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| Marcus, Jackson & Lachlan in their 1930s busking outfits which are packed and ready - even if nothing else is! |
2 more sleeps!
AAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHH
Lots of things done. Lots more to do!
Stay tuned ...
Friday, 24 June 2011
Preparation Phase - PANIC MODE!
2 more sleeps!
AAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHH
Lots of things done. Lots more to do!
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Preparation Phase - Last Minute Lists
7 more sleeps!
We spent the entire day yesterday running around the Gold Coast trying to complete the missing items shopping list. Things like boots for Lachie, thermals for Lachie, thermals for Jackson (and if he had mentioned that he didn't have any before we got home it would have been helpful!), snorkel gear, first aid kit ($180 later!), velcro for the (as yet unfinished) van curtains, and maths books for the kids to take.
It was just after purchasing the maths books that the kids were all quiet in the back (a trend we hope continues), absorbed in their new books and doing exercises. Jackson, who has not got his textbook from Highschool yet, said "I feel left out! Everyone else is having fun with maths and I can't!"
I think I'll suggest he takes over the budgeting responsibilities - we're going to need some enthusiasm and creativity in that quarter!
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So it is official - our children are weird! We'll probably have to say things like "KIDS! Get your heads out of those bloody maths books and look at Uluru!"
Better get back to packing. And sorting. And cleaning. And yelling at the kids to stop doing maths and to help.
Stay tuned ...
We spent the entire day yesterday running around the Gold Coast trying to complete the missing items shopping list. Things like boots for Lachie, thermals for Lachie, thermals for Jackson (and if he had mentioned that he didn't have any before we got home it would have been helpful!), snorkel gear, first aid kit ($180 later!), velcro for the (as yet unfinished) van curtains, and maths books for the kids to take.
It was just after purchasing the maths books that the kids were all quiet in the back (a trend we hope continues), absorbed in their new books and doing exercises. Jackson, who has not got his textbook from Highschool yet, said "I feel left out! Everyone else is having fun with maths and I can't!"
I think I'll suggest he takes over the budgeting responsibilities - we're going to need some enthusiasm and creativity in that quarter!
So it is official - our children are weird! We'll probably have to say things like "KIDS! Get your heads out of those bloody maths books and look at Uluru!"
Better get back to packing. And sorting. And cleaning. And yelling at the kids to stop doing maths and to help.
Stay tuned ...
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Preparation Phase - More packing!
10 more sleeps!
"You can't have everything.
After all, where would you put it?"
Stephen Fry
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A very good question, Stephen.
Stay tuned ...
"You can't have everything.
After all, where would you put it?"
Stephen Fry
A very good question, Stephen.
Stay tuned ...
Monday, 13 June 2011
Preparation Phase - Packing
13 more sleeps until we depart!
Excitement (and stress!) levels are high.
Our Haystack Mountain Hermits busking costumes are 1930s outfits. We have been wishing it was the 1930s - we have had to find 10 electric chargers to pack (mobiles, satellite phone, lanterns, iPod, cameras ...) - thank goodness our instruments are acoustic!
We have taken a pause in trip preparations to do our traditional Surprise 10th Birthday Outing for Lachlan. He had never been to Sizzler, so we had a late lunch there on Saturday (and he was in heaven trying out all the desserts!) before driving up to the Entertainment Centre to see Walking With Dinosaurs. Here is a little snippet (so I can work out how to attach video in this blog):
The show was terrific, and a nice break from finding chargers.
Now it is back to serious stuff like packing and finishing the school term before our departure on the 26th.
Stay tuned ...
Excitement (and stress!) levels are high.
Our Haystack Mountain Hermits busking costumes are 1930s outfits. We have been wishing it was the 1930s - we have had to find 10 electric chargers to pack (mobiles, satellite phone, lanterns, iPod, cameras ...) - thank goodness our instruments are acoustic!
We have taken a pause in trip preparations to do our traditional Surprise 10th Birthday Outing for Lachlan. He had never been to Sizzler, so we had a late lunch there on Saturday (and he was in heaven trying out all the desserts!) before driving up to the Entertainment Centre to see Walking With Dinosaurs. Here is a little snippet (so I can work out how to attach video in this blog):
The show was terrific, and a nice break from finding chargers.
Now it is back to serious stuff like packing and finishing the school term before our departure on the 26th.
Stay tuned ...
Friday, 6 May 2011
Preparation Phase - Reversing
Men do not take directions kindly when driving.
This will not be news to you if you are a woman.
I'm not sure who is in charge in the Toyota factory, but someone with a surname like Toyota must be having a good laugh (or at least a demure chuckle, before apologising to co-workers for the noise) at shipping out zillions of Toyota Commuters to Australia with a "reversing device" to give direction. This charming appliance is mounted just behind the driver's ear, and the amplified accent of the tiny woman who lives in there (without complaint, I should add) could only be described as Seppo. As in Septic Tank. As in ... you know.
Anyway, Dave was reversing the caravan into the shed. Jackson was giving directions on one side, Pap and Angus on the other, and the tiny American reversing assistant was shouting above them all:
"2.4 metres. 1.2 metres. You are in mortal peril. YOU ARE ABOUT TO CRASH. 0.3 metres to impact. I TOLD YOU NOT TO COME THIS WAY. CRASH! CRASH!" *
The tiny American lady is now living on the windowsill in the kitchen.
I will therefore be only driving anti-clockwise around Australia. Forwards. That's all I'm saying.
*These may not have been her actual words.
Stay tuned ...
This will not be news to you if you are a woman.
I'm not sure who is in charge in the Toyota factory, but someone with a surname like Toyota must be having a good laugh (or at least a demure chuckle, before apologising to co-workers for the noise) at shipping out zillions of Toyota Commuters to Australia with a "reversing device" to give direction. This charming appliance is mounted just behind the driver's ear, and the amplified accent of the tiny woman who lives in there (without complaint, I should add) could only be described as Seppo. As in Septic Tank. As in ... you know.
Anyway, Dave was reversing the caravan into the shed. Jackson was giving directions on one side, Pap and Angus on the other, and the tiny American reversing assistant was shouting above them all:
"2.4 metres. 1.2 metres. You are in mortal peril. YOU ARE ABOUT TO CRASH. 0.3 metres to impact. I TOLD YOU NOT TO COME THIS WAY. CRASH! CRASH!" *
The tiny American lady is now living on the windowsill in the kitchen.
I will therefore be only driving anti-clockwise around Australia. Forwards. That's all I'm saying.
*These may not have been her actual words.
Stay tuned ...
Monday, 18 April 2011
Preparation Phase - 30 Second Tents!
We are borrowing a 4-berth caravan from Mum and Dad for our trip, but as you all know, we are a 6-berth family.
6 does not go into 4. Any Tom Lehrer fan knows that.
We have an emergency mattress in the back of the Blunderbuss, but no-one fancies sleeping in there for 6 mainly summer temperature months with no opening windows. Our experiences with the camping trailer - and subsequent motel - last year proved that we need a tent that is fast and easy to assemble and disassemble on a roadtrip. The 30 Second Tent seemed too good to be true, but with just a click of the mouse, it was speeding towards us and arrived just in time for the kids to help put it up before heading to the farm for Easter. We were all pleasantly surprised (read "completely gobsmacked") that the main part did indeed take only 30 seconds, and Easter Bunny was on hand to give it a 5 Carrot Rating.
Stay tuned ...
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| The 30 Second Tent is put up in ... 30 minutes! |
6 does not go into 4. Any Tom Lehrer fan knows that.
We have an emergency mattress in the back of the Blunderbuss, but no-one fancies sleeping in there for 6 mainly summer temperature months with no opening windows. Our experiences with the camping trailer - and subsequent motel - last year proved that we need a tent that is fast and easy to assemble and disassemble on a roadtrip. The 30 Second Tent seemed too good to be true, but with just a click of the mouse, it was speeding towards us and arrived just in time for the kids to help put it up before heading to the farm for Easter. We were all pleasantly surprised (read "completely gobsmacked") that the main part did indeed take only 30 seconds, and Easter Bunny was on hand to give it a 5 Carrot Rating.
 |
| Easter Bunny eating the 5 Carrot Rating |
Stay tuned ...
Monday, 11 April 2011
Preparation Phase - Children's Lists
April already and the Churchmice are starting to get excited about the trip.
Lachlan's main concern has been getting a soccer ball to take with us, since his previous one was last seen in an arc which ended on the school roof! Despite Dave taking in a ladder to look for it, it was never seen again! I've purchased a bright orange ball which should minimise the chances of loss in the parks and playgrounds we are about to visit. He is happy, and is spending his time "servicing" Wilson - which involves cleaning him in the bathroom sink. I am less so, as my time is now taken "servicing" the bathroom sink.
Marcus is very worried about reading material. So am I. He churns through a book a day. He has been enjoying Biggles lately (we have a few old copies courtesy of Uncle Peep) so he and I spent some time tracking down an online supplier of the Biggles series. Hence Biggles, Algy and Ginger are having a renaissance in our family. We are considering using them as our travelling code names, but I can see there will be a fight over who gets to be Biggles! Despite purchasing all the books we could - as well as Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath and others; as well as promising Birthday Books to them all as we travel - Marcus is still worried about reading material. So am I!
Ella is mostly worried about how Bonnie the cat will cope without her tender ministrations. She is spending lots of time reading all of her favourite stories to Bonnie, and is constantly reading "Are We There Yet?" to her to help her understand where we will be!! She has also put her teddies and babies on notice - only the best behaved will be able to come with her. Unfortunately, the 3 "twinnies" blotted their record - and our carpet! - after mealtime on the weekend, so will probably be sent to Gran for the duration.
Jackson has had little time to worry about anything but High School homework, but no doubt he will have his packing list written (and perhaps has already packed!) and he has drawn plans of the caravan to maximise our chances of fitting all our stuff in. He is also keenly interested in all the "engineering" in the bus, and spent all day on Sunday helping Dave build a platform in the back.
Stay tuned ...
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| Ella reading Are We There Yet? to Bonnie |
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| Jackson and Dad working on the Blunderbuss floor platform. |
Lachlan's main concern has been getting a soccer ball to take with us, since his previous one was last seen in an arc which ended on the school roof! Despite Dave taking in a ladder to look for it, it was never seen again! I've purchased a bright orange ball which should minimise the chances of loss in the parks and playgrounds we are about to visit. He is happy, and is spending his time "servicing" Wilson - which involves cleaning him in the bathroom sink. I am less so, as my time is now taken "servicing" the bathroom sink.
Marcus is very worried about reading material. So am I. He churns through a book a day. He has been enjoying Biggles lately (we have a few old copies courtesy of Uncle Peep) so he and I spent some time tracking down an online supplier of the Biggles series. Hence Biggles, Algy and Ginger are having a renaissance in our family. We are considering using them as our travelling code names, but I can see there will be a fight over who gets to be Biggles! Despite purchasing all the books we could - as well as Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath and others; as well as promising Birthday Books to them all as we travel - Marcus is still worried about reading material. So am I!
Ella is mostly worried about how Bonnie the cat will cope without her tender ministrations. She is spending lots of time reading all of her favourite stories to Bonnie, and is constantly reading "Are We There Yet?" to her to help her understand where we will be!! She has also put her teddies and babies on notice - only the best behaved will be able to come with her. Unfortunately, the 3 "twinnies" blotted their record - and our carpet! - after mealtime on the weekend, so will probably be sent to Gran for the duration.
Jackson has had little time to worry about anything but High School homework, but no doubt he will have his packing list written (and perhaps has already packed!) and he has drawn plans of the caravan to maximise our chances of fitting all our stuff in. He is also keenly interested in all the "engineering" in the bus, and spent all day on Sunday helping Dave build a platform in the back.
Stay tuned ...
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