Tree planting in the rain...?

What does a family do on the coldest, wettest July day in seven years? Go tree planting, of course!! But before I tell you about our day I need to have a bit of a rant.

It makes me so angry when people and politicians go on and on about big mining companies and how bad they are, how much they take and never give back. Hubby has worked for both of the big two mining companies over the last ten years, and I can't say enough about them. As just one example (and believe me I could list many more), take this tree planting day. They gave up one day for all their Perth based employees to attend this day with their families and paid for everything. They recognise how important their people are and how important family relationships are. Volunteer work is always encouraged and supported.

Right, got that off my chest. Let's start again. On Friday we spent the day at the Cockburn Wetlands as volunteers in a joint project between BHP and Revive Our Wetlands, planting trees. A couple of hundred of us met down at the education centre attached to the wetlands, ready to get our hands dirty.

The education centre had been set up with all sorts of activities to keep the kids busy during the day. Below you can see the three kids scooping up creatures out of the lake water and examining them under microscopes.
Here is Daddy, all wrapped up ready to go...

And here is me - check out my snazzy new gumboots - I haven't owned any since I was about 12!!! Yes, they are leopard print.

A buffet lunch was provided to bolster us for the tree planting - beautiful barbecued meats and salad and lots of fresh fruits. Then the kids got a "train" ride down to planting site while the adults meandered down in their wake...

All the kids got involved - here's Blondie...

And Miss 11...

And Master FJ had great fun shaking the trees out of the pots...

All this was followed by ice-creams, beer and beautiful nibbles for everyone...

And they even brought down the "Beautiful Babes" petting zoo for the kids, to finish off the day...

And we all came home wet, muddy, exhausted and happy. And the grand total of trees planted yesterday? About 2000.