I guess road tripping can be divided into three parts;
Part one - is seeing the sights. Doing the touristy thing. Exploring and enjoying and experiencing new places.
Part two - is the driving. Australia is hunormous (Indi's word invention). We have driven thousands and thousands and thousands of kilometers. Sometimes there are interesting things to look at along the way and then other times the road is long and straight and nondescript.
Part three - is the hanging out at the caravan part. Doing the chores, reading, writing, relaxing, knitting, playing, cooking, journaling, blogging, dealing with stuff back home, strumming the ukulele, crocheting and hanging out with friends.
Sometimes part three makes me feel a bit guilty. Why am I wasting time sitting on my camping chair reading my book when there is a whole new environment to explore? Why should I hang out at our friends' caravan having a drink and crocheting granny rounds, when we are sitting next to one of the most magnificent beaches I have ever seen? If I spend my time doing the laundry will I then have less time for seeing everything there is to see? Isn't there something else more important that I should be doing?
But it seems that the hanging out at the caravan is an important part of road tripping for us and for everyone we meet along the way. No matter where we've been on this journey, there has always been a bunch of kids running around playing, people sitting around reading and chatting by their vans and others doing chores, giving themselves manicures and chatting away on skype.
As well as being an adventure, road tripping also includes the non adventure. The time to stop and relax and enjoy and smell the roses. Slow time.
As I write this farmer Bren is fitting more hooks to the outside of the caravan, Jazzy and Pepper and Austin are playing a game with a bunch of plastic fish, Indi and her friend Jordan are playing 'Guess who' and I am alternating between writing this post and doing rows of my new granny crochet project. It is windy and not all that warm. I heard it is warmer in Melbourne than in Coral bay today. I think my plans for a walk up the beach to the shark sanctuary might just have to wait until tomorrow.
Ok, time for another row of the great big granny...
Happy travels. xx
But it seems that the hanging out at the caravan is an important part of road tripping for us and for everyone we meet along the way. No matter where we've been on this journey, there has always been a bunch of kids running around playing, people sitting around reading and chatting by their vans and others doing chores, giving themselves manicures and chatting away on skype.
As well as being an adventure, road tripping also includes the non adventure. The time to stop and relax and enjoy and smell the roses. Slow time.
As I write this farmer Bren is fitting more hooks to the outside of the caravan, Jazzy and Pepper and Austin are playing a game with a bunch of plastic fish, Indi and her friend Jordan are playing 'Guess who' and I am alternating between writing this post and doing rows of my new granny crochet project. It is windy and not all that warm. I heard it is warmer in Melbourne than in Coral bay today. I think my plans for a walk up the beach to the shark sanctuary might just have to wait until tomorrow.
Ok, time for another row of the great big granny...
What are you up to?
Happy travels. xx
I know exactly what you mean.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to head to WA next week for 3 weeks touring on the road playing an opera. We will perform the opera around 7-10 times in those 3 weeks, the rest of the time we'll either be on the road or sitting around in a little town.
I know that when we are in these little towns from next week, I will often be studying, knitting, crocheting or reading, when just over my shoulder is a cute little town that I'll likely never visit again.
Taking time to smell the roses: this is a MUST at every latitude...without feeling guilty! I love your blanket, how many memories will be attached to it.
ReplyDelete"The time to stop and relax and enjoy and smell the roses." - Imperative no matter where you are or why you're there! I had to remind myself of that a couple of times recently while we sat and did nothing but look and breathe or 'nana napped' an afternoon away. (Also, laundry - even if it means finding a laundromat in Venice - laundry is just a must! :) )
ReplyDeleteThat blanket is beautiful. I'm very impressed that you've managed to keep the white so white too given the country side you've been traveling through.
I think it's really important to slow down and just be in the moment and if that means sitting there quietly so be it...enjoy it while it lasts Kate as all too soon you will be home :)
ReplyDeleteLove that first pic of your girls...classic!
x
No more feeling guilty, ok? Love the photos, very cool kids :)
ReplyDeleteLove the colours of your great big granny! You can't ever feel guilty about the downtime Kate, enjoy every moment, and just do whatever you feel the need to do..
ReplyDeleteIt has been a hot one down here, gorgeous & very much needed I think! Though I am very ashamed to say I managed to get myself burnt, ugh fool..x
I totally agree... the slow time is just as important as the other times. It all sounds idyllic actually :) I'm crocheting too. I think I've worked out a new technique that I'm posting about tomorrow for Creative Space day... so, I figure I've got about 12 hours left of thinking I've 'discovered' this new technique! ;) I expect to be shot down in flames, of course :) Your granny squares are looking fabulous. Kx
ReplyDeleteOOoooh! I wonder if I can divide my life at this time into three parts. The sheer simpicity of it all...
ReplyDeleteI missed market today, for the first time I gave in to how I actually feel. Which wasnt good and although I still woke up at 5:30 and lay awake guilting about whether I should get up, I didnt. I had the most relaxing and wonderful day because of it too.
Who would have guessed?
You probably!
Happy travels, x
p.s. tell your Bren that my mum is obsessed with hooks so needs to be careful
The van is home right now, and home is at the heart of everything x
ReplyDeleteDamn your crochet is great!!
ReplyDeleteYour girls are all steps & same body shape, just like my guys, it's funny when you line them up, people work out i have twins in the middle. Oh enjoy, plenty of things to see when you want to & no time to sit & chill so perfectly when you get home, although, you're going to make changes aren't you?? I have changed so much, this year, it took a dozen years of parenting & almost 4 years of having all 4 in full time school before i slowed the momentum, now i'm really enjoying a new gear. Love Posie
Im totally with you, that slow bumming out, moseying by is so important to a trip, without that it would be all rush and excitement, and no rest!! Plus also I think trips are made not just by the places you go but the people you meet ( that sounds so cheesy i just realised)
ReplyDeleteenjoy xo
Oh Coral Bay, Kate!!!
ReplyDeletethat is one of my favourite spots in WA, I have such fond memories of that place! IT is a magnificent beach, yes. The snorkelling is some of the best ever, yes.. but yep, I'm pretty sure we did a whole heap of tent bumming around there too...oh the memories!
31 degrees here today in our part of Vic! crazy!
great post kate. for us by far the biggest gain on this trip has been just having time to waste and doing it together
ReplyDeletethanks so much for giving us an insight into your amazing trip and thoughts as you travel around this wonderful land of ours, I'm pretty sure your blanket has given me just the inspiration I need to start a new project. Happy travels x
ReplyDeleteYeah of course, you've got it, hanging out at the van is all part of life and who you are right now ... hanging out ... no deadlines, no one wanting you for something, no mundane, or any of the routines of home ... you're doing it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteTalking about beautiful ... the girls are looking so happy, more individual. You're creating three sensaish women there Darlingheart!
Oooo I'd love the sand in my toes walking up a beach now that I'm out of the sweat shop and survived the duddest market of all time. Loving the lessons of life ... at the moment yours are way more pleasant then mine ... found any beach glass? :~) ♥♥♥♥♥
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