a kite, and it was a perfect day for it with a strong / consistent wind coming off the lake. (the middle spins) Catriona, now warm again, enjoys playing in the sand. The game of catch resumes... ...but this time with Mom! Graeme tosses it. ...and they both charge the ball. Repeatedly. In the end, everybody is happy. I would imagine this beach would have a lot more people on it if the weather was different. After experiencing the cold earlier, Catriona is quite happy to play in the sand. (Benjamin is napping in the tent.) It's Mattress-Head-Man. (action figure now available) Back at the campsite, Catriona is..... playing in the sand again. (Photo: WX) We arranged the cars diagonally. For protection. You know... just in case! (Photo: WX) Day 3. Graeme sits by the fire, patiently waiting for the coals so Dad/Doug/I can cook our Bannock breakfast. Doug's/my new axe is visible. Our kitchen area would be slightly less busy, but the clothes are hung under the tarp today. Graeme is going to be cooking, apparently. Catriona watches as Jenn creates the Bannock dough. The view across the campsite, from the back corner. The reverse-angle, showing the size of the site. It was surrounded by those 5+ foot high sand walls which were great at containing noise. Catriona started to bury herself (on the volleyball court, in the middle of our game). So I helped finish the job. (Photo: WX) Mmm... disembodied Catriona head. Very tasty. (that's a laugh face, not a grimace.) (Photo: WX) Our group photo. Fun was had by all. It was Catriona's first camping trip and she had a marvelous time. On the way out, we spotted one of the locals by the side of the road. After seeing all the "Turtle Crossing" signs, it would have been disappointing not to have seen one. This guy obliged.