So what do you do when things don't go to plan? When the wheels fall off? When life doesn't behave the way you had hoped?
Do you have a tantrum? Do you fall in a heap? Do you bang your fist on the table? Do you cry? Do you go to bed and refuse to get up?
Or are you the making it better type? Do you make lists and phone calls and pull things to bits and ask Google and try to rearrange things so they vaguely resemble the plan again?
I think I am a bit of both. I think I sometimes fall in a heap first but then I pick myself up, look around, reassess, put on some stripey leggings and get on with making a new plan.
Today, Monday, marks our one week anniversary in this cabin in Albany. It marks our one week anniversary off the road. It feels like longer than that though believe me.
Over the course of the week I have felt horrible and awful and lousy. I have complained about the ugliness of the decor, the teensiet living space, the cost of this mechanical extravaganza, the fact that our last days on the road are being spent in one place, the struggle of living without a car, without an oven, without so many of our special things. I think we've all had our difficult moments.
But then I keep reminding myself that Albany is a pretty gorgeous spot to be stuck. That our very main aim for this trip wasn't to see the most, but it was to be together and have time for each other. We still have that, more than ever in fact. And the usual happy, healthy, not wanting for anything reminders help too.
We have some board games, we have yummy market food, there is a cafe around the corner that makes great coffee, I have wool, there is a playground and a heated pool, we have our I-things, I think there is still one op shop I have yet to visit... We have all finished our books so we might have to rectify that issue soon but other than that we are good. Terribly lucky in fact.
Farmer Bren/mechanic Bren, has just called to let me know that the problem is not the axle. He is now lying under the caravan with the mechanic trying to figure out what's next. What is next??
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
Looks like we'll be be in Albany for a while longer. It's all good.
I'd better have a shower and walk the kids to the beach.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
Have a great week my friends.
See ya! xx
Oh Kate, I hope it's sorted out very soon for you! Everyone's entitled to a hissy fit freak out, I think maybe it's compulsory! And then when that's out of your system, sometimes (most times) there's no point in looking at it any other way than positive, well done & enjoy that beach!
ReplyDeleteOi! I as hoping you'd be on the way, but hopefully this new week will sort things out. Enjoy the opshop, in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed you can be on your way again soon. Sometimes it is hard to accept when plans divert. I confess to being of that first variety sometimes, but family has a way of turning you into the second variety doesn't it? For on the road or not life just throws unexpected things at us. May you be on your way soon xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you well and feeling happy for you too that you are stuck in a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the little time you will have there and I hope you get whatever it is you want soon, or wherever you wish to be.
Yes, you have your health, your family , coffee and wool. xx
ReplyDeleteno waaaaaay. in my mind you were sitting around your new homemade pizza oven enjoying veggie pizza. crap to the max. i have to come over for a hair appt later in the week. if you are still around we can have a coffee, but fingers crossed albany will be far behind you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteAw Kate. That's really tough. But remember in the making of memories, if your going to get mad, make the happy overshadow the mad so that the ending of your sublime holiday does not overshadow the rest of it. Hugs Cherrie
ReplyDeleteAlbany is my most favourite place (probably in the world) I couldn't think of anywhere lovelier to be stranded. I do understand your frustration though and I hope you're on the road again soon.
ReplyDeletePlease try the local cherries if you can ( they're actually from Mount barker but you can buy them in Albany) they are incredible x
Hi Kate, I feel sad you are 'stuck' but I also feel relieved you are safe. I can understand everyone's frustration but we met a 70+ yo chap whose 'A' frame had snapped crossing the Nullabor. Frank helped him prop the front of the caravan up on something so he could be more level and 'exist' until real help arrived (which was on the way). The poor ol' fella was still quite shaken up and the accident had happened the day before. We all have our fingers crossed you are on the road real soon!!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks pretty good still from back here Kate. Like you said, not a bad place to be stuck. You don't have to spend all day in the cabin. Bummer about the axel though.
ReplyDeleteYes it does seem like a wonderful place to be stuck, you're loved, have plenty of wool, great coffee and food. But it's ok to complain too and be upset and fall into a heap and be frustrated. You're human and it is disapointing and annoying.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're on the road very soon xoxo
Fingers crossed all is fixed soon. Meanwhile carry on making it all as good as it can be, looks like you're really good at that :D
ReplyDeleteI'm unpredictable. Sometime I am my own worst enemy, othertimes I just carry on like its all water off a ducks back. I wish that I could foresee how I might react... and I'm sure my nearest and dearest do too! I can be a bit of a live wire sometimes!!!
ReplyDeleteMy first blog ever!! Just heard the news from Meg, stranded in Albany! Not a bad spot to be stuck in. Have you been to the Fitzgerald River National Park.. breathtaking spot. Life has been crazy here. I have finished my studies and am now trying to get a job. I have applied for one in a remote community in the Territory, chances are good. We will have to leave by the 2nd week in Jan so I hope we will see each other before then?? Hope my fellow scorpio's had a grand birthday?? Very excited that you ran into Eileen & Fitz in Margaret River, they are probably the WA equivalent to you guy's.! I am always drawn to the creative and genuine types. Even though I don't blog, text whatever you are always in our thoughts. Stay safe, positive and enjoy Albany! Love Eirinn, Ethan & Eammon
ReplyDeleteAt least while you are stranded we get to enjoy the fruits of Albany a bit more through your posts :)
ReplyDeleteA friend and I have decided on an oppie road trip to Albany and back and everywhere inbetween thanks to your posts and hubby and I are planning a few family holidays in the North..am looking forward to see a bit more of WA :)
x
Deep breaths needed indeed. After a week I was surprised to check in and still find you in Albany. My computer has been a bit like your caravan, pulled apart, bits taken out and put in and finally today a working result! I hope your working result is on its way to you very soon too.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to feel not in control and to spend money that you didn't intend to. As Albany is my happy place I couldn't think of a better town to be stranded in. Just keep breathing and enjoy the scenery. Fingers crossed it will be sorted out soon.
ReplyDeletesuch cute pics!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://infinitelifefitness.com
http://mscomposure.blogspot.com
Hey guys! Congratulations on winning Explore OZ's Road Tripper Hall of Fame!! Well deserved! Look forward to seeing your trip turns out!!
ReplyDeleteHello Kate
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog for a bit but haven't commented til now. I love Albany and have a bit of a connection although I now live in NSW. My family moved from NSW to WA when I was a teenager. Not your average move, Dad bought an old school bus and we loaded everything in and drove across. We too had delaying mechanical issues but it sure was an adventure. When Christmas was looming and we still had so far to go we decided to detour to Albany and meet our mainly unknown cousins. We 8 arrived all scruffy and a bit overwhelmed only to be welcomed with Christmas spirit. So fond memories for me. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay. Thanks for reminding me of my similar adventure. Best wishes Marcia
You have a beautiful family Kate! Well done on the traveller award....!!
ReplyDeletei know EXACTLY what you mean because we too were once stuck in an awful little cabin in albany for a week. only we didn't make it out by our own means so you did better than us! we rolled our car in the middle of a national park about three hours out of albany, on the way to sydney, then had to drive it back to albany and stay there for a week while we figured out what to do. (in the end we had to catch the train across to the east, 50km an hour, all the way across the nullarbor...) so i know exactly what it feels like to walk down the albany main st and think, oh god! glad to hear you got out though!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteWhile you were in Albany, did you see Dog Rock? Everyone told us to look for Dog Rock when we visited Albany. Very interesting. Regards, Anita.