April 1-6 - Pinjarra Bible School, and at the Bundesen's

Our last week in Perth was pretty hectic getting stuff together, having final catch ups and making sure we had the necessary bits and pieces for our next leg of the trip up north all God willing and also making sure the kids had all their schooling stuff. They are going to still be connected to Perth Heritage until we return to Adelaide so that work can be sent until the end of Semester 1 which will be very useful.

As always there is always something that gets left behind so Greg took Jude back to school to pick up the final bits and pieces and made an outing out of it for morning tea.

Morning tea with Jude

 Along with our up north preparations we also had to make sure we were ready for Pinjarra Bible school (held at Fairbridge Village campsite) over the Easter long weekend as we are in a house with other families and a large number of teenagers.

Pinjarra Bible School

Fairbridge Village mud map

Pinjarra Bible School is hosted on a large historic property called 'Fairbridge'. It seems to be an old town with a number of old houses. Because these were full houses people once lived in, they each have their own amenities (kitchen, toilets etc) so you're fully self-contained in this house while at the camp. A number of families stay in each house, where you share meals and time together, in addition to the studies and some communal meals in other common areas of the campsite.

 

Map of Fairbridge Village

Arriving at Fairbridge Village

Our allocated house was Scratton Lodge, which was able to sleep up to 54 people! We didn't quite have that many people but it certainly felt busy at times during meals but loads of fun getting to know the young people and enjoying their enthusiasm while being at the camp. It was great getting to know a few of the parents of the teens the kids had connected well with. Pete Pullman also came over for the camp and stayed in Scratton also so that was nice to see him after a year or so.

Scratton House which we stayed in

First night at Pinjarra chatting and fun on the couch.

On the Thursday night we had an introductory study with Bro Stuart, followed by supper and a not-overly-early night!

First morning of the camp

 

Readings in Scratton Friday night

The program of the camp was generally two studies in the morning, with a break for morning tea, then lunch, then some type of activity in the afternoon, followed by tea and an evening activity. Friday night it was readings in the homes, Saturday night was a quiz night and Sunday night was a Song and Praise night.

On Friday night readings were in allocated homes. We had a group at Scratton with Uncle Stuart and Aunty Val Gilmore and enjoyed supper and chatting afterwards.

Most days it was warm enough for the pool to be opened and used. Most kids had brought their bikes and rode to either the study or Sunday school and to most of the activities. There is a main road that leads to the Hall that the kids used most often during the day but also at night. My Uncle Steve was lovely enough to allow us to borrow his bikes while we've been in Perth for the kids so they really enjoyed using them at the camp also.

The kids have had loads of fun riding bikes around. Unfortunately someone's handle bars went into another young boy's face as they didn't seem to have their head torches on as required! From what I know the young boy is all stitched up minus a baby tooth that got knocked out and a broken nose, but he is doing quite well.

Breakfast morning at Scratton House

Most mornings we each made our own breakfasts as we were ready and awake and then sat outside in the beautiful sun. Bek seemed to be the local hair dresser each morning which all the girls loved.

The studies were led by Bro Stuart Gilmore on Isaiah's signs that there is only one God, which were very thought provoking and interesting.

The meeting hall at Pinjarra Bible School

This is one of the meals we had in the house together. File through and get your food and find a seat somewhere outside or on the couch inside.

There were a number of fundraiser meals and a communal meal together which we all enjoyed. That's the time to really get to know and connect with others that have been old friends but also make new friends and connections.

One of the fundraiser lunches

Jude and some of his friends

Matt and his friends

A general photo of the Communal meal at the Club house

Saturday afternoon was a bike ride while those of us in the Song and Praise night had a rehearsal.

Fundraising cafe / afternoon tea at Fairbridge

Sunday afternoon was a fundraiser afternoon tea / cafe which was a lovely set up behind one of the houses (Fairbridge House) on the lawns. It was fine day for quite a while then unfortunately it rained just as everyone was enjoying their tea, coffee and cakes but as it had been so warm we didn't mind too much. But after a few minutes of very large drops it turned into more serious rain which meant we dispersed but thankfully we had had enough time to buy food and drinks and fraternise with others. It was also the last day for us to be able to say goodbye to a number of people we had made friends with who had only come down to Pinjarra for the day which was a bit sad.

Delicious homemade sausage roll and homemade tomato sauce.

Fundraiser afternoon tea - with fancy wait staff and all!

A number of peacocks live at Fairbridge Village.

The last evening song and praise night

On Sunday evening we had a wonderful night of song and praise which we really enjoyed being a part of. In the lead up to Pinjarra we'd had a few singing practices at Mark and Elizabeths Lloyd's place along with a number of brothers and sisters.

It was really nice getting to meet so many people, and interact with people who had had connections to our kids during the term. We had a number of lovely comments about the kids, how sad it will be that they're leaving, and "why don't you stay?" a number of times from different people, which is a lovely sentiment to feel and hear expressed.

Monday rolled around all too soon and after two final studies we all got packed up. As this would be the last time we saw all these people for some time we made sure we got a house photo!

The Scratton House photo on the last day

Farewell Pinjarra! :(

Post-Pinjarra Plans

Staying at the Bundesen's

After Pinjarra our intention was to head straight up north and camp the night somewhere near Lancelin. But by the time we got on the road and did all of our errands it was close to 5pm so we went and stayed the night at the Bundesen's who had said we were welcome to stay if we needed to spend the night somewhere.

Well one night turned into two nights as a few other things had come up that needed fixing/dealing with before we left so it was lovely to spend it with the Bundesen's and get to know them better. The kids really enjoyed the extra time by going to the local school to play basket ball and ride bikes, play games

Me with Laura

Greg went down to town on Tuesday afternoon to do all the bits and pieces which should need doing (filling up jerry cans and picking up school work for Jude), so hopefully tomorrow we can head off without any further delays!

-- Mim