Brains and a road trip

This is a scary sight, even scarier that I was going to be travelling in a car with it for the next 5-6 hours. I was embarking on an excursion to learn all about brains. It was being held at UNE in Armidale. We were travelling in convoy with two other cars and a bunch load of children. We had three lovely poppets squished in the back who kept us entertained for much of the trip with there complaints of "Are we there yet?" (When do they grow out of it? Some of our travellers where in high school!)

We drove to Mussellbrook and stopped for a healthy afternoon tea of macca's. Yay, more sugar for the lovelies in the back. We swapped children with another car until we stopped in Tamworth. It was the NOSIEST trip I have ever had. The lovely excited children were making up a song that had to be sung at the top of their lungs. They also practiced their head banging (so hard that the car felt like it was having engine trouble). I am surprised that I couldn't hear their brains rattle. They made the trip go very quickly.

We arrived at Tamworth and had a pit stop at a petrol station. What is a pit stop without some teeth, funny glasses and a pose for the camera?

We used this opportunity to swap back to the complainers, at least they were mostly quiet. HEHEHE

My attempt at photographing the golden guitar. It was late, way too dark, but the passengers loved the idea. Promised we would stop on the way back. We then spent the rest of the trip looking for funny road signs we could stop at on the way back.

More driving until we got lost in Armidale, then found, then lost. Call home to my sister who uses the power of internet to guide us to our destination. Thanks Mel!

We arrived at an interesting place to stay, the decorations were interesting as was the food!!

After a long trip we were looking forward to some really scrumptious food, but we felt a wee bit disappointed.

That chocolate cake was finished. When hungry children leave chocolate cake and ice cream it gives you an indication of the quality.

To bed, early start next day to attend the brain workshop. Early morning brings cold and discoveries of "I left my other shoes at home, I have to wear my school shoes". This is the result.

"I don't want people to think I am serious". Best quote of the day.

The day was fabulous. The workshop was presented by this really interesting guy, John Joseph. He had lots of funny stories, a great power point with great videos (like a brain being eaten by maggots), and heaps of information.
[Photo isn't very clear, we were at the back of the room and had to zoom to maximum and try to avoid all the heads.]

We got to do some awesome activities, my favourite was cutting open the brain, although we learnt not only what the parts of the brain were but also how they work and how we learn. I love learning new things, I always say that I am on a quest for knowledge! This satisfied all of my quest for the whole weekend.

Warning: gory brain pictures ahead.

The children at my table even created a brain stem kebab. TASTY! There was lots of talk about how to gross out the children back at school as well as impress them with their brain knowledge.

We also had to create a model that explained how the brain created memories. We were once again on the 'creative' table.

Then it was back in the car for another trip home. We stopped in Tamworth again (this time it was light) and got photos with the golden guitar. Another healthy macca's meal (more sugar, we learnt that sugar was vital for brain function).

More driving with only a little stop, someone felt sick (fresh air fixed them right up). Lots of sleeping on the way home (not me, I was driving). Arrived home and felt ready to sleep for the rest of the week! No such luck. It was fun and such a great day, even though I spent a whole lot of time with this!

She is lots of fun and made the whole trip enjoyable. Thanks Nic.