Gilbert SAILS THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Jess and Melissa took Gilbert with them when they went on a cruise in the South Pacific.  They sailed on a large ship the Pacific Dawn and visited Noumea and Fiji.  Click the picture to see some photos of their trip.

Gilbert’s MAGNIFICENT TRIP TO EUROPE

When Mrs and Mr Sumpton went on their holiday to Europe, Gilbert went too.  If you click on the picture below you will be able to see some photos of Gilbert in Europe. 

Gilbert’s WONDERFUL TIME IN MALAYSIA WITH JESS (1H) IN APRIL 2009

Gilbert’s GOES TO LUNA PARK WITH VERONICA FOR HER BIRTHDAY PARTY

Getting ready for a big day out

Almost there

On our way there

Now we're there let's just take some pics

Wow now we are on the Ferris Wheel

Awesome look at the cool view

Now we're on the merry-go-round!

Having a big feast for dinner

I guess i can eat a few more with Karly

Playing a bit of guitar here

Watching a Movie

Going to bed

Gilbert’s Holiday To Forster

On Friday 3^rd October 2008, Gilbert traveled up to Forster to spend a relaxing holiday with Emily (2C) and her family.

Gilbert went to the beach everyday where he built sandcastles, went fishing and watched Emily swim. He had fun at the trampolines and put put golf. Gilbert met a turtle and had fun seeing the sights of Forster

Emily and Gilbert

Ready to go!

In front of the Forster/Tuncurry Bridge

Watching Emily swim

Building sandcastles

.

Fun at put put golf

Fun at put put golf...

...and the trampolines

.

What a view at One Mile Beach!

Fishing is very relaxing!

Angus made Gilbert feel very comfortable.

They went to watch the cricket...

and had a great game of golf...

trying hard to get a hole in one...

then off to collect a football trophy. 

What a tiring weekend!

Gilbert travelled to the Central Coast to spend three days at Miss Thorpe’s house.  Gilbert spent the first day at Brooke Avenue Public School, which is where Miss Thorpe was a student for 7 years. Gilbert got to go to the Library and help the Admin Ladies, play soccer, help Mr Griesser in the staff room and have breakfast at the school’s Breakfast Club.  Gilbert loved seeing the welcome on the school notice board and he received an assembly award.

On Sunday Gilbert travelled to Umina Beach to the footy with Miss Thorpe and some of her friends and he had his photo taken with the Entrance Tigers Ball Boys and with Miss Thorpe’s cousin, Lewi.  Gilbert was looking forward to spending some time at the beach with Miss Thorpe but due to the weather he was unable to! Maybe next time…

In August, Gilbert took Allanah and Ashleigh bowling.  They had a wonderful time.

Where are my shoes?

Allanah checking out the weight of the ball for Gilbert

A lot of noise and lights for a little frog

Gilbert ready for bowling

Ashley and Gilbert

I'll take this ball

No please not down the bowling ball track

Gilbert had a wonderful fun time discovering Asia in December 2007. We flew off on 17^th December 2007 and his rightful place was minding the bags. We boarded the plane and buckled ourselves up to make sure we were all safe. Gilbert enjoyed his Thai breakfast, eating authentic Thai food. Yum Yum! The exotic elephant ride was exciting and thrilling especially, as Gilbert led the way, Gilbert managed to hitch a ride on one of the ATV (four-wheeled) bikes, which we drove around a track three times!  After the adventure it was time to go back to the great hotel, and sleep.

Getting ready to go to the concert

Gilbert always wears his seatbelt.

Getting ready in the change room

Gilbert really enjoyed the show

After, he went up on stage

Relaxing on the ground

We're ready to go home

Staying over with friends is one of the best things you can do.  Last weekend Gilbert stayed with Samantha

On the 1^st of December Gilbert went ice skating at Macquarie Ice Rink. He joined in at limbo and even got his own tiny skates.

After he came to my sleepover and watched DVD’s and ate birthday cakes. Gilbert even got to sit beside my pond in my backyard.

Off to the Macquarie Skating Rink

Getting measured for the right shoe

Are these OK:?

Doing the limbo - it's so easy!

It's nice to be with friends

Mmmm! Snacks!

People are so kind

At the video store

Can we get this one, please?

I dont think I can eat any more chips

Watching the DVD

My bed was so comfortable

Wow, you're big

These guys are more my size

Do they think I'm a Christmas Tree decoration?

So nice relaxing in the garden

I think I'll have a dip in the pond

On Friday 9^th November, Gilbert was farewelled from Hornsby North School by students from 4T as he set off in Tayla Carrier’s Grandparents’ 38 year old Peugeot for a trip to North-western New South Wales.

The journey commenced on Saturday morning at the truck stop at Berowra where Gilbert met up with several other carloads of people travelling in convoy to Newcastle meet up with more people.

About 15 (14 French plus 1 Korean) cars with 30 people continued north in pouring rain (frogs like rain) from Newcastle to find the Bucketts Way to Gloucester. After a brief stop, everyone continued along Thunderbolt’s Way to Uralla  www.uralla.com for the first night.  It was here that Gilbert was introduced to all the people and Leo Lion, who was travelling in a new car. It was here that the pronunciation of his name was changed to “Jeeelbear”.

The next morning (Sunday) Gilbert, went out of his Motel room, to find Captain Thunderbolt the local Bushranger. Captain Thunderbolt was Fred Ward.   

  www.captainthunderbolt.uni.cc . Because he robbed and shot at people, the police captured him. When he died he was buried at Uralla, where his grave is an historic attraction, and a monument to him and his horse has been erected. 

On Monday after exploring Uralla, he set off along Thunderbolt’s Way again to Inverell where there is an historic village of old time buildings displaying how early settlers lived (no TV, air conditioning, phones, cars, or electricity).

At Inverell, Gilbert had his first (on this trip) visit to a cattle station. The cows & bulls are very big if you are a small frog! After this visit to the cattle station, Gilbert went to the Inverell Motor Museum to look at old cars and motorbikes, and to have lunch in the museum.

This museum also has a collection of old sewing machines , brides dresses,  dolls and children’s toys .

From Inverell, it was off to Narrabri via Delungra, Bingara, Caroda, and Rocky Creek, a bumpy road as this way had a sections of gravel road.

At Narrabri, Gilbert found a nice “Bed & Breakfast” to stay the night. Looking around Narrabri, Gilbert found the local big Hospital right next to the B&B, then over the river the Australian Cotton Centre a cotton information display place.  Look at   www.australiancottoncentre.com.au  for more information.

Gilbert went 23km west of Narrabri to The Australia Telescope Compact Array, run by the CSIRO. http://www.narrabri.atnf.csiro.au/  (The most powerful telescope of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere) It consists of one fixed 22 Metre dish antenna, 5km west of the visitor centre and five moveable dish antennas (on a 3km rail track). Gilbert sat on a small telescope  (he is a star) and also watched the kangaroos from a safe distance . After the radio-telescope it was on through Wee Waa along the Kamilaroi Highway to Burren Junction for a stop at an artesian spring hot (41degree C) spa. Gilbert decided it was too hot for a frog and sat on the island in the middle to watch the humans slowly cooking themselves like prawns in the hot water before the water is channelled out to canals for crop irrigation.

From Burren Junction, onward to Cryon for lunch. Because the temperature was in the low 30’s the air-conditioned “new room” at the old Cryon pub (the only remaining building in the once bustling rail town) was a welcome break from the heat and the swarms of flies. Walgett and on to Lightning Ridge www.lightningridge.net.au  to look for opals.

Gilbert found opals at the mine called “Chambers of the Black Hand” where he also found carvings in the walls of the mine.

Two nights at Sonia’s B&B were very nice before heading off into the unknown of Gulargambone!

Out of Lightning Ridge, along the Castlereagh Highway through Walgett to Coonamble, to Gulargambone www.gulargambone2828.com , where the whole group of 30 people were greeted by the community at the community run centre called “two eight two eight” in the revitalised old movie theatre which has become the café, arts & crafts centre, meeting place and training centre for the local Hospitality Industry in an effort to get the town on its feet. This project has won a major tourism industry award in 2006.  

Gilbert then moved for the night to Mt Tenandra, an 1890  property homestead, which although had been continuously occupied was let deteriorate, and is now being restored to be operated as a B&B. Gilbert was the first to stay after it has been reopened. It was here that he found a real green frog late that night.

On Thursday Gilbert had a big day riding a Quad bike to tour the Sheep station to check the stock, cattle and sheep, the lucerne paddock, the wheat field and to make sure the sheep were being shorn correctly.   

He then climbed the tractor used to haul the crop seeding machine  and the Big Mack  road train, Gilbert wasn’t frightened of the Mack Bulldog.

Finally Gilbert came home to Hornsby North via Siding Springs Observatory  in the Warrumbungles, Coonabarabran,where he found an old bus in a shed, Gulgong, Ulan, Wollar, Baerami, Denman, and Wollombi.  

My Weekend Away by Gilbert

Hi!  I’ve just got back from having a fun time at Lake Macquarie.  I had a fabulous journey, stopping for breakfast at McDonald’s followed by a chocolate thickshake.

My weekend started with a fast speedboat ride and then I got enough courage to have a drive myself.  Later that day the lake flattened out like a glass mirror so I was fitted with a pair of training skis and had a fast fun ski.  I fell off a few times but I enjoyed the water – as you know it’s second nature being a frog.  I did a spot of fishing here and there and caught a snapper, but I gave him a kiss and put him back.  My accommodation was comfortable and I enjoyed all the cuddles I got from Kirrily 6C and Brittany 4F.

I am really looking forward to my next holiday.

On Saturday 27th October, several children from Hornsby North Public School took part in the YMCA Gymnastics Display at Cherrybrook.  Gilbert decided to go along.  He had lots of fun.

Max 1P

Gilbert knows a gymnast needs a healthy breakfast

O.K. Gilbert, let's go

Possibly the coolest thongs in the world!

Gilbert tries on a sparkly costume. "Do you think red is my colour?"

Gilbert practises his head stand ... thinks he should stick to leap frog.

Gilbert helps Hannah, Georgia and Max calm their pre-show nerves.

.

Max, Rachel, Hannah, Annie, Renee, Georgia and Tina thank Gilbert for coming to support them.  It's showtime!

Gilbert enjoying a bedtime story.  What's that he's reading?

.

During the October holidays, Gilbert went on a most relaxing holiday to Darwin and the Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory with the Robinson Family. Here are some photos of his holiday