Echoes in the Woods by Georgina Scott (ebook reader web txt) 📕

“Look, Mary what’s that bird? Jake, do you know what it is?” said Ella.

“Well, if you listen you can hear it whistle,” said Mary.

“I know, I know, it’s a Whistling Kite, and also known as a Whistling Eagle,” said Jake.

“Oh, well done, Jake, that’s my boy!” said Mac, chuffed as punch.

With Jake, smiling from ear to ear, after hearing praise from his granddad; for the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged and was happy. They saw many species of wildlife, from Kangaroos to water birds, Parrots and reptiles. They were out on the river for almost four hours, only stopping for lunch which they had in their canoes, Ella and Jake took many photographs. It took another two hours to get back to the camp at slow pace. Once there, Jake helped Mac with strapping the canoes to the sides of the caravan, whilst Ella helped Mary with prepping dinner.

Jake and Ella ran around playing chase, and hide and go seek, and then they both sat on a fallen tree branch and Ella began reading ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’. Jake put his arm around her and gave her a big squeeze; she turned her head and looked at him. Once dinner was served, they all played Pictionary and then they all took turns to read aloud a chapter from ‘Huckleberry Finn’. Mary made hot chocolate and then they all settled in for the evening.

The morning was bright, the sky blue and not a cloud to be seen, the sun was already high in the sky. The usual breakfast routine got underway. “As this is our last night here, would you both like to sleep outside in a tent tonight?” said Mary.

Both Ella and Jake looked at each other, then both said in unison, “Yes, please.”

“Good,” Mary said.

“Will you and Gramps be with us Nana?”

“No darling, we will be in the caravan, those days are long gone, for me and your gramps!” Both kids just smiled at each other.

Once breakfast was over and done with, giving an hour for the tummies to settle, all four went swimming and snorkelling, and then played Dolphin Relay Race. As Ella was a really strong swimmer, she was really excited with this game and her competitive nature came out in leaps and bounds. Jake was a little apprehensive as he had not played this game before.

Mac explained the rules: “You see that point,” pointing his finger, “well, that’s the turning point, there and back in the fastest time. Each person pushes the ball to that turning point and back again, however, you are only to use your forehead or nose. You are not allowed to touch the ball with any other part of your bodies or you will have to return to the start and start all over again. You, then, pass the ball to the second person waiting at this end, then continuing until all have completed three turns each. How does that sound?”

“What teams are we on?” Ella said.

“Well, as I see it, you and I are the strongest swimmers Ella, so we will compete with each other and Mary and Jake will compete.”

“Sounds good to me, boys against girls,” the rest of them said, with Ella and Mary giving each other the high five.

“Jakie boy, when me and Ella are in position, you do the ready steady go, now are we all ready, say YEAH!” said Mac, thrusting his fists in the air.

“YEAH,” they all repeated and did the same.

Both Ella and Mac positioned themselves in the water with the balls just in front of them. Jake then shouts out, “Are we ready?” both Ella and Mac shouted back, “YES!”

“GO!” Both Jake and Mary shouted out encouragements for their teammate. Both swimmers chose the breaststroke, both neck and neck, and then Ella headed out in front by an arm’s length and was the first at the turning point. Mary and Jake positioned themselves, still shouting for their other teammate. With Ella in the lead, passing the ball to Mary, she head-butted the ball and off she went.

Jake was a little slower, starting off once Mac passed him the ball. Now getting in the swing of things, Jake was catching Mary. He caught her at the turning point, with Mac shouting, “Good lad, Jake, keep going!” Jake was in the lead now by a leg length, tapping the ball with his nose. Mary managed to lose track of her ball as she head butted it out of range and had to go after it, which put her and Ella way behind. Ella put her hands on her head with disappointment and frustration, “Mary, we are gonna lose, quicker!”

With Mac looking at Ella, shaking his head with a chuckle, Jake came into reach, then passed the ball and off Mac went. Mary managed to get the ball back on track, with Ella itching to go at it. Mary passed the ball. There was no way Ella could catch Mac but she did manage to close the gap between them.

Jake felt his right leg twinge, but thought nothing of it. As Mac passed him the ball, Jake set off again. He got to the turning point and was half way back to Mac when his right leg cramped. Jake went into a fit of hysterics, splashing and crying out. Mac immediately went to Jake’s aid and so did Mary, both reaching him. Mac turned him over onto his back and swam him back to the bank. With Jake crying in pain, Mac laid Jake down with his leg out straight; he then pulled the top of his foot towards Jake’s head and held it there, until the cramp subsided.

Ella swam out to get both balls, and brought them back to the bank. “Is he going to be okay?” said Ella

“Yes, he will be fine. It’s a cramp, he’s got,” said Mary. After the cramp subsided, Jake felt a little pain and tenderness in his right leg.

“Okay,